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.

Naoshima: The Museum Island Where Contemporary Art Replaced Industry

July 24, 2025 by Ben

Naoshima, Japan, floats in the Seto Inland Sea like an anomaly. This small 8 km² island was home to foundries and chemical plants until the 1990s. Today, tourists disembark from the ferry to see Monet paintings in an underground museum and a giant Kusama pumpkin on a pier. The Benesse Art Site project, launched by billionaire Soichiro Fukutake and architect Tadao Ando, has transformed this industrial patch of land into a global art destination. The local population, which dwindled from 8,000 to 3,000 in a few decades, has seen their island reborn thanks to visitors who come to contemplate artworks … Read more

Places you cannot visit: Brazil’s snake island of Queimada Grande

July 23, 2025 by Ben

There are places and sites we’d love to visit but simply cannot. Either they’ve vanished due to human folly or nature’s whims, or more commonly, access is no longer feasible because they’re now situated in war zones or regions where tourism is strongly discouraged. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re completely sealed off forever or that circumstances won’t change, but still. Today we’re heading to a rather unusual small island off the Brazilian coast, which has always been forbidden to the public due to its infestation of snakes. This island is Queimada Grande. Where is Queimada Grande? At just 0.43 square … Read more

Destination showdown: Morocco or Tunisia?

July 22, 2025 by Ben

Morocco and Tunisia both rank in the top 5 African countries for tourist arrivals each year, and their proximity to each other and to Europe puts them in direct competition. Which destination should you choose for a sunny getaway? It’s a tough call when bargain prices abound on both sides, the services on offer compete for creativity, and both countries deliver equally impressive cultural immersion. Here are some key points to help you make up your mind. Natural Appeal The Landscapes The geographical proximity of these two countries inevitably creates similarities in their landscapes: deserts, palm groves, oases, ochre or … Read more

Albufeira and its Surroundings

July 22, 2025July 21, 2025 by Ben

Albufeira encapsulates both the best and worst of what the Algarve has to offer. As the region’s most developed resort town, it draws thousands of Brits each year seeking cheap sunshine and €2 pints. Yet the town retains some solid appeal: spectacular beaches framed by ochre cliffs, an old town that’s somehow resisting the concrete invasion, and a central location perfect for exploring this stretch of coast. Within a 15-kilometre radius, you can go from Vilamoura’s ostentatious luxury to traditional inland villages, with every possible experience in between. Albufeira: Where British Nightlife Meets Portuguese Charm Albufeira’s old town splits into … Read more

Iceland’s Cities

July 20, 2025 by Ben

It’s true that when we think of Iceland, we tend to picture its raw, untamed landscapes first – if not exclusively – with its volcanoes, waterfalls, fjords, parks and nature reserves, but rarely its cities. And yes, it’s true they’re few in number and rather small. Yet the main one, Reykjavik, is worth stopping for and exploring properly. And then there are the others too… About Cities in Iceland Iceland is a small country of 383,000 inhabitants where the capital, Reykjavik (140,000 residents), and its suburbs alone account for two-thirds of the Icelandic population. This means that outside this area, … Read more

What to see and do in Marseille in a few days?

July 19, 2025 by Ben

Marseille is far more than its picture-postcard images suggest. France’s second city blends different eras and atmospheres against a Mediterranean backdrop. The calanques rub shoulders with tower blocks, luxury yachts pass traditional fishing boats, and pastis flows as freely in trendy bars as it does in the old cafés of Le Panier. You can explore the city on foot, by boat, metro or car, depending on your mood and destination. The neighbourhoods shift dramatically from one hill to the next: well-heeled around Endoume, working-class in Noailles, hip along the Cours Julien. This diversity is what makes Marseille tick, far from … Read more

Sri Lanka: The Cultural Triangle and Beyond

July 18, 2025 by Ben

Sri Lanka – sometimes called “India’s peaceful neighbour” – bears an undeniable resemblance to the subcontinent that lies just a few dozen kilometres to the north. The former Ceylon shares many similarities with India, including a remarkably rich historical and cultural heritage. An Exceptional Culture In Sri Lanka, cultural discovery revolves primarily around what’s known as the “Cultural Triangle”… This vast region at the heart of the country is bounded by Anuradhapura – the island’s most ancient capital, where monumental stupas stand alongside countless temples and palace ruins – and Polonnaruwa, which served as capital between the 11th and 13th centuries and retains … Read more

Orkney : Scotland’s somewhat forgotten archipelago

July 17, 2025 by Ben

When you think of Scotland, places like Edinburgh, Loch Ness, and the wild, rugged Highlands probably spring to mind. A few other classic images are synonymous with the destination. But it’s true that the small archipelago in the north of Scotland, known as the Orkney Islands, rarely gets a mention. And yet, it’s a world apart… Where are the Orkney Islands? Just fifteen kilometres off the north coast of mainland Scotland and south of the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands form a unique world that was under Viking and Norwegian rule for centuries. The archipelago covers a total area of … Read more

If you’re looking for the “greenest” capital in Europe, Oslo is the place to go

July 16, 2025 by Ben

With all the talk of global warming and increasingly frequent heatwaves, it’s cities—especially the largest ones—that often suffer the most. This has led some urban planners and developers to promote the idea of extensive green and wooded areas in urban zones, a strategy currently under discussion for Paris, to create what are known as ‘cooling islands’. The main goal of this is to lower the temperature by several degrees during heatwaves. And it works so well that many cities, particularly in Europe, have adopted the formula. That said, the pace of change varies from one country to another, with some … Read more

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