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Design and Art

Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Fun History Nature & the Environment Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Let’s get Pagan!

The more we keep digging, the more we find about our ancient history.  With this, we can understand who we are, and why we behave the way that we do.  It's fascinating stuff. In this article, we cover the tumuli of Bougon, also called the necropolis of Bougon, an archaeological site dating back to the Neolithic…
2021-11-200Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Fun History Nature & the Environment Special Interest Technology The Thinking Traveller Unusual

Volk’s wagon

There can often be lots of fun things under your nose, and sometimes you miss them entirely.  Take the Brighton (UK) seashore, for example:  it has its own little railway.  Volk's Electric Railway (VER) is a narrow gauge heritage railway that runs along a length of the seafront of the English seaside resort of Brighton.…
2021-11-190Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different For Women Only Fun History North America Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Fall to pieces

Some music lasts forever, even if their creators don't.  Country singer Patsy Cline is one of those artists.  Even if you're not from the USA and a country music fan, her outputs will still likely linger in your head.  Like far too many musicians, Patsy Cline's life was cut short by a plane crash in…
2021-11-190Comments

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Activity Adventure Alternative Lifestyle Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Food and Drink For Women Only Health LGBTQ Nature & the Environment Outdoors Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual

Hope springs eternal

As always, hope springs eternal.  Mankind will always correct its errant ways and will always achieve its highest aspiratiions.  And, humans keep trying to make that so. In 1900, Ida Hofmann, a German pianist, and her companion Henry Oedenkoven, the 25-year-old son of a businessman from Antwerp, purchased a hill in Ascona which had been known…
2021-11-190Comments

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Activity Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Food and Drink Health Nature & the Environment Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo World Culture

Much to gain in Ukraine

How many of you have been to Ukraine?  We're betting not nearly enough.  And that's a shame. Ukraine is one of the least explored countries in Eastern Europe. This is a fact. But there is so much to see in the country and Ukraine is definitely an overlooked destination. Many Americans have heard about Kyiv, Lviv…
2021-11-180Comments

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Activity Caribbean Design and Art Do Something Different Food and Drink For Women Only Fun History Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Relaxation The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Nutmeg Grenada

As much fun as it would be to wax on about this classy ride  from the 1970's (assuming that there are even any left that have not rusted their way back to Mother Earth.) No, this article is about a savoury Grenada of a different kind - Grenada, where more than 20% of the world’s…
2021-11-170Comments

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Activity Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different For Women Only Fun History Life of Luxury Middle East Special Interest Technology World Culture

Some people have all the luck

Etihad Airways, our affiliate friends, have launched the third step of its golden jubilee celebrations as the UAE (United Arab Emirates) proclaims fifty years since its establishment.  In a group of videos released over the next few weeks, Etihad will pull together experts from the Formula 1, music and fashion  pundits from around the world, with…
2021-11-170Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe For Women Only History Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Relaxation Romance Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

I’m still standing

Yeah, yeah yeah. We love old.  Old places, old things, old ideas, old values. And we love the fact that there's stuff  even older than us. So it thrills us to let you know (if you don't already) about Historic Hotels Worldwide.  As you might guess, they're exactly what it says on the label:  hotels of note…
2021-11-160Comments

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Activity Design and Art Do Something Different Fun Life of Luxury North America Partytime Relaxation The Thinking Traveller

Tommie can you hear me?

It's always fun to see a new hotel opening, especially since designers have access to new and exploratorive materials with which to build them.  Bends and twists and supple to the touch, it never gets boring. So, please welcome Hyatt's new tommie Hollywood hotel (yes, small t.) Discover a hotel in the heart of Hollywood that…
2021-11-160Comments

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Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Food and Drink For Women Only Fun Life of Luxury Oceania Partytime Relaxation Special Offers / Deals The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo

Right, said Fred again

We've featured Fred. Olsen cruises here -  they're one of our affiliate friends.  One of the reasons we like them is that they seem to come from a different angle than other cruise lines - a little playful, a little artistic. They also travel to places that are not frequented by other cruise lines.  And, in…
2021-11-130Comments

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Alternative Lifestyle Caribbean Design and Art Do Something Different For Women Only Fun Inspiration Life of Luxury Lifestyle Relaxation Special Offers / Deals

