We don't know about you, but every so often - measured in decades - we get the urge to "pick up sticks" as they say, and simply move to another place. It can be for a a few weeks or months - or in our case - years. There is something hard to describe in…
The Thinking Traveller
Even in the best of times, it's almost like squeezing blood from a rock when you ask for a refund . . . on almost anything. "Sorry, your business is very important to us, but..." is usually the answer.
Well, let us heave sigh of relief and raise a glass to the "big brains" out there…
Our affiliate friends, G Adventures, are always on the cutting edge of sensing what the world needs next in adventure travel. They've been doing it for decades and, so, know their stuff.
Well, given where we are in this point in time, travel has had to change and shape-shift. But, that has given us time to…
Europe is a very organised place. It has to be, with 27 different countries, almost as many languages and 447.7 million inhabitants, it's pretty big, too. Of course, that's also what makes it such a fun place to visit. Peaceful, prosperous, progressive and ever-changing, it's a travel destination that never gets boring.
But, even with those…
Much like our Rastafarian friends, we often where the rivers of Babylon were located. And, even more, where was Babylon itself? And what happened to it? According to Wikipedia.org, Babylon was the capital city of the ancient Babylonian Empire, which itself is a term referring to either of two separate empires in the Mesopotamian area in antiquity. These two empires achieved regional dominance between the 19th and 15th centuries BC, and again between the 7th and 6th centuries BC. But where is it now? And why should you visit? It is a fascinating and unusual adventure into ancient history, that’s why. Due to Babylon’s historical significance as well as references to it in…
It will be trite to say too much about how awful war is. You would think that after all of these decades and thousands lost, humanity would get the point that war is not a solution. And yet, war marches on.
It is useful to look back and reflect (and perhaps learn) on all that has…
How often do you have a dream come true? This one almost defies belief, and certainly exceeds expectations. Once a monastery, Argos in Cappadocia is an exclusive hotel featuring elegant rooms with elaborate stone carvings and antique furnishings. Some of the suites even have a private indoor pool, perfect for guests dreaming about a romantic…
This article will either make you shake with fright, long for your teenage years . . or both.
Designers are clever, especially when it comes to transforming something simple and relaxing into the stuff of nightmares. It doesn't take much, and our imaginations have a tendency to run away from reality, especially when you desire that.
And,…
As if Hong Kong is not enough on its own, it also shyly features quiet joys.
Fear not. We're not discussing a fiery Cantonese dish (most aren't.) Nor are we proposing some kind of thrill ride that requires diapers (although this activity features thrills of its own.)
One little-known joy of Hong Kong is Shek O Peak,…
At the time of this writing, humanity is starting to see its way out of the Covid fog. Not clear yet, but there is light on the horizon and it soon may just be relegated to a horrible memory. Living in the times that we do - even as trying as these can be -…
What do you know about Kuwait?
Yes, Kuwait (Arabic: الكويت) is a country in the Middle East. It is located at the head of the Persian Gulf, with Iraq to the north and west, and Saudi Arabia to the southwest.
And, yes, Kuwaiti people originate from Arabia, Iran and Iraq, although a small minority of Kuwaitis trace…
The more you fly, the more questions you'll have. For example, why does the food vary so much from airline to airline? Why do you suddenly get switched to an entirely different airline at the last minute? Why are points almost worthless? Why don't we exit the plane from the back as well as the…
Without sounding like we're preaching, or stating the obvious, but the fact that you, our wonderful readers, are looking at this article says a lot about you, and certainly something about us, Matouring.
Visiting Venice or Rio are undoubtedly some of the most thrilling things we can do in our lives. But, sometimes (more often than…
With companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, space travel nowadays seems like a doddle - like something anyone can do. Like something rather ordinary. Not a breathtaking and, at one time, herculean event.
Some of us may remember sitting in front of our televisions when the Apollo 11 mission created a global gasp as…
They keep warning us about global warming but, for some reason, we don't listen.
The Matterhorn is global warming’s latest victim. Researchers installed 50 movement sensors at 13,000 feet to monitor how the mountain is coping with rising temperatures and melting permafrost, the layer of frozen soil beneath the Earth’s surface.
They found developing and expanding fissures…
In this place in time, as we write, there are still any number of sad and appalling events happening to our fellow humans, all around the globe.
Those who can, fight back. But others are in no position to do anything but simply survive. And the need for domination starts at the top of the food…
China is an exciting country, with such incredible diversity in its terrain, people . . . and its cities.
Of course, Beijing rises to the top. It is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area.
It is home to the headquarters of most of China's largest state-owned companies…
Wide open spaces. Free to roam. Fresh air. Peace and quiet. As quiet as a mouse. “Listen to the silence. It has so much to say."
But maybe not here. Watch as Tim Traveller poses the question "Today this channel asks another vitally important question: where should I live if I want to have the largest…
The desert is an ocean, with its life underground. And a perfect disguise above.
In the arid heart of Australia, in the Central Tablelands of NSW, paleontologists have found new evidence of an abundance of life.
A new fossil site that can most aptly be described as "exceptional" has turned up fossils of spiders, insects, fish, plants…
Lovers of Japanese food are, most likely, lovers of sushi. It's a food that should be recognised by museums as art. Even at its most basic, sold in bulk at crowded Asian markets, there is still a strong level of pride in the construction and presentation of sushi. But, let's have a moment to pause…