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Ben Groundwater

Ben Groundwater

Travel writer

Ben Groundwater is a Sydney-based travel writer, columnist, broadcaster, author and occasional tour guide with more than 25 years’ experience in media, and a lifetime of experience traversing the globe. He specialises in food and wine – writing about it, as well as consuming it – and at any given moment in time Ben is probably thinking about either ramen in Tokyo, pintxos in San Sebastian, or carbonara in Rome. Follow him on Instagram @bengroundwaterConnect via email.

Dim sum steamer baskets fly off the food carts.

In just 48 hours, I ate my way through the highlights of a stopover favourite

We pull up a seat at the city’s most legendary dining tables, charting a course through luxury and local legends in just two days.

  • Ben Groundwater
Cefalu, Sicily.

The best island in each of the world’s 10 greatest island destinations

Which islands do our experts rate the world’s best? Whether close by like Tasmania, or further afield like Sicily, here’s where to go next.

  • Ben Groundwater and Craig Tansley
Rung Rueang Pork Noodles.

Forget the hotel buffet, for breakfast you can’t go past this $3 dish

There’s normally no reason to be on Bangkok’s streets before 8am, but the best way to start your day in this city is a visit to this noodle shop.

  • Ben Groundwater
Mexico City is one of the world’s great metropolises.

The US is about to get even more attention. Another country deserves it more

Over the next six weeks, you’re going to be hearing about the US a lot, but a hugely underrated destination should be the one we focus on.

  • Ben Groundwater
Want to select your seat on for a flight? It could cost you $100.

The 13 travel rip-offs we keep paying for

Want to choose your airline seat? Check in to your hotel early? Park your car at the airport? Prepare to be gouged.

  • Ben Groundwater
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Restaurant Dandelion in the 20th arrondissement.

A meal here is worth travelling to the edge of Paris for

Not many tourists make it out to the 20th arrondissement in Paris. If you do, then be sure to eat at this restaurant.

  • Ben Groundwater
Want to just lie on the beach at Kuta during your holiday? Fine by me.

Bali, cruises, coach tours? It’s time to stop being snobs about travel

There’s a saying, “don’t yuck my yum”, that I think we could all apply to travel.

  • Ben Groundwater
Coq au vin has a rich, glossy wine-based sauce.

This classic dish is one of the world’s great cold-weather meals

It’s far greater than the sum of its parts thanks to the long, slow cook and the perfect marriage of flavours and ingredients.

  • Ben Groundwater
Ginza Kyubey.

The 90-year-old sushi place you must try when in Tokyo

This place isn’t a secret, it’s not exclusive and it doesn’t have a Michelin star – but it will provide you with a memorable, beautiful experience.

  • Ben Groundwater
Discovery Parks in Byron Bay, a classic caravan park and campsite about 10 minutes out of town.

I relived my childhood with a simple Aussie beach holiday. Here’s what I found

Life is going to get expensive in Australia over the next year or so. All of a sudden the old-fashioned Aussie coastal holiday is looking really attractive.

  • Ben Groundwater