Solo Walking Holiday in the Albanian Alps
Elinor Goodman decides to take a solo walking holiday through the spectacular Albanian Alps to reach new heights. Four hours into a five hour walk on the first day of…
Into the Chittagong Hill Tracts: Rangamati
Johan Smits visits Rangamati Bangladesh in the travel-restricted Chittagong Hill Tracts – the country’s highlands and home of the Jumma people. I’m on my way from Chittagong, Bangladesh’s largest port…
8 Things to Discover in Chile in 2020
Chile is one of the most exciting countries to visit in the world. From seeing a solar eclipse to following in the footsteps of Ferdinand Magellan, here is our choice…
What Is Your Travel Resolution for 2020?
It’s that time of the year that we traditionally reflect on things past and future. So, getting into the spirit of things, Travel Begins at 40 has asked its regular…
6 Alternative Places to Visit in 2020
The world is getting smaller so they say with less new places to explore. Think again. Espousing the philosophy of undertourism, Travel Begins at 40 suggests alternatives places to visit…
Bangladesh Travel: Rivers, Relics and Wrecks
After visiting the capital Dhaka and taking a voyage to the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Johan Smits continues his Bangladesh travel by road, river and rail, encountering ancient relics and huge,…
5 Great Mongolia Festivals Not to Be Missed
From horse-drawn sledges on a frozen lake to the world’s biggest camel race in the Gobi desert, Travel Begins at 40 has selected five great Mongolia festivals for 2020. Tsagaan…
Two Men and an Unsinkable Solar Boat
Two British architects talk to Travel Beginsat 40 about their 3,000 mile trek into the Norwegian Arctic and the unsinkable solar boat that will take them there. It’s not…
7 Ancient Peru Sites Away From Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu and Cusco are rightly world famous, but how many other sites of ancient Peru can you visit? Many, says Mike East. Remnants of Peru’s ancient civilisation abound throughout…
5 Wonderful Asia Off-The-Beaten-Track Destinations
Travel Begins at 40 spills the beans about five themed and truly off-the-beaten-track destinations in different parts of Asia. When travelling in Asia, you may feel it’s getting increasingly hard…
Water-to-Go : Filter Water Bottle for Travellers
Travel Begins at 40 talks with Dave Shanks, co-founder of Water-to-Go, about why he created his filter water bottle to provide safe water for travellers. How did you set…
Sikkim and 6 Other Unique Villages in India
India is an incredibly diverse region that is home to as many as 1599 languages and at least nine religions. This variety can be attributed to it consisting of many…
Julian Carnall, Responsible Travel with Large Minority
Johan Smits discusses Sri Lanka, tuk tuk challenges and responsible travel with Julian Carnall, the man behind Large Minority and the Lanka Challenge. How did Large Minority come about? The…
10 of the Best Hikes in the World
Although hiking is fulfilling for many reasons, there’s no denying that it’s always better when the scenery is spectacular. These ten hikes are some of the world’s most scenic and…
5 Reasons Why You Should Still Go Backpacking
Backpacking, usually associated with those in their early 20s, offers adventure, one-off life experiences and some fantastic memories. Many of us over the age of 50 may not have had…
6 Things To Do in Whistler in Summer
Just like dogs and Christmas, Whistler isn’t just for winter. While this Canadian mountain resort undoubtedly offers some of the best snow sports and apres-ski in North America, the months…
Voyage to the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest
Taking an old paddlewheel steamer from Dhaka to the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest in Bangladesh, Johan Smits finds poetry, a lost city and a vast water forest. “What beauty, what shades,…
Lord Howe Island; Australia’s Paradise Found
Set in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand UNESCO-listed Lord Howe Island truly is an island paradise a short flight from Sydney. Excellent diving, walking and biking awaits…
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…
Costa Rica Whale Watching – Ballena National Park
For much of the year, the south-western region of Costa Rica hosts the breeding waters of humpback whales in the protected waters of the Ballena National Marine Park. This makes…
Simon Albert: Charity Challenge
Travel Begins at 40 chats with Simon Albert, Director of Charity Challenge, which celebrates its 20th birthday in 2019 helping raise over £55 million for charity in the process. How…
Philippe Kjellgren: Around the World in 800 Days
Author of seven travel books and founder of the Kiwi Collection, luxury travel guru, Philippe Kjellgren (or PK), is currently travelling around the World in 800 days…
Dawn Simone: Solo Female Travel
Intrepid traveller Dawn Simone started Elle Voyage from a frustration of a lack of solo female travel companions. She talks to Travel Begins at 40. Can you tell us a…
The Man Behind Walk the Rock: Jose Rubio
Travel Begins at 40 chats with Jose Luis Rubio, the managing director of Blackstone Treks & Tours, who organises Lanzarote’s annual Walk the Rock. Can you tell us a bit…
