Dubai's giant, artificial island not such a hare-brained idea
It sounded like a hare-brained scheme - a gigantic palm-shaped man-made island in the middle of the Arabian Gulf.
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Ben Groundwater
Traveller's globetrotting backpacker, Ben Groundwater, finds the good, the bad and the ugly in the world’s best destinations. Ben is a columnist, blogger, feature writer, and co-star of the web series Beauty and the Backpacker, who has visited more than 80 countries during his 12 years in the industry. Ben was named travel writer of the year by the Australian Society of Travel Writers in 2014 and 2015.
8 of the most amazing adventures you don't have to travel far for
If you thirst for adventure, there's plenty right on your doorstep.
The down-to-earth action man who jumps off cliffs
Some people venture where few others would dare.
13 signs you're too old to be a backpacker
If you recognise any of the following signs, it might be time to retire the trusty backpack.
The things you have to do to please your travel hosts
It's not very nice on the first taste, then properly bad on the second taste, and pretty much undrinkable by the time I raise the bowl to my lips a third time.
This is the worst thing about air travel
It's something travellers just have to learn to get used to: that sense of powerlessness once you walk inside an airport.
Cuba
In the footsteps of Che
Ben Groundwater visits the sites of Cuba's revered, doomed revolutionary, Ernesto 'Che' Guevara.
The world's slowest boat is the best way to experience Yorkshire
There is nothing quick about narrowboating and that's how it should be.
The Backpacker
Travellers, you're using social media all wrong
If you're using social media purely to boast and brag about your travels, then you're totally doing it wrong.
Why the secret to travelling is a bit like fishing
The peace that comes with fishing is not necessarily in the catching.
The Backpacker
'Hell on Earth': The destinations that aren't cool anymore
The following destinations were once the places to go. Now, however, they're just the same as anywhere else.
The Backpacker
The dirty truth about showering when you travel
Sometimes it's impossible to stay clean and fresh when you are on the road.
Australia
Australians: we don't know how good we've got it
Parramatta might be the 'real' Sydney, but you'd hardly go there for a holiday.
The Backpacker
The wild, weird and unadulterated country no one talks about
This destination needs to be on everyone's bucket list.
South America
South America's medal-winning experiences
From the sky-high Inca Trail and Macchu Picchu to the sands of Copacabana, South America has a rich variety of sights, flavours and attractions.
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