In this episode, we head north on a road trip through Portugal, exploring some of the most beautiful spots in Northern Portugal. With our niece Katey, we visited Aveiro, Braga, Barcelos, Guimarães, and the stunning Douro Valley wine region. Along the way, we enjoyed incredible Portuguese food, local wine, and the unique charm of historic cities in the North—so different from the laid-back vibe of the South.

A big thank you to Katelyn Boyd for joining us on this Portugal travel adventure! She’s currently looking for a new opportunity in human resources, so if you—or someone you know—are hiring, you can reach her at Katelyn.ee.boyd@gmail.com.

In this episode, we let you know what Portugal is really like in the summer! We offer practical tips and tricks to beat the heat so you can see Portugal in all her best glory. From long summer days perfect for exploring historic cities like Lisbon and Porto to sunny afternoons on golden beaches along the Algarve coast, we share why this season can be a magical time to visit. We talk about fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables at local markets, lively summer festivals such as São João in Porto, and the warm Atlantic Ocean waters that make beach days irresistible.

We also cover the challenges—like extreme summer heat, crowded coastal towns, and high-season prices—plus how to navigate them for the best experience. Whether you’re planning a Portugal summer holiday filled with water sports on the southern coast, a road trip through central Portugal, or wine tasting in the Douro Valley, this episode will help you decide if a Portuguese summer is the perfect time for your trip.

[01:00] Intro to summer in Portugal and why we love it

[04:00] Why come to Portugal in the summer

[06:30] Festivals in Summer (São António, São Pedro, Medieval Festivals)

[15:30] The Douro Valley 

[16:50] The Lionel Ritchie concert in Lisbon

[18:00] the pros and cons of air conditioning

[20:45] Daylight savings is great…in the summer

[21:45] Cons of summer in Portugal –parking, more people because of reunions, some places closed, 

[24:15] Tips for coming in Summer 

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

 Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post for this episode: Summer in Portugal: What to expect during peak season

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media, and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout-outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life, that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive for their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 24 August 2024

In this episode, we continue the saga of our epic road trip up north. We visited the cities of Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal and Ourense in Spain. 

Guimarães is amazing and we do not know how this could be a one day/day trip from Porto, but it is. We visited the Palace of Dukes, the main square of Largo da Oliveira and the cathedral in the historic center of Guimarães.  

Ourense was a totally different experience! Spain was beautiful but HOT and probably not the best time to visit the hot springs. But the city of Oursense is beautiful. We walked down to the Plaza Mayor, the city center of town to enjoy our meals. There is a cathedral and Roman bridge that crosses the Miño River.

Across the banks of the RIver Miño are the thermal spas that are free and open to the public. There is also a private spa you can visit for less than €7.  You can also get a very thorough massage there.

We stayed at the NH Ourense Hotel

[01:50] Guimarães

• [04:45] Palace of Dukes
• [08:14] Historic Center of Guimarães (Largo da Oliveira)
• [11:32] Serra (mount) Penha

[12:15] Oursense, Spain

• [14:00] Old Town Oursense
• [16:15] Spa day at the Thermal pools
• [21:40] European massages are…different
• [33:40] Milongas Parrillada Ourense–great meat restaurant in Ourense

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blog post for this episode: Best Day trip to Guimarães
• Private tours and tour guides in Portugal

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 08/08/2024

We start our Epic Road Trip series with this episode on Braga. We took an 8 day trip up north to Braga, Guimarães, Ourense, Spain and Aveiro.

In this episode, we cover our lunch escapade at the Hotel Palácio de Buçaco, located in the heart of Portugal, about 20 minutes north of Coimbra. This Hotel was once a convent, then a palace for the royal family, and then a hotel. The lunch at the hotel was amazing but expensive. The gardens and architecture were incredible.

We then drive north into Braga and hang there a few days soaking in the fun…and heat. We visited the Bom Jesus de Monte and the Braga cathedral as well as walked through the Santa Barbara Gardens, ate AMAZING FOOD, and reveled in the beauty that is Braga. 

Epic Road Trip Introduction

[04:45] Hotel Palácio de Buçaco and Convent

[13:08] Intro to Braga

[16:08] Bom Jesus de Monte

[22:44] The food in Braga is very good

[27:00] The Braga Cathedral 

[32:16] Other cool things in Braga to see: Old Town restaurants and shopping, Santa Barbara Gardens, Palácio da Raio, Avenida da Liberdade for big shopping

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blog post for this episode: What to see and do in Braga 
• We are also on Threads!
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Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Date: 19 July 2024

In this episode, we talk about our favorite things we love in Lisbon–as tourists! We’ve been to Lisbon several times as tourists ourselves and accompanying guests and we have picked the places we would recommend to those visiting the city for the first time. Keep in mind this is just our opinion. There is so much to see in Lisbon and we still haven’t seen it all!

If you want to see pics, check out our social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Threads.

[03:07] Tile Museum

[07:35] Alfama Neighborhood

[11:15] Lisbon street art: Bordalo II

[14:18] Belém (Pastéis de Belém, Jerónimos Monastery, Maritime Museum, Monument of the Discoveries) 

[27:50] Chiado and Rossio Square

[30:45] An unexpected happy place.

