Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Special Interest

HomeAll PostsSpecial Interest

Special Interest

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

Activity Adventure Africa Do Something Different For Women Only Fun Nature & the Environment Outdoors Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Wilderness World Culture

Wowee . . Malawi!

Many of us dream of trips to Africa (and some of us have been lucky to do so.)  Big names like Kenya, Botswana and Zambia are always at the forefront of African journeys.  But, Malawi as a destination is still standing somewhat in the shadows, waiting for a turn. Take a lakeside trip like none…
2022-01-170Comments

Read more

Activity Do Something Different Food and Drink For Women Only Fun Health Inspiration Lifestyle Special Interest Spend Wisely Sustainability The Thinking Traveller

There is no “we” in ice cream.

We don't know about you, but sometimes we pause and marvel at what amazing machines we are, we humans.  How many automobiles or airplanes live past sixty years?  How many of our fellow creatures on this earth drive those cars or fly those jets?  Makes you think, doesn't it? And why do we live so…
2022-01-170Comments

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

Activity Do Something Different Food and Drink For Women Only Fun Meditation Nature & the Environment North America Outdoors Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Wilderness

Camino de Poutine-o

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…
2022-01-150Comments

Read more

Activity Adventure Do Something Different Food and Drink For Women Only Fun Nature & the Environment North America Outdoors Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Wilderness

Skint?

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…
2022-01-140Comments

Read more