Merida Venezuela: Highest Cable Car in the World
Mark Heath took some time out to visit Merida Venezuela, the city considered by many to have the highest quality of life in the South American country. Nestled in the…
Travel Topics
Mark Heath took some time out to visit Merida Venezuela, the city considered by many to have the highest quality of life in the South American country. Nestled in the…
With Pantone announcing its official colour of the year, ‘Living Coral’, what better place to admire the official shade of 2019 than in the famed ‘Pink City’ of Toulouse as…
Chinese New Year is undoubtedly China’s pre-eminent and most intense festive period characterised by sumptuous family meals, the colour red, paper lanterns and lots…
At the end of his week’s trip through California, Mark Bibby Jackson follows some of his favourite movies through the streets of San Francisco and finds amid all the amazing…
There is no event that encapsulates the multi-cultural nature of Singapore than the Chingay Parade, held each year during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Literally meaning…
The New Year will see a host of hot new attractions set to open across Denmark. It’s the last chance to see Rubjerg Knude lighthouse before it is relocated, and in…
Singapore commemorates the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles landing in Singapore, which was one of the key turning points in Singapore’s 700 year history…
Searching for peace, quiet and beauty, Johan Smits finds in Luang Prabang a stunning little town at a crossroads. One tropical evening we find ourselves sitting in the nearly empty…
If you are looking for a holiday with a difference in 2019, maybe you could consider Atlantic Canada. From food to the great outdoors and the movies, we give you…
Some splendid openings, a new modernist quarter and a few all-time favourites sprinkled with a generous dose of Bauhaus spirit – Saxony and Thuringia are getting ready…
Continuing his journey from Tuolumne County to San Francisco, Mark Bibby Jackson pops in on Tri-Valley California and discovers a thing or two about fine wines. “I can detect tobacco…
In 2019 Leeds Castle in Kent will host a series of special events and activities to celebrate its 900th anniversary. The original Castle dates back to 1119 when Robert de…
If sheep shearing is your thing then the village of Khot in Syunik, Armenia is the place to head for in June. There the Sheep Shearing Festival sees the local people of Vayoc, Dzor and Syunik keeping alive…
There are no age limits when it comes to travel and many will have more budget to travel now than they did thirty years ago, and with the luxury of free time, a well-deserved…
Experience the opulence of Nowruz – or Persian New Year – in March with an abundance of food, music and hospitality in one of many Persian-heritage countries. Nowruz Meaning Nowruz…
If you fancy doing something different this spring then travel company Jules Verne might have just the ticket for you. Departing 14 March, it is offering a fascinating journey in history-rich Sudan…
Eerie, identical wax masks, colossal ostrich plume hats, confetti in churches and orange throwing: the medieval Carnaval de Binche (or Binche Carnival) is like no other in the world. In…
Irene Caswell takes a micro-break to the Midhurst Spread Eagle in the West Sussex market town and discovers a hotel steeped in history that is truly fit for a Queen…
Thailand’s first ever Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, the biggest contemporary art event in the country’s history, is still ongoing until 3 February next year and has so far received overwhelmingly…
On a trip to Yosemite Park and Tuolumne County, Mark Bibby Jackson glories in the vast open spaces, incredibly friendliness and wonderful nature, as he discovers another side to California…
Visitors to Vienna can now gain acc…ess to more than 60 of the city’s most popular attractions, tours and museums directly via their smartphones with the newly…
The streets and canals of Amsterdam will once more host the tenth Amsterdam Light Festival this winter, from 28 November, 2024 to 19 January, 2025. The theme of the 2024 Light Festival will be Rituals…
Explore striking Himalayan landscapes, remote hill stations and fascinating holy sites by small vehicle on this 19-night escorted tour that’s ideal for return visitors. Highlights include a visit to the…
If immersion into a way of life drives your travel plans, Ghana is the place to go to experience a West African existence. Be introduced by locals to basket weaving, fishing, farming, cooking…
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.