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Lisbon in 2 days–what we would do 
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Things mentioned in this podcast

• Tile Museum blog post and podcast episode  (day trips we loved)
• Bordalo II Art page

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

If you would like to sponsor our podcast, click here! We would appreciate it so much.

If you would like to buy us a gin and tonic for our episodes, click here and donate as you wish.

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!) They even have a new app available that is fantastic!

Today, we take you to the central part of Portugal to Batalha and the Convent of Christ in Tomar. 

First up, the Monastery of Batalha, or Mosteiro da Batalha, is one of Portugal’s greatest Gothic masterpieces. Commissioned by King João I in 1386, it was built to honor the Virgin Mary in thanks for Portugal’s victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota (1385), a decisive moment that secured the country’s independence from Castile. Over more than a century of construction, master builders blended Gothic and Manueline styles, creating a monument of national pride. It also became the royal pantheon of the Aviz dynasty, housing the tombs of João I, Queen Philippa of Lancaster, and Prince Henry the Navigator.

Things not to miss when visiting:

• Founder's Chapel (Capela do Fundador): Burial place of King João I, Queen Philippa, and their famous sons.
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• Unfinished Chapels (Capelas Imperfeitas): An extraordinary open-air architectural experiment, never completed but breathtaking in detail.
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• Royal Cloister: Perfectly preserved Gothic cloisters with delicate stone tracery.
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• High Altar & Nave: Imposing Gothic proportions and soaring vaults that inspire awe.
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• Stained Glass Windows: Among the finest medieval stained glass in Portugal.
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Batalha Monastery isn’t just a building—it’s a stone chronicle of independence, devotion, and the rise of Portugal as a global power.

Tomar and The Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ in Tomar has just as rich a story as Batalha, but with a very different character. Here’s the essential background you could use for your next set of show notes:

• Who built it & why:
• The convent was originally founded in 1160 by the Knights Templar under Grand Master Gualdim Pais. After the Templars were dissolved in the early 14th century, the Portuguese branch was re-established as the Order of Christ, which inherited the convent.
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• Why it matters:
• The convent became the headquarters of the Order of Christ, which played a central role in supporting Portugal’s Age of Discoveries — most famously under Prince Henry the Navigator, who was its governor.
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• Architecture:
• It blends Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance styles, thanks to centuries of expansions and renovations. Its centerpiece is the Charola, the original 12-sided Templar church, modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
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• Highlights not to miss:
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• Charola (Rotunda): The richly decorated, polygonal Templar church at the heart of the complex.
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• Manueline Window of the Chapter House: One of Portugal’s most iconic Manueline artworks, covered in maritime and natural motifs.
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• Cloisters: Especially the Cloister of John III, with Renaissance harmony and elegance.
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• Aqueduct of Pegões: A massive 16th-century aqueduct that supplied the convent with water.
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• Castle Walls & Towers: Remnants of the original Templar fortress overlooking Tomar.

[00:30] All the fun in June–São João Weekend and big game

[02:50] Batalha Monastery

• Founders Chapel
• Cloisters
• chapter house

[17:55] Tomar, a medieval town in the middle of Portugal, a city not to miss

[21:00] We crash a wedding

[24:30] Convent of Christ

[28:00] a little background on the Templars

[30:00] The actual way you should see the Convent

[33:00] Charola (round chapel)

[41:30] What’s up next

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post on Tomar
• Blog post on Batalha 
• Blog post on Convent of Christ

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 18 June 2024

We took a day trip from Peniche to the UNESCO world biosphere reserve Berlengas Island and had an amazing experience! We went in the morning (around 10 am) and left around 2pm. We thought this was plenty of time. We loved the views and the island is beautiful. 

We went with Feeling Berlinga, you can book through Get your Guide also. 

• Don’t go in a small boat
• It is a strenuous hike up to the top and back down to the fort.
• Take water, sunscreen, a hat, good hiking shoes, if you plan to do the hike.
• There is a restaurant and cafe there but no store
• You can swim, snorkel, and play in the water at the beach and at the fort
• The boat caves tour is great and can also take part of the hike off for you

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

Buy us a gin and tonic!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blog post for this episode: A Day trip to Berlengas

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 05 June 2024

Title: Exploring the Schist Villages of Serra da Lousã

In this episode, we take you on our journey to the interior of Portugal to visit the schist villages of Serra da Lousã. These medieval villages are made completely out of slate and shale gathered from the mountains and are now being restored. We visited four while we were there and cannot wait to go visit again.  

[00:45] Introduction of Schist villages

[03:14] Gondramaz

[06:20] the mountains are a little different…

[07:30] More about Gondramaz

[10:45] Casal Novo

[13:30] Talasnal

[16:00] Chiqueiro

[18:30] Eating chafana

[19:24] River beaches

[22:00] what’s up next!

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blog post for this episode: Exploring the Schist Villages of Central Portugal
• Aldeias do Xisto website
• Mountain whisper–Hotel where we stayed

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date:  23 May 2024

Title: Journey to Évora: A very quick day trip

In this episode, we took a trip down to Évora in the Alentejo. We walked around inside the wall, ate some amazing food and saw the amazing Chapel of Bones. This was a short trip for us but we know we will want to return to explore more of Évora and the Alentejo.

