We rented a car and took a day trip west of Montevideo to Colonia, visiting the Barrio Histórico, lined with laid stone-paved streets from its time as a Portuguese settlement. The oldest part of town dates to 1680 when the colony was founded, including a laid stone wall to fortify the colony, complete with cannons and drawbridge. A friendly dog followed us to the stony shore, and on the other side of town a roughly handsome old cat lounged on a windowsill. A grand day out.