Dear Friends of Monserrate,

We are delighted to remind you of our annual picnic on July 6th (from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.), and to share the details on how it will unfold in collaboration with Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua.

This year, we’ll host several contests: Literary (A), Hat (B), and Photography (C). There will also be raffles and activities for the little ones!

(A) Literary Contest (for adults and children)

Theme: “To travel is simply to exist,” wrote Fernando Pessoa (as Bernardo Soares).

It’s not only humans who have the wonderful freedom to explore the world. The plants of Monserrate carry the genes of travelers.

Write a short story or poem (maximum 100 words) illustrating this idea.  

Bring your written piece on the day of the picnic, signed with the name of your favorite flower.

(B) Hat Contest (open to all)

You’re welcome to attend without a hat, but feel free to get creative and surprise us!  

Prizes will be awarded for: 

• Most Joyful
• Most Romantic
• Most Sophisticated
• Most Popular
• Most Creative
• Most Elegant

(C) Photography Contest

Throughout the picnic, we challenge you to capture the most charming corner or moment of the afternoon with your phone.
 

For all activities, please sign up upon arrival at the lawn with Board member Maria José Vilar.

On the lawn, there will be signs indicating designated picnic spots. Please bring comfortable clothes, your picnic basket, a blanket, and above all, your good spirits!

For those with reduced mobility, cars will be available until 1:00 p.m. However, we recommend traveling light. 

Invite your friends, children, and grandchildren!
 

We’ll be waiting at the Park entrance between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. with the “Flower of the Day” (7 euros per person). Please bring cash, as MB Way is not available. Non-members, or those with outstanding dues, will also need to pay for entry to Monserrate. Children enter free.

In case of traffic issues between Sintra and Monserrate, we recommend the following alternate route: head toward Colares and take a left onto the old Estrada da Rainha, where—despite the “No Entry” sign—access to Monserrate is permitted.

Our thanks to Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua for all their support; to Manuel Rosa and Sistema Solar for their wonderful book prizes and raffle items; to Margarida Almada Cardoso and Ambassador José Gregório Faria for the olive oil; to Isabel Alçada for youth books; to Esthederm of NAOS Portugal for their beauty products; and to the Members who contributed wine and flowers.
 

We look forward to seeing you!
 

Warm regards,  

The AAM Board