Sri Lanka Train Ride, Tea Plantations and the Pekoe Trail
Mark Bibby Jackson goes on an amazing Sri Lanka train ride, visits former capital Kandy, tea plantations and hikes along the Pekoe Trail. I first fell in love with train…
Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla and Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka
In the first of a series of articles covering his trip to Sri Lanka, Mark Bibby Jackson goes on an elephant safari, sees the wonderful cave paintings at Dambulla and…
7 UK Festivals in September 2023
To music on a Holy Island to Derby’s biggest street festival, read Travel Begins at 40’s round-up of the best UK festivals in September 2023. UK Music Festivals in September…
Drinking Cocktails in London with 40 Elephants
Mark Bibby Jackson tries out cocktails in London at the 40 Elephants, in the Great Scotland Yard Hotel Westminster, one of the best cocktail bars in London. In my early…
A Mini Break at Askham in the Glorious Lake District
Marion Ainge steams across Ullswater and savours a sumptuous afternoon tea while staying in Askham in the Lake District. The sunlight sparkles on the water as the historic Western Belle…
Cookery Course at Mrs Portly’s Kitchen
Roger Hermiston takes a cookery course from Linda Duffin of Mrs Portly’s Kitchen in Brockford, Suffolk. It seems that there’s a word for it – but I’ll wager you’ve never…
Things to Do in Tallinn Estonia – Tales of the Unexpected
Gill Haynes travels to Estonia to find a surprising capital city that celebrates both modern and old, with a wonderful cuisine. Discover the things to do in Tallinn. It felt…
Travels with My Mum: Northern France Road Trip
Mark Bibby Jackson and his mother go on a northern France road trip from the UK to Calais through the Loire and back to Normandy. Endless. Like in a film…
Cycling Thrills in Les Gets France
James Clark takes to two wheels in Les Gets, France, to see what it feels like to cycle up to the top of the world, and then come back down…
Discovering Malmö Sweden: Pretty in Pink
Invited to attend the Southern Sweden Design Days by Visit Sweden, Visit Skåne, and the host city of Malmö Sweden, Mark Bibby Jackson soon discovers the city’s obsession with the…
Pereira Colombia: Coffee and Hot Springs
Located in the western Andes, Pereira Colombia is a pleasant city to explore, in the midst of the coffee region. Nearby, and not to be missed, are the waterfall and…
Pedals in Puglia Italy
Head for Italy’s ‘heel’ with Judith Schrut as she shares delights and highlights from her recent cycling trip in Puglia, deep in Italy’s sunny south. Whether you’re an Easy Rider…
KMSKA Antwerp: Two Museums in One
While in Antwerp for the 50 best restaurant awards in 2021, Mark Bibby Jackson was given a behind the scenes look at the leading arts museum in Antwerp before it…
Transported to Porto for the Delights of the Douro River
Marion Ainge acquires a taste for white port and finds herself lost for words on a Douro River cruise. Bathed in sunlight and looking beautiful, there she is waiting for…
6 Things to Do in San Antonio Texas
Lynn Houghton discovers the wonderful things to do in San Antonio Texas, from its great food to western history. Most of us have heard of the Alamo. This small adobe…
Between Rock and … Polzeath: St Moritz Hotel, Cornwall
Mark Bibby Jackson travels to north Cornwall to experience the St Moritz Hotel, and takes some time to chill. I must admit to being a bit of a Poirot fan…
Hartwell House: Fit for a King
Neil Hennessy-Vass visits Hartwell House Hotel and Spa in Buckinghamshire, near London, which was the home for former kings. With a history of over 1,000 years and plenty of notable…
Don’t Look Back in Ostend
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Ostend Belgium and ends up turning full circle. When I informed a travel writing colleague of mine, I was travelling to Ostend, her response was just…
11 Festivals in July 2023
Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best global festivals in July 2023 from Pennsylvania to South Korea, so wherever you are you can join in the celebrations. Music Festivals…
Blowin’ in the Wind at the Hard Rock Hotel Dublin
On a visit to the International Literature Festival Dublin, Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise have a very musical stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Dublin. Our journey through the lobby…
Circular Things to Do in Utrecht Netherlands: Bitterballen, Borrelen and Bikes
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Utrecht Netherlands to discover a visionary view of a sustainable future for the tourism industry. If you have never tried a bitterbal then you have never…
Miami Florida : US Capital of Cool
Miami Florida has recently been named one of the world’s greatest places by TIME Magazine, Maria Boyle discovers why. Made legendary during the Roaring Twenties and again in the Eighties…
Things To Do in Warsaw: a City Reborn
Following on from his visit to the POLIN Museum to learn about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Mark Bibby Jackson discovers the things to do in Warsaw, a city reborn. Apart…
From Wildlife to Wine: 10 Unforgettable Things to Do in South Africa
South Africa is a country full of diverse landscapes, fascinating wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. From the bustling cities to the scenic countryside, there is always something new and exciting…
