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…
We here at Matouring love history. It seems like every week a new story appears describing another mind-blowing discovery of a cave, or a desert dig that uncovers an unknown civilisation.
We especially love castles, as they are something that you can touch, can explore and can really get a tangible feeling of the history that…
Usually, when we think of the USA, we think of corn fields, Mount Rushmore, NYC and Yellowstone. Hawaii comes to mind just as often, and rightly so.
But, we know that our intrepid readers are often on the lookout for something different, perhaps a bit exotic, but certainly unique enough that they can show off their…
If you're a walker, we have some good news for you, indeed. Romania is in the midst of building a 1,400km walking / hiking trail traversing the entire country.
The Via Transilvanica will stretch from the country’s northern border all the way to the south and the Danube, at the crossroads of Central, Eastern and Southeastern…
If you're a regular reader here at Matouring, you'll know how much we love London. We lived there and explored nearly every nook and cranny of that most celebrated of cities. And every time we return, we find new gems to squeal about.
One activity that you may not think about when in The Smoke is…
Creativity takes courage, that's for certain. It's one thing if you send your masterpiece to your friends and family, but it's another thing entirely if you bare yourself to the world. That being said, some of the best artists were laughed at in their early days, and now we spend millions to buy them and…
We love Italy, in all of its manic, passionate, explosive, colourful and diverse personality. Everyday living there almost pushes the best of everyone into living life to the fullest, if not the extreme. And, it has always been this way - for thousands of years. And, so we are fortunate to live in a day…
Sydney is a hard act to follow, when it comes to being in the league of World's Best Cities. If you've been, you'll never forget it. If you haven't been, well what are you waiting for?
But, Sydney is not the only notable city in Oz. Meet Canberra – Purpose built as Australia’s capital city, Canberra…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
If you visit our site, you'll know how much we love history, especially since we don't feel as old once we've completed the article. It's a labour of love. And one can only imagine the labour that was put into building these almost impenetrable edifices, all those hundreds of years ago.
But, castle-building is not a…
History is great, especially when you get tired of the (to us, anyway) somewhat ho-hum modern living. So it's never a bad idea to go back and look at what was the future.
France have always created unusual vehicles - many of them, such as the Citroën DS, are still beautiful to behold. As was the…
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…
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…
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…
In certain parts of the world, history sometimes pops up out of nowhere, to the point of where you can literally trip over it. Europe is certainly one of those places: tread carefully, as you might be standing on a 6th century prince. In 1960 a man was laying a water pipe underneath the quaint…
Russia, in particular Moscow, has so many magnificent buildings, structures and the accompanying history that goes with them, that it should definitely be on your "must see" list if it isn't already.
One thing that the Russians should be proud of is their capacity to rehabilitate forlorn structures into the original magnificence that they once had.
The…