7 Things to Do in Katowice Poland for a Unique Adventure
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…
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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…
From the India to Turkey and Colombia to Belgium, we bring you the best December global festivities, including where to ring in the New Year, and that is not even…
During his stay travelling through Malta, Mark Bibby Jackson takes the short ferry ride for a day trip to Gozo to discover an island full of history. Day-trip to Gozo:…
Malta has never been a place high on my non-existent travel bucket list. I was put off it by tales of a family holiday there to which I was excluded…
Welcome to the beautiful island of Malta, where history, culture and adventure await. If you’re planning a trip to this stunning Mediterranean destination, you’re in for a treat. From the…
If you are thinking of cruising the Danube river – and with itineraries mixing big-hitter capitals such as Budapest and Vienna with beguiling scenery and fairy-tale towns, perhaps you should…
This month the line-up is bustling with attractions, including a massive inflatable, eerie street theatre, a Halloween scavenger hunt, a seasonal farmers market, Yayoi Kusama’s immense polka dot pumpkin at…
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise visit Buckingham Palace on their London stay at the Cadogan Hotel If its walls could talk London’s Belmond Cadogan Hotel would have some mighty colourful…
From the Day of the Dead to Christmas markets and Thanksgiving, November is a month that celebrates the emergence of winter. Here is our selection of the best festivals in…
Move over New York and Los Angeles — Washington, DC is stepping in to the spotlight as the ultimate destination for an American adventure. With its historic past, iconic landmarks…
In 2025, Bath will play host to an unforgettable celebration — the Jane Austen Festival 2025, marking the 250th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved authors. Renowned for…
If you’re planning your next break and haven’t decided where to go, look no further – Tampere, Finland in autumn is the place to be. The season has just begun…
Something’s going very green in the French city of Nantes, as Judith Schrut discovered on her recent visit to this welcoming and eco-friendly gem on the western banks of the…
The Egremont Crab Fair and Sports, established in 1267, is one of the world’s oldest fairs. Don’t worry if you are not a fan of crustaceans – the crabs in question are apples. It uniquely…
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Graz Austria, a green city with a visionary view for our future. It was on a visit to Iași in Romania a few years ago that…
Mark Bibby Jackson takes a road trip through Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway on the trail of Rabbie Burns and meets a couple of US Presidents along the way. “Auld Ayr…
Our first glimpse of the Chateau de Candie, a historic small luxury hotel near Chambery in the heart of Savoy, France, was picture postcard perfect. A winding road skirted a field…
Mark Bibby Jackson continues his visit to Cleveland Ohio discovering the creative side and the art in the city. My trip to Cleveland coincides with the 32nd annual Parade the…
At 3,152 metres, the mountain of Montserrate dominates the high plateau (already at a height of 2,640 metres) on which Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is built. It is a…
Mark Bibby Jackson goes on an architectural journey through Buffalo visiting Silo City, Martin House, the City Hall and Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration Site. It is a line I am going…
It has been a motto of mine to expect little and to be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury Suffolk proved an excellent case in point. Driving…
World class cities are like good friends, it doesn’t matter how long it has been since you last met, there is an instant familiarity. Also, just like really good friends…
The biggest and longest running Steampunk festival globally, the Asylum Steampunk Festival, or Weekend at the Asylum returns to Lincoln in August. The Cathedral Quarter in Lincoln is set to…
Mark Bibby Jackson visits the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, and discovers the secret behind its popularity as a holiday destination. There are times when I feel most fortunate to…
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.