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.

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

This Stunning Atlantic Island Peak Offers Europe’s Most Dramatic Sunrise Hike

October 19, 2025 by Ben

"Stairs to heaven" - Breathtaking view at famous mountain footpath from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo on the Portuguese Madeira island. Trekking Around the world traveling with kids concept image.

The “world at full scale” means setting off to discover our environment across five continents. An opportunity to see or revisit familiar places and other more secret spots that nevertheless share the common feature of representing the natural beauty of our planet. Today, we’re heading to the Atlantic island of Madeira to discover its summit, Pico Ruivo. A Paradise for Hiking Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers With its pleasant subtropical climate, laurel forests, and spectacular volcanic landscapes and terrain, the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, located off the coast of Morocco, has long been a draw. First and foremost for nature lovers, … Read more

Which London Airport Should You Choose? The Complete Guide to Avoid Costly Mistakes

October 18, 2025 by Ben

travel to London, view of Tower Bridge from window of airplane, tourism

Five, or even six airports associated with a single city—is that really necessary? And what does this mean for travelers, both in terms of cost and travel time to reach the city center, depending on which airport you choose or are stuck with? Gatwick Airport This is London’s second-largest airport, and the second busiest in the UK, handling around 45 million passengers annually. With its two terminals, it hosts numerous major airlines, primarily British Airways, along with budget carriers like EasyJet and Vueling, as well as some vacation charter operators. While it offers some long-haul flights, particularly with British Airways, … Read more

Dubai Makes Bold Move: Cash Payments Could Vanish by 2026 in World’s Most Futuristic City

October 17, 2025 by Ben

A happy tourist woman in a white summer dress walks through the streets of Dubai, UAE, during her holiday time

If there’s one city on earth that consistently makes headlines for tourist innovations, it’s Dubai. This emirate metropolis increasingly shows us what tomorrow’s megacities might look like—not just through its architecture and urban planning, but through the services and facilities designed for both residents and the roughly 19-20 million tourists who visit annually. Even for something as “simple” as how we might pay for purchases… “Dubai Cashless” When it comes to innovation, Dubai goes all in. The city has decided to progressively eliminate cash payments from its territory for both locals and visitors. From paying for services of all kinds … Read more

Hawaii to Hit Tourists with New Climate Tax: Your Paradise Vacation Just Got More Expensive

October 16, 2025 by Ben

Street view on Luluku Road at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, USA against cloudy sky

Climate change and its devastating effects are now impacting every corner of the globe, prompting more countries, regions, and cities to implement new taxes or increase existing ones. These funds are earmarked for combating climate phenomena and developing protection or rehabilitation programs. Starting next year, your dream Hawaiian getaway is about to cost significantly more. $100 Million Annual Target Through Tourism Fees Future visitors to Hawaii could soon face accommodation taxes of up to 14% during their stay in the archipelago. Currently taxed at 10.25%, with an additional 3% in certain counties of the 50th state, short-term accommodations including hotels, … Read more

Why Isn’t Istanbul Turkey’s Capital? The Surprising Story Behind Ankara

October 15, 2025 by Ben

When it comes to travel and tourism, we all sometimes ask ourselves simple questions because we wonder why certain things we see or experience are the way they are, how they can be explained, and for what reasons. In short, why… Today, we’re looking at a major city that everyone knows by name at least, but which, oddly enough, isn’t its country’s capital. We’re talking about Istanbul and Turkey. Historical, Political and Geographic Reasons Just as New York isn’t the capital of the United States (it’s Washington DC), Sydney isn’t Australia’s (Canberra), or Rio de Janeiro for Brazil (it’s Brasília), … Read more

Cambodia’s Bold New Airport Promises to Transform Travel to Phnom Penh—But Will It Deliver?

October 14, 2025 by Ben

https://partir.ouest-france.fr/magazine/le-cambodge-vient-dinaugurer-un-nouveau-mega-aeroport/

Following the celebrated Angkor site two years ago, Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, has now inaugurated a new airport that reflects the country’s ambitious tourism goals for the coming years… 50 Million Visitors Expected Annually Within Two Decades For a long time, anyone wanting to visit Cambodia—whether to see its capital or the unmissable Angkor—typically had to transit through neighboring Thailand and Bangkok’s airport for air connections. But that was before the country decided to modernize its transportation infrastructure, notably by opening several new airports across its territory. The goal is to significantly increase visitor numbers, first reaching 20 million by … Read more

Why This Ancient Sky Palace in Sri Lanka Will Leave You Speechless

October 12, 2025 by Ben

Spectacular view of the Lion rock surrounded by green rich vegetation. Picture taken from Pidurangala Rock in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

Certain places on our planet captivate us. For good reasons—or sometimes controversial ones—they draw us in through their history, geographical location, significance, religious or spiritual symbolism, or that unmistakable atmosphere that makes them truly unique, if not extraordinary destinations. This is our journey to explore some of these remarkable sites. Today, we’re heading to Sri Lanka to discover the exceptional site of Sigiriya. A Palace-Fortress Lost to Time Here stands one of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable and visited locations. In the country’s central region, this major archaeological site—recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982—is instantly recognizable by its … Read more

The Aral Sea: A Vanishing Wonder You Can No Longer Visit

October 12, 2025October 12, 2025 by Ben

Rusty abandoned ships at the Ship cemetery at the former Aral sea coast in Moynaq (Mo ynoq or Muynak), Uzbekistan

There are places and sites we’d love to visit but simply cannot. Either they’ve disappeared due to human folly or nature’s whims, or more commonly, access is no longer feasible because they’re now located in war zones or regions where tourism is strongly discouraged. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re completely closed off or that things will remain irreversible forever, but still. Today, we’re heading to a place that’s disappearing before our eyes and can no longer be visited—at least not in the form it existed just a few years ago. That place is the Aral Sea. Where is the Aral … Read more

France’s Final Medieval Fortress: The Last Castle Built Before the Age of Artillery

October 11, 2025 by Ben

Saint-Front-sur-Lémance, France - 07/24/2017 : medieval castle of Bonaguil built in the 13th century in the Lot-et-Garonne department

France is dotted with hundreds of castles—some in ruins, others remarkably well-preserved. They’re part of the nation’s heritage that never fails to captivate visitors, often awakening our inner child. But among all these historic fortresses, which one was actually the last to be built? Medieval Castles: A Late Blooming Phenomenon First, it’s worth clarifying that while we associate castles with the Middle Ages, they actually only appeared toward the end of this period. Historians date the medieval era from the fall of the Roman Empire (around the 5th century) to Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492—roughly a thousand … Read more