Up Close With: Daro Nout
Cambodian artist Daro Nout seeks inspiration for his paintings from Cambodia’s nature during motorbike trips across the country. When did you start painting? I started learning painting at the age…
Travel Topics
Cambodian artist Daro Nout seeks inspiration for his paintings from Cambodia’s nature during motorbike trips across the country. When did you start painting? I started learning painting at the age…
International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrates women’s achievements and recognises the struggle for gender parity in societies around the world. It is an occasion that has a long history, stretching back…
Egypt is a land of ancient wonders and natural beauty. From the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza to the majestic temples of Luxor, there is no shortage of things to see…
Looking for an adventure that’s off the beaten path? Look no further than Cambodia. This exquisite Southeast Asia tours destination boasts a profound historical background, a lively culture, and a…
Darren Gall introduces us to num banh chok, Cambodia’s famous and delicious rice noodle dish. Cambodian’s are proud of their num banh chok, it is the name of their rice…
James Clark stays at the Palais Amani, Fes in Morocco, and cooks up a storm in this amazing city. I have always been a fan of second cities. They tend…
Held over a weekend in March at the Rural Life Living Museum, the Surrey Hills Spring Festival will celebrate the arrival of spring and include the finest in Surrey’s cuisine, beverages, artwork and craft…
Held over a weekend in March at the Rural Life Living Museum, the Surrey Hills Spring Festival will celebrate the arrival of spring and include the finest in Surrey’s cuisine…
Yes, we have all heard of Carnival in Rio, but what about a Carnival in the part of Brazil where the influence of African culture is at its strongest? The Bahia Carnival held…
Thinking of things to do in Essex this weekend? Mark Bibby Jackson takes the short trip to Essex to land in a bit of a pickle as he is charged…
Is Toulouse worth visiting? Mark Bibby Jackson visits the fourth largest city in France, and stands in awe at the Halle de la Machine before making a pastel fabric in…
Along with the Venice Carnival, the Viareggio Carnival or Carnevale di Viareggio is one of the largest carnivals in Italy. Held in the Tuscan…
Cambodia’s art scene has picked up pace in the last few years, with new galleries sprouting up to complement stalwarts on the scene. Here’s a handful of art galleries in…
Tết, or Tết Nguyên Đán is the most important festival in Vietnam. It marks the advent of Vietnamese New Year, and the arrival of spring. Very much like Chinese New…
Thinking of things to do in Essex this weekend? Mark Bibby Jackson takes the short trip to Essex to land in a bit of a pickle as he is charged…
The Guyana Mashramani Carnival is an annual festival celebrated on the 23 February to mark the country becoming a republic on that date in 1970. Often shortened to ‘Mash’ the…
The Day of the Balearic Islands is a public holiday celebrated across Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. It commemorates the Statute of Autonomy, signed on 1 March 1983, which declared…
The Alasitas Festival, or Feria de Alasitas, is a major cultural festival in Bolivia that celebrates abundance, and the god Ekeko. The month-long activities start on 24 January…
The 58th Festival Vallenato or Festival de la Leyanda Vallenata will be held in Valledupar, a regional capital in the north east of Colombia from 30 April to 3 May…
Robert Spellman reviews Executions, an exhibition looking at public executions held at the Museum of Docklands London. Hanging. Burning. Beheading. Drawing, hanging and quartering. During London’s 700-year history of public…
Robert Spellman reviews Executions, an exhibition looking at public executions held at the Museum of Docklands London. Hanging. Burning. Beheading. Drawing, hanging and quartering. During London’s 700-year history of public…
The 18th edition of Angkor Photo Festival 2023 is gearing up to take over Siem Reap from January 6 to 15. Here are the highlights. The Angkor Photo Festival & Workshops started…
From the US/Mexican border to Tierra del Fuego, Easter or Semana Santa is a key festival for Latin Americans. Elements of the celebrations vary from country to country, though the…
The PALP Festival celebrates the music, culture and gastronomy of the Swiss canton of Valais in a series of events held across the summer from April to September. PALP is a wonderful Alpine…
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.