If you read our website fairly regularly, you'll know that we're in love with the old fashioned. Historical buildings, timeless locations, options to not just read about the past, but to also be able to see it, touch it and feel like "we were there." In every country, there are countless opportunities to…
History
Soon, there will be a new kid in town.
If all goes well, in 2023 The East African Federation (EAF,) a proposed political union of the seven sovereign states of the East African Community – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – will merge as a single…
Sweden, like most of the Nordic countries of Europe, is a marvelous place. Clean, progressive, egaliatarian, world-aware and full of smart people whom we could learn a lot from.
But one thing that the Swedes don't do is small talk. No chit-chat. Short and sweet. Unlike most other cultures in the…
We're not too young here at Matouring, so we remember things. Back in the 1970's, the "earth" movement really took hold. Healthy food, lifestyle and clean thoughts were at the top of the list for most "aware" folks back then. Out of that heady period came a genuine interest in making the…
There are thousands of hotels around the world who will give you what you want. But what if you don't know what you want, or want something completely different? We have a suggestion.
Offering rooms and suites set in large caves, Le Grotte della Civita is located in the Matera's Sassi area, a…
You may recall that some time back, we created a post on Tollund Man. In 1950, the Tollund man was found in a peat bog west of Silkeborg. The interesting thing about Tollund man is that he was preserved in peat and was in incredibly good condition when found. He was also accompanied by…
We humans, despite our many flaws, do manage to do a thing or two that more or less redeems us. When we read the news nowadays (and by that nowadays means decades) it feels like there are not many good things to cheer about. Wars, strife, inequity, selfishness (and all of the sub-products…
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…
We love history here, at Matouring. History is who we are and why we are the way we are. And, even more than that solumn sentence, history is actually really fun, especially when you realise all that they did - and did for the world (even today) in a relatively short amount of…
If you know us, you’ll know that we have a sweet spot for some companies. One of which is Europe’s EasyJet. Having lived in Europe and travelled around the continent for work and play, we appreciate EasyJet’s focus on things that matter, such as treating customers well, modern and efficient aircraft, a vast network of destinations, a genuine focus on sustainability and pleasing prices. They also have teriffic holiday packages, as well.
Here, we share some useful information about they do and will continue to to make air travel a sensible choice.
Next time you’re traveling…
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…
Like so many things in our mostly comfortable lives, we tend to take things for granted - especially those that we usually don't think about much. Salt is one of those things. It is ever-present, plentiful and within reach. But, like many such "givens," do you ever wonder about salt?
About…
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…
You can't fool Mother Nature. And when she speaks, you listen. She knows when you've been cheeky. And she will turn a blind eye when you're a bit naughty, as long as no-one gets hurt.
And speaking of that, here's a place where you really could get hurt, but the humans have…
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,…
See what we did there? We are such pranksters. We promise that the rest of this article is pun-free. For background, or as a refresher - Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is in Southern Asia. It is an island country in the Indian Ocean, south of India. Sri Lanka has more than 2,550 years…
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…
Quiz: how much do you know about Wisconsin, USA? The honest answer is "probably not much." It's one of those states "in the middle" of the country that has always had a low profile, except for periodic victories in American football or baseball. It is big on dairy farming, cheesemaking, ethnic festivals, polka and the…