Sri Lanka Train Ride, Tea Plantations and the Pekoe Trail
Mark Bibby Jackson goes on an amazing Sri Lanka train ride, visits former capital Kandy, tea plantations and hikes along the Pekoe Trail. I first fell in love with train…
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Mark Bibby Jackson goes on an amazing Sri Lanka train ride, visits former capital Kandy, tea plantations and hikes along the Pekoe Trail. I first fell in love with train…
In the first of a series of articles covering his trip to Sri Lanka, Mark Bibby Jackson goes on an elephant safari, sees the wonderful cave paintings at Dambulla and…
Gill Haynes travels to Estonia to find a surprising capital city that celebrates both modern and old, with a wonderful cuisine. Discover the things to do in Tallinn. It felt…
Mark Bibby Jackson and his mother go on a northern France road trip from the UK to Calais through the Loire and back to Normandy. Endless. Like in a film…
At first sight this seems like a joyous celebration of one of Christianity’s most important figures, but, no, it is way more than that. The Fiesta de San Juan Bautista…
Travel Begins at 40 has produced its own brief round-up of the best festivals in August around the world from Colombia to Nevada and Utah to Notting Hill. Cultural Festivals…
Lynn Houghton discovers the wonderful things to do in San Antonio Texas, from its great food to western history. Most of us have heard of the Alamo. This small adobe…
Santa Rosa de Lima is the patron saint of Peru and was the first canonised saint from the Americas, so she has a key place in the nation’s culture. On el Día de Santa Rosa de Lima Peru…
Neil Hennessy-Vass visits Hartwell House Hotel and Spa in Buckinghamshire, near London, which was the home for former kings. With a history of over 1,000 years and plenty of notable…
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Ostend Belgium and ends up turning full circle. When I informed a travel writing colleague of mine, I was travelling to Ostend, her response was just…
Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best global festivals in July 2023 from Pennsylvania to South Korea, so wherever you are you can join in the celebrations. Music Festivals…
On a visit to the International Literature Festival Dublin, Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise have a very musical stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Dublin. Our journey through the lobby…
After visiting the Polish capital of Warsaw, Mark Bibby Jackson takes the train to Łódź, the Manchester of Poland, and finds himself unexpectedly moved. I knew something of the Warsaw…
Neil Hennessy-Vass learns about the discover of the lifetime at Hever Castle with the finding of Thomas Cromwell’s prayer book. Those clever historians have been at it again at Hever…
Following on from his visit to the POLIN Museum to learn about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Mark Bibby Jackson discovers the things to do in Warsaw, a city reborn. Apart…
Coinciding with the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Mark Bibby Jackson visits the amazing POLIN Museum in Warsaw, Poland. Serendipity is an essential component of being a seasoned traveller…
One of the European Best Destinations in 2023, Essen Germany is a city you might well overlook when considering your next holiday in Germany. However, there are many reasons why…
Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best global festivals in June 2024 from Peru to Colorado, so wherever you are you can join in the celebrations. Cultural Festivals in…
Discover the top things to do in Brazil. From stunning beaches to vibrant cities and natural wonders, explore the best attractions and experiences in Brazil. Plan your trip now. From…
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise check into Cley Windmill, Norfolk, go birdwatching, have a brush with a headless queen, and discover an inspirational wildlife sanctuary. Back in the Middle Ages…
Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, is a charming and vibrant metropolis that offers a plethora of experiences for visitors. From historical landmarks to culinary delights, the city is filled…
On a visit to the nine cities of Lower Saxony Mark Bibby Jackson is led by the Pied Piper through the streets of Hamelin. It is not every day that…
Colombia is a country of incredible diversity, from its lush jungles and towering mountains to its vibrant cities and stunning coastline. If you’re planning a trip to Colombia, you’ll find…
Discover a city that seamlessly blends the ancient with the modern, the traditional with the innovative, and the serene with the thrilling. As the capital of the United Arab Emirates…
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.