[01:25] Introduction to Évora

[02:15] Where to Park–good to know!

[04:00] Tua Madre for lunch

[06:44] Conde Vila Flor Square 

[08:05] Évora Cathedral

[09:50] Roman Ruins (Temple of Diana)

[11:35] Praça do Giraldo

[13:00] São Francisco Igreja

[15:00] Chapel of Bones

[19:00] Chapel art museum and creepy dolls 

[23:53 Cork forests, storks, and other fun travel in the Alentejo

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blog post for this episode: Journey to Évora: Ancient city of the world

Thank you to all of you who have followed us on social media, subscribed to our podcast and visit our blog. We are so grateful for you! 

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 26 April 2024

Title: Douro Valley and Port wine tours in Porto

In this episode, we take you up the Douro River to the Douro River Valley and to the port houses of Vila Nova de Gaia to give you an in depth account of the tours we have taken. 

The Douro River Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in northern Portugal, is a breathtaking region renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and world-famous wine production. This picturesque valley stretches along the meandering Douro River, which carves its way through rugged mountains and terraced vineyards, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.

The other end of the Port wine trade is in Vila Nova de Gaia at the port cellars. Once the wine is made, it is shipped down to Porto to age. Lucky for us, there are many cellars open for tours and tastings. 

[02:00] Douro Valley Tour 

[0700] What you get on a set up tour

[11:50] Lunch 

[14:00] Boat ride up the Douro River

[19:00] planning your own tour of the Douro (see blog post for suggestions)

[24:50] Port houses and cellars

[28:50] Sandeman tour

[33:50] other options for tastings

[39:25] Ferreira tour

[43:45] what’s coming up next!

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Threads
• Douro Valley Blog Post
• Port Cellars blog post

I mention a free sheet that tells you about the port cellars in Gaia. You can get that here.

Special thanks to all of you who have commented, subscribed, got in touch on social media, and have supported us in some way. We love you and appreciate it immensely!

Date: 29 March 2024

Title: Porto, Portugal

Happy 1 Year in Portugal to us! We recorded this episode the day before our one year anniversary and we are so excited to start a new season.

This episode, we go to PORTO, one of our favorite cities. We only scratch the surface with our favorite places, but these are recommended sites if you are visiting Porto for the first time or need some help planning an itinerary. We start up at the Livraria Lello and work our way down the hill, stopping at some of the coolest places. 

[03:30] Getting there

[06:00] A bit on how we travel and taking your time

[08:30] Best time to go to Porto

[11:20] Is Porto safe?

[12:55] Getting around Porto

Part 2: Places we love to visit

[15:15] Livraria Lello

Igreja do Carmo

[20:35] Clérigos Tower

[21:30] Porto Cathedral

[23:00] Porto Sign and Liberdade Square

[23:50] Mercado do Bolhão

[26:45] Vitória Lookout for pics

[27:50] São Bento Railway Station

[29:45] Check out the McDonalds!

[30:30] Take a metro or walk over the Luis I bridge into Gaia

[32:10] Vila Nova da Gaia, port houses 

[39:45] Wrap up

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blog post for this episode

Thank you to all of you who have followed us on social media, subscribed to our podcast and visit our blog. We are so grateful for you! 

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast

Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 21 Feb 2024

Title: It’s the Little Things

In this episode, We take inventory of the little things we love about living in Portugal. From the incredible kindness of people to the way we take our meals, Portugal has taught us a great deal about slowing down and enjoying life.

[01:45] Lost wallet

[06:20] Lost car 

[14:20] Heating and air conditioning

[18:45] America TV vs. Portuguese TV

[20:00] Fast food

[24:45] Meals and cafe culture

[31:10] Watching the growth and the world around us

[37:00] What’s next?

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blog post for this episode–there isn’t one yet but maybe I’ll write one.

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 19 July 2025

In this episode, we continue our amazing road trip from Dublin to Dingle and Galway, Ireland. We discover that driving in Ireland can be harrowing, but the countryside is beautiful, the pubs are fantastic, and the baby lambs are just adorable!

[02:45] Suitcase fiasco, learning to drive on the left/right.

[06:00] Connor Pass (aghhhhh!)

[12:00] Dingle Town 

[13:00] Ring of Kerry–The Irish Road Trip (map and guide)

Kenmare is where the stone circle is, Torc Waterfall is what we missed, and Ladies View  was amazing (Derrycunnihy)

[19:30] Hold a baby lamb, and sheep herding demonstrations 

[25:00] Slea Head  Drive

[31:20] Drive to Galway and ferry ride and the meltdown in Galway

[13:15] Cliffs of Moher

[41:25] Hop on Hop off bus 

[42:35] Long Walk

[44:00] Eyre Square, local markets 

[45:00] Salt Hill

[45:55] Latin Quarter and the pubs, buskers, shopping

[47:00] Galic football in a pub 

[48:08] What we loved

[49:39] What we did not love (narrow roads)

[51:40] What we want to do next time  

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at Wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post for this episode: Driving the West of Ireland: Dingle and Galway

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 08 Feb 2024

Title: Sintra: the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira

In this episode, we explore two places in Sintra–Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. 

