As you travel, you're almost always surprised and delighted when, in the least likely of places, a house or an office or some form of public works stuns you with its beauty or originality. In today's world of cookie-cutter homes and offices, we're thankful when an art lover with money collides with designers who…
Design and Art
When you mention "sleeping with the fishes," back in the days of Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde and George "Baby Face" Nelson, you might be able to get what we mean. Not something that you would aspire to. No, it means something entirely different from our intentions here. When we say sleep…
Certainly one of the most memorable and identifable places in the world, Peru's Machu Picchu doesn't need much introduction. But for those who are unaware or need a refresher, Machu Picchu is the site of an ancient Inca city, high in the Andes of Peru. Located at 2,430m (8,000 ft), this UNESCO World Heritage site is often referred to…
Just like we say "where would we be without GPS?", we also wonder where would we be without our smart phones. I think I need a smartphone just to find my smartphone, somewhere in the house. But, some of us start to resent our phones: we can't live with them, we can't live…
There were some funny conversations recently in the smart and enjoyable Facebook group "I'm Architecture Shaming." A rather spectacular golf course clubhouse was being applauded, but also likened to a Hutt Lord's palace on Tatooine. But it was designed on Earth by a well-known architect - Frank Lloyd Wright.
They're discussing the King Kamehameha Golf…
We think it's safe to say that most, if not all, of our erudite readers are always happy to eat Mexican food. As much as we love Taco Bell, there is nothing like the real thing, made by real Mexican cooks (and, ideally by someone's madre.) And, the sheer number of dishes that grace the…
Every notable city has its standard "halo" locations: those places that, for better or worse, define the city it most peoples' eyes and minds. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, London has Big Ben, Peru has Machu Pichu and, here, the USA has San Francisco and it's Transamerica edifice. Like it or not, they're the eye-catchers,…
Turkey stands at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, and has so for millenia. Its importance cannot be understated, especially when you consider all that it has brought to the world.
If you've been, you'll know that one of the most unforgettable experiences there is the Bosphorus. Huge, bustling, vibrant and stunning, it has also had…
Whenever you visit Paris, you want to stuff as much activity as you can into each moment. And, of course, there are probably just too many things to do in Paris that you might find yourself getting distracted - I know I do. But, here's a place that will make your life a little easier: …
All cities have their secrets. Some light, some dark, some darker. Some are dark, some became that way beyond their control. Some may remember past days and glories, while others will have no recollection at all. That is the way of life.
Here, we talk about a hidden and - for the most part - forgotten…
Here we go again - Matouring waxing on with dreamy eyes about the world's state-of-the-art rail systems. Today it's - no surprise! - Japan. Like most of Asia (and Europe as well) they realise the complete 360º view of what train travel brings to exploring the earth - or even just getting to work and…
The United States is a vast chunk of land, with all types of terrain, climates and adventures. Many of you may have already visited - or may even reside there. (We did, a long time ago.) Calling it diverse would be an understatement. Most travelers tend to focus on New York, or Los Angeles, San…
Walk in the worn out shoes of DaVinci. Anyone who has visited the oldest cities in Italy - take Venice for example - know that the streets are tight, twisty and sometimes confusing. And that, of course is due to the fact that so many European cities are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old.…
If you're a tech buff - especially a car buff - you will most likely be aware of Morgan Cars. Made by hand - literally - by a small but passionate crew in the Malvern Hills of England, the cars look like something that would have been driven by The Green Hornet or Dick Tracy. …
Here's a bit of fun for you. The amusing (and complex, so pay attention) Turkish Netflix series, Midnight at the Pera Palace, is a sharp, stylish and binge-worthy adventure. Initially set in modern-day Istanbul, a journalist is thrust into the past and must stop a plot that could change the fate of modern Turkey. What…
Little darling . . . the the Aztec sun stone (Spanish: Piedra del Sol) is a late post-classic Mexica sculpture housed in the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, and is perhaps the most famous work of Mexican sculpture. It is also somewhat of an enigma.
There are no clear indications about the authorship or purpose…
We here at Matouring are big fans of small spaces. In this day of dwindling . . well, everything . . it's important that we face the future with a clear head. One approach is to downsize where we live. Do we really need a 19 room mansion for six people? Probably not. Maybe having…
We here at Matouring.com are egalitarian: we're not always about yachts and expensive hotels. (Come to think about it, we rarely write about that.) But, we do look for the unusual for you, our diverse and eclectic readers. In this case, we're talking about the stunning coastline and local wineries Central Coast of California, but…
Imagine living in one of the most desired travel destinations in the world. Friends are jealous when you visit there, especially when they haven't (yet.) You visit there often, but are still bamboozled with all of the places you haven't seen. And Covid has set your travel plans back at least two years.
Welcome to the…
Don't get us wrong: we love David Lynch and all of his idiosyncracies. The fact that Hollywood has permitted this unusual man to create one bizarre product after another says it all. He's paved the way for dozens of other "auteurs," most of which pale in comparison to the master.
But, Mr. Lynch doesn't just sit…