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.
Port guide: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
Cool Britannia’s northern capital has transformed itself from a gritty industrial city into a trendy cultural and gourmet getaway.
- Brian Johnston
Port guide: Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany
This once dull financial capital is Germany’s most overlooked city but is lively, cultured, and has buzzing neighbourhoods and great dining and shopping scenes.
- Brian Johnston
Port guide: Townsville, Australia
Australia’s largest tropical city is overshadowed by Cairns when it comes to tourism, but you’ll find plenty of ways to spend an enjoyable day in port.
- Brian Johnston
Seven reasons the best way to see the Med is from the water
The Mediterranean is a destination easily visited independently, as many of us have. But this is a different experience entirely.
- Brian Johnston
Port guide: Malaga, Spain
This gritty working-class city gets overlooked amid Andalusia’s competition, but you’ll be surprised at how lovely and lively it is.
- Brian Johnston
I stayed in one of Rome’s most crowded tourist spots – and loved it
Rome might be one of the world’s busiest tourist cities, but there are ways to cope with overtourism – and you can even learn to appreciate it.
- Brian Johnston
The nightmare that happens when you miss your cruise
Life lesson: the ship never waits. In Portugal in 2016, a British passenger tried to swim back to her departing ship and was lucky to survive.
- Brian Johnston
Forgotten France: 10 stunning regions most visitors overlook
You don’t have to battle tourist hordes in the world’s most-visited country. Here are 10 of its relatively less-visited but underrated regions.
- Brian Johnston
- ★★★★½
- Ship reviews
Not quite luxe but this expedition ship is the real deal
Premium rather than luxury, this is an unbeatable vessel with every technology and a crack team of experts to tackle polar travel.
- Brian Johnston
Please slurp your noodles: Dos and don’ts of eating out in Asia
Only hungry peasants fill up on rice, and slurping soup or noodles can be a sign of appreciation. In Japan, rice is eaten between courses and never mixed with food.
- Brian Johnston
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/by/brian-johnston-hvf4e