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Nature & the Environment

Nature & the Environment

Tash Rabat. How about that?

Do you sometimes feel like you want to go away and stay away? Well, you'll be glad to know that, as always, we here at Matouring have solutions for you.  Near or far, we have solutions at our fingertips and are eager to share them with you. May we present  the Tash Rabat Caravanserai in…

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How low can low go?

If you've spent any time reading about The Netherlands, you'll know that the geniuses there have done amazing things in order for the country to keep its head above water. And that hasn't been completely recent activity:  they've been at it for centuries, and they've learned a lot in the process. The video below goes…

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The campings

Europeans love to camp.  There are literally thousands of them dotted around the continent.  Not only are they plentiful, they are usually in beautiful, if not stunning, locations and are a very cost effective way to holiday. You can enjoy all of the traditional ways of camping, including tents and resorts, but hiring a fuel-efficient…

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Go where the air is free

The Covid pandemic has wreaked havoc almost everywhere in the world . . . and has taught us some important lessons along the way.  What we once took for granted has the possibility of slipping through our fingers - such as travel. But, with destinations slowly blossoming again for tourism , and travelers tentatively making…

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Not for beginners

If you have trouble standing on a chair to clean the curtains, then look away now. There is a "stairway to heaven" made of steel cables and it is the highlight of a climbing tour of the Donnerkogel, in Austria's Salzkammergut resort area. The 43-meter long sky high ladder is stretched over an abyss some…

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Cruising Colombia

Politically, Colombia has its ups and downs, let's face it.  But, during the calm times, this country will make your jaw drop. Featuring geuninely kind people, stunning  mountains, overwhelming lush forests and unspoiled coasts, Colombia should be a must-see on your list. And now, Ama Waterways are making it easy for you with luxury cruises…

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20,000 rental campers. 24 countries. 4 continents. Go!

We love camping, and we love campervans even more, especially when they're the smart new models - good on petrol, good on space, good on the environment. We're also really happy to welcome our new affiliate friends, CamperDays.com Their portfolio includes up to 20,000 rental vehicles that can be booked directly in 24 countries on…

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Welcome to giant pandas airways

China's long-anticipated Chengdu Tianfu International Airport has officially opened for business, providing travelers with a new option to the home of giant pandas. The first flight, via Sichuan Airlines, took off at 11:10 a.m. on Sunday, 27 June, 2021 headed for Beijing. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is now the third city in the country to…

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Shockwaves throughout Europe

INTERPOL.  EUROPOL. SURVEILLANCE.  EYE IN THE SKY.  In early May 2021, a Belgian farmer hit international news when he moved a stone out of the way of his tractor, and accidentally shifted the French-Belgian border 2.3m into France. Or did he? Is it actually possible to move a border just by moving a stone? And…

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Can you even pronounce this?

We periodically write about Wales, in the UK.  Most tourists think of England or Scotland as destinations in the UK, but you should really also give Wales a try if you haven't already. Why?  Well, first of all, the countryside itself is lush and untouched.  Wales has been able to avoid some of the creeping…

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It almost laughs at you

At the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains in northwest Azerbaijan, lies Parigala, one of the world’s most impressive archeological mysteries.  The Azerbaijani name, Pəriqala, literally means Fairy Castle Carved into the nearly vertical face of a rock cliff, the centuries-old structure remains a mystery that hardly anyone knows anything about. The site consists of a…

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Blow your top

Geysers. Hot springs. Wildlife. A few words probably come to mind when you think about Yellowstone National Park. But there’s one word that might come as a surprise: supervolcano. Because, if you didn’t know it already, the land that makes up Yellowstone National Park is actually one of the world’s largest active (yes, we said…

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Paintings on the ceilings

...and pink champagne on ice?  We are all just prisoners here . . . oh wait, wrong references. Being one of the oldest civilisations on Earth, Europeans have a lot to show for it.  Even beyond the splendors of Rome or Athens, there were generations and generations of forbearers who walked - and as it…

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Take the last train to Wales

This is astounding.  It almost defies belief, but the Chinese are behind it, so it could very well happen.  Their abilities are legend. China wants to build a $200 billion underwater train to the United States. The China-Russia-Canada-America line would be the most expensive megaproject in history and take years to complete. The biggest engineering…

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‘scuse me while I kiss the sky

Free as a bird.  The sky's the limit.  'Scuse me while I kiss the sky. It's a mackerel sky.  Reach for the sky.  Out of a clear blue sky.   Sky high. Sky dive. Lucy in the sky.  Sky rocket.  Vanilla sky.  Make a beeline for the treeline.  You can see the forest for the trees. …

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Georgia on my . . . mined

Europe is a well-known and well-traversed part of the world.  We love it and can't get enough of it.  But, there are some places that are still bubbling under, just waiting for (or hiding from) the crowds.  One such place is Georgia -  in particular, Vardzia. Vardzia-Khertvisi, comprising a vast territory in the upper reaches…

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Think pink, don’t drink pink

It's almost like a fairytale.  But don't get tipsy and mistake it for a piña colada.  Lake Retba is a true natural phenomenon located only 30 miles from Dakar.  The highly saline Pink Lake lives up to its name.   It is named for its pink waters caused by Dunaliella salina algae and is known for its high salt content, up to…

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I like my tortugas dry

The United States of America has its fingers in so many pies in the world.  And there are still remnants of the country's founding that give us a glimmer what it must have been like those hundreds of years ago, as the country was taking shape. One of those remnants that often is undersung is…

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Yes, you get the Holbox to yourself.

https://matouring.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Palm-Trees-Ocean-Breeze-Square-Video.mp4 Flamingos and pelicans and herons…oh my! Holbox Island is beloved by bird nerds for its population of exotic avian life. Perched near the Yucatan Peninsula, the island is also a hot spot for whale shark viewing, and kiteboarders love the shallow waters and wide beaches. The white sand streets are relatively unspoiled, as most tourists…

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Things could get Messi

Can you believe this?  On June 14, 2021, the Hard Rock venues turned 50 and that doesn’t happen every day. To mark this day, they want to share with you their new campaign. It is built on the principles that have guided Hard Rock since the beginning – providing a fresh approach and a call…

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