The Roman Empire was an unstoppable force in Europe. Between 200 BC and 14 AD, Rome conquered most of Western Europe, Greece and the Balkans, the Middle East, and North Africa. The Europe we know today is a unified cultural and economic powerhouse. The economy of Europe comprises more than 744 million people in 50 different…
Adventure
If you've spent any time here on Matouring, you'll know that we are huge fans on trains. They just make sense on so many levels. This article features a real deal on the Paris to Milan by TGV train. At the time of writing, it was only from €29. There are always deals on fast…
Over the centuries, travellers from Western Europe have been spellbound by the alluring cultures of the Far East. The ancient adventurers who arrived on the shores of Siam were instantly besotted, and there is ample evidence that a name change has done little to dampen the appeal of this remarkably captivating country. In the 21st…
Located 1 hour 40 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station, the town of Miyama offers a view into Japan's rich agricultural heritage. Designated a semi-national park, the town is home to some 39 thatched farmhouses where people still live today. Miyama spans multiple hamlets that are scattered throughout the mountains and valleys, about 50 kilometers…
Germany, (officially: the Federal Republic of Germany; German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is the largest country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by Denmark, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany is a…
Having lived in Europe for a number of years, some of us here at Matouring have been fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the pleasures not only visiting the large and well-known locations such as Rome and Paris, but also some of the so-called second-tier places such as Poland, Finland and Hungary. Of course,…
When people think of Spain, they typically think of places like Barcelona and Madrid. Of course, those are excellent choices and should be revisited again and again. But one place you may have never heard of is Navarre. Situated not too far from Bilbao, this little-known area of Spain features a huge variety of interesting…
From new wellness ventures to eco-conscious travel, craft trips and solo adventures, here are all the best travel trends to know about for 2020. Good Housekeeping shares ways for you to enjoy the coming year's travel, perhaps in innovative ways. Read more here.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory only 37 miles long and all together consist of 40 islands and cays, of which only 12 are inhabited. There are two main islands, Grand Turk (Turks Islands) and Providenciales (Caicos Islands). These islands are 575 miles south-east from Florida and 90 miles north…
Bonaire is a Caribbean island east of Central America and north of Venezuela. The island is part of the ABC Islands together with Aruba and Curaçao. It is a flat, riverless island renowned for its dive spots. Its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. The temperature is almost constant…
Ecuador is a country in Northwestern South America, with a Pacific Ocean coastline, lying on the Equator between Colombia, to the northeast, and Peru, to the south and east. Cotopaxi is the world's highest active volcano. Many cities and sites in Ecuador are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Such cities and best known places…
For background, Mark Smith, the man behind seat61.com, was an employee of British Rail. Starting out in rural Kent on what was then BR's Southern Region, he was the Station Manager for London's Charing Cross, London Bridge & Cannon Street stations in the early to mid 1990s. After a spell as the Customer Relations Manager…
Being part of Italy, you would expect that at every corner, you would find a fantastic restaurant in Venice that would leave you with an indelibly stamped memory of it being the best restaurant you've ever eaten in your life. Sadly, that is not always the case, just like anywhere else. Sometimes you are subject…
Florida is the southernmost state on the USA mainland. Known as "The Sunshine State", it became a popular winter destination for the well-to-do from colder climates over a century ago, as well as the center for citrus production in North America. Its roots in agriculture are still present, with tropical fruits being a chief export.…
Along with taking in the beautiful sights, tasting the local cuisine and immersing yourself in the culture, meeting new people is one of the most exciting and enriching parts of travel. But for some, making friends as an adult can be an awkward, uncomfortable and, quite frankly, scary undertaking. This article gives you usable tips…
Scandinavia or, more broadly, the Nordic countries, is a European region north of the Baltic Sea. At almost 1.2 million square kilometres (463,000 square miles) it is the largest region in Europe, but home to only around 24 million people, accounting for a mere 4% of the population. Scandinavia consists of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.…
France, officially the French Republic (French: République française), is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless restaurants, picturesque villages and world-famous gastronomy. Some come to follow the trail of France's great philosophers, writers and artists, or to immerse in the beautiful…
Colombia - Twice the size of France, and with a diversity of landscapes and cultures that would be hard to find even in countries five times its size, Colombia should by all rights be one of the world's top travel destinations. Pick a climate, and it's yours—if you find the light jacket weather of Bogotá…
Inspired by its sister index, the European Consumer Airport Index, we looked at Europe’s 50 largest railway stations and ranked them in terms of passengers experience, ranked according to a mix of factors ranging from how crowded platforms are and accessibility to the number of destinations and cleanliness.
Note - as of 1-Dec-2020, travel restrictions are in place for Brazilian travel. Brazil (Portuguese: Brasil) is the largest country in South America and fifth largest in the world. Famous for its football (soccer) tradition and its annual Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife and Olinda. It is a country of great diversity, from…