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The Thinking Traveller

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

I’ll follow the sun

China doesn't fool around.  When they do things, they tend to go big. Here's an example.  The new Shanghai Astronomy Museum, which recently opened in China, is potentially the world’s most majestic museum devoted to the skies. This elliptical, silvery structure looks part spaceship, part planetary invasion, with angular shapes that “embody some of the…
2021-08-080Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Fun History Inspiration North America Special Interest Technology The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Aretha sang

Magic can happen anywhere, at any time, to almost anybody. Take Aretha Franklin, for example. In an innocuous two-story building with a barn-like roof on a side of a nondescript street in Muscle Shoals, Alabama is the home of FAME Recording Studios (short for Florence Alabama Music Enterprises.)  Music lovers will know it well.  They were small, but…
2021-08-080Comments

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Activity Design and Art Do Something Different Fun History Meditation Nature & the Environment North America Outdoors Pacific Special Interest Spend Wisely The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Give me MOA

Those of us who live up here in the Pacific Northwest of North America are very lucky, in many ways.  The weather, the diversity (especially of our residents) and the history that is constantly being discovered and enjoyed. As with many other countries, Canada has a population that can be considered as First Nation.  In…
2021-08-080Comments

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Adventure Asia Do Something Different Food and Drink History Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Your Pakistan plan

We get that feeling that sometimes the country of Pakistan is misunderstood, and that the misunderstanding conjures up specific images and misconceptions.  And that's a shame, as the country is rich in so many ways. There is so much history in Pakistan, with its mix of religions and beliefs, and it's long relationship with India. …
2021-08-070Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Food and Drink Fun History LGBTQ Oceania Outdoors Partytime Rest of World Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Capetown races sing their songs

Cape Town is South Africa's crown jewel and the most European city you'll find on the continent. Founded by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, it was South Africa's first attempt at a modern metropolis, earning it the nickname "The Mother City." Cape Town is worth visiting year-round. That said, it looks different each…
2021-08-060Comments

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Design and Art Europe History LGBTQ Special Interest Spend Wisely Sponsorship The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Shattered.

Perched on the hills of the Achrafieh neighborhood hundreds of meters from the Beirut Port, the 60-year-old Sursock Museum was the beating heart of Beirut’s creative scene. The country’s only modern art museum, it boasts a collection of Lebanese art dating back to the late 1800s.  But, is still rebuilding a year after the Beirut…
2021-08-060Comments

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Activity Adventure Asia Do Something Different Fun Inspiration Nature & the Environment Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo

Malaysia fantasia

What do you know about Malaysia?  Probably not as much as you should. Malaysia is a mix of the modern world and a developing nation. With its investment in the high technology industries and moderate oil wealth, it has become one of the richest nations in Southeast Asia. Malaysia, for most visitors, presents a happy…
2021-08-040Comments

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Activity Alternative Lifestyle Do Something Different Europe Food and Drink For Women Only Health Inspiration Life of Luxury Mindfulness Partytime Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

How slow can you go?

How many of our readers recognise our main picture? If you're of a certain age, you may recall "dial-up" to get your Internet.  Modems, blistering 128k transfer speeds, mortgage your child monthly fees. This article talks about speed - but slowing down.  And not as in being lazy, but as in stopping to smell the…
2021-08-040Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe Food and Drink History Life of Luxury Relaxation Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Moutarde plus tard

We would imagine that many of our readers like - perhaps even love - France, like we do.  What a place!  The variety!  The quality!  The countryside!  Paris! But here is a place that you will know of, but may not have visited - Dijon. Dijon is an unheralded French city that is worthy of…
2021-08-040Comments

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

The Princess and the Pea

Almost everyone has heard of Hans Christian Andersen.  His most famous works include The Snow Queen, The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina and so many more. Even Disney has created movies from his work: The Little Mermaid, The Emperor’s New Groove as well as Frozen 1 and…
2021-08-030Comments

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Adventure Do Something Different History Inspiration Middle East Nature & the Environment Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo World Culture

Yes, but how good is the air conditioning?

Everything is relative, relatively. Some of us boast that we live in homes that were built in the 1950's.  Your editor, for example, lived in a house from the 1800's, and almost resided in another from the 1400's.  That's pretty impressive if you're a history fan. But this all pales when it comes to places…
2021-08-030Comments

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Adventure Do Something Different Europe History Inspiration Rest of World Special Interest Technology The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Bridge of Why?’s

Some countries - such as China and Russia - get stuff done.  Their enviable work ethic and constant desire to push are legendary.  As with any country who constantly strive, there may be some who get impacted or fall behind - sad stories. But in this case, here is the tale of Russia building an impressive bridge…
2021-08-020Comments

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Asia Do Something Different Fun History Mindfulness Special Interest Technology The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

In my day, things weren’t like this

You think your job is tough?  Think the boss asks too much?   Well, suffer this poor guy, who works for Japanese Rail.  This almost looks like a joke at first.  But it's not.  They are deadly serious and that is something to reckon with. No wonder Japan is admired in so many ways.  But, don't mess up! See…
2021-08-010Comments

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Activity Adventure Caribbean Central & South America Design and Art Do Something Different Food and Drink Fun Mindfulness Partytime Romance Special Interest The Thinking Traveller World Culture

NO PRESSURE: the coolest streets in the world

Havana, and all of Cuba (in our opinion) are at the wrong end of the stick when it comes to US sanctions.  The people have suffered enough under decades of embargos and bans.  Cuba is a jewel to behold. Deep in the lanes of southern Old Havana, where trailing plants and drying clothes drape from…
2021-07-290Comments

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Activity Design and Art Do Something Different Life of Luxury Mindfulness Nature & the Environment North America Special Interest Sustainability The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Decisions: Little Island or Long Island?

We haven't been to NYC for a while.  So imagine our surprise when the B1M video (see below) about New York 's popped up for us on YouTube. Turns out that the project was not exactly the happiest of experiences, but - as they say - it is what it is.  Rising from the remnants of…
2021-07-290Comments

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