Stanley Kubrick The Exhibition
Robert Spellman visits Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition at the Design Museum London, an extensive retrospective on the work of one of the twentieth century’s greatest filmmakers. The phrase “he’s done…
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Robert Spellman visits Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition at the Design Museum London, an extensive retrospective on the work of one of the twentieth century’s greatest filmmakers. The phrase “he’s done…
Wishing to avoid Ibiza’s famed nightlife, James Clark heads to Santa Eulària des Riu to discover a rich culture, fantastic food and chilled vibe. Ibiza is known by us Brits…
Durga Puja, one of the most important festivals for Hindu Bengalis, is the biggest yearly event in Kolkata and known as the Carnival of the East. Usually taking place in September or October…
During the 10 days of Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festivities), the entire city of Ghent in Belgium turns into Europe’s largest cultural open air festival with over 3,300 international and local…
Mark Bibby Jackson explores the former Soviet republic of Moldova, surprisingly discovering – and indulging in – a variety of Moldova wine. I never visited the Soviet Union, a family…
The Wine Day Moldova will see hundreds of wines from some 90 producers on display over the two-day Moldova wine festival celebrating the country’s centuries-old winemaking…
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…
On 14 May, the world-famous Blackpool Tower celebrated its 125th anniversary, having opened for business way back in 1894. This celebration will in turn draw attention to one of the…
Mark Bibby Jackson travels to Hampshire where he learns of cricketing tales of yore, seafaring adventures and discovers a most poignant reminder of man’s follies in the D-Day Story. Although…
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise spend a night in London taking in Covent Garden and the West End before dining at Simpson’s in the Strand. Despite living the life of…
Adam Jacot de Boinod visits northern Italy to discover the things to do in Verona on foot, unearthing a wonderful medieval city full of culture. I knew Verona was going…
During the days of the Onam Festival, the biggest and most spectacular festival of Kerala, the entire Indian state goes on a spree of celebrations, music and dance performances, elaborate…
Lynn Gail visits the Manggarai people on the Indonesian island of Flores, where an age-old Caci ritual of whip fighting symbolises new life. The horizon comes in and out of…
Continuing his Central America travel adventure, Mark Bibby Jackson ventures to Roatan Honduras for adventures with dolphins and reminders of banana republics before returning to the wild Pacific in El…
Mark Bibby Jackson discovers a wealth of culture and history during his Central America travel through El Salvador and Honduras. Momentarily disregarding my middle-aged spread, I emerge from the turquoise…
From sampling the local cuisine to visiting the amazing Shwedagon Pagoda, Joe Ogden discovers there are many things to do in Yangon on a short break to Myanmar’s largest city…
Also called the Olympic Games of nomads, the spectacular Naadam Festival in Mongolia is the country’s biggest event and its national pride. Taking place every July, men and women compete…
In recent years, the twin towns of Kampot and Kep on the Gulf of Thailand in southeast Cambodia have emerged as tourist destinations. Famed for pepper and durian fruit, Kampot…
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…
Glamorous palaces, mighty castles and delightful gardens, Saxony and Thuringa – The Cultural Heart of Germany – have around 1,000 palaces, castles and fortresses, each one with a story to…
Regarded as the biggest light, music and ideas festival in the South, Vivid Sydney will light up the city’s opera house and surrounding harbour area from 23 May to 14…
Tired of the conventional trappings of tourism Mark Bibby Jackson decides to wander the streets of Kreuzberg to discover another side of Berlin. Kreuzberg has the feel of Queens or the Bronx – not that I’ve ever…
Dubbed the Teutonic Glastonbury by the Telegraph, the Weimar Onion Market, takes place each October in the architecturally stunning medieval city in Thuringia, Germany…
Adam Jacot de Boinod travels to the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira, Funchal, to discover a place replete with history and literary overtones. I hadn’t realised that Madeira…
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.