A Journey Through Costa Rica Part I : San Jose
We were just hours from taking our flight to Costa Rica when we learned the findings of the latest United Nations World Happiness Report. The Latin American nation had jumped…
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We were just hours from taking our flight to Costa Rica when we learned the findings of the latest United Nations World Happiness Report. The Latin American nation had jumped…
An old Spanish proverb goes, “Quien no ha visto Sevilla, no ha visto maravilla” (He who has not seen Seville, has not seen a wonder), so I’ve come to the…
Mark Bibby Jackson beats the rush to spend 24 hours in Philadelphia exploring the history and culture of the city prior to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence…
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…
On his first visit to the country Mark Bibby Jackson spends a few days in coastal Lithuania enjoying fabulous food, amazing beaches, and the wonderful birdlife. Egidijus slows the engine…
Each autumn, the old streets of Kathmandu erupt in a riot of colour, music and devotion as Indra Jatra in Nepal takes over the capital. With towering chariots, masked dancers…
When I tell friends that I’ll be taking some sea air the instant I get to The Hague, they react with mild surprise. Such is the association of those two…
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise stay at Bertrand’s Townhouse, London, a new hotel with a literary history. Bertrand Russell was one of the most famous intellectuals of the 20th century…
Maria Boyle spends 48 hours in Marrakech and discovers a vibrant city full of great food, shopping and luxurious pampering. 48 Hours in Marrakech – Day 1 10am Check in…
On his Southern States road trip Mark Bibby Jackson encounters the two faces of Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains I awake in our Smoky Mountains chalet, a short drive from…
It’s unsurprising to learn that Munich residents drink more beer than anywhere else in the world, after all the Oktoberfest is the world’s biggest annual beer festival, and their beer…
There are times when travelling puts your faith back into humanity. At a moment when wars are been waged for good publicity, and parties campaign on hatred and otherness, the…
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…
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…
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” The words by Martin Luther King Jr leap out at me from the DC memorial wall created from his teachings…
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…
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…
Bodensee? Bet you’ve never heard of it. And neither had I until I stepped off a train from Munich to find myself on lovely Lindau Island and gazing out over…
The weekends of 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 August 2026 will be the peak time for Grand Mariage Weddings (Dola n’kou), Comoros Islands, though expect many more events on weekends from…
Ivory Coast is a country that pulses with creative energy, deep history and natural beauty. Long overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, the country is emerging as one of West…
For much of the past few years, travel has been defined by one powerful phrase: revenge travel. From packed airports to soaring hotel prices, millions of travellers, particularly in the…
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…
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…
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…
For many an appreciation of the culture of the country or community that you visit on your holidays is a major part of the travelling experience, especially for the more mature traveller.
Whether you are taking a short city break to Amsterdam or Paris, or going on a longer trip to a distant and exciting land, your experience is enriched by an appreciation of the local culture.
Ideally, time your trip to coincide with a major festival. At Travel Begins at 40 we have a whole section devoted to some of the most colourful and spectacular festivals from around the world. So whether it is the whirling dervishes of Konya, Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, the Tsagaan Sar in Mongolia or Benin’s Voodoo Festival that tickles your cultural fancy, let us guide your way.
Visiting an unfamiliar country can lead to a bit of a cultural shock, but don’t let this put you off making that special journey. Often it is when we leave our comfort zone that we reap most rewards.
Not that we always have to travel that far to have a rich and rewarding cultural experience. Hull is the current city of culture in the UK, and a trip there can be a surprisingly rewarding experience. Enjoy it.