Wandering Works for Us – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 9 August 2025Title: Portugal in the Summer

Summary of Episode

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.

Key Topics

[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 

Important Links 

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

Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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!!

RESOURCES & LINKS

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!)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 24 August 2024

Title: Epic Road Trip part 2: Guimarães, Ourense, and a very weird massage

Summary of Episode

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

Key Topics

[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

Important Links 

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

Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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!!

RESOURCES & LINKS

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!)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 08/08/2024

Title: We LOVE Braga: Things to do when visiting Braga, Portugal   

Summary of Episode

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. 

Key Topics

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

Important Links 

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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Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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!!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 19 July 2024

Title: What to do in Lisbon–our recommendations

Summary of Episode

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.

Key Topics

[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.

Important Links 

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 
• 
  

Things mentioned in this podcast

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

Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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.

RESOURCES & LINKS

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!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

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.
• 
  
• 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.

Key Topics

[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

 

Important Links 

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

Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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!!

RESOURCES & LINKS

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!)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 18 June 2024

Title: A Day Trip to the Berlengas Islands, Portugal 

Summary of Episode

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. 

Key Topics

• 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

Important Links 

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

Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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!!

RESOURCES & LINKS

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!)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 05 June 2024

Title: Exploring the Schist Villages of Serra da Lousã

Summary of Episode

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.  

Key Topics

[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!

Important Links 

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

Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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!!

RESOURCES & LINKS

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!)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date:  23 May 2024

Title: Journey to Évora: A very quick day trip

Summary of Episode

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.

Key Topics

[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

Important Links 

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

Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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! 

RESOURCES & LINKS

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!)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations

Wandering Works for Us Podcast

Date: 26 April 2024

Title: Douro Valley and Port wine tours in Porto

Summary of Episode

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. 

Key Topics

[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!

Important Links 

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.

Thanks to Everyone who has been so supportive!

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!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wandering-works-for-us/donations