Gainsborough’s House, Sudbury Suffolk
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…
Travel Topics
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…
Mark Bibby Jackson visits some of the industrial heritage in Newcastle given new life. One of my particular likes when travelling is to see how industrial buildings can be transformed…
“This is the room where Tracey Emin says she had her best sex,” Jane Bishop informs me as she as she hands me the key to room 302 at the…
Learning a new skill, such as art, while on holiday has become a trend in recent years but for some people art classes can be transformative. As I enter Hold Creative…
A same-sex couple has won the Flitch of Bacon Dunmow for the first time in history. Local Dunmow couple, Emma Hynds and Emma D’Costa, convinced the jury at the Dunmow…
Mark Bibby Jackson leaves Lake Ullswater to visit three castles of Cumbria – Brougham Castle, Lowther Castle and Hutton-in-the-Forest, as well as Rheged. “The river used to mark the border…
Given that the great river flows through ten countries in central Europe, there are several fine cities along it that might lay claim to the title ‘The Jewel on The…
The swift passage Eurostar Business Premier from Kings Cross St. Pancras Station is a dream. The extra room, refreshments on tap and the service made me feel like a superstar…
Santa Fe takes great pride in its nickname, the City Different. It has a lofty reputation for history, gastronomy, nature, culture — my personal Fab Four of travel. It’s capital…
Since its launch in 2016 in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, Kynren – An Epic Tale of England has taken audiences on an immersive journey through 2,000 years of history, myth…
“From here you can see the whole history of Berlin,” Sönke Schneidewind tells me from the terrace at the top of the Stiftung Humboldt Forum. To my left I can…
This June will see the 32nd Annual Parade the Circle as well as the Circle Village at the Wade Oval Cleveland. The festival starts the summer in the Circle season…
Chemnitz will be one of the European Capitals of Culture alongside Nova Gorica in Slovenia in 2025. Nestled in the heart of Saxony, Germany, Chemnitz is twinned with Manchester and…
In 2025, Chemnitz will be one of the European Capitals of Culture alongside Nova Gorica in Slovenia. At first this might seem a strange choice. The Saxon city has a…
Writer Maria Boyle travels the length of the country, taking in lantern-lit towns, UNESCO sites of world heritage, delectable food, and one of the best beaches in the world. Here…
Mark Bibby Jackson joins an accessible travel tour in Edersee Germany visiting the Eder Dam, and going on forest and tree top walks all accessible for wheelchair users. Travelling can…
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Kotor and Budva to stay at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay, and discover the charms of this delightful part of coastal Montenegro. There is something about…
Probably one of the most overused words in travel literature is undiscovered – I confess to be a repeat offender. While Montenegro has been on the tourism radar for quite…
Panama is a Central American country known for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and unique blend of old-world charm and modernity. With so much to see and do, it can…
From Wat Pho to Wat Phra Kaew Mal Tattersall discovers what’s wat on his day trip in Bangkok Thailand. “YOU going to see Wat?” the smiling woman at reception asks…
Set in the Irish Sea sandwiched between Ireland and Britain, the Isle of Man has a long history with many traditions and unusual folklore. Discover about the history and customs…
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.