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

Only the hard, only the strong

Unlike other great cities of ancient fame such as Rome, Athens or Jerusalem, Sparta seems to have disappeared off the map. What remains of the legendary town? A name? An archaeological site? A historical memory? That memory, if it exists at all, is often of a city-state with a mania for martial valour and athleticism, a…
2022-01-140Comments

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Activity Europe Food and Drink Fun Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Partytime Relaxation Romance Sustainability The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Ne skie pas

France is a many-splendoured thing;  the food, the wine, the scenery, the joie de vivre.  No matter how many times you visit the country, you always find something new or unexpected. And, anyone who loves winter sports knows that France has some of the best ski runs in the world.  But, alas, things are changing At the…
2022-01-140Comments

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Adventure Alternative Lifestyle Caribbean Design and Art Europe Food and Drink For Women Only Fun LGBTQ Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Oceania Partytime Romance Special Interest The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo

Why U?

Why u?  This is not your father's cruise ship. Designed as the first river cruise catering to a more trendy audience, U River Cruises features more experiential itineraries that allow passengers to connect with the cities the boats visit and the people who live there. The ships themselves look nothing like what you might expect: …
2022-01-130Comments

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Activity Europe Fun Health Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Outdoors Partytime The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo World Culture

Go go Bansko!

When you think of skiing, chances are probably good that Bansko doesn't come to mind first.  And, now intrigued, you may even wonder what and where Bansko is. Don't be hard on yourself, as Bansko is one of Europe's best kept secrets.  If enjoying winter sports and saving money while doing so are on your list,…
2022-01-130Comments

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe History Special Interest Sustainability The Thinking Traveller Unusual World Culture

Nyet, da, Nyet

Once a German city before World War Two and physically unrelated from the remainder of Russia, Kaliningrad is still an enigma to many mainland Russians and their European next-door neighbours. Still, how does a 50-year-old unfinished building inform the complicated history of the Kaliningrad and inspire the restoration of other nearby dilapidated crumbling buildings? Watch the video…
2022-01-130Comments

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Activity Adventure Central & South America Design and Art Do Something Different For Women Only History LGBTQ Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Partytime Relaxation Romance The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Hola, Ilha Bay

Who can resist the allure of Brasil?  So diverse, and rich in adventure. A legacy of history that goes back hundreds of years.  And a people who love life and aren't afraid to show it. When most people think of Brasil, they think of Rio, and rightly so.  But, if you're not most people, you might…
2022-01-130Comments

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

Knights of Sin(tra)

In case you've not yet been (and you should!) Sintra is a town and municipality in the Greater Lisbon region of Portugal, located on the Portuguese Riviera.  Known for its spectacularly coloured buildings, it also has a long history with the legendary Knights Templar. One of the most fascinating features of Sintra is it's so-called Inverted…
2022-01-120Comments

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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

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Africa Design and Art Do Something Different Food and Drink Inspiration Life of Luxury Middle East Partytime Relaxation Spend Wisely The Thinking Traveller World Culture

Take a tour of the Emirates

Surprise!  This is actually a tour of the sumptuous Emirates Airbus A380, and will be worth every minute of your time. These yachts of the airwaves were almost put out to pasture with the Covid-19 pandemic.  With 400+ seats and breathtaking style and luxury, the A380 was almost anathema, when no-one was flying.  The Boeing 747…
2022-01-110Comments

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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

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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

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Activity Adventure Asia Life of Luxury Nature & the Environment Relaxation Special Offers / Deals Spend Wisely Sustainability The Thinking Traveller Travel Solo World Culture

Buena Vistara

We here at Matouring love India and always look to make it shine here on the site. Well, we're happy to say that we've added Vistara airlines as affiliate friends. Vistara is a joint venture of Tata Sons Private Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) Vistara has rapidly expanded its footprint, both in terms of network and…
2022-01-100Comments

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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

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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

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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

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Adventure Design and Art Do Something Different Europe History Life of Luxury Partytime Relaxation Special Offers / Deals The Thinking Traveller World Culture

M’lord, m’lady

Have you seen the world?  Have you been there, done that?  Do you want more?  Well, as always, Matouring comes to the rescue with something more. Fit for a king or queen—or your whole royal family—these castles located in delightful destinations around Europe invite you and your kin or friends for an unforgettable stay in…
2022-01-060Comments

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