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Activity Do Something Different Europe For Women Only Fun History Nature & the Environment Relaxation Special Interest Spend Wisely Sustainability The Thinking Traveller Travel

Wales on rails

Wales, UK, is a place near and dear to our hearts, here at Matouring.  Often forgotten or misunderstood when compared to larger-than-life London, Manchester, Liverpool and Brighton as destinations, Wales offers a quieter side to the UK.  Green, lush with mountains and valleys that are second to none, if you haven't been to Wales, put…
2022-01-180Comments

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Adventure Asia Do Something Different History Inspiration Meditation Nature & the Environment Pacific Relaxation The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Yogyakarta blanche

Isn't it a delight when you discover someplace new and it exceeds all of your expectations especially when you don't know what your expectations are?  Yogyakarta is one of those places. The Indonesian city rests in central Java, between the cool breezes of the Indian Ocean and the steamy breath of volcanoes. Travel here and join the…
2022-01-180Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe History Meditation Mindfulness Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo World Culture

The hiding boneyard appears

We love Italy, in all of its manic, passionate, explosive, colourful and diverse personality.  Everyday living there almost pushes the best of everyone into living life to the fullest, if not the extreme. And, it has always been this way - for thousands of years.  And, so we are fortunate to live in a day…
2022-01-170Comments

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

OMG . . LA is so HOLLOW

Los Angeles is often painted as being a vain and vapid place.  All looks and no substance.  Bring your alibis.  (We rather like the place.) But, to be honest, some of LA is, indeed hollow and in some places, shallow.  Some of its buildings, in fact. And they hide an interesting and still relevant and…
2022-01-150Comments

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

Yes you can Canberra

Sydney is a hard act to follow, when it comes to being in the league of World's Best Cities.  If you've been, you'll never forget it.  If you haven't been, well what are you waiting for? But, Sydney is not the only notable city in Oz.   Meet Canberra – Purpose built as Australia’s capital city, Canberra…
2022-01-150Comments

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

Only the hard, only the strong

Unlike other great cities of ancient fame such as Rome, Athens or Jerusalem, Sparta seems to have disappeared off the map. What remains of the legendary town? A name? An archaeological site? A historical memory? That memory, if it exists at all, is often of a city-state with a mania for martial valour and athleticism, a…
2022-01-140Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe History Special Interest Sustainability The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Nyet, da, Nyet

Once a German city before World War Two and physically unrelated from the remainder of Russia, Kaliningrad is still an enigma to many mainland Russians and their European next-door neighbours. Still, how does a 50-year-old unfinished building inform the complicated history of the Kaliningrad and inspire the restoration of other nearby dilapidated crumbling buildings? Watch the video…
2022-01-130Comments

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Activity Adventure Central & South America Design and Art Do Something Different For Women Only History LGBTQ Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Partytime Relaxation Romance The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Hola, Ilha Bay

Who can resist the allure of Brasil?  So diverse, and rich in adventure. A legacy of history that goes back hundreds of years.  And a people who love life and aren't afraid to show it. When most people think of Brasil, they think of Rio, and rightly so.  But, if you're not most people, you might…
2022-01-130Comments

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

Knights of Sin(tra)

In case you've not yet been (and you should!) Sintra is a town and municipality in the Greater Lisbon region of Portugal, located on the Portuguese Riviera.  Known for its spectacularly coloured buildings, it also has a long history with the legendary Knights Templar. One of the most fascinating features of Sintra is it's so-called Inverted…
2022-01-120Comments

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Asia Do Something Different For Women Only Fun History Partytime Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Oiran Dochu

Oiran (花魁) is a word used to refer to the high-class prostitutes that worked in the Yoshiwara red-light district (Yoshiwara-Yukaku) during the Edo period. The Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri started in 2003 to preserve this piece of Edo history. It takes place along a 500m or so stretch of road with members in full Edo period dress…
2022-01-120Comments

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

The Cromlech Manoeuver

We humans may think of ourselves as very smart, but those who know that they don't know much at all are, honestly, the smartest.  But, at least they try. One enduring pursuit of knowledge about humanity's past is the drive and passion to understand the past.  We can literally touch so many historical artifacts, and may…
2022-01-110Comments

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

Wiki peeks

We sometimes forget about Wikipedia.  It's always there, constantly refreshing itself, bedazzling us with the world's collective knowledge -  and it's free.  (They operate on donations.  We donate, do you?) One of the marvelous aspects of Wikipedia is the depth and breadth of their offering.  One of which is the annual "Wiki Loves Monuments" competion. Every participating…
2022-01-110Comments

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Adventure Do Something Different Europe Fun History Partytime Special Interest Technology The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Free Grand Prix

History (and fun) can be found anywhere.  Sometimes you need to look, other times it lands in your lap when you least expect it. Here is an example of the latter.  On a relatively normal stretch of everyday road in Gueux, France, you will find yourself ready to rev your engines and don your helmet.  You're…
2022-01-090Comments

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Activity Central & South America Do Something Different Health History Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Relaxation Special Interest Special Offers / Deals Spend Wisely Switching The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Head south

If you've not been to Latin America, or haven't been in a while, it's time to head south.  As is everywhere in the world, Latin America is bang up-to-date, too.  Above and beyond the incredible scenery and the genuinely warm people, Latin America offers itself as a tempting and wise place to settle down, too.  The…
2022-01-080Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Fun History Life of Luxury Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

The hotel that isn’t

There are few things more intoxicating than being able to stay in a luxurious, lauded and visually stunning hotel.  Europe is full of them. But there is one hotel that is a hotel, but actually it's not a hotel.  Luckily, you can explore it anyway.  We're talking about the Hotel Solvay in Belgium.  Listed as a UNESCO…
2022-01-060Comments

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