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Caves, cobblestones, and one very full backpack-- April Newsletter
Published 2 months ago • 6 min read
The Monthly Newsletter From Wandering Works for Us
News and posts from Shelley and Beth
Olá todos!
Wandering Works for Us — March 2025
A month of caves, cobblestones, and big celebrations 🎉
March was one of those months that reminded us why we love this life so much, and it helped to have family along for part of it.
Beth's son Eli came to visit, and we had the best time playing tour guides. We took him to the Grutas de Mira de Aire — always a show-stopper, no matter how many times you descend into those limestone chambers, and to Fátima, where the scale and stillness of the sanctuary never fails to leave an impression.
We also explored the National Pantheon in Lisbon, and made the drive up to Nazaré, which is one of those places we never tire of. Eli had never seen it, and watching someone experience Portugal's Atlantic coast for the first time? That never gets old.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, we hit a pretty big milestone: three years as Portugal residents. Three years of navigating bureaucracy, learning to love a slower pace, figuring out where the good bread is, and building a life that genuinely works for us on our terms.
We are so grateful for this journey, and even more grateful that you're here for it. So thank you, from both of us, for reading, listening, and wandering right alongside us.
Now, let's get into what else is going on...
Quick Tips and Guides
Quick tip — March 2025
Hotel or Airbnb? Here's how we decide.
One of the questions we get asked most often is whether we prefer hotels or Airbnbs, and honestly, the answer is: it depends. Over the years we've developed a pretty simple rule of thumb that works well for us.
For short trips, we almost always go with a hotel. You know what you're getting, the location tends to be central, and there's something to be said for daily housekeeping and not having to think too hard about logistics.
If something goes wrong, there's someone at the front desk to help sort it out.
For longer trips, or any time we're traveling with family, we lean toward Airbnb. Having a kitchen means we can eat like locals, shop at markets, and save real money on meals. Laundry facilities are a total game-changer when you're living out of a suitcase for more than a few days.
And there's just a different feeling to staying in a neighborhood apartment versus a hotel room. It slows you down in the best way and makes a place feel like somewhere you actually live, even if only for a little while.
A couple of things to watch with Airbnb: quality can vary significantly from one host to the next, and those cleaning and service fees can sneak up on you, especially on shorter stays where they don't make as much sense financially.
Always read recent reviews carefully and do the full price comparison before you book. Neither option is always better; the best choice just depends on the trip.
Day Trip to Cascais
A recent trip to Lisboa had us thinking...what haven't we yet seen? Answer: the beautiful town of Cascais! This seaside village has lots to enjoy, especially the seafood and the views. Check out what else there is in the guide.
A great addition to our itineraries! This one takes you from Lisbon to Porto and a few places inbetween. It even has suggestions for day trips. Check it out!
If you travel with us long enough, you'll spot this bag on our backs. We use the Ventura Pal as our go-to day trip companion. It's great for scooping up goodies at a market, stashing extra layers, or handling the overflow when we've perhaps collected one too many souvenirs (but is there really such a thing?). At just 0.70 pounds, it folds into its own pocket, slips easily into a carry-on, and has saved us from more than a few overweight luggage fees.
Best foldable backpack out there!
Don't let the lightweight fool you; it's built tough. The tear-resistant, water-resistant nylon holds up to real use, with a reinforced double-layered bottom and a roomy 35L capacity with multiple compartments to keep everything organized. Breathable mesh shoulder straps and adjustable chest straps make it comfortable for long days out. It's one of those simple travel tools that just works, every single time.
Life in Portugal has its ups and downs, just like anywhere else.
Living in Portugal is wonderful, and occasionally, wonderfully maddening. This month we finally received our new resident cards after a four-month wait, which felt like a small victory worth celebrating.
Shelley is still waiting on her driver's licence, because Portugal runs on its own timeline and there's not a lot you can do about that except make yourself another cup of coffee and practice patience.
If you're considering a move abroad, this is the part nobody puts in the brochure: the paperwork is real, the waiting is real, and you just have to keep showing up.
But here's the thing: we wouldn't trade it. This month we had a beautiful conversation with Yolanda Rashemah on our podcast Wandering Works for Us called Moving Abroad and Finding Home, and it gave us a chance to reflect on what this life actually feels like from the inside.
We talked about the slowness we've come to love, the warmth of the people, the way the days feel different here.
And we also talked honestly about something that's harder to put into words: that even after three years, there are moments when you still feel a little in-between.
Not quite from here, not quite from there anymore. It's a feeling a lot of expats know, and we think it's worth naming. Home is something you build slowly, and we're still building.
Moving Abroad and Finding Home with Yolanda Rashemah
We had a lovely conversation with Yolanda about what it is like to move abroad --the good and the bad.
When we're traveling outside of Portugal, Omio is one of the first apps we reach for. It lets you search and book trains, buses, and ferries across Europe all in one place. No hunting around on individual rail websites or trying to navigate a booking system in another language.
We've used it everywhere from England to other corners of the continent, and it consistently makes the process quick and straightforward.
One note for our Portugal-based readers: for travel within Portugal, we recommend booking directly through the official CP.pt (Comboios de Portugal) app, which gives you the best experience for local routes.
But for everywhere else? Omio is a genuine time-saver. You can book through our affiliate link below. It costs you nothing extra and helps support what we do here at Wandering Works for Us.
This month's question is a fun one , and we have a feeling the answers are going to be brilliant.
What's the most unexpected souvenir you've ever brought home from a trip?
A questionable ceramic? Something that absolutely did not survive the journey? A local snack you've been trying to recreate ever since?
Drop it in the comments or reply to this email. We read every single one and we love hearing from you.
Thanks for your support!
"Home is not a place, it is a feeling."
— Cecelia Ahern
As always, thank you so much for being here. Your support, whether you're reading, listening to the podcast, watching our videos, or just cheering us on from afar, means more to us than we can say.
This little community we're building together is something we don't take for granted for a single day. Until next month, keep wandering. 🌍
Shelley and Beth
PS--booking a trip soon? Here are some resources we use.
Like what you read? We have a Ko-Fi set up, so you can tip us or buy us a gin and tonic. Anything helps to keep the content coming!
Wandering Works for Us contains affiliate links as part of Viator, Get Your Guide, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.com. and Amazon Services Associates Program LLC, and other businesses. If you make a purchase using one of the links, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
We are bloggers and podcasters who love to talk about travel, food & drink, and culture & entertainment. We live in Portugal and trael all over Europe. Subscribe and join over 1,000+ newsletter readers every week!
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