Every so often, the world has an Expo. Montreal in 1967, Milan in 2015, while Kazakhstan held the most recent specialised Expo in 2017. Expo 2020 will be happening in Dubai, and tickets will go on sale worldwide starting July 18, 2021, with the event occurring from Oct. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. As…
World Culture
In the past, have you been able to waltz through airport customs like you owned the place, simply based on your nationality? Well, it might be time to check your ego, because the world is becoming a very different place (for the better, in our opinion.) Now a new Henley Passport Index, the original ranking…
INTERPOL. EUROPOL. SURVEILLANCE. EYE IN THE SKY. In early May 2021, a Belgian farmer hit international news when he moved a stone out of the way of his tractor, and accidentally shifted the French-Belgian border 2.3m into France. Or did he? Is it actually possible to move a border just by moving a stone? And…
For us, we're always happy to see countries, cities and even individuals find their place in the sun to shine. And it happens more and more every day. We love India, and so we're pleased to see that the city of Darbhanga is now officially hosting flights to Kolkata and Hyderabad. And the airline who…
We periodically write about Wales, in the UK. Most tourists think of England or Scotland as destinations in the UK, but you should really also give Wales a try if you haven't already. Why? Well, first of all, the countryside itself is lush and untouched. Wales has been able to avoid some of the creeping…
At the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains in northwest Azerbaijan, lies Parigala, one of the world’s most impressive archeological mysteries. The Azerbaijani name, Pəriqala, literally means Fairy Castle Carved into the nearly vertical face of a rock cliff, the centuries-old structure remains a mystery that hardly anyone knows anything about. The site consists of a…
Actually - this is what we meant by getting high. (Photo: Alberto Pinto)
With big success comes big responsibility - and big toys. The Boeing 747 BBJ is the world’s largest private jet. With only a handful of examples in the world, it’s a rare bird. Even rarer is the Parisian design house Alberto Pinto-designed…
War is always terrible - we can agree on that. But, some wars truly show the caliber of some countries and some individuals. As you may know, during the mid-1800's the United States of America was torn apart by a divisive civil war. There were a number of factors at play in that war, but…
New York, New York. It might be the city that never sleeps, but it is also the city that never gets boring, either. It is like a living organism that seems to regenerate at every turn. But, there are some perennial things that never change, such as the thrill of looking down from the Empire…
...and pink champagne on ice? We are all just prisoners here . . . oh wait, wrong references. Being one of the oldest civilisations on Earth, Europeans have a lot to show for it. Even beyond the splendors of Rome or Athens, there were generations and generations of forbearers who walked - and as it…
This is astounding. It almost defies belief, but the Chinese are behind it, so it could very well happen. Their abilities are legend. China wants to build a $200 billion underwater train to the United States. The China-Russia-Canada-America line would be the most expensive megaproject in history and take years to complete. The biggest engineering…
Free as a bird. The sky's the limit. 'Scuse me while I kiss the sky. It's a mackerel sky. Reach for the sky. Out of a clear blue sky. Sky high. Sky dive. Lucy in the sky. Sky rocket. Vanilla sky. Make a beeline for the treeline. You can see the forest for the trees. …
If this story doesn't describe the European zeitgeist, then very few will. As you likely know, Pablo Picasso had an insatiable appetite for life. And he painted a bit, too. But now, a canvas bequeathed to Greece by Pablo Picasso will return on display at the freshly updated Greek National Gallery in Athens after its…
Our first question, when we discovered this magical place was - how can candy stay around long enough even to end up in a museum? That seems to go against human nature. But, sure enough, it did and it will make children and adults alike squeal with delight when they see what they're seeing .…
Europe is a well-known and well-traversed part of the world. We love it and can't get enough of it. But, there are some places that are still bubbling under, just waiting for (or hiding from) the crowds. One such place is Georgia - in particular, Vardzia. Vardzia-Khertvisi, comprising a vast territory in the upper reaches…
It's almost like a fairytale. But don't get tipsy and mistake it for a piña colada. Lake Retba is a true natural phenomenon located only 30 miles from Dakar. The highly saline Pink Lake lives up to its name. It is named for its pink waters caused by Dunaliella salina algae and is known for its high salt content, up to…
Every summer, giant warriors roam the Japanese city of Aomori. Lit from within by lanterns, these formidable paper floats are the centerpiece of the Nebuta Matsuri, a weeklong evening festival in August and one of Japan’s biggest seasonal events. Accompanied by taiko drummers and dancers, the floats depict scenes from kabuki and Japanese mythology. Each…
We're happy to announce that Matouring is now an affiliate of Fred Olsen cruises. One of the things we like about Fred Olsen is the playful approach they have to cruises and touring. They're a not the biggest name in the cruise industry, but being family-run, they can do things the way they want, and…
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Flamingos and pelicans and herons…oh my! Holbox Island is beloved by bird nerds for its population of exotic avian life. Perched near the Yucatan Peninsula, the island is also a hot spot for whale shark viewing, and kiteboarders love the shallow waters and wide beaches. The white sand streets are relatively unspoiled, as most tourists…
Can you believe this? On June 14, 2021, the Hard Rock venues turned 50 and that doesn’t happen every day. To mark this day, they want to share with you their new campaign. It is built on the principles that have guided Hard Rock since the beginning – providing a fresh approach and a call…