Pina Palace sits high atop the Sintra Mountains in Portugal and is known for its vividly painted façade, eclectic architectural styles and breathtaking panoramic views. The grounds are incredible too!

But there is also the Quinta da Regaleira, an old mansion renowned for its stunning architecture, lush gardens and grounds and intriguing symbolism. Don’t forget about the initiation well! The estate also features a chapel and a network of underground tunnels and caves.

Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites and tourist attractions for many visiting Portugal. 

We took a day trip with our son, Eli to check out the Palace and the Quinta and have a few tips for those of you that are interested in visiting both places. 

**note-we said there is no parking at Pena Palace. There is very little parking at Pena Palace. In Dec, you might find a spot.

The name of the place we had lunch at is Nata Pura–highly recommend!

[2:40] Pena Palace (getting there and getting up there, and the palace)

[20:22] Lunch! Check out Nata Pura

[25:00] The Quinta da Regaleira

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blog post for this episode

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 22 Jan 2024

Title: 3 Day Trips: Nazaré, Tile Museum, and Conimbriga

In this episode, we take a few day trips. First we went tothe lovely Nazaré to see the big waves and the beautiful beaches. We took Sheila on the first trip and visited our American friends Filomena and Rick the second trip.

If you like visiting ancient ruins (Roman one’s anyway) The Ruins of Conimbriga would be a lovely day trip from Coimbra. It took us about an hour to get there but it is just outside of the the city. The ruins boast amazing baths, a forum, many incredible mosaics, and the House of fountains is a marvel on its own.

Last, we check out the Museu do Azulejo (tile museum) in Lisbon. The tiles are a work of art and are seen all over Portugal as decorations and storytelling. The best is the large mosaic of the city of Lisbon before the earthquake of 1755.

All of these trips were at the request of guests we had over the holidays, but they are also great tourist spots. Conimbriga is a different sort of taste for tourism because Roman ruins sometimes look the same.

**a few corrections–obviously, Shelley (me) does not know how to convert celsius to fahrenheit and 17 is about mid 60’s. The tile we spoke about is NOT 115 inches, but 115 cm high. Conversions are not our thing. 

[1:55] Nazaré–both Praia do Norte and Praia de Nazaré

[14:20] Conimbriga Ruins

[24:10] Tile Museum

Next podcast episode will be about Sintra –Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira!!

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Blogpost for this episode–I’ll have to post later–it’s not finished!
• 
  

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 03 Jan 2024

Title: Best of 2023 and Ready for 2024

Wow, this year has gone by fast and boy what a year it was! We moved across the Atlantic Ocean to Portugal and began brand new lives. In addition to all of that, we did a bit of traveling. From the Algarve to Scotland, we set out to explore some new places, made some amazing friends, and had wonderful adventures.

[03:30] Best city–Zagreb!

[04:30] Meeting the best people

[06:50] Best places in Portugal–Benagil Caves and Quinta do Regaleira

[12:20 Best beach-Foz do Alrelho

[15:20] Best tour–Wine tour in Tuscany!

[17:00] Being grateful for everything!

[18:00] What we want to do this year. -Spain, Aveiro, the mountains and revisit the Douro. 

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• Blogpost for this episode

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country. It’s been close to a year now and we are finally settling in!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 30 Dec 2023

Title: Our First Christmas in Portugal

Spending our first Christmas in Portugal has been quite the experience. We found out about a few traditions, appreciated all the lights, drank, hung out with our new friends and learned that Christmas is more than just a day, it is a whole season.

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• Blogpost for this episode

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 18 Dec 2023

Title: Discover the quirky magic of Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb, Croatia, wasn’t quite on our radar as a place to visit in Europe, but it turned out to be one of the best trips we have taken since we moved. Zagreb is full of great restaurants, quirky museums, and, of course, the Christmas Market. This week, we tell you what we loved so much about this beautiful city and why we will be going back!

[1:30] Why Zagreb?

[4:00] Christmas Market confusion

[7:45] Zagreb Cathedral

[10:10] The weather was cold–so dress for it

[12:45] Mulled wine and hot gin!

[14:45] Croatian Christmas Markets

[18:15] The food was amazing! Restaurants and bars

[26:15] Upper Town

[27:20] Museum of Broken Relationships

[32:00] St. Mark’s Church, Stone Gate, old Pharmacy

[34:15] Wrap up–we loved Zagreb!

[38:00] What’s up next time

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• Blogpost for this episode

Special thanks to all of our family and friends who have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

Special shout-out to KLM Airlines–best flights ever. Customer service, boarding, and flight were smooth and easy!

Special shout-outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life, that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 22 November 2023

Title: Our Favourite Places in Florence

Sorry it took so long to get this episode out, but we had A LOT to talk about. In this episode, we give you our first hand account of Florence, Italy. Back in early October, we met up with some of our friends from the US and toured Florence for 5 days. We visited the Uffizi, ate great food, saw the David and the Duomo and the Santa Croce Basilica, and drank all the wine. We loved most of it, like some of it, and discovered that Florence is an amazing Renaissance city.

