Traditional Farm Christmas Family Experience (Dec. 21)
It smells like Christmas and the aromas at Quintinha’s kitchen are even more special. Families will be welcomed on this day by two traditional Sintra peasants who invite us to take part in the farm’s chores. You’ll bake a ‘King-cake’ in the wood-fired oven and, using elements from nature, you’ll create a piece of Christmas decoration. It’s the start of the season.
Shall we get ready to welcome Christmas as a family?
The origin of the King-cake or ‘Bolo-rei’, dates back to ancient pagan festivities devoted to Saturn, that occurred exactly this time of the year. A dried bean, as a symbol of fertility, was placed in a sweet round cake, shaped like a crown, and whoever found it became the ‘king of the feast’. The more recent tradition no longer includes dried beans, to prevent anyone from choking on them, and the cake is associated with the three wise men and the gifts they gave Jesus on the day of his birthday. But the cake is still sweet and rich. The best fruits are used to make it and there's no Christmas table in Portugal without its presence. With an area of around two hectares, native trees, and a watercourse, Quintinha de Monserrate recreates a small farm, with areas for different types of crops and animals, as well as a renewable energy system that makes it autonomous from an energy point of view. It was once a small farm that served the Monserrate Park and Palace, to which it adjoins.
The activities it offers are related to Sintra’s national and regional traditions and the caretaker’s old 19th-century house provides the cozy space to welcome you.
A little more About Quintinha:
Quintinha is an old agricultural property that supplied the kitchen of Monserrate palace with the most fresh vegetables and fruits, eggs, and aromatic herbs. The green garden is still maintained, with the ecological production of local varieties and traditional irrigation with small “levadas” that carry the water from an elevated tank. And of course, the farm animals are present as well, the donkey and the horse, the chickens and the rabbits. Today we welcome everyone who wants to learn about the ancient customs of this region.
All ages are welcome, so we welcome families with younger children, but the activity is designed mainly for children aged 4 and over.
Date: Saturday, December 21, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Meeting Time: 2:30 pm
Location: Quintinha de Monteserrate
Meeting Point:Quintinha de Monteserrate
What is included: Participation in traditional farm chores with Sintra peasants, baking a King-cake in a wood-fired oven, creating Christmas decorations using natural elements, exploration of Sintra's cultural traditions, and a cozy atmosphere in the 19th-century caretaker’s house at Quintinha de Monserrate.
What is not included: Transportation is not included (We will meet directly at the main entrance of Monserrate Park. An Uber costs approx. 7€ from the EC)
Sign-up Deadline: Tuesday, 10th of December at 12:00 pm
Minimum Participants Required: 25
Maximum Participants: 40
Terms & Conditions: Once purchased, this trip is non-refundable unless we are unable to find a suitable date during your stay in Sintra due to weather conditions. The trip's date may change based on the weather forecast. If we cannot arrange a trip during your stay, you will receive a full refund.
All other terms apply as per our Terms of Service.
Traditional Farm Christmas Family Experience (Dec. 21)
It smells like Christmas and the aromas at Quintinha’s kitchen are even more special. Families will be welcomed on this day by two traditional Sintra peasants who invite us to take part in the farm’s chores. You’ll bake a ‘King-cake’ in the wood-fired oven and, using elements from nature, you’ll create a piece of Christmas decoration. It’s the start of the season.
Shall we get ready to welcome Christmas as a family?
The origin of the King-cake or ‘Bolo-rei’, dates back to ancient pagan festivities devoted to Saturn, that occurred exactly this time of the year. A dried bean, as a symbol of fertility, was placed in a sweet round cake, shaped like a crown, and whoever found it became the ‘king of the feast’. The more recent tradition no longer includes dried beans, to prevent anyone from choking on them, and the cake is associated with the three wise men and the gifts they gave Jesus on the day of his birthday. But the cake is still sweet and rich. The best fruits are used to make it and there's no Christmas table in Portugal without its presence. With an area of around two hectares, native trees, and a watercourse, Quintinha de Monserrate recreates a small farm, with areas for different types of crops and animals, as well as a renewable energy system that makes it autonomous from an energy point of view. It was once a small farm that served the Monserrate Park and Palace, to which it adjoins.
The activities it offers are related to Sintra’s national and regional traditions and the caretaker’s old 19th-century house provides the cozy space to welcome you.
A little more About Quintinha:
Quintinha is an old agricultural property that supplied the kitchen of Monserrate palace with the most fresh vegetables and fruits, eggs, and aromatic herbs. The green garden is still maintained, with the ecological production of local varieties and traditional irrigation with small “levadas” that carry the water from an elevated tank. And of course, the farm animals are present as well, the donkey and the horse, the chickens and the rabbits. Today we welcome everyone who wants to learn about the ancient customs of this region.
All ages are welcome, so we welcome families with younger children, but the activity is designed mainly for children aged 4 and over.
Date: Saturday, December 21, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Meeting Time: 2:30 pm
Location: Quintinha de Monteserrate
Meeting Point:Quintinha de Monteserrate
What is included: Participation in traditional farm chores with Sintra peasants, baking a King-cake in a wood-fired oven, creating Christmas decorations using natural elements, exploration of Sintra's cultural traditions, and a cozy atmosphere in the 19th-century caretaker’s house at Quintinha de Monserrate.
What is not included: Transportation is not included (We will meet directly at the main entrance of Monserrate Park. An Uber costs approx. 7€ from the EC)
Sign-up Deadline: Tuesday, 10th of December at 12:00 pm
Minimum Participants Required: 25
Maximum Participants: 40
Terms & Conditions: Once purchased, this trip is non-refundable unless we are unable to find a suitable date during your stay in Sintra due to weather conditions. The trip's date may change based on the weather forecast. If we cannot arrange a trip during your stay, you will receive a full refund.
All other terms apply as per our Terms of Service.
