A refuge for European royal families since gaining the favor of the nautically-inclined kings Luis II and Carlos I in the late 19th Century, Cascais remains one of the seaside gems of Portugal’s famed Estoril region. For centuries a fishing village from which many of the mariners who explored the New World originated, the area was long known for its sheltered harbors and coves, white, jagged cliffs, and tucked away beaches when King Carlos decided to use it as his base for oceanographic studies. After connecting the still impoverished town to the greater Lisbon area with a railroad and allowing for the development of a nearby casino, the Portugese government further encouraged Cascais’ development as a retreat for Lisbon’s upper and aristocratic classes. The tumult associated with both the First and Second World Wars as well as the Bolshevik and other uprisings soon made Cascais a preferred destination for many of the continent’s exiled nobles and, gradually, the town was built-up into one of the finest seaside resort areas in Europe. Today, its magnificent vistas, private and dramatically convoluted beaches, and quiet villages, which each posses both medieval structures and those built with consideration to historical accuracy and cultural continuity, are equally served by a hospitable culture that reflects both traditional Portugese art, music, and cuisine as well as current global trends. Natural and social amenities, of course, dovetail at many of Cascais’ esteemed locations, including the Praia da Rainha and Guincho beaches as well as the oft-painted and photographed Boca do Inferno cliffs, as these popular sites incorporate dining, entertainment, and recreational options along with untouched beauty. Ultimately, however, Cascais’ long association with the Atlantic Ocean may be its greatest asset, as the coves that once harbored wooden caravels that were crewed by iron men now serve as an anchorage for some of the sleekest racing yachts on the planet as well as a place of respite for the fortuitous individuals who own them.