This episode is longer than our usual ones, but we had so much to talk about!

• [01:00] Reasons for moving to Portugal and traveling within the EU 
• [08:45] the Uffizi Museum
• [15:45] Michelangelo’s David and the Accademia
• [19:45] Piazza della Signoria
• [21:00] Piazza del Michelangelo and the other side of the Arno River
• [23:40] Ponte Vecchio Bridge
• [25:22] Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistry 
• [30:45] Santa Croce Basilica
• [35:00] The wine and the food!
• [43:50] Chianti/Tuscany Wine Tour

** CORRECTION: We said that Napoleon's Daughters were buried in the Santa Croce. They are not–it is his niece and sister-in-law.

All of the places that we mention are linked in our blogs! Please make sure you check them out and sign up for our newsletter and updates to the blog for more details. Go to wwforus.com and sign up in the popup or the first page!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• Uffizi Blog Post
• Florence Blog Post
• Wine Tour Blog Post

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country. It has been quite the adventure!

Shout out to Laura and Renee, our Florence travel buddies and Vicki and Mac our Paris travel peeps.

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 10 October 2023

Title: Pão Por Deus and the Fall Holidays in Portugal

Fall is such a beautiful time in Portugal, but the holidays are a little different. We talk about the tradition of Pão por Deus instead of "Halloween" and the festival of São Martinho and chestnuts.

Key Topics

• [00:37] We love Spooky Season but we’ve been fooled here
• [3:47] Pão Por Deus
• [10:07] All Souls Day
• [16:25] São Martinho Day
• [20:40] Festas thank you dinner
• [23:20] What’s up next

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• Blogpost for this episode

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast

Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 27 October 2023

Title: Summer Festas

In this episode, we tell you all about our neighborhood festas and how four days of party are…well, A LOT.

• [00:45] our latest adventures in Florence and Paris
• [02:00] What is festas
• [06:15] Festas is not a fair
• [09:45] Potato peeling with the locals
• [15:35] Dinner and the party
• [21:00] What’s coming up next

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• Blogpost for this episode

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast

Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 6 October 2023

Title: S1E6 A Week in the Algarve

In this episode, we tell all of our adventures in the Algarve this summer. A week is not long enough to see it all, but we hit the highlights.

• Introduction and bike rally in Faro
• [4:15] Cork Forests
• [6:30] Old Town Walled city gates
• [7:45] Beth tells you all about the storks
• [10:10] Faro Cathedral
• [17:00] Ria Formosa
• [20:20] Benagil Caves
• [26:45] Fuzeta and the beach
• [30:30] Tavira
• [35:40] Visiting with Friends
• [40:45] Shoutouts!

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• Blogpost for this episode

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

Shout out to all of our listeners and people who have recommended the listen. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Thank you, Knock Caldwell for your “gardyloo” answer. You are the best tour guide ever!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 27 Sept 2023

Title: S1E5: Our Trip to Edinburgh

In this episode, we give the highlights of our trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, in June. It was our first time out of Portugal since we moved, and there were many things we wanted to explore. We did a lot in three days!!

This episode is LONG, but like I said, we did a lot in 3 days.

• First day starts at 00:52
• Grass Market, Royal Mile, Victoria Street, St. Giles Cathedral
• The second day starts at 14:49
• Harry Potter Tour, Greyfriars Bobby, National Museum of Scotland, Mary King’s Close, White Hart Inn
• The third day starts at 26:26
• Princes Street Gardens, Calton Hill, Royal Cafe, the joy of Alan and Knocke!

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places, and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok

Special thanks to all of our family and friends who have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment, and learning the ropes of our new country.

Special shout-outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life, that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 21 June 2025

Title: Dabblin’ in Dublin

Hey everyone! In this week's episode, we welcome our first guest on the show, Julie Evans! Julie is Shelley’s BFF and joined her on this epic trip to Dublin (and other parts of Ireland).

This is our first time hosting a remote guest, and we apologize if the sound quality is a little off. We used Riverside.fm to record this episode.

This episode focuses on Dublin, highlighting what we did, what we loved, and what we want to do next time we visit. 

[01:30] Why it was a best friend trip and we did not go together

[05:20] FreeNow is the app we mentioned. Was cheaper than Uber

[06:18] Christchurch Cathedral–see social media for the reel!

[08:05] Keep Julie awake

[09:45] Trinity College tour

[13:30] Book of Kells

[14:30] Long room

[19:00] Immersive Experience for Long Room and Book of Kells  

[20:15] Grafton St and the Duke pub –Literary Pub tour starts here 

[21:35] Day 2 in Dublin 

[22:30] Hop on Hop off Bus

[23:35] Temple Bar area, webcam! 

[25:45] Jameson Tour (Jameson Orange is back in stores)

[32:35] Devitt's  Bar

[35:30] Last or third day in Dublin

[35:45] Archaeology Museum

[38:45] Indian Food– Andhra Bhavan

[40:15] Irish culture on TV–Irish football, Irish language 

[42:45] Little Museum of Dublin

[45:00] O’Donough’s 

[45:45] What did we like about Dublin?

