Brian Johnston

Travel writer

Brian Johnston seemed destined to become a travel writer: he is an Irishman born in Nigeria and raised in Switzerland, who has lived in Britain and China and now calls Australia home.

Winchester offers a glorious abundance of English cliches.

England’s most charming town is only an hour from London

If you want to soak up every English stereotype yet enjoy history without the tourist hordes, get thee to this town.

Brian Johnston

Austria’s lakeside village of Hallstatt is popular with tourists so choose the time and manner of your own visit carefully.

Travel tips

The world’s 10 most charming villages (plus five in Australia)

Small as they are, villages can be easier to bypass than towns. But it pays to slow down and discover these diminutive delights from around the world and here at home.

Brian Johnston

Artist impression of Four Seasons Yachts soon-to-launch vessel.

Cruises

Bigger vs better: Some of our biggest cruise trends are contradictory

As we learnt over the past few years, you never know what will happen next in cruising. But here’s the where the latest trends are heading.

Brian Johnston

No water for ships here: Chile’s Atacama Desert.

Cruises

Even landlocked destinations are now accessible to cruise passengers

Love cruising but want to see far beyond immediate coastlines too? The growing range of add-on land extensions will see you on your way.

Brian Johnston

Cruises

Port guide: Corfu Town, Greece

Many centuries of foreign influences give this wonderful Greek town a character like no other. Get lost in its winding alleys and enjoy.

Brian Johnston

Into the peace and quiet of Norway with Havila Voyages.

Cruises

Feeling stressed? Take a ‘silent’ trip through one of the world’s quietest places

Geiranger had 37 decibels of background noise on one recent day. New York had 86.

Brian Johnston

Cruises

At first glance, this ship seems like any other luxury vessel. But it’s not

Explora Journeys might be a relatively new cruise line, but its luxury ships seem conventional – until you take a closer look.

Brian Johnston

Local dim sum restaurants can be overwhelming for tourists.

Opinion
Asia

The 10 things we’ll never understand about Hong Kong

Holes in buildings, endless luxury handbag shops and overwhelming yum cha joints are just some of the mysteries we grapple with in this fast-paced city.