School
St Brendan's College, Queensland University of Technology
Expertise
Europe travel, Coastal destinations, City breaks
- Ben Stower is a Europe-obsessed travel writer who has penned stories for Flight Centre, Kayak, HotelsCombined, Booking.com, and numerous small prints.
- He was one of the editors and contributing authors of the magazine 'Travel Ideas', which won 'Best Overall Edition — Print' at the Content Marketing Institute awards in 2016.
- Some of his favorite travel-related experiences include interviewing a Holland America crew, snowboarding at Falls Creek, pretending to be Gandalf at Hobbiton, and taking a sunset camel ride around Uluru while on assignment for various travel publications.
Experience
Ben Stower began his travel writing career in 2012 as a freelancer living in Southern USA. In 2014, he joined Flight Centre Australia's in-house writing team, where he soon became a valued writer and editor, working on an award-winning publication. Since 2016, Ben has been a freelance writer (with a short stint in a media agency that he'd rather not dwell on) telling stories for global travel brands and publications, like Islands, all while exploring Australia in a van, learning French in Paris, taking rental scooters to their limits in Thailand, acquiring a taste for tea in London, and visiting over 20 countries in Europe.
Education
Ben Stower earned his bachelor's degree in fine arts, specializing in creative and professional writing. This degree gave him the tools to build a career as a travel writer.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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California
By Ben M Stower
Watch as California’s stunning Paso Robles wine country is illuminated by thousands of lights, creating an otherworldly, awe-inspiring art exhibit.
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Air Travel
By Ben M Stower
Fearful flyers across America swear by this affordable airline for a long list of surprising reasons that help them feel more at ease when they’re in the air.
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Connecticut
By Ben M Stower
This seaside Connecticut town offers the full New England experience, with lighthouse tours, street festivals, and, yes, delicious local seafood dishes.
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Pick fresh oranges right from the tree, enjoy a BBQ festival, and treat yourself to local produce in this Old Florida city surrounded by beautiful lakes.
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This popular Texas beach town draws thousands of visitors, but spring break reveals a shocking dark side that puts it among America's most risky spots.
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California
By Ben M Stower
This iconic vessel can be toured at the Maritime Museum of San Diego; learn about its fascinating history and hear stories of its 21 trips around the world.
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Happy hour specials, expansive world cuisine, and nighttime DJs make this waterfront pop-up patio in Vancouver, Canada, the place to be this summer season.
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Tennessee
By Ben M Stower
This walkable Tennessee city carries a shocking pedestrian safety record that might surprise visitors, making it one of America’s most dangerous.
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Tennessee
By Ben M Stower
With a rich history, a walkable downtown, and an abundance of excellent antique shops, this adorable Tennessee city makes for a relaxing vacation.
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Louisiana
By Ben M Stower
Hidden among the bayous between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, this tiny town offers a laidback retreat right along the winding Mississippi River.
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Tips and Hacks
By Ben M Stower
Travel expert Rick Steves has the perfect advice for what to do first after getting pickpocketed abroad to help minimize damages and avoid unnecessary stress.
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From smart grids to electric buses, one American city is setting the standard for smart urban living. Discover which U.S. metropolis made the top 10 list.
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Tips and Hacks
By Ben M Stower
Even if you calculate all your planned costs for a vacation, there’s one unexpected expense that can take a large chunk out of your travel budget.
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Tips and Hacks
By Ben M Stower
To prep for your tropical summer vacation, you should expose yourself to hotter temperatures through “heat training” before heading to a steamy destination.
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California
By Ben M Stower
Dubbed "California's Oldest Little City" and "The New York of the Pacific," this Gold Rush city has a historic Chinatown, unique festival, and vintage shopping.
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Wisconsin
By Ben M Stower
Troll sculptures all around? Scandinavian heritage? A cave full of stalactites and stalagmites? You can find all of this and more at this quirky Wisconsin town.
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South Carolina
By Ben M Stower
For a cute and intimate downtown full of shops and restaurants to explore along with year-round outdoor adventures, head to this quaint city in South Carolina.
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For a getaway into the mountains of Idaho, head to this lively city with unique summer festivals and Rocky Mountain views located in Wood River Valley.
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Wisconsin
By Ben M Stower
Wisconsin is an amazing destination in summer, and if you are looking for a town with trails, beauty, and charm, head to this city beloved for its waterfalls.
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Florida offers some spectacular underwater landscapes, but one infamous sinkhole has proven deadly for many divers, with signs warning adventurers not to enter.
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Fresh peaches, delicious local wine, and stunning mesa landscapes define this adorable agricultural Colorado town nestled in the heart of the Grand Valley.
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Tennessee
By Ben M Stower
Once a 19th-century utopian project, this Tennessee village has British roots, preserved Victorian architecture, and festivals you won't find anywhere else.
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For a taste of Southern charm, cowboy culture, equestrian-friendly parks, and absolutely stunning sunsets, head to this underrated "Cowboy Town" in Florida.
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Wisconsin
By Ben M Stower
For an epic Saint Patrick's Day celebration, head to this riverside Wisconsin city, which also boasts plenty of forested trails, great eats, and quaint vibes.
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This unassuming Georgia town is home to incredible barbecue and seafood as well as a truly gorgeous lakeside forest that's perfect for getting away from it all.
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This underrated Alabama city is has historic bridges from the 1930s, two golf courses, a delectable Italian restaurant, and beautiful hikes with great views.
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Named after an Italian city, this New York destination in the Adirondacks boasts a riverfront downtown, hiking trails, parks galore, and quaint attractions.
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