Just itching to go

If you're a regular of our site, you'll know that we're fans of Sir Richard Branson, he of the Virgin empire.  Yes, he's wealthy, but we feel like his heart (and wallet) are in the right place. Well, hold your breath and have a look at Moskito Island.  Sir Richard owns the entire island, near Virgin…
2021-11-130Comments

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Adventure Alternative Lifestyle Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Health Life of Luxury Mindfulness Nature & the Environment Places Special Interest Sustainability Technology The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Here’s looking at Loo, kid

Loo =  toilet (UK) Public works are often joyless, utilitarian, just-get-it-done affairs.  Whether it's a road, or a bridge or even public restrooms, it makes you wonder why a little je ne sais quoi can't be in the building specifications. Happily, though, that's not always the case.  And here are some fine examples of where good taste…
2021-11-120Comments

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Adventure Alternative Lifestyle Design and Art Do Something Different Fun Nature & the Environment North America Outdoors Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual

Aria of the desert

Isn't it a delight when you run across something so unusual, so unexpected and somewhat puzzling, as well?  We here at Matouring love that kind of thing - it gives us faith that not is all normal all of the time. Here is an example: Marta Becket's Amargosa Opera House.  Located on a barren junction of…
2021-11-110Comments

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Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Food and Drink Fun LGBTQ Life of Luxury Lifestyle Partytime Special Interest Spend Wisely The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo Unusual World Culture

Even the building is McChic

Who doesn't love Paris?  The home of art, style, fashion, history and style. Especially the latter.  Paris is SO chic that even its McDonalds is skinny. Close to Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris, it is located in a timberframe building and extremely narrow. The interior of this restaurant is very special too. Decorations in the same…
2021-11-100Comments

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Activity Design and Art Do Something Different Europe For Women Only History Nature & the Environment North America Special Interest Technology The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo Unusual World Culture

Stave awake

Talk about accuracy.  Have you heard of Stave churches?  When the Viking finally converted to Christianity (11th to 12th century) they certainly did it in style. The churches themselves are made entirely of wood, often without even nails or screws. Their name comes from the unique post-and-lintel system used in construction—thick wooden posts known as…
2021-11-100Comments

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Activity Caribbean Design and Art Do Something Different Fun History Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual

Message in a bottle

Sending out an SOS . .  Some things are just not meant to be. The beautiful island of Montserrat is known for many things - breathtaking - almost otherworldly - scenery, surrounded by glorious seas, world-class architecture and, at one point, one of the top recording studios in the world. George Martin (probably the fifth…
2021-11-100Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different History Inspiration Middle East Nature & the Environment Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Prosaic mosaic

As we humans (supposedly) get smarter, we should also do smart things.  That's not always the case, but here it is.  In 2010, workers encountered an especially impressive mosaic while digging the foundation for a new hotel in Antakya, Turkey. They found an ancient mosaic measuring 9,000 square feet, making it the largest intact mosaic ever…
2021-11-060Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Fun Inspiration Middle East Special Interest Spend Wisely Sponsorship Sustainability The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Miles of tiles

Many specialist skills, those creating and molding incredible pieces over the decades, have long since disappeared into our overall void of mass-manufactured sameness.  But, fortunately, there are those who still carry the torch of the artisan.  Saied Hussain has been hand making tiles out of cement for over 50 years. He says he’s one of the…
2021-11-020Comments

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Adventure Alternative Lifestyle Design and Art Life of Luxury Romance Special Interest The Thinking Traveller

Like, how much actual money is there in the world?

If you added up all the money from all the countries in the world, how much would it amount to?  The short answer is, probably a lot. All jokes aside, to make this question answerable, let's start by asking, "How much money is there in actual United States dollars?" Since the statistics for the U.S. are…
2021-11-020Comments

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Activity Adventure Asia Design and Art Do Something Different Fun History Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Distinctive and immediately recognizable

The architecture of Japan is one of the things that sets the country apart from others. It's very distinctive and immediately recognizable, and something whose charm beckons out to many tourists. While in cities like Tokyo, where landscapes change continuously as older buildings give way to new and modern ones, there are areas where you can take a look…
2021-11-020Comments

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