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post for this episode: Dublin in 4 Days
• Dublin Itinerary
• Google map for Dublin 

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media, and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout-outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life, that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

17 Sept 2023

Today we tell the story of Ines and Pedro, two people who loved each other so much that even death could not separate them.

Check out our blogpost here so that you can see all the pictures of the coffins!

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country.

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• Website

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

8 Sept 2023

S1E3: Our Typical week living in a small village in Portugal

In this episode, we talk about what it is like living in a small village in Portugal. We discuss our day to day, our challenges, and what we really love about living here.

You can see the great pics and check out the blog posts at wwforus.com

This particular blog post is found Here

Special thanks to those that have subscribed to our podcast!! Make sure you give us a review. It really helps.

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok

The full story of how we made the move!

"So, a year ago, I basically said to Shelley “want to move to Europe and specifically Portugal?”

We had been together for about a year. 

And this is how incredible she is - she said “sure!” - with questions of course. She had never even been to Portugal, but I had been researching immigration to Portugal for several months. 

So, We scheduled a trip in August for her to see Portugal and after that trip she said yes!"

Shelley said yes to a lot more than that, but for now here is our 7 month journey to our whole new life!

If you have any questions about our journey or in general, hit us up on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram! you can also email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com or visit our website at wwforus.com

It's been 19 weeks since we arrived in Portugal with just a few pieces of luggage and our two dogs. Find out what we have been up to since then and how our lives have changed.

Show notes:

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

8 Aug 2023

S1E1: 19 Weeks Living in Portugal

In this episode, we explain what we have been up to for the past 19 weeks since we moved to PORTUGAL!

Buying all new things, navigating buying a car, buying groceries, and meeting new people and all of the 

The sound on the podcast may be a little low. This is our very first podcast so we have a few kinks to work out. Thanks for listening!

Write blog-style paragraphs associated with each main topic. Avoid overstuffing with keywords, but try and incorporate them throughout your episode summary and the body of your text.

• [1:00] Introduction and what we have liked about being here so far
• [2:30] Where we are and setting up house, buying a car, Ikea
• [5:45] Meeting our friends and getting help
• [8:20] Festas! (we will talk more about this later)
• [11:45] time in Portugal (it moves a little differently) how long it takes for appts, times for meals, living in the moment
• [17:00] other places located around us that we go to (beaches and cities). No private beaches! 
• [19:15] how to find us and contact us (also see below!)

Special thanks to all of our family and friends that have helped with our move, helped with setting up our new apartment and learning the ropes of our new country. Special shout out to the Coffee Bitches and their bitches, Julie, Carrie, Eli, Laurie, Meg, Geoff, Joelen, Ansley and David. You guys ROCK!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok @wanderingworksforus

Date: 22 April 2025

Title: Óbidos and Peniche: Two different towns in Portugal

We take an inside look at Óbidos and Peniche, two lovely villages on the Silver Coast in Portugal. 

Óbidos is a lovely medieval village about an hour north of Lisbon. It has great festivals, shops, and medieval charm. Make sure you try the ginja!

Peniche is a fishing village on the coast, also about an hour north of Lisbon, but with a much different feel than Óbidos. The beaches in this area are incredible, as well as the cliff views.

For those who enjoy resorts, this area boasts 4 golf courses and resorts: Praia del Rey, Royal Óbidos, West Cliffs, and Bom Successo. 

[02:50] Intro to Óbidos

[05:05] Letraria Brewery–our favorite place to chill

[20:30] Peniche

[21:40] Beaches of Peniche

[25:45] Cliffs of Peniche

[26:45] Berlengas Island–check out the podcast here!

[30:45 ] Museu da Resistância 

[36:45] What’s coming up next

To follow our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places, and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog posts for this episode: Guide to the town of Óbidos, Why Peniche is the best coastal fun, A Day Trip to Berlengas
• Other podcast episodes like this: Day Trip to Berlengas

Our music is by White Records

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media, and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout-outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life, that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive, thank you for your love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 09 March 2025

Title: Winter in Portugal

What have we been doing this winter? Hibernating! We traveled extensively during November and December and needed some well-deserved time off. 

But winter is a great time to travel in Portugal. The weather can be rainy but can also be lovely! Museums are open, wine tasting is great and the beaches are lovely–just cold.

Living in Portugal during the winter is quite nice too! We have enjoyed our two winters here even though it’s been rainy. But let us tell you what it is really like…

[00:30] What have we been doing? Where have we been?

[05:15] Traveling in Portugal during the winter

[10:00] The snow and ski area we are talking about is Serra de Estrela. 

[12:30] Christmas markets and Christmas Decorations, New Year's fireworks, and other holiday festas.

[13:30] Festas and the  Festa blog post! 

[14:40] Living in Portugal

[16:00] Heating and air–dressing for the weather–make sure you have heat if renting an Air B&B

[20:05] What is next up for us

To follow our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post for this episode: Portugal in Winter: Why travel during the off season?

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 21 December 2024

Title: Christmas in London (our first trip!)

We went to London to catch the Christmas Markets and hang with our niece Katey. London was definitely “Giving Christmas.”

The Christmas decorations and markets were great but we also got to see the London Tower, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the changing of the guard and King Charles!!

