Things to Do in Sacramento California in 48 Hours
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…
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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…
Each year Unesco meets to agree those sites that should be added to its list of places that have ‘outstanding universal value’. On 10 July, the organisation’s Heritage Commitee meets…
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…
This year will once again see the British Ceramics Biennial return to the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent, between September 7 and October 13. Back for its sixth festival in its…
Exclusive Kerala is the ultimate way to experience this beautiful slice of south Indian tropical paradise, with accommodation in some of Kerala’s finest boutique retreats…
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…
Danish architect Olafur Elisson’s Fjordenhus helps put Vejle on the map, as one of the hottest centres for architecture. The city booms with new architectural pieces such as the Wave…
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…
Explore the UK and Ireland’s most enchanting spots with Rabbie’sWith daylight savings in full swing, there’s never been a better time to explore the string of legendary locations…
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…
The Watermill at Posara, Tuscany, has a few spaces left on artist Sue Ford’s painting holiday from 13 to 20 July, which covers watercolours, pastels, collage, mixed media and acrylics…
Following the launch of mainland Italy as its first short-haul destination at the end of last year, tailor-made travel specialist Audley Travel has added Sicily to its portfolio. Audley Travel’s…
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…
Isango!, the specialist online retailer of global tours, experiences and attraction tickets, has launched an exciting range of authentic adventures from around the world. Destinations…
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…
The harbour side town of Penzance in the most westerly corner of Cornwall is rich in literary history, with famous literary figures including the Brontë sisters, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and…
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.