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.

EU Travel Authorization Fee Increases Dramatically Before 2026 Launch

August 29, 2025 by Ben

Like the United States, the United Kingdom, and an increasing number of countries worldwide, the European Union has also planned an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETIAS) for all foreign visitors who are visa-exempt for entering its territory. Originally priced at €7 ($7.60), while its implementation was only scheduled for next year, the document will ultimately cost €20 ($21.70) for each applicant. Service Launch End of 2026 It’s at the end of 2026 that ETIAS (European Travel Information & Authorization System) will become mandatory for all those who are visa-exempt. The European Commission has set the fee at €20 ($21.70) – an … Read more

Forget Glamping: This Belgian Site Lets You Sleep Like Napoleon’s Army Did in 1815

August 28, 2025 by Ben

It’s true that nowadays unique tourist accommodations aren’t hard to find in Europe and beyond. From yurts and tipis to treehouses, vintage trailers, and even transparent bubble tents for stargazing, there’s quite a substantial selection available. However, opportunities to sleep on an actual battlefield under period conditions (though in complete safety, of course…) are extremely rare. Yet that’s exactly what’s on offer at one of Europe’s most famous battlefields – if not the world’s most renowned. We’re talking about Waterloo, in Belgium… Sleep Like One of Napoleon’s Soldiers This truly is one of the most original experiences you can have. … Read more

Airbus A320 Set to Dethrone Boeing 737 as World’s Best-Selling Aircraft by Year-End

August 27, 2025 by Ben

While this news might seem of limited interest to the general public, in the aviation world, it marks a turning point—even a “revolution.” The Airbus A320 is on track to become the world’s best-selling aircraft by the end of the year. 12,175 Boeing vs 12,153 Airbus Until now, the Boeing 737 has been the most commercially successful aircraft in the history of civil aviation since its launch in the 1960s, with over 12,000 units sold. However, it looks like it will be dethroned by year-end by the Airbus A320, the European aircraft manufacturer’s flagship model that has now become the … Read more

Australia’s Most Famous Rock is Now Off-Limits Forever: The Story Behind Uluru’s Climbing Ban

August 26, 2025 by Ben

There are places and sites we’d love to visit but simply cannot. Sometimes they’ve vanished due to human folly or nature’s whims, but more often their 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 circumstances will never change, but still. Today we’re heading to the other side of the world to Australia, and more specifically to a place that, despite being a tourist destination for many years, has been permanently closed to the public for several years now. And … Read more

Europe’s Hotel Boom: Nearly 250,000 New Rooms Coming Soon to Transform Travel

August 25, 2025 by Ben

“When hotels thrive, everything thrives!” – that’s what comes to mind when looking at the latest figures from Europe’s hotel market, particularly the impressive volume of new establishments planned for this year and beyond. Nearly 250,000 rooms on the horizon These are the latest findings from Lodging Econometrics, an organization specializing in Europe’s hotel market. By mid-2025, approximately 1,700 hotel development projects are underway, representing a potential 249,000 new rooms. This is on a European continent that already boasts around 600,000 to 650,000 establishments of all categories, capable of accommodating nearly 30 million guests simultaneously. Impressive numbers, though perhaps understandable … Read more

Thailand Offers 200,000 Free Flight Tickets to Boost International Tourism

August 24, 2025 by Ben

Wat Mahathat Temple in the precinct of Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand

After a lukewarm 2024 with only 20.8 million visitors by August (down 7% from the previous year), Thailand is pulling out all the stops. The government is preparing a massive tourism campaign that could revolutionize travel in the kingdom: distributing 200,000 free domestic flight tickets to international travelers between September and November 2025. The “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights” program works simply: any tourist purchasing an international ticket to Thailand through participating airlines or online agencies will automatically receive a round-trip domestic flight with 20 kilograms of baggage allowance. It’s a world first in terms of scale, though Japan tested a … Read more

This Massive New Beach Resort Just Opened in North Korea – And You Can Actually Visit It

August 23, 2025 by Ben

We might not think of it this way (to say the least…), but North Korea under dictator Kim Jong Un also has tourism ambitions, or at least eyes on the revenue it could generate. This is what the recent opening of this massive beach resort in Wonsan on North Korean territory seems to suggest… A country that has always welcomed tourists This might also come as a surprise, but apart from during the pandemic and the (lengthy) closure of its borders, North Korea has always welcomed tourists, including Europeans and Americans. In fact, as we mentioned some time ago, the … Read more

The World’s Tallest Statue Stands 598 Feet High—And Most People Have Never Heard of It

August 22, 2025 by Ben

The Statue of Liberty, Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid, the Great Sphinx of Giza, Easter Island’s Moai—some statues are undeniably famous, standing as witnesses to our world and our times. Yet the tallest of them all remains surprisingly unknown to most people. Perhaps that’s because it was only completed in India as recently as 2018. 597 Feet—Even 787 Feet Including Its Base After five years of construction and over $360 million invested, the Statue of Unity was inaugurated on October 31, 2018, on an island near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the Indian state of Gujarat. Standing 597 feet tall (182 … Read more

When the train (finally) starts thinking on a European scale

August 21, 2025 by Ben

Europe boasts by far the densest rail network in the world, with heavyweights in the field like France and Germany. Yet, for the longest time, it has felt as though each country has been developing its network in isolation, with little to no connection to its neighbours. So much so that, with rare exceptions, we hardly ever consider taking the train to travel from one country to another. That’s if we even know where to find the information or how to go about booking tickets in the first place. But all that could be about to change… 21st Europe Enter … Read more

This Pacific Island Nation Could Vanish Within 25 Years

August 21, 2025 by Ben

You’ve certainly heard about climate change, but you probably haven’t heard of Tuvalu. Yet the two are intimately connected, as this Pacific archipelago could become the first nation to disappear due to climate change… Where is Tuvalu and what does it look like? It’s one of the smallest (9.9 square miles) and least populated (10,600 inhabitants) countries on Earth. Lost in the middle of the Pacific, northeast of Australia and New Caledonia, this former British territory gained independence in 1978 and remains one of the world’s least visited and known destinations. Though Tuvalu did have its moment of fame a … Read more