All You Need to Know about ETIAS and New EU Travel Rules 2025
New EU travel rules for UK citizens will commence from 12 October 2025 under the Entry/Exit System (EES), which acts as a digital replacement for passport stamping, in one of…
Culture from the Ashes: Louvre Lens Museum, Pas-de-Calais
Mark Bibby Jackson explores the remarkable transformation of France’s former coal capital, Lens with its magnificent Louvre Lens Museum. Is it my imagination but I sense the scent of iron…
Timeless Tranquillity in the French Ardennes
In the industrial shadows of north-eastern France, Mark Bibby Jackson travels through the French Ardennes to discover a region of resilience, strong sense of community, and devastating natural beauty —…
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…
The Art of Luxury Villa Rental in Saint-Tropez
A silly part of me was hoping to find the Saint-Tropez France my parents had described, even though I knew it was no more. A louche scene of artists and…
Star Treatment at the Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Mark Bibby Jackson reviews his luxurious short stay at Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes—where cinematic glamour meets real-world comfort on the Côte d’Azur. It was my first visit to Cannes…
The 4 Best Hotels in Le Touquet France
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, a chic seaside town on France’s northern coast, has long been a haven for Parisians, and Brits, seeking a weekend retreat. With its sprawling beaches, pine forests and…
World Puppet Festival 2025, Charleville-Mézières, France
The World Puppet Festival 2025 will take place from September 19 to 28 in the charming French town of Charleville-Mézières, nestled in the Ardennes region. Over ten days, this quiet…
11 Carnivals Around the World for 2025
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…
From Le Touquet With Love: L’Hotel Barrière Le Westminster
Mark Bibby Jackson checks into L’Hotel Barrière Le Westminster Le Touquet and falls in love with this Anglo-French gem on the Opal Coast. For the past hundred years there has…
Riding the Storm in Pas-de-Calais France
Mark Bibby Jackson ignores weather warnings to travel to Pas-de-Calais France during Storm Darragh with his mother. Does he live to tell the tale? The plan is to visit the…
9 Festivals in February 2025 Around the World
Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best festivals in February 2025 across the Globe, from Mongolia to Easter Island, so wherever you are you just can’t help celebrating the…
Winter Jazz Festival Le Touquet 2025, France
From 19 to 23 February 2025 the Winter Jazz Festival Le Touquet France promises five days of star-studded performances at the Palais des Congrès. Le Touquet and Jazz Le Touquet-Paris-Plage…
Cité de Noël, Béthune Grand’Place, France
From November 29 to December 29, the enchanting Cité de Noël transforms Béthune’s historic Grand’Place into one of the most captivating Christmas markets in the Hauts-de-France region. Nestled beneath the…
Strasbourg Christmas Market 2024 France
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is a magical event that blends centuries of tradition with the vibrant holiday spirit. As one of Europe’s oldest and most iconic Christmas markets, it has…
Nantes: France’s Queen of Green
Something’s going very green in the French city of Nantes, as Judith Schrut discovered on her recent visit to this welcoming and eco-friendly gem on the western banks of the…
Toquicimes Megève Food Festival, 2024, France
Annually, the Toquicimes food festival turns Megève into the mountain food capital of France with a variety of activities suitable for all ages, and great food. The 2024 event, scheduled…
Chateau de Candie : An Appetizing Getaway in the French Alps
Our first glimpse of the Chateau de Candie, a historic small luxury hotel near Chambery in the heart of Savoy, France, was picture postcard perfect. A winding road skirted a field…
One Car, Four Generations and a Dragon on a Pas-de-Calais Holiday
Mark Bibby Jackson takes his mother, nephew, wife and child to Pas-de-Calais in northern France to discover the wonderful seafood, amazing beaches and take a ride on a dragon. Pas-de-Calais…
Festival Premiers Plans, Angers, France
Festival Premiers Plans d’Angers is an international film festival held in Northern France each January. This year marks the 37th edition of the festival which was established with the aim…
Feeling at Home at Le Touquet on the Opal Coast
Mark Bibby Jackson visits the seaside resort of Le Touquet on the Opal Coast in the Pas de Calais, France and feels back home. In retrospect it is a tiny…
Le Phebus Hotel & Spa Provence Review
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise check in to Le Phebus Hotel & Spa in Provence France, a land of culture and beauty. To arrive in the heart of the…
Travels with My Mum: Northern France Road Trip
Mark Bibby Jackson and his mother go on a northern France road trip from the UK to Calais through the Loire and back to Normandy. Endless. Like in a film…
Cycling Thrills in Les Gets France
James Clark takes to two wheels in Les Gets, France, to see what it feels like to cycle up to the top of the world, and then come back down…
