Industrial Heritage in Creusot Montceau, Burgundy
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Blanzy, Montceau-Les-Mines and Le Creusot, as he follows the trail of industrial heritage in Creusot Montceau, Burgundy. I think it’s fair to say that attitudes towards…
5 Best Cultural Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro for an Authentic Experience
For many travellers, Rio de Janeiro conjures images of golden beaches, dramatic mountains and the towering Christ the Redeemer statue. But beyond these famous sights lies a rich cultural landscape…
Février Gourmand in the Dordogne Valley
On his travels through the Dordogne Valley, Mark Bibby Jackson takes part in the Février Gourmand programme. Overtourism is a term that is firmly back on the travel agenda. Many…
Discovering a Joie de Vivre in the Dordogne Valley
Mark Bibby Jackson drives to the Dordogne Valley in February bypassing the floods to discover a very sustainable approach to tourism and tries to understand what joie de vivre is…
An Angel in the Heart of Bow
The more I visit pubs across the UK for our Hairy Traveller YouTube channel, the more I realise the importance pubs play in the local community. The Angel of Bow…
Real Estate in Spain: Where Wanderlust Meets Wealth
At Barcelona.RealEstate, we’ve watched as Spain became far more than a postcard-perfect backdrop for summer dreams. It’s a dynamic playground of opportunity where the pursuit of lifestyle blends seamlessly with…
Community at the Hollywood Heart of Wrexham AFC
Mark Bibby Jackson returns to his native North Wales to explore Wrexham and see how the renascent football club is working closely with the local community. I’ve always said serendipity…
Things to Do in Chester in a Day
Mark Bibby Jackson discovers the things to do in Chester in a day from visiting Chester Zoo to discovering Chester Rows and Chester Cathedral. Apparently, Chester is one of the…
Hallstatt and SalzburgerLand Autumn Sights and Culture
On his visit to Salzburg Austria for The Sound of Music Gala, Mark Bibby Jackson discovers Hallstatt and SalzburgerLand and is amazed by their beauty. SalzburgerLand Autumn Landscapes It’s not…
Salzburg, The Sound of Music and Edelweiss
By the second day of our trip, the number of times we had heard Edelweiss was becoming a running joke. I had made a friendly bet with one of my…
Food and Culture in Madrid from Botín to the Prado Museum
Mark Bibby Jackson discovers the best of food and culture in Madrid with tapas, historic restaurants, markets and the Prado Museum. Tapas Food and Culture in Madrid It was only…
The 10 Best Global Airport Transfer Services Compared
Traveling around can be hard work. After a long flight, the last thing anyone wants is trouble getting a ride. Everyone wants a smooth and simple trip to their hotel…
Experience Birmingham: Top Events and Festivals You Can’t Miss
Birmingham, one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, is a cultural hub that truly comes alive through its festivals and community events. From smooth jazz to festive lights, and from…
Christmas Markets in Slovenia The Ultimate Festive Guide 2025
Slovenia is a hidden gem for festive breaks: its compact towns, alpine lakes and medieval streets provide a truly atmospheric backdrop for Christmas markets. Whether you want snow‑kissed vistas, historic…
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…
