Sociable Nova Scotia Road Trip from Liverpool to Halifax
Mark Bibby Jackson goes on a Nova Scotia road trip taking in UNESCO old town Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove while discovering the amazing warmth of the locals even in the…
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Mark Bibby Jackson goes on a Nova Scotia road trip taking in UNESCO old town Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove while discovering the amazing warmth of the locals even in the…
Mark Bibby Jackson pays his first trip to Nova Scotia Canada to meet Lucy the Lobster and become a judge in the annual lobster roll competition. Southwest Nova Scotia is…
Vegas, Hawaii, Nashville and, of course, Graceland, Memphis – these are destinations many an Elvis fan has firmly in their pilgrimage sights, or indeed, has visited multiple times. Yet there’s…
Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best festivals in March 2025 across the globe, from Wales to Colombia, with cherry trees, loads of Guinness and even some frozen dead…
Zhangjiajie, in the Chinese province of Hunan, encompasses the world famous Wulingyuan Scenic Area. This huge, natural mountainous landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its unique landscape includes thousands…
Mark Bibby Jackson checks into L’Hotel Barrière Le Westminster Le Touquet and falls in love with this Anglo-French gem on the Opal Coast. For the past hundred years there has…
In the lush landscapes of New Zealand, where dramatic fjords meet rolling plains, a rich tapestry of indigenous wisdom weaves through the land, sky and sea. Known as Mātauranga Māori…
Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best festivals in February 2025 across the Globe, from Mongolia to Easter Island, so wherever you are you just can’t help celebrating the…
Mark Bibby Jackson goes on a day-trip from Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, into the surrounding countryside. There are times when I realise I never would have cut it as…
As we step into 2025, travel is evolving in exciting new directions. For those of us over 40, the way we explore the world is shifting towards experiences that nourish…
Roger and Eileen conclude their voyage through Sri Lanka visiting Negombo, Yala National Park and Colombo. To read the first half of their adventures, click here. We reluctantly left Uga…
Enjoy Art Genève showcasing international contemporary and modern art. The 13th edition of Art Genève will bring together over 80 galleries specialising in modern and contemporary art, over four days…
On the first leg of their whistle-stop tour through Sri Lanka, Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise visit Uga Ulagalla in the island’s Cultural Triangle. The teardrop of India, or the…
Mark Bibby Jackson spends 48 hours in Bratislava Slovakia to see why this underrated European capital is a winter wonderland. My previous visit to the Bratislava Slovakia was in 1994…
On his way from Carinthia Austria to Bratislava in Slovakia, Mark spends a night in Vienna, to review the NH Wien Belvedere hotel, next to the famous Belvedere Palace. A…
It has been six years since Mark Heath was last in Merida. Despite the political upheavals, he found the city and surrounding area even more enjoyable; especially with the resurrection…
Every December, Panjim transforms into a bustling hub of creativity as the Serendipity Arts Festival takes centre stage. Known for its dynamic celebration of art, culture and wellness, this annual…
Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best festivals in January 2025 across the Globe, from Benin to the Shetlands, so wherever you are there is no reason to avoid…
Mark Bibby Jackson takes the train from London Euston for a Manchester city break and sample the city’s festive offerings including its Christmas Markets. It’s been a long time since…
When the festive season rolls around in Mexico, few celebrations capture the magic of community, faith, and tradition quite like the Las Posadas celebration. Held annually from 16 to 24…
When the year winds down and the holiday season approaches, the United States comes alive with a tapestry of cultural festivities. Among these, Kwanzaa celebrations stand out as a unique…
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Katowice Poland, a city transformed from its industrial past, with a bright cultural future, where he meets bison and bebok. Two trends have piqued my interest…
Nestled in the heart of Shropshire, Shrewsbury is a medieval English market town that oozes history and charm. With almost 800 listed buildings, medieval streets full of timber buildings and…
Katowice, the capital of the Silesian region in Poland, is an exciting city blending rich industrial heritage with modern cultural flair. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or…
For many an appreciation of the culture of the country or community that you visit on your holidays is a major part of the travelling experience, especially for the more mature traveller.
Whether you are taking a short city break to Amsterdam or Paris, or going on a longer trip to a distant and exciting land, your experience is enriched by an appreciation of the local culture.
Ideally, time your trip to coincide with a major festival. At Travel Begins at 40 we have a whole section devoted to some of the most colourful and spectacular festivals from around the world. So whether it is the whirling dervishes of Konya, Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, the Tsagaan Sar in Mongolia or Benin’s Voodoo Festival that tickles your cultural fancy, let us guide your way.
Visiting an unfamiliar country can lead to a bit of a cultural shock, but don’t let this put you off making that special journey. Often it is when we leave our comfort zone that we reap most rewards.
Not that we always have to travel that far to have a rich and rewarding cultural experience. Hull is the current city of culture in the UK, and a trip there can be a surprisingly rewarding experience. Enjoy it.