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Keith Austin

Keith Austin

Travel writer

Originally from London's East End, Keith Austin has worked as a journalist in the UK, China and Australia. He is a former Sydney Morning Herald travel editor, and the author of three Young Adult novels.

The Accursed Mountains on the border between Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo.

Why tackling these (truly) Accursed Mountains is worth it

This challenging journey through the peaks and troughs of one of Europe’s last true areas of wilderness is not for the faint of heart.

  • Keith Austin
The Trinity College Long Room, with “Gaia” in the distance.

A small country with an epic history for book lovers

You’d expect a place that birthed so many great writers to be home to some of the world’s most beautiful libraries – and bookshops.

  • Keith Austin
The Library of Celsus, Ephesus.

This is a cruise fit for the gods

This eastern Mediterranean cruise takes in history, myth, and a date with Dionysus.

  • Keith Austin
The Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way, County Clare.

A craic, castle and Guinness-filled road trip through Ireland

Ireland is an island full of saints, so it’s hardly surprising to encounter a small miracle.

  • Keith Austin
The old and new combine in Stockholm.

This European capital is a modern fairytale

Sweden’s capital is a modern fairytale, where the old and the new co-exist in a smorgasbord of cobblestone alleys, ancient buildings and designer shops.

  • Keith Austin
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Rocamadour - one of the most beautiful and most visited medieval villages in France.

This stunning European trek features equally stunning food

This is a rare walking holiday where you actually gain weight, as we stuff ourselves French cheese, duck, wine, liqueurs and anything else that comes to hand.

  • Keith Austin
At Austrian spas, there are very strict rules around clothing.

‘Get undressed, or get out’: Here, it’s normal to get naked with colleagues

I have nothing against getting my clothes off with a bunch of strangers, but when it comes to friends and colleagues, would I feel different?

  • Keith Austin
Albania’s Gjirokaster has unique medieval architecture.

The bizarre European city that ‘belongs in a dream’

After reading how this Albanian city “rejected all comparisons”, and was a place where everything was “old and made of stone”, a visit became essential.

  • Keith Austin
The Alps, soaring in summer.

Austria’s mountains are even more stunning when there’s no snow

A snowflake when it comes to snowflakes, our writer explores things to do in Austria that don’t involve skis.

  • Keith Austin
Icon of the Seas rises to an astonishing 20 decks, divided into eight different “neighbourhoods”.

Ship review: The world’s biggest cruise ship is insanely perfect

These giant ships are not everyone’s cup of tea, but for families who see the advantage of an all-in-one, something-for-everyone holiday, they’re just the thing.

  • Keith Austin