Ben

Hello! I'm Ben Fischer, a travel enthusiast who has journeyed far and wide to bring you unique and inspiring stories. Each destination is a new adventure for me, a chance to explore diverse cultures and share unforgettable experiences. In my articles, I take you beyond mere descriptions of places. I share the encounters, special moments, and anecdotes that make each trip unique. My writing is an invitation to see the world through my eyes, blending practical tips with personal insights. As a lifelong traveler, I approach each journey with respect and curiosity, eager to uncover the stories hidden in every corner of the globe.

Iceland Just Made a Bold Move That Could Double Your Travel Costs

October 29, 2025 by Ben

Majestic landscape of Godafoss waterfall flowing with colorful sunset sky and male tourist standing at the cliff on Skjalfandafljot river in summer at Northern Iceland

It’s becoming a familiar story across destinations worldwide. Whether to combat overtourism, regulate visitor flows, or simply generate funds for preservation and maintenance of popular sites, taxes and entry fees are rising just about everywhere. Iceland could be next in line. A Potentially Substantial Increase With over 2 million tourists annually, tiny Iceland—home to just 384,000 residents—appears to be reaching its limits. At least when it comes to its main attractions like the capital Reykjavik, the Gullfoss and Godafoss waterfalls, the Blue Lagoon renowned for its geothermal waters, Geysir and its geyser, Lake Myvatn, and other sites that draw the … Read more

This Caribbean Island Chain Just Became the Region’s Fastest-Growing Destination (And You’ve Probably Never Heard of It)

October 28, 2025 by Ben

Bright and colorful image of Bequia. Palm trees at the water, blue sky and white clouds, boats in the harbor of Port Elisabeth. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

When most people think of the Caribbean, their minds immediately go to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, or perhaps the well-trodden beaches of popular resort destinations. But there’s an archipelago in this part of the world that’s quietly becoming one of the region’s hottest tourist spots—and chances are, you haven’t given it much thought. That destination? Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Where Exactly is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines? Nestled between Saint Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south, Saint Vincent sits in the Lesser Antilles chain of islands. This island nation of barely 100,000 inhabitants consists of … Read more

Val d’Isère Crowned World’s Best Ski Resort: Here’s What Makes It Worth the Hype

October 27, 2025 by Ben

Famous and luxury place of Val d'Isere at sunset, Tarentaise, Alps, France

Condé Nast Traveller readers have spoken. In the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards unveiled this fall, the Savoyard resort crushed the competition with a score of 99.17%, surpassing the most renowned alpine destinations on the continent. This victory confirms France’s dominance over Europe’s premier ski slopes. The podium features three legendary resorts: Val d’Isère at the top, closely followed by Switzerland and Austria with Gstaad and Kitzbühel tied at 98.89%. This ranking places four French resorts in the global top 10. Les Trois Vallées takes fourth place, Châtel fifth, while Avoriaz rounds out this French sweep in eighth position. France establishes … Read more

Kyoto to Charge $65 Per Night at Luxury Hotels—Here’s Why the Ancient Capital Is Taking Drastic Action

October 26, 2025 by Ben

Old town Kyoto during sakura season in Japan at sunset

The former imperial capital is making a bold move. Starting in March 2026, travelers staying at Kyoto’s most luxurious properties will pay approximately $65 (10,000 yen) in tourism tax per person, per night. This tenfold increase from current rates makes it the highest tourist tax in Japan. Kyoto is attempting to regain control over visitor numbers that have spiraled beyond capacity. Last year, nearly 37 million international visitors arrived in Japan, shattering the 2019 record. The city of 2,000 temples finds itself at ground zero of this tourism explosion. A Tiered System Based on Accommodation Tier The new tax structure … Read more

The Netherlands’ Most Iconic Village Is About to Start Charging Admission — Here’s What You Need to Know

October 25, 2025 by Ben

Dutch spring landscape. Blooming colorful tulips flowerbed against river and windmills. Zaanse Schans village in the Netherlands.

