Bertrand’s Townhouse London Review
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…
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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 his 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…
Cuba is a country located in the Caribbean known for its music, cigars, and rum. However, due to its troubled past, entry into the country can have rather tricky travel…
Independence Day so bursts with colour, music and national pride, that it is so easy to feel swept up in the excitement. The celebrations fill Antananarivo with parades, fireworks and…
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…
Wheelchair user Debbie North visits Oberammergau Germany to discover a very accessible town and region. Some places make an impression quietly. Others announce themselves with colour, history and mountains in…
Icelandophile Julia Hammond runs through the best geothermal lagoons in Iceland for travellers. Adjusting my bobble hat to make sure there’s no chance a gust of wind will snatch it…
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…
Robert Spellman explores Wembley’s Gujarati community on the Immersive India Tour. Part of the privilege and thrill of living in London is the opportunity to experience the completely new, just…
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.