Phil Thomas
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Articles by Phil Thomas
A twin city break showed me why this West African country shouldn’t be overlooked
Of all the things I expected to find in Benin, a 30-foot spaceman wasn't on my list. He stares back at me against a riot of colour, looking almost as surprised to see me as I am him. The mural is part of Africa's largest street art wall, the Marina Boulev'art, in Benin's largest city, Cotonou. Unveiled in 2024, currently there are depictions of Benin's history and ambitions for the future from 40 local and diaspora artists.
A twin city break showed me why this West African country shouldn’t be overlooked
Of all the things I expected to find in Benin, a 30-foot spaceman wasn’t on my list. He stares back at me against a riot of colour, looking almost as surprised to see me as I am him. The mural is part of Africa’s largest street art wall, the Marina Boulev’art, in Benin’s largest city, Cotonou. Unveiled in 2024, currently there are depictions of Benin’s history and ambitions for the future from 40 local and diaspora artists.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina: Best Stops Boone to Asheville
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina from Boone to Asheville, with the best stops for mountain views, hiking, BBQ, craft beer, and local art. Slow travel is a much-vaunted trend that many say is relatively new, bordering on a fad. Those folks have never driven the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Florence is overcrowded but these little-visited Umbrian alternatives are just as charming
1 hour ago Gazing across the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, the keen-eyed traveller might spot a flash of terracotta in the distance. It wouldn't be entirely out of place to presume it might belong to one of the agricultural region's traditional farmhouses, defined by their clay roof tiles. …
Florence is overcrowded but these little-visited Umbrian alternatives are just as charming
Close up, the cathedral exterior is a masterpiece. Green and white marble stripes compete for attention with pointed arches, golden mosaics and an enormous rose window. Beneath them, visitors shuffle across the cobbles of Piazza del Duomo, craning their necks towards one of Italy's most extravagant cathedral facades. Somewhere inside, Renaissance masters await. Florence is showing off again – or it would be, if it wasn’t more than a hundred miles away.
I went on Africa’s most unusual pub crawl
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I went on Africa’s most unusual pub crawl
Jamestown is a district of secrets. Accra's oldest neighbourhood always seems to have something happening just out of sight. A burst of laughter behind a closed door. Music drifting from a narrow alleyway. A figure disappearing down a shaded alley just before you can properly register them. The history of this district is on display everywhere you turn. Fishing boats sit beneath colonial-era warehouses and boxing gyms occupy fading merchant buildings.
Germany’s Most Unexpected Weekender
For a region once dismissed as Europe’s smokestack, Germany’s Ruhrgebiet has become surprisingly good at having fun with its past. The numbers alone are absurd. Stretching across dozens of cities and home to more than five million people, the Ruhr was built on coal, steel and heavy industry. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, its mines, coking plants and blast furnaces powered Germany’s economic rise. Then the coal industry collapsed.
The Florida You Don’t Know
Ask a British traveller to picture Florida and the images arrive instantly. Theme parks. High-rise beachfront hotels. Multi-lane highways lined with palm trees and billboards competing for attention. It is one of the most recognisable destinations on Earth. Yet two hours north of Miami, there is a stretch of coastline that feels as though it belongs to a different state entirely. And possibly another century.
A Wimbledon etiquette guide for first-time visitors Original
By Phil Thomas20th June 2026 Every year, hundreds of thousands of people descend on Wimbledon expecting world-class tennis. What many first-time visitors don't realise is that they're also signing up for an immersive introduction to British etiquette.
How to Experience a Traditional Madrid Tapas Crawl Like a Local
Follow a local through Madrid’s famous Calle de Ponzano and discover the food, drinks, traditions, and etiquette behind an authentic Madrid tapas crawl. “Don’t even think about sitting down,” Sergio tells me, following my gaze to a recently vacated table with clear disapproval. “I told you before: comemos, bebemos, vamos.” We eat, we drive, we move. The entire operating system of tapas in Madrid.
Europe’s LGBTQ+ Capital for 2026
Europe’s LGBTQ+ Capital for 2026 List the queerest cities in Europe and a number of ‘usual suspects’ will inevitably appear towards the top of the list – London, Berlin, Amsterdam. But in 2026, the flag of most LGBTQ+ friendly city in Europe should really be planted right in the centre of the continent.
