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,…
North America
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…
Let's go to Toronto now!
We think that almost everyone has a warm and fuzzy feeling about Canada. The country is almost like the North American Sweden: healthcare for all, low violence, a population from every corner of the world and, honestly, nice people. You can land here and relax.
Probably the best place to start…
When you think of old-style mobsters, you usually think of New York City, where almost all crime happens in American cinema. But, Chicago Illinois had its run of criminals, especially in the 1930's. People like "Al" Capone, John Dillinger, "Baby Face" Nelson.... the list goes on and on.
There is still an element of romance with…
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…
If you’re a regular visitor here to our site, you’ll know how much we love trains and rail travel. So, we’re happy to offer this mash-up for you train buffs: a USA New England rail tour courtesy of the UK’s Great Rail Journeys. Discover the stunning warm hues of New England's golden season, exploring America's…
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…
America is a big place, with wide open spaces and curiosities around every every corner. Those corners can be a long way away from each other, and the curiosities can be even further.
Alaska is the 49th and largest state in the USA. Separated from the rest of the country, (the "lower 48"), by Canada, Alaska lies on…
If you're easily bored, fashion yourself to be unbreakable and are always ready to show your friends how extreme you are, then we have some travel ideas for you. Hiking, in this case. In this article, we're focusing on the USA - specifically the West Coast (Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, California, Alaska, New Mexico, Montana,…
The first thing that strikes you when you visit Banff, Canada is the sheer size of the mountains. Words can't describe it - until you actually see it for yourself. And every time you round a bend in the road, an even bigger mountain presents itself. It really is something that you need to experience…
If you're not a horror film fan (or a vegetarian) look away now.
Just when you think it's safe to crawl out from under the sofa, another theme restaurant appears out of nowhere. And this one is nothing like Chuck E. Cheese or Taco Bell.
Some enterprising folks have repurposed the Texas Chainsaw Massacre gas station…
We here at Matouring love history. It seems like every week a new story appears describing another mind-blowing discovery of a cave, or a desert dig that uncovers an unknown civilisation.
We especially love castles, as they are something that you can touch, can explore and can really get a tangible feeling of the history that…
Truth in advertising. When it comes to obscure naming, this park is almost as bad as we are when it comes to that! Despite that, here is the truth. Bears Ears National Monument is a United States national monument located in San Juan County in southeastern Utah, established by President Barack Obama by presidential proclamation…
Usually, when we think of the USA, we think of corn fields, Mount Rushmore, NYC and Yellowstone. Hawaii comes to mind just as often, and rightly so.
But, we know that our intrepid readers are often on the lookout for something different, perhaps a bit exotic, but certainly unique enough that they can show off their…
One word: Stroopwafels.* People are a real mixed bag. Some of us like to talk to your seatmate on a plane, while others prefer to bury their nose in a book. Some people like a window seat, while others insist on the aisle. But you know what everyone is into on the plane? Snacks! The…
"One man's junk is another man's treasure" as they say. Do you like stuff? If you find yourself in the southern United States (North Carolina in this instance,) head over to The Raleigh Market . Prepare to spend the day, as the market has more than 500 vendors with vintage items, collectibles and more. The…
Well, here's a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma: Point Roberts, US of A. Dangling off the end of British Columbia, Canada sits Point Roberts, a part of the USA. Isolated from the rest of the US, it truly is a place of wonder and bemusement. Lovely beaches and forests, relaxing paths on…
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…
In addition to its other many allures, Canada cannot escape the universal tagging of poutine. (In case you're not up to date, poutine is a sumptuous Canadian concoction made of french fries, gravy and cheese curds. It's addictive) Not that we Candians complain, but c'mon now, there is more to the country than just that.
For…
It never fails. Finally, we're able to travel again, but it doesn't always coincide with our bank balances. And, of course, the travel companies have sales galore, and yet we're still up the creek without a paddle. What to do? Well, like it or not, some travel companies feel our pain and look for ways…