5 Reasons Why You Should Still Go Backpacking
Backpacking, usually associated with those in their early 20s, offers adventure, one-off life experiences and some fantastic memories. Many of us over the age of 50 may not have had…
Travel Topics
Backpacking, usually associated with those in their early 20s, offers adventure, one-off life experiences and some fantastic memories. Many of us over the age of 50 may not have had…
Whether visiting Sacramento as part of a California road trip, or taking a city break for a long weekend, this 48-hour guide to things to do in Sacramento will take…
On an Istanbul city break, Mark Bibby Jackson discovers a vibrant place on the cusp of Europe and Asia that is perpetually re-inventing itself. As a Liverpool fan, memories of…
Partial to the odd wee dram, Mark Bibby Jackson joins Rabbie’s Speyside whisky tour to discover how little he knew about a decent single malt. “There are only two types…
Taking a short break from their native Suffolk, Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise discover a plethora of things to do in Harwich, a surprisingly historic town with links to the…
One of the longest surviving medieval rituals in England, the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance has been performed in a village in Staffordshire since 1226. Horn Dance Ritual The folk dance…
Daisy MacQuoid sifts through the many Thai festivals held every year in the Asian kingdom and shortlists five of the most distinctive festivals you need to see to believe. Thailand…
On his trip to Moldova, Mark Bibby Jackson visits the Victory Day parade in Transnistria, meeting a hospitable people at odds with the rest of Europe, yet clinging on to…
Could there be a more appropriate setting for The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival than the historic Regency spa town of Cheltenham ? Originally held in…
Robert Spellman visits Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition at the Design Museum London, an extensive retrospective on the work of one of the twentieth century’s greatest filmmakers. The phrase “he’s done…
Wishing to avoid Ibiza’s famed nightlife, James Clark heads to Santa Eulària des Riu to discover a rich culture, fantastic food and chilled vibe. Ibiza is known by us Brits…
Durga Puja, one of the most important festivals for Hindu Bengalis, is the biggest yearly event in Kolkata and known as the Carnival of the East. Usually taking place in September or October…
During the 10 days of Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festivities), the entire city of Ghent in Belgium turns into Europe’s largest cultural open air festival with over 3,300 international and local…
Mark Bibby Jackson explores the former Soviet republic of Moldova, surprisingly discovering – and indulging in – a variety of Moldova wine. I never visited the Soviet Union, a family…
The Wine Day Moldova will see hundreds of wines from some 90 producers on display over the two-day Moldova wine festival celebrating the country’s centuries-old winemaking…
Taking an old paddlewheel steamer from Dhaka to the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest in Bangladesh, Johan Smits finds poetry, a lost city and a vast water forest. “What beauty, what shades…
On 14 May, the world-famous Blackpool Tower celebrated its 125th anniversary, having opened for business way back in 1894. This celebration will in turn draw attention to one of the…
Mark Bibby Jackson travels to Hampshire where he learns of cricketing tales of yore, seafaring adventures and discovers a most poignant reminder of man’s follies in the D-Day Story. Although…
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise spend a night in London taking in Covent Garden and the West End before dining at Simpson’s in the Strand. Despite living the life of…
Adam Jacot de Boinod visits northern Italy to discover the things to do in Verona on foot, unearthing a wonderful medieval city full of culture. I knew Verona was going…
During the days of the Onam Festival, the biggest and most spectacular festival of Kerala, the entire Indian state goes on a spree of celebrations, music and dance performances, elaborate…
Lynn Gail visits the Manggarai people on the Indonesian island of Flores, where an age-old Caci ritual of whip fighting symbolises new life. The horizon comes in and out of…
Continuing his Central America travel adventure, Mark Bibby Jackson ventures to Roatan Honduras for adventures with dolphins and reminders of banana republics before returning to the wild Pacific in El…
Mark Bibby Jackson discovers a wealth of culture and history during his Central America travel through El Salvador and Honduras. Momentarily disregarding my middle-aged spread, I emerge from the turquoise…
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.