Ola Pichulita, the Portuguese aversion to somebody speaking Spanish is a urban myth. That said, I must recognize that most Portuguese had some level of classroom education en English and most none in Spanish, so the swap from Spanish to English whenever is possible, just happens because it's most comfortable ground to most Portuguese speakers.
Some trivia if you like: Dr Salazar who ruled Portugal for some decades in 20th century never referred to Spain by other words than the affectionate formula "nuestros hermanos"; the last time Portugal and Spain shared in a battle field, it was over 200 years ago and were fighting in the same side (Napoleon's France the other), a record that few neighbouring countries can be proud of

So why are the rail links so abysmal?

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and comments....it gives me food for thought.

Question: Between Pena Palace, Capuchos Convent, Morrish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, Palacio Monserrate or Nat'l Palace of Queluz....which 2 would you suggest we focus on? We enjoy ooooold structures that are quirky and have a lot of details....gardens are ok, but we can forego them.

Pena Palace I think has a lot of quirkiness:

https://www.google.com/search?q=pena...iw=659&bih=706

Pena Palace is definitely quirky and weird and strange on the outside. It’s very memorable. I thought the interior was a little boring after awhile, but it is well worth visiting.

So why are the rail links so abysmal?>

Good question -Lisbon-Madrid daytime trains do not even exist - direct ones that is and a high-speed train like throught Spain would make it a 3-4 hour trip maybe but yes seems to be a lack of demand as there are nearly no direct rail links between the two. In fact except for night trains I can think of none - even in northern Portugal going to Spain you get off one train and walk across border to Spanish train IME.

We spent 4 days in Lisbon (1 day trip to Sintra and another day spent in the Belem neighborhood). In Sintra I think you'll find the Pena Palace of interest, definitely quirky. I also enjoyed Quinta da Regaleira because the grounds are worth exploring - tunnels, underground wells, twists and turns, doors made of rock. It was fun to poke around and discover.

I wrote a trip report with our itinerary, photos, and cost breakdown:
https://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2017...nd-sintra.html

Hope it helps you get some ideas!

If you have a half day to spare on 2nd day in Sintra - consider doing as I did and returning to Lisbon by bus via the Cabo da Roca, westernmost point on European continent including Ireland - direct bus there from Sintra (sometimes with short walk to cape) and then bus via Cascais and train from there back to Lisbon. But a lot of traveling but just in case want to see the edge of Europe and a very turbulent Atlantic maye- just giving options.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cabo+da+roca+images&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source =univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-6fvQjPzbAhUK5IMKHVV9AGIQsAQIKw&biw=659&bih=706&dpr =1.25

Another vote for the Pena Palace (we didn’t go inside, the gardens and exterior are amazing. Eat a snack at the cafe and enjoy the views of Sintra. We also loved the Moorish castle. It was a lot of fun climbing the castle and again the views of Sintra are beautiful.

ok, besides Pena Palace, which other one would you all suggest?

Sorry, didn't realize there were more posts at the end....thank you all!