Things to Do in Ghent – Noose Bearers, Beer and an Altarpiece
Mark Bibby Jackson travels to Belgium to discover the myriad of things to do in Ghent, a city with a rebellious heart and the most amazing altarpiece. One of the…
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Mark Bibby Jackson travels to Belgium to discover the myriad of things to do in Ghent, a city with a rebellious heart and the most amazing altarpiece. One of the…
A new era in heritage experience will be unveilled on 25 March 2021 in Ghent’s St. Bavo’s Cathedral. As part of one of the most ambitious restoration projects undertaken in…
Travelling to Central America is a guarantee of enjoying beautiful beaches, dazzling nature, great hiking trails, legendary cities and towns, and the chance to discover Mayan ruins from the vibrant…
A solar-powered, zero emission riverboat will set sail through historic waters in Derby in 2021, offering visitors a new perspective during a year of triple celebrations…
Step back in time, with Malta’s Pre-History Trail, to see the vibrant past of the Mediterranean archipelago, which boasts a history that pre-dates the Egyptian pyramids…
England’s Coast has just launched a new five-month campaign to promote the wealth of options that our coastline provides both to staycationers and day-trippers…
Mark Bibby Jackson returns to the East of England for a UK Staycation, visiting the seaside resort of Aldeburgh Suffolk and nearby Orford for a local experience. It seems somehow…
Marissa Carruthers takes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Angkor Wat temple away from the crowds and finds it both an exhilarating and disheartening experience. It’s an eerie sight; almost apocalyptic…
The area around Hastings might be called 1066 Country, but as Mark Bibby Jackson discovers there is more to pique your historic interest than the Battle of Hastings and all…
On their two-and-a-half week New Mexico road trip Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise discover a Land of Enchantment and a rich cultural heritage. You quickly understand why they call New…
A new exhibition held in the Cecilienhof Palace, marks the 75th anniversary of the Potsdam Conference that saw Truman, Churchill (later Attlee) and Stalin deliberate…
Blenheim Palace re-opened its doors to visitors again on Saturday, 4 July, in keeping with UK Government protocols. Widely regarded as a masterpiece of 18th century…
Before the Coronavirus pandemic gripped the UK, Mark Bibby Jackson took the short trip to Suffolk to discover a plethora of things to do in Bury St Edmunds, from drinking…
Combining lush rainforests with clear, beautiful waters and an amazing history, Belize is the perfect destination for those looking for a remote getaway. As social distancing…
One of the most significant periods of history for the Channel Islands was the Occupation by German forces during World War Two. During the Occupation, German troops…
Back in the days when global travel was ‘normal’, on his Belize holidays James Clark delved deep into the jungle and ended up swimming with the sharks. Mayan ruins, tropical…
The sister island to Malta, Gozo is just eight miles long and four miles wide and has a tiny population. Despite such small proportions, the island is bursting with culture…
The Islands of Guernsey are marking the 75th anniversary of their Liberation from WWII German occupying forces with a series of virtual, online and ‘at-home’ events in the run up to…
With a bag of fresh fruit from the nearby market in hand, we boarded the train for the 7:50am departure at Bangkok’s Thonburi railway station. The Bangkok to Kanchanaburi train…
Chile, the world’s longest country, is home to an abundance of ancient historical sites set in some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. From the oldest mummies ever discovered, found…
The longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, the Summer Solstice is a time when the days really get long and the nights are short. There is no…
Jules Verne offers a fascinating tour discovering Albania’s Greek, Roman and Ottoman heritage. Enjoy visits to UNESCO-listed Berat and a hilltop museum town, a walking tour…
As ultimate travel experiences go, a voyage to Egypt ranks right up there with the best, but as Mark Bibby Jackson writes, a Nile Cruise on the SS Sudan ship…
Mark Bibby Jackson visits the beautiful medieval city of Kortrijk in Flanders to discover a place rich in history, with a wonderful cuisine and excellent spa. One of the great…
The older a civilisation, the richer its heritage. Whether you are in the UK, Europe the Far East or the Americas, an appreciation of the local culture will make your holiday the more rewarding.
Local festivals are a wonderful way of appreciating the rich culture that has been crafted over centuries and even millennia upon occasions. At Travel Begins at 40, we have a whole festival and events section so you can easily access information on festivals local to where you are visiting.
The UK is blessed with a long history that is demonstrated in the wonderful castles, cathedrals and ancestral homes dotted around the country. Many of these are maintained by organisations such as English Heritage and the National Trust and open to the public.
Europe has a similar rich tradition, and holidays in the continent can focus on the Grand Tour involving highlights of Roman, Greek and even Morish civilisations.
If all this sounds like a Eurocentric, culturally elitist approach, then fear not, we also have articles focusing on native culture from early civilisations that might have been missed out in some history books. Make your next journey a culturally rewarding one.