A traveler and a tourist
“It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn.” Anthony Bourdain
Hi there! I’m Faith, the writer, explorer, and passionate traveler behind XyuandBeyond.com. Born with an insatiable curiosity for the world and its diverse cultures – probably because I emigrated from Ireland to Canada. I headed to the UK at 19 and spent 10 years living in London, England.
Yep, ageing sucks totally and I refuse to be invisible, quiet and boring. Luckily ageing has its advantages you can do whatever you actually want for a change and don’t have to put up with any crap (mainly because as a woman you are invisible). I have spent a lifetime working with community-based initiatives (including historic sites & venues, theatre, farmer’s markets, and community economic development) with a special interest in helping people start businesses.
I’m married and travel with my husband a retired postie and now our son lives with us due to his rare auto-immune condition (OCMMP) that has left him blind in one eye.
I have now been travelling with my husband for over 8 years as a house and pet sitter and enjoying travelling life adjusting for auto-immune conditions (and getting older). That old saying old age isn’t for sissies is true. At 64 I still feel like I’m in my 30’s but my body and feet tell me something very different and at my age I have now spent over half my life living abroad.
My blog, XyuandBeyond, is where I share my love for slow travel, food and living abroad. I believe that travel should be more about immersing yourself in the local culture than just ticking off tourist hotspots.
However, I am not averse to hitting all the tourist hotspots I can find – there is a reason people love certain places and I like to discover why. Through my experiences, I aim to inspire fellow travelers (especially those who may have mobility limitations or age related issues) to embrace new adventures, live abroad, and discover that there’s more to life than what you find in guidebooks.
What you’ll find on XyuandBeyond
Whether you’re looking for insider tips on moving abroad, hidden gems in Europe, or practical guides for long-term travel, XyuandBeyond is here to help. My content is designed for expats, retirees, and curious explorers who want to dive deeper into the places they visit—whether it’s savoring local cuisine, understanding the culture, or living like a local.
My website includes:
Destination Guides: Detailed travel guides, focusing on off-the-beaten-path experiences, historic sites, women’s history and cultural treasures. My focus is on places I’ve actually spent a great deal of time in.
For example living in Ireland, the UK, France and Spain gave me the opportunity to explore hidden gems and places tourists don’t usually venture to. I also try to provide accurate information about issues that affect those of us with mobility issues such as parking, how many steps, ease of walking and so on.
Expat Life and Retirement Abroad: Honest and practical advice for those dreaming of relocating to another country or living abroad as an expat. Special resources and tips for retirees looking to move abroad, with a focus on affordable, comfortable, and culturally rich destinations.
Food & Culture: A celebration of global cuisines and customs—because food is one of the best ways to experience a new culture!
My Journey
I’m originally from Ireland and moved to Canada when I was young, but I’ve lived in Mexico, Ireland, France, Spain, the Caribbean and the UK, and spent extended periods across Europe. I went back to school as a single mum and earned a degree in Anthropology and Women’s Studies. These adventures have shaped not only my worldview but also my approach to travel—taking time to truly live in a place, learning its food culture and stories, and building lasting connections with the people I meet.
If you are looking for travelling inspiration, learning about food culture and traditions, exploring off-the-beaten-path sites, and those fabulous tourist hot spots we write about them all. We are not travel snobs and we won’t turn down a hop-on hop-off bus tour or pretend we won’t visit a tourist trap. We want to see it all and eat all the food and experience all the local culture has to offer.
I’m a firm believer that it’s never too late to reinvent your life. After battling some health issues and rethinking what I wanted for my future, I embraced my passion for travel and started this blog to share my story, tips, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Let’s Connect!
I’m thrilled to have you here, following along on my journey. Whether you’re a fellow traveler, an aspiring expat, or just someone who loves reading about new places, I hope you find XyuandBeyond inspiring and informative.
Feel free to reach out to me for travel advice, collaborations, or just to share your own travel stories. Together, let’s explore, learn, and live life to the fullest!
You can see Faith’s writing work here:
- Guest Writer for House Sitting Magazine
- Travel Guide contributor for Earth’s Attractions
- Legacy Arts & Paragon Road – The power of giving
- Guest Writer for Headstuff an Irish online magazine – International Women’s Day
- Guest Writer Tip my Tip a travel magazine
- Check out our latest interview in the Wall Street Journal – Traveling the World Rent Free
- You can even hear us on Radio Ulster – BBC Belfast talking about our house-sitting travels
Join us on our social media feeds or send a message here