Wandering Works for Us

HOLIDAY REPLAY: Discovering Autumn Traditions in Portugal 🍂 What happens when two Halloween-loving Americans move to Portugal and discover that autumn doesn't look quite the way they're used to? In this holiday replay, we're taking you back to our first autumn in Portugal, when Shelley and Beth were learning how the Portuguese celebrate the season. From missing Halloween decorations a...

You can't see the Highlands in a day. But a small-group day tour from Glasgow can give you a taste of them, and in this episode we tell you what that taste looked like. We spent about twelve hours in a van with our friends Chris and Sheila, a guide named Keshava, and two other travellers, covering Loch Lomond, Glencoe and the Three Sisters, Fort Augustus on the Caledonian Canal near Loch Ness,...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 26 August 2026 Title: Glasgow 2: Back again for more Mackintosh, Murals, and Museums Summary of Episode Glasgow has become one of our favorite cities in Scotland, and after spending five days there on this trip, we decided it deserved its very own episode. We love Edinburgh too, but Glasgow has a completely different feel. Edinburgh is the picture-perfect Scotl...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 1 August 2026 Title: York & Corbridge, UK: Ghosts, Vikings, and the Wall That Ended Our England Leg Summary of Episode York earns the title of favorite city on the trip: walkable, atmospheric, and layered with Viking, medieval, and LGBTQ+ history.  We cover the Shambles and its Harry Potter branding, the Jorvik Viking Centre's ride-through experience (b...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 25 July 2026 Title: Puddings, Manor Houses, and a Princess Bride Cameo: Our Bakewell Story Summary of Episode After the busier stretch through the Cotswolds, we slow down for a two-and-a-half-hour drive north to Bakewell — a market town we picked for two reasons: the famous puddings, and Haddon Hall, right next door. In this episode we talk through our stay at...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 4 July 2026 Title: The Cotswolds Road Trip: Cathedrals, Gin, and Sheep Summary of Episode We pick up where the Oxford episode left off and head into the Cotswolds, basing ourselves in the tiny village of Longborough at Lime Cottage.  Along the way, we fall hard for Longborough Gin, take a day trip into Gloucester to see the cathedral (Harry Potter fans, this on...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 27 June 2026 Title: What we did on our trip to Oxford UK, and what we would do differently next time Summary of Episode Oxford was the first proper stop on our England road trip with Julie and Ann — and it nearly didn't get the time it deserved. In this episode, we talk about driving into the city in 5 o'clock traffic (on the wrong side of the road, in...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 13 June 2026 Day Trips beyond Lisbon, Part 2: Palácio do Bucaco, Grutas da Mira de Aire, Quinta do Cerejeiras, and Buddha Eden Gardens Summary of Episode We're back with another round of day trips from Lisbon — and this batch might be our favourites yet. In this episode, Shelley and Beth head into some of Portugal's most surprising corners: a fairy-tale...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 2 May 2026 Title: Day Trips Beyond Lisbon: Cascais, Santa Cruz, Vimeiro, Lourinhã Summary of Episode Looking for the best day trips from Lisbon? In this episode, we explore five destinations within easy reach of the capital — from the upscale coastal town of Cascais to the dinosaur fossils of Lourinhã, a Napoleonic battlefield at Vimeiro, and one of our favouri...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 21 March 2026 Title: Moving Abroad and Finding Home Summary of Episode In this engaging conversation, Yolanda Reshemah shares her journey of living abroad, exploring what home truly means, and the cultural nuances of integrating into a new country. Discover insights on community, identity, and thriving in a foreign land. In this engaging conversation, two exper...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 28 February 2026 Title: Portuguese with Anita da Silva: Overcoming Fear, Cultural Mistakes & Speaking with Confidence Summary of Episode In this episode, we welcome Anita da Silva, an experienced online Portuguese teacher, to discuss the challenges of learning Portuguese as immigrants. We explore Anita's unique teaching methods that emphasize a relaxed...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 21 February 2026 Title: Lisbon: Chapter 2–some other stuff to do Summary of Episode Planning a trip to Lisbon? In Part 2 of our Lisbon travel series, we’re diving deeper into the history, food, and culture that make Portugal’s capital unforgettable. In Part 1, we covered Lisbon neighborhoods and what to do if you only have two days. In this episode, we go beyon...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 6 Feb 2026 Title: Alcobaça, Portugal: Monastery History, Medieval Love Stories & Wine Traditions Summary of Episode In this episode of Wandering Works for Us , we explore Alcobaça, Portugal, a historic town known for its rich cultural heritage, medieval architecture, and deep ties to wine production.  Our visit begins at the Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 13 October 2025 Title: Tomar, Portugal: City of Templars Summary of Episode 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 Herita...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 27 September 2025 Title: UK Trip Part 2: Strathaven, Glasgow, and Dunblane Summary of Episode 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...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date:  17 September 2025 Title: UK Trip Part 1: London and Edinburgh Summary of Episode 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...

In this episode, we head north on a road trip throu  gh 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...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 9 August 2025 Title: 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 alon...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 19 July 2025 Title: Dingle and Galway, Ireland  Summary of Episode 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! Key Topics [02:45] Suitcase fiasco, learning to driv...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 21 June 2025 Title: Dabblin’ in Dublin Summary of Episode 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 Rive...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 22 April 2025 Title: Óbidos and Peniche: Two different towns in Portugal Summary of Episode 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 vil...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 09 March 2025 Title: Winter in Portugal Summary of Episode 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 l...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 21 December 2024 Title: Christmas in London (our first trip!) Summary of Episode 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 Ch...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 29 November 2024 Title: Our First trip to Amsterdam–what we did! Summary of Episode   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...

Wandering Works for Us Podcast Date: 28 October 2024 Title: Our Trip to America Summary of Episode 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 bes...