We also enjoyed the pubs and afternoon tea at the Dalloway Terrace. Find out what else we did on our first trip to London (together).

[02:30] Christmas Markets in London and everywhere 

[7:45] Christmas lights tour

[11:00] Fortnam and Mason (Yikes)

[13:00] Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

[16:00] Tower of London and Tower Bridge

[10:00] The British Museum

[21:50] Big Ben, St. James Park, pelicans, Royal Opera House, and other fun stuff

[24:00] Evensong in Westminster

[27:00] Pubs–George Inn and Blackfriars (we’ve listed more on the blog)

[31:15] Cahoots bar

[33:00] Afternoon Tea 

 [35:00] Things we will do next time 

To follow all our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post for this episode: Christmas in London--will link as soon as it is finished!
• 
  

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Date: 29 November 2024

 Amsterdam is a city we must always return to because well, there is never enough time to see it all!

We spent 7 full days exploring the city and the surrounding area and had an amazing time. Museums, restaurants, and things to do are featured in our podcast!

Our full itinerary can be viewed on our blog post and we will also make some notes below and places we mention.

[2:30] Beth starts to tell us what she loves most–which there is a lot of food 

[3:30] Rijksmuseum 

[5:20] Van Gogh Museum

[6:35]  Anne Frank House

[10:55] Getting around  Amsterdam   –and there is a metro line (we just never used it).

[13:55] Dutch Food: pancakes, poffertjes, drop, stroopwafles. We went to Hans Egstorf, the oldest bakery in Amsterdam! But they are just as good off a truck somewhere. Stampots are awesome. Bistro Amsterdam is the restaurant we mentioned.

[23:07] Cheese shop: De Kaaskamer

[24:00] Genever tasting: A. van Wees Tasting Locality, Mango the bar cat…Beth loves that cats get to come inside. There is such a variety of food –not just Dutch.  

[27:43] Types of Cafes–don’t get them confused 🙂Get your space brownies at Tweede Kamer.

[30:55] Take a canal tour  

[30:52] Best time to go to Amsterdam–when it’s less crowded 

[35:51] Utrecht and DomUnder 

[39:10] Haarlem: St. Bavo’s Organ, Jopenkirk Brewery, Shopping district

For more information or a look at the Google Maps , check out the Blog post.

To follow our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com 

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post for this episode: What we did on our first visit to Amsterdam

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout-outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 28 October 2024

Title: Our Trip to America

We are back in Portugal after spending 2 ½ weeks in the USA. This is our first trip back since we moved and we were a little…surprised. 

Our first big impression? America is overwhelming. But it isn’t America that has changed. It is us!

Find out what made us feel like living outside the US is the best decision ever. 

[06:00] First impressions

[07:30] Restaurants

The food

Halloween fun

Walking vs cars

[27:45] Shootings and gun advertising 

We bought way too much stuff

[34:40] Hurricane Helene

Other things we did

[38:50] Upcoming trips: Netherlands, Christmas market in Lisboa, Barcelona, Ireland, and Scotland

To follow our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!

There is no blog post for this episode but feel free to visit our site at wwforus.com

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout-outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. Thanks to Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!) They also have a great app out! 

Date: 06 September 2024

It’s been a year!! We have been podcasting now for one year! Thank you all for your love, support, donations, subscriptions, EVERYTHING helps us and we really enjoy doing this and want to keep doing it so THANK YOU!!

We also sum up the last of our epic road trip with our stop in Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal. We spent two nights in Aveiro checking out places we have not been to yet and even did a day trip to Águeda to see the sky umbrella project.

Aveiro has lots to offer including Moliceiro boat rides down the canals, shopping, great restaurants, museums including the Art Nouveau Museum and the town museum, plus the salt flats and Praia da Costa Nova. 

• [00:56] BIG THANK YOU’S and meeting awesome people this summer
• [04:20] Aveiro Moliceiro boat tour
• An interlude about how we travel and why we came home early
• [12:00] North of the main canal (Art Nouveau Museum, shopping, fish market, Ovos Moles)
• [16:00] Old Train station
• [17:45] Rua de Coimbra ceramic mural and Gloría neighborhood (M Bakery, Taco Loco)
• [20:15] City Center, Aveiro Forum, and ribbon bridges
• [22:22] Cathedral of Aveiro mention
• [23:25] Salt pans/salt production
• [27:00] Praia da Costa Nova
• [32:30]Águeda sky Umbrella Project
• 
  

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wonderingworksforus@gmail.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post for this episode: Aviero, Portugal: what to do and Águeda Portugal, the colorful city of umbrellas 

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)

Date: 13 October 2025

Title: Tomar, Portugal: City of Templars

Join us as we wander through the enchanting medieval city of Tomar, Portugal — one of our favorite destinations in Central Portugal! Steeped in history, Tomar is best known for its fascinating connection to the Knights Templar and the magnificent Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In this episode, we go beyond the famous Templar Castle and explore the many other gems that make Tomar so special — from the Tomar Synagogue and the scenic Nabão River Park to the city’s delicious local cuisine and the colorful Festa dos Tabuleiros, one of Portugal’s most unique traditional festivals.

