This Is What To See in Rome in a Weekend
Rome is a city rich with history and culture. A destination filled with things to do and places to see, which can make choosing exactly what to do a little…
Hawkstone Hall and Gardens : The Shropshire Hills
Mark Bibby Jackson spends a night at Hawkstone Hall and Gardens, a manor house steeped in history, thankful that he has arrived before the crowds. Spectacular. The one word describes…
6 Things to Do in Chiang Mai Off the Tourist Trail
A persistent visitor to Thailand’s Rose of the North, Johan Smits spills the beans about his favourite tourist-proof things to do in Chiang Mai; some of them might well surprise…
El Salvador’s Pompeii: Joya de Ceren
In Mexico and Central America the Mayans left great temples as memories of a remarkable civilisation. But what of the ordinary Mayans? Mike East discovers Joya de Ceren, El Salvador…
A Global Beer Trip: Is There an Oktoberfest Near Me?
In a thirsty quest around the world, Travel Begins at 40 helps you answer the question “Is there an Oktoberfest near me?” for when you can’t make it to the…
Lichfield Cathedral & National Memorial Arboretum
Mark Bibby Jackson journeys to the city of Lichfield where he visits the cathedral, Samuel Johnson’s birthplace and the nearby National Memorial…
Things to Do in Rotterdam: Architecture and Culture
Mike East travels to Holland’s second city and is pleasantly surprised by the things to do in Rotterdam, including its quirky architecture. I had come here at the request of…
La Feria de Cali 2024 (Cali Fair), Colombia
The annual Feria de Cali or Cali Fair in Colombia has grown into one of South America’s most important salsa festivals with fireworks, colourful parades, free music concerts…
Poznan Poland: Smoke and Mirrors
Mark Bibby Jackson visits the university town of Poznan Poland to discover a place full of vitality where things are not always quite as they seem. “Look up there and…
Barranquilla Carnival Colombia 2025
The sensational Barranquilla Carnival held in February in Colombia is the world’s second biggest fiesta with magnificent street parades, traditional dancers, lots of local…
War Graves in France, Pas-De-Calais
Irene Caswell visits war graves in France to pay her respects to those who fell in both World Wars and finds the trip a deeply moving experience. When I mentioned…
Zeche Zollverein – the Metropolis of the Coal Mines
Mark Bibby Jackson visits UNESCO World Heritage site Zeche Zollverein, Essen to discover an amazing transformation that would have impressed Fritz Lang. As I ride up the escalator to the…
Istanbul City Break: An Enigma in Time
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…
Things to Do in Harwich: Ships, Submarines & Seals
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…
Marching Against the Tide in Transnistria
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…
Durga Puja Festival 2024, India
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…
Hampshire: Cricket, Dockyards and the D-Day Story
Mark Bibby Jackson travels to Hampshire where he learns of cricketing tales of yore, seafaring adventures and discovers a most poignant reminder of man’s follies in the D-Day Story. Although…
Onam Festival 2025, Kerala, India
During the days of the Onam Festival, the biggest and most spectacular festival of Kerala, the entire Indian state goes on a spree of celebrations, music and dance performances, elaborate…
Naadam Festival Mongolia 2024
Also called the Olympic Games of nomads, the spectacular Naadam Festival in Mongolia is the country’s biggest event and its national pride. Taking place every July, men and women compete…
Dhaka, Bangladesh – the World’s Most Crowded City
Johan Smits takes a deep breath before plunging into the world’s most crowded city, Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka. I’m a fan of Sci-Fi films. And often it’s the atmospheric, non-tech parts…
Zythos Bierfestival 2024 (Zythos Beer Festival)
The Belgian university town of Leuven turns into a mecca of beer when the country’s largest beer festival, the Zythos Bierfestival (ZBF), returns traditionally in the last…
Pampered in Pangkor Laut, Malaysia
Concluding their Malaysia travel adventures, Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise leave the tranquil Cameron Highlands to head to the island of Pangkor Laut. For the final few days of our…
Losing Yourself in the Cameron Highlands
Continuing their Malaysia travel adventure, Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise, escape the heat of the capital KL and journey to the northern Cameron Highlands. British involvement in Malaya goes as…
Malaysia Travel : First Stop KL
On the first leg of their Malaysia travel adventures Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise discover the capital Kuala Lumpur’s food and art scene, as well as some cricket. We sat…
