Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Special Interest

HomeAll PostsSpecial Interest

Special Interest

Asia Do Something Different For Women Only Fun History Partytime Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Oiran Dochu

Oiran (花魁) is a word used to refer to the high-class prostitutes that worked in the Yoshiwara red-light district (Yoshiwara-Yukaku) during the Edo period. The Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri started in 2003 to preserve this piece of Edo history. It takes place along a 500m or so stretch of road with members in full Edo period dress…
2022-01-120Comments

Read more

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

The Cromlech Manoeuver

We humans may think of ourselves as very smart, but those who know that they don't know much at all are, honestly, the smartest.  But, at least they try. One enduring pursuit of knowledge about humanity's past is the drive and passion to understand the past.  We can literally touch so many historical artifacts, and may…
2022-01-110Comments

Read more

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

Wiki peeks

We sometimes forget about Wikipedia.  It's always there, constantly refreshing itself, bedazzling us with the world's collective knowledge -  and it's free.  (They operate on donations.  We donate, do you?) One of the marvelous aspects of Wikipedia is the depth and breadth of their offering.  One of which is the annual "Wiki Loves Monuments" competion. Every participating…
2022-01-110Comments

Read more

Adventure Do Something Different Europe Fun History Partytime Special Interest Technology The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Free Grand Prix

History (and fun) can be found anywhere.  Sometimes you need to look, other times it lands in your lap when you least expect it. Here is an example of the latter.  On a relatively normal stretch of everyday road in Gueux, France, you will find yourself ready to rev your engines and don your helmet.  You're…
2022-01-090Comments

Read more

Activity Central & South America Do Something Different Health History Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Relaxation Special Interest Special Offers / Deals Spend Wisely Switching The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Head south

If you've not been to Latin America, or haven't been in a while, it's time to head south.  As is everywhere in the world, Latin America is bang up-to-date, too.  Above and beyond the incredible scenery and the genuinely warm people, Latin America offers itself as a tempting and wise place to settle down, too.  The…
2022-01-080Comments

Read more

Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Fun History Life of Luxury Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

The hotel that isn’t

There are few things more intoxicating than being able to stay in a luxurious, lauded and visually stunning hotel.  Europe is full of them. But there is one hotel that is a hotel, but actually it's not a hotel.  Luckily, you can explore it anyway.  We're talking about the Hotel Solvay in Belgium.  Listed as a UNESCO…
2022-01-060Comments

Read more

Adventure Do Something Different Europe Food and Drink Fun History Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual

Hamburg-er

There are so many swanky restaurants and cafes around the world, serving such things as sea foam and Peruvian gravel.  We are very fortunate to have such choices. But, sometimes, we want something simple, something free (so to speak.)  No frills, just honest food.  And what can be simpler than McDonalds.  With over 36,000 locations, you're…
2022-01-050Comments

Read more

Activity Adventure Do Something Different Europe Fun Health Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Outdoors Relaxation Special Interest Spend Wisely The Thinking Traveller

This is not your father’s caravan

This is not your father's caravan:  it's the 21st century. Contemporary caravans and travel trailers evoke scaled-down loft living on wheels – perfect for modern nomads seeking a much-needed change of scene. Modern campers are spacious, well-appointed and - best of all - economical, especially in the European models.  The days of the gas-guzzler are slipping into…
2022-01-040Comments

Read more

Adventure Africa Design and Art Europe Fun History Middle East Nature & the Environment Outdoors Rest of World Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Get Hippodrome

As ever, the world is swirled and twirled by events, people and time itself.  Even the most powerful must take our last breaths. And where would this addage be more appropriate than in the lands where kings, queens, power, priviledge and treachery were business-as-usual. Of course, we're talking about ancient history (as we do,) and in this…
2021-12-310Comments

Read more

Activity Adventure Do Something Different Europe Fun History Partytime Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Make lunch, not war

Even better than the real thing. The annual festival of Els Enfarinats (Valencian pronunciation: [elz amfaɾiˈnats]) takes place in the town of Ibi in Alicante, Spain on December 28,[1] as part of celebrations related to the Day of the Innocents. Els enfarinats comes from the Valencian word for "breading", and roughly translate to "the breaded ones" or "the floured ones". In the day-long festival, participants known…
2021-12-300Comments

Read more

Activity Adventure Do Something Different History North America Special Interest Unusual World Culture

What’s love got to do with it?

 Shakespeare could have a field-day with this. This abandoned house looms a salt marsh, its pale pink paint looking like a mirror of the colorful sunsets that so often streak the sky.  It’s a celebrated local landmark, one with a definite air of mystery and romance. But the picturesque house’s story is not at all romantic. A local…
2021-12-300Comments

Read more

Adventure Alternative Lifestyle Design and Art Europe History Special Interest Technology The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Plane train

Despite covid and all of the fistfights we hear about nowadays, air travel is still a marvelous thing.  Spectacular locations matched to state-of--the art-aircraft are still the thing of dreams.   Wouldn't it be nice if we could go forward and and backward at the same time?   If you're one of those romantic types, read on here... courtesy…
2021-12-290Comments

Read more

Adventure Alternative Lifestyle Design and Art Do Something Different Fun History LGBTQ Partytime Relaxation Romance Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

No tell Motel

It always seems like "what goes around, comes around."  The new new. The latest and greatest are not really the latest.  They've been around the block before.  Been there, done that. But, sometimes that's not a bad thing, especially if the old new is new old, if you know what we mean. In this case, our subject…
2021-12-290Comments

Read more

Activity Design and Art Do Something Different Europe For Women Only Health History Lifestyle Mindfulness Nature & the Environment Special Interest Spend Wisely Sustainability Technology The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Ærø …dynamic!

It can be done. It can be done. The tiny Danish Island of Ærø was awarded the designation of the EU’s most sustainable island. All it takes is willpower. The island has been experimenting with renewable energy since the 1970s, and today, produces more electricity than it uses. Watch the BBC video below that demonstrates…
2021-12-220Comments

Read more