How to Not Overdo It on Holiday
Holidays should leave us feeling refreshed, not run-down. But when every destination promises once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it’s easy to push yourself too hard. Here’s how to slow things down and actually…
Discovering Wine, Food and Culture in Sitges Spain
Two competitors collide against each other and crash into me, so keen are they to return to the fray. As a judge I feel tempted to brandish a yellow card…
Exploring Somerton Historic Heart of Somerset
Somerset is one of my favourite counties. There is a relaxed friendliness to the place. The town of Somerton, which used to be the capital of the county in the…
Slow Walk on the Opal Coast from Escalles France
Mark Bibby Jackson stays at Hotel l’escale in Escalles and goes on a coastal walk along the Opal Coast France and returns to his youth for his mother’s birthday. Northern…
Christmas Markets in Europe 2025
From the original December market to the city that created stollen, the source of mulled wine and the first Christmas tree, let Travel Begins at 40 guide you through some…
Tenby Wales Stay Exploring Beaches and the Imperial Hotel
When people ask me about Wales, the country in which I was born, my first response is about the castles. Wales just has the most spectacular castles, all over the…
Road Trip to Skye Part 4 – Glencoe to Hadrian’s Wall and Chester
The final stage of our Scotland road trip leaves Skye behind for Glencoe, Hadrian’s Wall and Chester, blending history, landscapes and reflection. Glencoe is renowned for the massacre that took…
7 Unmissable Global Festivals in November
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…
Skye Road Trip Part 3 – Fairy Pools, Whisky and Wild Landscapes
Explore Strathpeffer, Ullapool, the Fairy Pools and Skye’s whisky distilleries on part three of our Skye road trip through the Highlands When devising our road trip to Scotland, apart from…
Road Trip to Skye Part 2 – Portobello, Kelpies and Cairngorms
From Portobello Beach to The Kelpies, Cairngorms and Culloden, follow part two of a Scotland road trip en route to Skye and the Highlands Scotland has adopted a stringent stance…
Isle of Skye Road Trip Part 1 – Whitby, Bamburgh and Holy Island
Discover Whitby, Bamburgh Castle, Holy Island and Edinburgh on the first leg of a Skye road trip exploring history and culture. “It all goes back to the sheep,” I tell…
Dark London Review – Drew Gray Shines a Light on a Shadowy Past
Londoners have always been fascinated by the city’s darker side, from Jack the Ripper tours to ghost walks through forgotten alleyways. In Dark London (Frances Lincoln, £16.99), published on 4…
Building a Life Together with a UK Spouse Visa
Love and travel are intertwined — journeys spark romance, and shared adventures deepen connection. Yet for couples separated by borders, the dream of living together can only be realised through…
Understanding Soft Tissue Injuries from Car Accidents
Soft tissue injuries are among the most common and often misunderstood consequences of car accidents; they cause pain and complications that can linger long after the initial impact. If you’ve…
How The Chawinga Sisters Changed Women’s Football in Malawi
Women’s football in Malawi is evolving. At the forefront of this are two sisters, who have broken boundaries and smashed glass ceilings. Rumphi is a remote district in the landlocked…
Scenic Stays and Walks in the Peak District Derbyshire
Mark Bibby Jackson goes on two walks in the Peak District to discover two excellent hotels and a country house impressive enough to inspire one of our finest writers. I…
The Best Cities in Europe for Solo Travel Adventures
Europe is a continent filled with rich cultures, diverse histories, and modern attractions, making it one of the most exciting regions for solo travellers. Whether you’re seeking art, history, food…
The Best Way to Spend a Weekend in Manchester
The tourism industry in Manchester is booming, it is the United Kingdom’s third most popular city for international visits, after London in the south and Edinburgh in Scotland. The industry…
Culture from the Ashes: Louvre Lens Museum, Pas-de-Calais
Mark Bibby Jackson explores the remarkable transformation of France’s former coal capital, Lens with its magnificent Louvre Lens Museum. Is it my imagination but I sense the scent of iron…
Timeless Tranquillity in the French Ardennes
In the industrial shadows of north-eastern France, Mark Bibby Jackson travels through the French Ardennes to discover a region of resilience, strong sense of community, and devastating natural beauty —…
Cutting the Mustard in Dijon France
Mark Bibby Jackson wanders through Dijon France, discovering Burgundy’s finest wines, and savouring the birthplace of real mustard in France’s gastronomic capital — the gateway to the Vallée de la…
7 of the Best Festivals in August 2025
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…
Narrow Boat Cruise on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal
Mark Bibby Jackson goes on a narrow boat cruise along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal with Black Prince Holidays. The last time I had ventured onto a narrow boat was…
Smart Travel Solutions for Groups on the Go
Coordinating travel for a group can often feel like a puzzle, but when done right, it opens the door to memorable and stress-free experiences. From team outings and educational trips…
