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.

Europe’s New Digital Border System: What International Travelers Need to Know Before October 12

October 9, 2025 by Ben

EU Flag and shadows of People concept picture

The European Union is rolling out a major change to how it manages border crossings, and if you’re planning a European vacation, you’ll want to know about it. While EU citizens and long-term visa holders won’t be affected, anyone visiting Europe for stays under three months will encounter a new system. Called the EES (Entry/Exit System), it’s finally launching on October 12 after several delays. Here’s what you need to know. The End of Passport Stamps Until now, border control officers across Europe have manually stamped passports of non-EU travelers. That’s about to become a thing of the past. The … Read more

The ideal destination for swimming at the end of October, less than 3 hours by plane from European capitals

October 8, 2025 by Ben

Late October in most European capitals means 10-15°C and frequent rain. The idea of swimming in warm-enough water while it’s still possible becomes obsessive. Problem: most European seas are already cold. Spain shows 18°C, Greece 20°C, Malta barely 19°C. To find genuinely swimmable water without flying for five hours, one option remains: Tunisia. Under 3 hours flight from most European capitals, with sea temperatures between 22 and 24°C and reasonable prices. Tunisia: Europe’s last warm swimming spot in late October In October, when most Mediterranean destinations shut down, Tunisia holds steady. Water hovers between 23 and 24°C in Djerba, 21 … Read more

Corsica’s Bold Move: Subsidizing 250,000 Tourist Seats to Combat Overtourism

October 7, 2025 by Ben

Landscape with Calanques de Piana, Corsica island, France

It’s not every day that a destination pays to bring in more tourists—especially when fighting overtourism. Yet that’s exactly what Corsica is doing. The Corsican authorities have announced plans to subsidize 250,000 airline seats annually to the Mediterranean island, but there’s a catch: they’re only doing it during the off-season. The goal? Spread visitor numbers throughout the year rather than cramming everyone into the peak summer months, while filling the genuinely quiet periods when hotels and restaurants struggle. 12 Flight Routes Targeted This innovative scheme, which could set a precedent across Europe, will launch in the coming months. Corsican authorities … Read more

5 Essential Tips to Survive Long-Haul Flights

October 6, 2025 by Ben

Swimming in the ocean, lake or river, forest walks, mountain hikes, bike rides, but also long car journeys or flights – vacations are ultimately a combination of activities and situations we’re not necessarily used to. And these might require some advice, often simple and even common sense, to ensure everything goes smoothly each time. Today, let’s focus on something relevant for those who have or will have a long flight ahead – transatlantic or even longer. Five tips to physically prepare yourself for such journeys. Creating your own environment 1- Adjust your sleep schedule: long-haul flights mean, unless you’re flying … Read more

Could a “Golden Passport” Be Your Ticket to Living Abroad?

October 5, 2025 by Ben

A elegant family on a city break vacation enjoys the panoramic view over the skyline of Dubai, UAE

…assuming, of course, you have the financial means. Long established and widely practiced, the “golden passport” system allows people to relocate abroad relatively easily, bypassing many of the usual hurdles that others face when making such a move. Here’s what you need to know… What exactly is a “Golden Passport”? A “golden passport” refers to a special program that allows you to reside in—and even relatively easily obtain citizenship of—a country through investment alone. Often you can retain your original nationality too, if you wish. There’s also a similar option called a “Golden Visa,” which grants long-term residence permits, with … Read more

US Government Shutdown: What American Travelers Need to Know Right Now

October 4, 2025 by Ben

A bison stands in front of Mount Moran, north of Jackson Hole Wyoming

Sure, it’s not the first time this has happened, but still. It matters because what Americans call a “shutdown” – beyond its implications for the country and its citizens – can also affect tourists visiting or planning to visit the US. And since October 1st, the United States has once again entered a shutdown period. What exactly is a shutdown? A shutdown, in its political and economic definition as used in the USA, refers to the immediate closure of government services and the furloughing without pay of all non-essential federal employees – tens of thousands of people critical to the … Read more

India and Bhutan Are Building a Railway Connection—Here’s What It Means for Travelers

October 3, 2025 by Ben

"Bumthang, Bhutan aA June 27, 2012: Three young Buddhist monks peer out from a monastery window at a local festival in the Bumthang Valley of Bhutan."

Sure, this news won’t revolutionize the travel world or even the transportation industry, but the fact remains that by the end of the decade, you’ll be able to take a train between India and Bhutan. A project that’s been in the works for over twenty years… Two Cross-Border Lines in the Pipeline Two railway lines—with potentially more to follow—will connect Kokrajhar (India) to Gelephu (Bhutan) and Banarhat (India) to Samtse (Bhutan). These aren’t exactly household names, but these towns sit on opposite sides of the border between the two countries, in the Assam and Bengal regions on the Indian side, … Read more

Why Graz, Austria’s Hidden Second City, Should Be Your Next Fall Getaway

October 2, 2025 by Ben

Classic view of the historic city of Graz with main square and famous Grazer clock tower in the background sitting on top of Schlossberg hill, Styria, Austria

Vienna, the Tyrolean Alps, and perhaps Salzburg with its Mozart connections—these are the places typically associated with Austria. Yet the country offers much more, and when it comes to cities, Graz is far too often overlooked. As Austria’s second-largest city after Vienna, Graz truly shines in autumn. Where is Graz? Home to 300,000 residents, Graz sits in southeastern Austria in the state of Styria, just a few miles from the Slovenian border and about two hours by road from Vienna. Here you’ll find Austria’s plains (or nearly so), foreshadowing what nearby Hungary calls the puszta—vast flat expanses of wild grassland … Read more

India Introduces Digital Arrival Card: What Travelers Need to Know Before Their Trip

October 1, 2025 by Ben

Keeping up with travel news isn’t always easy—important updates can slip through the cracks, especially when it comes to entry requirements. That’s why we’re bringing back this recent development that could affect your upcoming trip to India. Going Digital Like Everyone Else We’ve all seen it happening: paper documents are gradually disappearing in favor of digital alternatives, and entry formalities are no exception. More and more countries are making the switch, and India has just joined the club by replacing its traditional paper arrival form with a new digital system called the e-Arrival Card. Like the old paper form, this … Read more

Airbus vs Boeing: When Trade Threats Trump Product Quality

September 30, 2025 by Ben

Not so long ago, we discussed what increasingly looked like Airbus’s dominance over its rival Boeing. The European aircraft manufacturer saw orders skyrocketing – for instance at the last Paris Air Show – while the American giant struggled with multiple setbacks, including the troubled 737 Max. But that was before. Before the blackmail that America and its increasingly mob-like president are now trying to impose on the entire world… Not necessarily a winning bet… The Tariff Weapon As we know, the United States has implemented its infamous tariff surcharges on virtually everything entering American soil from abroad. The stated goal? … Read more