royal lodging
Pestana Palace: The rooms are spacious with serious interior design at this spot, part of the Leading Hotels of the World group. The grounds should inspire many explorations. Doubles from about $272 (www.startribune.com/a2379).
Pousada de Obidos: Most of the rooms in the castle are relatively small, but you may be inspired to don a suit of armor and boil some oil to pour over the battlements. Doubles from $270 (www.star tribune.com/a2378).
To learn more: Portuguese National Tourist Office (1-646-723-0200 [dial 3 for tourism]; www.visitportugal.com).
Alice Short
