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

Yea verily, I was schooled in a castle

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…
2022-01-310Comments

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Adventure Africa Do Something Different Food and Drink Fun History Nature & the Environment Oceania Partytime Relaxation Special Interest Special Offers / Deals The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Zanzibar-none!

You've likely heard of Zanzibar, especially if you're a fan of 1960's movies:  the country was everywhere, such as "West of Zanzibar", "Africa: Blood and Guts" and more. Zanzibar is a place where you should focus your attention on when you're looking for your next go-to destination.  You’ll enjoy clear, turquoise-blue water; shallow sandbars perfect…
2022-01-300Comments

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Adventure Do Something Different Fun Health History Nature & the Environment North America Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual Wilderness

Mmmmm . . . . Bear Ears

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…
2022-01-290Comments

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Activity Adventure Do Something Different Europe For Women Only Health Inspiration Meditation Mindfulness Nature & the Environment Outdoors Relaxation Special Interest Sustainability The Thinking Traveller Wilderness

Conversations with the trees

They can hear you, you know . . . The hippies never really went away, and that's a good thing.  What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?  But, the hippie movement has changed shape over the decades, especially since we now better understand that we must partner with Mother Nature rather than subdue her. Thankfully, there…
2022-01-290Comments

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Adventure Do Something Different Fun Nature & the Environment Outdoors Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual

Ahhh . . . cool ocean freezes

When we think of beaches, we think of sun, fun and Mai Tais.  We long for the sun, the sunburn and sand between your toes.  And, sometimes you're also stepping over fellow sun worshippers. According to Today.com, 52 percent of respondents worldwide expected to vacation at the beach in the next 12 months.  That's a lot. …
2022-01-280Comments

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Adventure Asia Do Something Different For Women Only Fun History Nature & the Environment North America Pacific Partytime Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Guam is da bomb

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…
2022-01-280Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Food and Drink For Women Only Fun North America Outdoors Special Interest Special Offers / Deals The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

You want stuff? We’ve got stuff.

"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…
2022-01-250Comments

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Activity Adventure Do Something Different Food and Drink Fun Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Oceania Partytime Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Fish party

Pull up some sand and wait for the customers to arrive - in this case, they're  octopuses, moray eels, turtles and more. In a nightly event, at Dharavandhoo’s harbour in the Maldives, the sea creatures come in an orderly fashion to dine on the delights of the deep. From May to November, Dharavandhoo is the…
2022-01-250Comments

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Activity Adventure Do Something Different Europe Fun History Special Interest Special Offers / Deals The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo Unusual World Culture

There’s a Python in your shrubbery

We love Monty Python.  At the age of 12 we rolled on the floor, in hysterics, wondering what they would do next.  Our Welsh father never got it, but we did. Times changed and so did Python.  They went their separate ways, almost all going on to further successes and fortunes. Michael Palin, however, branched off to…
2022-01-240Comments

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Activity Asia Do Something Different Fun History Inspiration Life of Luxury Special Interest Spend Wisely The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo Unusual World Culture

Tenacity city

ACHIEVEMENT IS A CHOICE We won't wax here on about working hard.  That is a personal choice and who are we to say?  It has its ups and downs.  It's not for everyone.  And there is no shame in simply being who you are, ambitious or not. In China, though, there is an entire city of go-getters.…
2022-01-230Comments

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Activity Do Something Different Europe Fun History Nature & the Environment Outdoors Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Mudlarking

If you're a regular reader here at Matouring, you'll know how much we love London.  We lived there and explored nearly every nook and cranny of that most celebrated of cities.  And every time we return, we find new gems to squeal about. One activity that you may not think about when in The Smoke is…
2022-01-230Comments

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Activity Asia Do Something Different For Women Only Fun Health Meditation Mindfulness Relaxation Special Interest World Culture

I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!

Today's world is getting ever more intense . . . and tense.  Between Covid-19, Mother Earth pushing back on our bad behaviour, just general bad behavior of the "ultra haves" versus the have-nots, and work and home pressures, the temptation to "lose it" is often dangling in front of our noses. But, some cultures look…
2022-01-220Comments

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Activity Do Something Different Europe For Women Only Health Mindfulness Nature & the Environment Special Interest Spend Wisely Sustainability The Thinking Traveller

Less guilty pleasures

As we always say, there's no getting around getting around.  Sometimes you want to, sometimes you have no choice.  And, given the fragile state of Mother Earth at the time of this writing, we humans really need to think long and hard about where we go, when we go and why. With that in mind, sometimes…
2022-01-220Comments

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

Yes darling, but is it art?

Creativity takes courage, that's for certain. It's one thing if you send your masterpiece to your friends and family, but it's another thing entirely if you bare yourself to the world. That being said, some of the best artists were laughed at in their early days, and now we spend millions to buy them and…
2022-01-210Comments

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

Sing a song of Shetland

We would expect that many of you have watched the excellent and riveting police drama, Shetland, on Netflix (or other providers.)  Unlike many police series, Shetland seems to have a base in genuine kindness and thoughts of well-being for others, rather than just a hail of bullets like so many other shows. Shetland itself is an…
2022-01-210Comments

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Activity Adventure Do Something Different Europe For Women Only Fun Inspiration LGBTQ Mindfulness Nature & the Environment Outdoors Partytime Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Cycle, with meaning

Sorry, we meant Roughlee. Near Nelson, Lancashire, UK a refuge built in 1912 for mill workers to meet in nature is still open to cyclists for tea and leftwing sympathy. You can clearly see Clarion House from high up on the ridge between Barrowford and Roughlee. Not only because it stands alone on a green…
2022-01-200Comments

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Africa Design and Art History Inspiration Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Partytime Rest of World Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

$700,000,000 homes and ten car garages.

If you think you know Africa, think again.  The country - and its entrepreneurs are not getting left behind.  Brains and guts exist in every country, and Africa on that list. The Real Wakanda is where oil magnates, textile queenpins, and construction autocrats come home to gargantuan mansions. Africa is home to 1.2 billion inhabitants, and has…
2022-01-200Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe For Women Only History Inspiration Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Why? Because we’re the VatiCAN!

If you haven't visited the Vatican in Rome, please be sure to add it to your list.  Not only are the Vatican buildings, themselves, incredible, but the Vatican museum will blow your mind. As you may know, the Vatican itself is an independent city-state and enclave located within Rome, Italy and it is a distinct…
2022-01-200Comments

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