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.

Chiang Mai at a Glance: The Must-Sees of Northern Thailand

July 16, 2025July 15, 2025 by Ben

Chiang Mai, the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, remains a city with a character all its own in northern Thailand. A world away from the frenzy of Bangkok, it moves to a different rhythm. The historic centre still has its moats and remnants of defensive walls, encircling over 300 Buddhist temples, markets that spill onto the pavements, and a thriving local arts scene. The Temple Scene Wat Phra That Doi Suthep watches over the city from its mountain perch at an altitude of 1,000 metres. After climbing 309 steps between two golden naga balustrades, the view is more than … Read more

Could Kazakhstan be the next hotspot for space tourism?

July 14, 2025 by Ben

We’ve all heard of Cape Canaveral and Florida’s Space Coast, or Kourou in French Guiana. Both are world-renowned for launching rockets and satellites into space. This has a knock-on effect on local tourism, with crowds flocking to watch every launch and often staying to explore the surrounding area. So, what if, after Florida and French Guiana, there was another global hub for “space tourism” and astrotourism more broadly? Welcome to Kazakhstan and the Baikonur Cosmodrome… Where are Kazakhstan and Baikonur? Covering 2,724,900 km², Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and one of the ten largest in the world. … Read more

China is now home to the world’s largest Lego park

July 13, 2025 by Ben

We all played with them as kids – those famous Lego bricks, the building blocks of our youth. Tiny plastic pieces in different shapes, colours, and sizes, all ready to be clicked together to create buildings, landscapes, characters, and so much more. But for years now, Lego has also meant theme parks, which have been popping up in various countries. And now, the brand’s largest “Legoland” in the world is set to open its doors on the 5th of July in Shanghai, China. 85 million Lego bricks An incredible 318,000 m²! After years of construction and millions of dollars spent, Legoland … Read more

What to see and do in a week in Lisbon and its surroundings

July 12, 2025 by Ben

Lisbon is a firm favourite for European travellers, and it’s set to remain so this summer! Its easy accessibility and still-affordable prices for both travel and expenses on the ground are two of its main draws. But you can also add the variety of its neighbourhoods, its monuments, its pretty cobbled streets, its unique atmosphere, and a consistently warm welcome. So, what is there to see and do in a week in Lisbon and the nearby region? Three days to discover the Portuguese capital… Explore the Alfama district by wandering through its winding alleyways, peaceful squares, and terraces. Here you … Read more

Exploring Australia by Foot: Trekking Through the Heart of the Bush

June 16, 2025 by Ben

Australia offers trekking enthusiasts a variety of landscapes, from eucalyptus forests and rainforests to desert terrains and coastal trails. Stepping into the Australian bush provides an immersive journey through natural landscapes filled with wildlife sightings and quiet solitude. Here’s how to experience Australia’s wilderness on foot. Why Trekking in the Australian Bush Is Unlike Anywhere Else Australian trails are diverse. Walk beneath gum trees filled with birdsong or explore ancient rainforests with ferns and waterfalls. Desert trails offer vast skies and earthy colors, providing a calm and reflective journey. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, and sometimes even the … Read more

Beyond the Beaches: 6 Hidden Truths About the Dominican Republic

May 23, 2025 by Ben

brown and green rock formation beside blue sea during daytime

There are countries and destinations we hear so much about that we feel like we know everything about them. Which, of course, is usually far from the case. Here are six things you probably don’t know about the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean’s Top Tourist Destination Punta Cana, La Romana, Saona Island, Puerto Plata… these names might ring a bell and sum up the tourism appeal this destination has enjoyed for quite some years now. The Dominican Republic, or “DR” as it’s often called, remains the most sought-after destination in its region. It regularly outpaces Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas—other tourist … Read more

Discovering Paris with expert guides

April 24, 2025 by Ben

Paris rewards those who take time to understand its stories. While independent exploration has its merits, guided tours offer deeper insights into the city’s heritage. The format of guided tours in Paris varies significantly based on group size and focus area. Small group walking tours, typically limited to 8-12 participants, allow for more interaction with guides and easier navigation through crowded areas. Private tours offer flexibility in timing and itinerary customization, while larger group tours often include transportation between major sites. Essential monuments and historic sites Paris guided tours can range from broad city introductions to specialized thematic experiences. Art … Read more

France’s Most Beautiful Villages: Beuvron-en-Auge

April 23, 2025 by Ben

In the heart of the Pays d’Auge, in Normandy, with its half-timbered houses typical of the Norman bocage landscape, apple trees lined up in the surrounding orchards bear witness to an ancestral tradition: that of cider and calvados. This picturesque atmosphere finds its most accomplished expression in one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages: Beuvron-en-Auge. Located 30 kilometers from Caen and 25 kilometers from Deauville, in the Calvados department, this village of 200 inhabitants constitutes a remarkably preserved testament to the timber-framed architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries. Its label, obtained in 1991, rewards the exceptional conservation of its historic buildings … Read more

Morning rituals at Lisbon’s markets

April 18, 2025December 10, 2024 by Ben

Lisbon, Portugal- June 11, 2018: Beautiful and vintage Ribeira market in Lisbon in Spring

The clock reads 4 AM as trucks pull up to Lisbon’s Mercado da Ribeira. Fish boxes clatter against concrete while vendors arrange their stalls under fluorescent lights. The air carries notes of salt and seawater. This daily sequence, unchanged for generations, supplies fresh seafood to Portugal’s capital. Fishmongers sort their catches with practiced efficiency – each movement refined by years of repetition. They arrange silver-scaled sardines in precise rows, stack red snapper on beds of ice, and position octopus tentacles with careful attention. The market’s concrete floor remains wet, footsteps leaving momentary impressions as workers navigate between stalls. María Santos … Read more

Rouen, France: Where Gothic Shadows Dance with Modern Light

April 18, 2025November 4, 2024 by Ben

Time flows differently along the Seine in Rouen. As the river bends through the city, it mirrors centuries of architecture in its gentle current – each ripple catching fragments of pointed spires and half-timbered facades that have witnessed nearly a millennium of Norman history. The Artisan’s Touch: A Legacy in Wood and Stone In the medieval quarter, cobblestone streets tell stories through their worn surfaces, leading to workshops where woodcarvers still practice their craft. These artisans shape oak beams into the distinctive patterns that define Rouen’s historical buildings, maintaining techniques passed down through generations. Their tools echo those used by … Read more