The American State You’re Not Visiting (But Should Be)
“Nothing Could Be Finer Than To Be in Carolina In The Morning” Yes, there’s no Times Square bravado, no Californian gloss, no Floridian theme-park spectacle. But having been visiting for the past twelve years, I would agree entirely with Gus Kahn’s words from a century ago. North Carolina doesn’t need any of this to be the most complete, most authentic and, for my 10 cents’ worth, one of the most compelling states in the whole US. It’s also a place in recovery.
Hitting All the Right Notes: The First-Timers Guide to Nashville
Very few travel stories centre around Monday morning encounters. It’s not even my favourite memory of Nashville but it remains the most memorable. After a weekend of taking on Broadway – Nashville’s legendary street of live music bars – I stumbled out at 10am looking for a coffee and preferably a quiet corner to recover. I expected all the bars to be shuttered. Instead, every door was open, every stage alive, and every bar seemed to contain a guitarist who could outplay most headline acts.
I lived in Spain for two years and Elche is a green, sunny paradise
There’s much to be said for the wisdom of crowds – though not, perhaps, at Alicante-Elche airport. Follow the hordes spilling out of arrivals and you’ll be deposited, efficiently and unquestioningly, on Spain’s Costa Blanca. For many years, I followed the that trend, elbowing my way onto packed buses heading north to equally rammed beaches. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me and I turned towards the neglected second half of the airport’s double-barrelled name.
I lived in Spain for two years and Elche is a green, sunny paradise
There’s much to be said for the wisdom of crowds – though not, perhaps, at Alicante-Elche airport. Follow the hordes spilling out of arrivals and you’ll be deposited, efficiently and unquestioningly, on Spain’s Costa Blanca. For many years, I followed that trend, elbowing my way onto packed buses heading north to equally rammed beaches. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me and I turned towards the neglected second half of the airport’s double-barrelled name.
I lived in Spain for two years and Elche is a green, sunny paradise
Phil Thomas There's much to be said for the wisdom of crowds – though not, perhaps, at Alicante -Elche airport. Follow the hordes spilling out of arrivals and you'll be deposited, efficiently and unquestioningly, on Spain's Costa Blanca. For many years, I followed the that trend, elbowing my way onto packed buses heading north to equally rammed beaches. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me and I turned towards the neglected second half of the airport's double-barrelled name.
Lesser Spotted Barcelona and Beyond: The Alternative Catalonia Weekender
Barcelona rarely needs introduction. Gaudí’s spires, nights at the Camp Nou, the slow theatre of life on shaded plazas, it sells itself. But Catalonia as a region rewards those who step half a street, or one train stop, beyond the obvious. This is a three-day weekender for travellers who like their cities with a bit more variety: less queueing, more wandering.
More Than Gators and Gumbo - A Roadtrip Through Louisiana
Everyone knows snippets of Louisiana. New Orleans jazz, spicy cajun jambalya, swamps thick with alligators gliding menacingly. But beneath the clichés lies a tangle of stories as heady as the music drifting through the French Quarter on a warm evening. For my money, it’s the most intriguing of the US’ fifty states and – put very simply – the culture, heritage and history of Louisiana is like nowhere else in America.
The Many Faces of Berlin’s Legendary Nightlife
Berlin’s nightlife is the stuff of legend. From the queer, free-spirited 1920s immortalised in Cabaret, to the “party like there’s no tomorrow” hedonism of isolated 70s West Berlin, to the techno revolution that followed the fall of the Wall, there’s always been something for everyone. One legacy of the city’s divided history is that Berlin never developed a single, dominant “old town” centre like many European capitals. That’s no bad thing.
It’s time to return to Tunisia, the Mediterranean’s most intriguing country
You quickly realise that the cats and shoppers of Tunis’s medina have a lot in common. They move easily through the narrow alleys, sweeping past slow-moving tourists, the shoppers in billowing abayas, the cats with their backs arched haughtily, both utterly confident in their direction of travel. The same can’t be said for me. The walkways all look identical and the clamour is relentless: carts piled high with vegetables while locals sip tea from low stools and engage in animated debates.
It’s time to return to Tunisia, the Med’s most intriguing country
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It’s time to return to Tunisia, the Mediterranean’s most intriguing country
Powered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Key takeaways Powered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. You quickly realise that the cats and shoppers of Tunis’s medina have a lot in common.
Louisiana Cajun Food Road Trip
Follow the river from New Orleans to Lafayette for the best gumbo, po’boys, and jambalaya on this Louisiana Cajun food road trip. Fusion food is a term so overused it’s practically a culinary shrug, but in Louisiana, fusion goes far deeper than a trendy menu mash-up. You might think you know Cajun food, but when you follow the river from New Orleans to Lafayette, you discover flavors born of exile, survival, and invention. The original Cajuns were twice displaced.
