11 Carnivals Around the World for 2026
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…
Aosta Marché Vert Noël 2025, Aosta, Italy
Aosta’s Marché Vert Noël transforms Roman‑era streets and squares into a winter village dotted with timber chalets. You’ll find woollens, woodcarving and mountain flavours, along with hot chocolate and mulled…
Bressanone (Brixen) Christmas Market 2025, Bressanone (Brixen), Italy
Bressanone’s Christmas Market unfolds beneath the cathedral towers on Piazza Duomo, with wooden huts selling artisan gifts, tree decorations and regional delicacies. Expect choirs, brass bands and a leisurely, family‑friendly…
Arezzo Città del Natale (Villaggio Tirolese) 2025, Arezzo, Italy
Arezzo’s ‘Città del Natale’ spreads festive cheer across the city with markets, light shows, a big wheel and weekend events. The headline Tyrolean‑style market in Piazza Grande brings wooden chalets…
Merano Christmas Market 2025, Merano, Italy
Merano pairs alpine scenery with belle‑époque elegance, and its Christmas Market makes the most of both. Rows of cosy huts line the Passer river, with warming mulled wine, Südtiroler specialities…
Trento Christmas Market 2025, Trento, Italy
Set across Piazza Fiera and Piazza Battisti, Trento’s Christmas Market is one of northern Italy’s most atmospheric. Wooden chalets brim with alpine crafts, locally cured meats and cheeses, and Trentino…
The Best Italian Nude Beaches for Naturist Travellers
Italy’s coastline is celebrated for its beauty, history and variety, stretching thousands of kilometres from the dramatic cliffs of Liguria to the wide sandy shores of Sardinia. Hidden among these…
Why Ischia Is Italy’s Best-kept Island Secret…….For Now
While I’ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively, Italy continues to hold a special place in my heart. Ever since tasting gazpacho (I know it’s Spanish) made with sun-ripened Ischian…
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…
In Search of Legends in Palermo Sicily
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise visit the Sicilian Capital Palermo to unearth much of its history and the nearby countryside. We had fond memories of our first visit to Sicily…
Adler Spa Resort Sicily Review
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise review the Adler Spa Resort on their trip to Sicily in Italy and discover it to be a shining light for sustainability. On a lovely…
7 of the Best Festivals in August 2025
Travel Begins at 40 has produced its own brief round-up of the best festivals in August around the world from Colombia to Nevada and Utah to Notting Hill. Cultural Festivals…
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…
11 Unmissable Italy Festivals for 2024
When you think of Italy perhaps it’s the centuries of culture or the wonderful cuisine that first springs to mind. Or perhaps the breath-taking scenery. But what of the many…
Naples City Break : Culture, History and Pizza
On her family Naples city break, Maria Boyle discovers you bypass the southern Italian city at your peril. “This is the most undiscovered city in Europe and also the coolest,”…
Enjoying a Pleasant Verona City Break
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise stay at Il Relais Castelvecchio while enjoying a Verona city break in Italy’s most pleasant city. With its majestic Roman amphitheatre hosting spectacular floodlit opera, its…
Six Reasons to Fall in Love with Verona Italy
On her recent visit to Verona Italy, Judith Schrut found much, much more to love beyond those star-crossed lovers. I love, adore and have a massive soft spot for Italy…
Pedals in Puglia Italy
Head for Italy’s ‘heel’ with Judith Schrut as she shares delights and highlights from her recent cycling trip in Puglia, deep in Italy’s sunny south. Whether you’re an Easy Rider…
Where to Go in May 2023
Images from packed airports demonstrate the desire to wander has lost none of its lustre during the last couple of years. If you are looking to go on holiday next…
Discover Amazing Holidays in Sicily, Italy
Sicily Italy, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, boasts a rich history, stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine. It’s no wonder that many travellers dream of visiting this beautiful Italian…
Where To Go in April 2023
Travel Begins at 40 has scanned the globe to collate our tips on where to go in April from Argentina to Mozambique, and from Washington DC to Yangon. If March…
Rome Marathon 2025, Italy
Fancy running a marathon in one of the most beautiful cities in the world? Then the Rome marathon could be the very race for you. Along with Berlin, London and…
Viareggio Carnival 2026 (Carnevale di Viareggio) Italy
Along with the Venice Carnival, the Viareggio Carnival or Carnevale di Viareggio is one of the largest carnivals in Italy. Held in the Tuscan…
Seeing Stars in Trentino in the Italian Alps
Mark Bibby Jackson goes stargazing and trekking in Trentino in the Italian Alps, and visits the Forest of Violins as well as Trento Italy. It was 5.45 am when Arild…
