Hotel Victoria Robin Hood’s Bay
It isn’t often I start an article with breakfast. After all despite many people thinking it’s the best meal of the day, it does tend to come at the end…
Tasting the Wine in Beaune, Burgundy
I am not usually too interested in museums, and especially not when the sun is shining outside, but at the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne in Beaune, I…
Revelling in the Culture of Amsterdam at the Toren
In Amsterdam, there’s nothing quite like messing about in boats to get the measure of the place. So, on a cold, grey, but mercifully dry, winter’s morning, we took to…
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…
Celebrating Milestones in the Maldives
A milestone birthday ending in zero calls for something unforgettable — and when the birthday boy is my husband Bryan, famously impossible to buy for, the pressure is on. The…
Exploring What’s New in Edinburgh – An Epicurean Weekend
Amid Edinburgh’s grand architecture and storied streets, a new wave of hotels and restaurants is sharpening the city’s culinary edge. Writer Maria Boyle and her daughter Daisy explore. Stay: The…
11 Carnivals Around the World for 2026
Whether you call it the carnival, Mardi Gras or simply a fête, the approach of Lent brings with it a wonderful explosion of colour and exuberance. Travel Begins at 40…
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…
Exploring the Top Things to Do in Madrid
Madrid blends centuries of royal heritage with a creative modern energy. Whether you come for the food, art or relaxed street life, Spain’s capital rewards every visitor. From early-morning art…
Palacete Servero, Porto Review
The unique charm, the port wine industry, gateway to the Douro River are just some of the reasons for visiting Porto, it’s where history and modernity collide. Cristiano Ronaldo and…
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…
Why Ischia Is Italy’s Best-kept Island Secret…….For Now
While I’ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively, Italy continues to hold a special place in my heart. Ever since tasting gazpacho (I know it’s Spanish) made with sun-ripened Ischian…
Why a Visit to Charleston South Carolina is a Must
Why does a small city in American’s Deep South keep winning awards like ‘Number 1 U.S. Travel Destination’ ‘Best Food Destination’, ‘Friendliest American City’ and ‘Best Place for U.S. History…
Holiday to Boracay Philippines Revisited
Early this century Mike East went on a holiday to Boracay Philippines. He returns to see how it has changed. On my previous visit to Boracay in the Philippines, the…
Family Holiday with Teenagers – Heaven or Hell?
A family holiday with teenagers can be heaven or hell. Finding a break that keeps teenagers happy — and gives parents a proper chance to unwind — isn’t easy. But…
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…
In Search of Legends in Palermo Sicily
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise visit the Sicilian Capital Palermo to unearth much of its history and the nearby countryside. We had fond memories of our first visit to Sicily…
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…
France’s Médoc Region: A Wine Lover’s Itinerary for the Ultimate Bordeaux Experience
France’s Médoc Region: A Wine Lover’s Itinerary Few wine regions capture the imagination like France’s Médoc. Nestled along Bordeaux’s Left Bank, this stretch of gravelly terrain has given rise to…
72 Hours in Copenhagen: Cool, Cultured and Deliciously Danish
Cyclable, stylish and rich in culinary flair, Copenhagen is a city that makes short breaks feel satisfyingly full. Maria Boyle spends 72 hours in Copenhagen and grazes her way around…