For most people around the world, the Netherlands conjures up images of sprawling tulip fields, historic windmills with their blades turning gently in the breeze along canal banks, and perhaps those famous cheeses and wooden clogs known far beyond the country’s borders. Sure, it’s a bit clichéd — maybe even a lot — but whether we like it or not, these are things that have long been associated with the country’s image. So much so, in fact, that there’s a small village called Zaanse Schans that exists to showcase this very scene, and admission is now going to cost you. … Read more

Why Guadeloupe Attracts 20% More Visitors Than Martinique—Despite Being Sister Islands

October 24, 2025 by Ben

Pain du Sucre Rock, Terre-de-Haut, Iles des Saintes, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean.

Both French Caribbean islands show similar tourism figures, but Guadeloupe maintains roughly a 20% lead over neighboring Martinique. Structural and situational differences favor the Butterfly Island. From social tensions to living costs and geography, several factors explain these differing perceptions. Recent statistics reveal a narrowing gap. In 2024, Martinique attracted about one million visitors, while Guadeloupe welcomed 1.2 million. Both destinations fluctuate year to year, with close performance levels. Martinique’s 2024-2025 high season brought nearly 989,000 travelers between December and April—slightly down from 2023 but better than initial fears following autumn’s social unrest. Guadeloupe is progressing despite 2024’s difficulties, with … Read more

Versailles Palace to Charge Non-European Visitors More Starting January 2026

October 23, 2025 by Ben

Versailles, France - 04 April 2025: Monument to king Louis XIV and Royal chapel of Versailles palace

In tourism as elsewhere, keeping up with important news isn’t always easy—you might miss something that could actually matter to you. That’s why we regularly revisit recent developments to bring them back into focus. Higher Prices Coming in January 2026 for Non-European Visitors While differentiated pricing based on nationality isn’t exactly groundbreaking in the tourism world, it’s actually fairly uncommon in France. Usually, when nationality-based pricing exists, it works the opposite way—offering free or reduced admission to young people and students from the European Union. But starting next January, access to one of France’s most visited sites—drawing 8 to 9 … Read more

5 Spine-Chilling Halloween Destinations in Europe You Can Still Visit This Year

October 22, 2025 by Ben

Bran, Transylvania, Romania - June 06, 2021: forest view of the medieval Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania. The famous mystical tourist attraction, the residence of the legendary Vlad the Impaler, the fairy-tale vampire of Count Dracula

Halloween falls during school break this year, making it the perfect opportunity for an extended weekend getaway to a destination that’ll send shivers down your spine. From Transylvanian castles to Celtic festivals, Europe offers places where the spirit of Halloween still lingers. Here are five experiences that’ll give you goosebumps in the best way possible. Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania Perched high in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle (our featured photo) hosts a spectacular celebration every October 31st. Visitors explore the fortress completely transformed for the occasion, far from its usual austere appearance. Expect encounters with Vlad the Impaler and his … Read more

London to Launch Europe’s First Driverless Taxis in 2026: What You Need to Know

October 21, 2025 by Ben

Cockpit of driverless car driving on highway viewed from rear seat.

While their public rollout is relatively recent—dating back only to 2023—driverless taxis, also known as “robotaxis,” are rapidly gaining momentum and catching the attention of countries and cities worldwide. Although only the United States and China have truly taken the plunge with public services so far, a European nation is about to join them: the United Kingdom. Autonomous Taxis Coming to London in 2026 It will be a historic first for Europe. London is set to welcome its first autonomous taxis next year, operated by Waymo, a subsidiary of Google. Accessible through the Waymo app, the service will launch once … Read more

Singapore’s Surprising Cycling Revolution: Why This Asian City Is Racing to Build 800+ Miles of Bike Lanes

October 20, 2025 by Ben

Singapore- July 16, 2024: Building view of the Sultan Mosque and beautiful granite arches at Muscat Street in Kampong Glam, Singapore.

When you think of world-class cycling cities, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, or perhaps Portland come to mind. Singapore? Not so much. Yet this Southeast Asian city-state is quietly planning one of the most ambitious urban cycling transformations on the planet. 800 Miles of Bike Paths by 2030 Traditionally, Singapore has never been synonymous with cycling culture, relying instead on its world-renowned public transportation system. But over the past fifteen years, a shift in mindset has emerged, prioritizing more eco-friendly and sustainable modes of urban transportation. Bike paths have gradually appeared throughout the metropolitan area and even extending toward neighboring Malaysia, totaling just … Read more