Our base in Praia da Luz gave us the perfect jumping-off point to explore some of the Algarve’s most charming towns and villages. Each one has its own flavour — some are steeped in Moorish history, some cling to the cliffs above the Atlantic, and others hum with local life far from the coastal crowds. What they all share is that unmistakable Portuguese mix of sunshine, tradition, and slow-living simplicity.

Tucked along the north shore of the Firth of Forth, just west of Edinburgh, lies one of Scotland’s most picturesque little villages - the royal burgh of Culross (pronounced Coo-riss). With its white-harled houses, red-tiled roofs, and steep cobbled streets, this village looks painted in layers of history. Culross feels like stepping straight into the 17th century. The air carries a quiet stillness, broken only by the cry of gulls and the soft echo of footsteps on stone.

The storied city of York reveals layers of the past at every turn. With nearly 2,000 years of history, it offers an intriguing blend of Roman, Viking, Medieval, and modern English heritage. Renowned for its well-preserved city walls, the magnificent gothic York Minster, and its winding cobblestone streets, York is a one-of-a-kind city to explore. Founded in 71 AD as…

I’ve always been fascinated by history, especially human history, and Scotland, according to a quick internet search, has been inhabited for around 14,000 years. That history is everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I’d bet that if you put a shovel in the ground anywhere here and dug deep enough, you’d find evidence of human activity. On this extended visit, we wanted to do more than just…

If ever there was a place to leave the modern world behind, it’s Cove Harbour. From the clifftop at the village of Cove, the wide bay showcases eroded ridges and jagged outcrops of sandstone and limestone millions of years old, but the true attraction is hidden from view. We could just glimpse the shoreline around the headland below, but you’d never guess what a hidden gem it is without making the walk down the steep coastal trail.

Whenever we visit Scotland, we always meet up with Keith’s mates at some point during our stay, and this trip was no different. Upon arrival, we were off to “Jinty’s” on Ashton Lane in Glasgow's vibrant West End. Jinty McGuinty’s Irish Bar isn’t one of those kitschy Irish theme pubs - it’s the real deal. A cozy spot with a mahogany bar, barrel tables, snug wooden alcoves, and a fireplace that makes you want to linger.

After several days in the West Block, we packed up and set out for the East Block, about a two-hour drive away. The drive itself is a quiet reminder of how vast and varied the prairie can be, passing through small hamlets surrounded by ranchland and farmland while hinting at elements of a more dramatic landscape over the horizon. As we arrived at the East Block, it was clear that this part of Grasslands National Park has a personality all its own.

Growing up in Saskatchewan, I always heard the same running commentary: “It’s so flat you can watch your dog run away for days.” Coming from the north, I would quickly reply, “Not all of Saskatchewan is flat!” I grew up surrounded by lakes, forests, and rolling hills. But after visiting Grasslands National Park, I can now say with confidence that Saskatchewan is anything but flat.

From hidden caves to outlaw legends, explore the rugged Saskatchewan landscape where history comes alive. The Big Muddy Badlands of southern Saskatchewan are a landscape like no other. Rolling grasslands suddenly give way to deep valleys, sandstone cliffs, and strange hoodoos carved by centuries of wind and water. It’s a place that feels timeless: remote, rugged, and filled with echoes of stories from long ago.

When we made the decision to leave our jobs and begin traveling semi-full-time, we knew we wanted to explore new places at a slower pace and still have the comfort of a home base and the companionship of animals. That’s when we discovered housesitting. We signed up with House Sitters Canada and applied for our very first sit: a lovely home just outside of Salmon Arm, BC, caring for two sweet little dogs named Tica and Valentini (who goes by Tiny).

Not every journey made it to the blog in real time, but the stories stuck with us. From time to time, we’ll be opening up our archives and sharing moments from our Before the Blog days. Here’s your first Postcard from the Past, sent with love from our memory bank. Mull & Iona In the summer of 2018, we set off to explore the windswept beauty of Scotland’s west coast and found ourselves enchanted by the Isles of Mull and Iona.