We wrap up our journey with a visit to the stunning Almourol Castle and the Contemporary Art Museum in Vila Nova da Barquinha, rounding out an unforgettable adventure through Portugal’s Templar Route.

How far is Tomar from Lisbon?

Headquarters of the Templars

A short history of the Templars as we know it

Tomar’s Templar Castle and Convent of Christ

[10:55] Nabão River Park

[14:02] Le P’tit fraçais–(a little French) is the pastry shop

[15:20] Synagogue and Jewish Museum

[17:15] Igreja São João Baptista 

[18:45] Taverna Antiqua

[20:00] Insensato Café and Livraria

[21:30] Festa do Tabuleiros or festival of trays–correction– it is every 4 years, not every year 

[23:40] Almoural Castle

[Museum in Vila Nova Barquinha

What Tomar feels like 

What’s up next

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places, and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

Instagram

• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog posts for this episode: Tomar, Convent of Christ
• Google Map of all places listed

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media, and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

We love discussing our adventures on our podcast, but we also share personal travel experiences on our Substack, and we're now also on Flipboard. 

Date: 27 September 2025

Title: UK Trip Part 2: Strathaven, Glasgow, and Dunblane

In this episode, we continue our trip in Scotland. We travel to Strathaven to stay, then to Glasgow, and take an overnight trip to Dunblane.

While in Strathaven, we experienced the Balloon Festival, visited local pubs, toured a fully automated farm, and spent time with family and friends. We were also able to head down and see New Lanark, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Glasgow was very cool! We rode the hop-on hop-off bus, the Kelvingrove, and the Pot Still.

Dunblane was a charming surprise! We loved visiting the cathedral, the Leighton Library, the Dunblane Museum, and Doune Castle!

Part I : Staying in Strathaven, Scotland

[02:20]Thanks to Margaret for housing us!

[03:15] Balloon Festival of Strathhaven

[06:30] Nether Lathame Farm – a fully automated farm

[11:35] Party for Liz

[13:15] Strathaven Balloon Festival glow-up

[14:50] Great pubs: Weavers, The Strathaven, and the Drumclog Inn

[17:10] New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site 

[21:45] Part II: Glasgow

[22:30] Hop on Hop off bus

[24:00] Kelvingrove Museum–Mackintosh exhibit and the Dali painting

[26:00] Willow Tea Room

[28:00] The Pot Still

[31:00] Part II: Dunblane

[32:15] Dunblane is known for…

[34:00] Cromlix Hotel

[35:00] Dumblane Cathedral–Drummond Sisters

[37:20] Leighton Library

[41:30] Dunblane Museum

[42:30] The Tappit Hen

[43:00] Doune Castle

[47:00] Bridge of Allen

[50:20] What’s up next? 

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places, and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

Instagram

• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog posts for this episode: Glasgow, Strathaven, and Dunblane (all different posts).

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Date:  17 September 2025

Title: UK Trip Part 1: London and Edinburgh

This August, we decided to try to escape the tourists in our village and went to places where there were more tourists! We’ve become so European (ha!). 

We spent three lovely days in London with our niece, Katey, and seeing Buckingham Palace, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, walking around the Black Friars, and saw Sean Hayes at the Barbican Theater in his award winning role, Good Night, Oscar.

We then headed north to Scotland, where we spent the rest of our time exploring new cities and villages and meeting some amazing people. Check out below what we did while we were there!

Part 1 London: 

[03:30] Dinner at Slaughtered Lamb 

[04:38] Walked around Mayfair in London, ate at Popina, met a dog

[06:08] Buckingham Palace State Room Visit –Beth loves to talk about the Royals

[16:45] Beer drinking at Bag O’Nails  

[18:15] Dishoom Indian Restaurant–loved!!! High-quality Indian food

[19:35] Staying in the Black Friars

[20:35]  Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Christopher Wren, The Old Bell Tavern, Winston Churchill gates in the crypt.

[25:25] Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican Theater

[28:45] Cross, Platform 9 ¾, train travel and bus travel.

Part 2 Edinburgh–30:55

[32:00] Dinner at Makars Mash –highly recommend

[33:30] Edinburgh Military Tattoo–check out our YouTube video.

[42:40] Writers Museum–Highlights Scotlands best: Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott

[44:45] Howies Restaurant

For more info on Edinburgh, check out our first podcast on the city on Spotify or where ever you like to listen.

To follow all of our antics and adventures, please visit our social media pages and our website at wwforus.com! You can send us a message at any of these places and feel free to email us at wandering@wwforus.com

Like what we are doing? Buy us a gin and tonic and help us keep going!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Tiktok
• YouTube
• Looking for a tour guide in Portugal? I have a whole list!
• Blog post for this episode–Both blog posts are updated –3 Days in Edinburgh and First Trip to London

Special thanks to all of you who have listened, subscribed, followed us on social media and just took the time to say hello and tell us how much you enjoy our podcast and blog. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Special shout outs to AL and Leanne of A Sideways Life that has given us so much help and support for the move. To Gal and Mayaan at Smoozitive with their love and support. Please check out their podcasts on Apple Podcasts 

• A Sideways Life website and podcast
• Smoozitive website (if you are moving abroad, these women are experts and will help you out!)