The calendar that keeps up with your life
Inside Popsa Thoughtful design and intelligent features transform the humble wall calendar into something deeply personal Article at a glance Dynamic Themes analyse your photos and automatically match complementary colours so design enhances rather than fights your images. Smart People Albums recognise faces and important dates, while AI-generated captions suggest thoughtful words for each moment.
This Unexpected Destination Has Been Called the 'Happiest City in America'
20 Best Throwback Photos of Mardi Gras Parades Through the Years These old-school shots prove that the good times have always rolled for Carnival! There's a lot to love about Mardi Gras in New Orleans (or as we like …
This Unexpected Destination Has Been Called the 'Happiest City in America'
Sunset over the Lafayette, Louisiana skyline. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images At first glance, Buck & Johnny’s, a restaurant just outside Lafayette, Louisiana, looks unremarkable: a warehouse-like space with exposed brick, a large dance floor, and walls decorated with football helmets and old oil company signs. Then, a five-piece band strikes up in the corner. Louisiana zydeco rolls across the room, driven by accordion and the full-body washboard frottoir (a percussion instrument).
Netflix's Skyscraper Live sees Alex Honnold triumph: updates
Ellie Muir,Phil Thomas and Arpan Rai LIVE – Updated at 03:51 Alex Honnold has sensationally scaled one of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth with only a bag of chalk — and no ropes or safety gear. The American rock climber took one hour, 31 minutes and 43 seconds to complete the hair-raising stunt on Saturday evening.
Netflix's Skyscraper Live sees Alex Honnold triumph: updates
Ellie Muir,Inga Parkel and Phil Thomas LIVE – Updated at 02:56 Alex Honnold's has sensationally scaled one of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth without ropes or safety gear. The American rock climber took one hour, 31 minutes and 43 seconds to complete the hair-raising stunt on Saturday evening. On Friday night, just minutes before Skyscraper Live was due to air on Netflix on Friday (January 23), it was announced that the special had been postponed due to wet weather conditions in Taipei.
New Year's is all about fresh starts. So how did I end up with no phone, no passport and no way off this damn island?
Photo illustration: Nathalie Cruz/Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images Phil Thomas, Freelance contributor Mon 29 December 2025 at 1:00 pm UTC 8 min read This story is part of Very, Very Unmerry, Yahoo’s look at the meltdowns, mayhem and misfires that haunt the most festive time of the year. Do you have your own holiday disaster story? Drop us a comment below or fill out this Google form, and we may feature your submission in a future story.
Exploring Svalbard, Norway: Travel to the Most Northerly Point on Earth
Exploring Svalbard—where life at the top of the world means polar bears, glacier beer, and the northernmost nightcap on Earth. There are road signs in life that make you pause: “Slippery When Wet,” “Beware of Falling Rocks,” but nothing quite prepares you for: “Beware of the Bears!” Not your average warning road sign! Photo by Phil Thomas In Svalbard, a stark red triangle featuring a confident-looking polar bear serves as a polite reminder that you are no longer top of the food chain.
From Bayou To Table: A Louisiana Cajun Cooking Pilgrimage
The kitchen at Spuddy’s Cajun Cooking Experience in Vacherie, Louisiana is already sweating before we are. Steam clouds the windows and the air is rich with peppers, onions, and celery – the “holy trinity” of Cajun cooking. Bowls of chopped vegetables and spice plates line the counters like a painter’s palette. Seven of us hover over our workstations, knives poised.
Phil Thomas
Phil Thomas is a freelance travel writer. His work has appeared in publications including BBC Travel, Condé Nast Traveler, and The Independent. About Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure, a People Inc. Brand, is a top travel media brand with a mission to inform and inspire passionate travelers. Our expert team includes a network of hundreds of writers and photographers across the globe, all providing a local eye on the best places to stay, eat, and explore.
The craft behind Popsa Christmas decorations
There’s a moment every December (or earlier if you’re particularly eager) when the house feels transformed. The tree goes up, fairy lights twinkle in the corner and those familiar ornaments find their place once more. Each one holds a story and carries a memory. At Popsa, we believe your decorations should do more than sparkle. They should help you relive your favourite moments every Christmas.
Take the train to Certaldo for the perfect Tuscan getaway
BY: Phil Thomas There's something not quite right, I realise, as my eyes scan the gelateria counter in Certaldo, a small Tuscan hilltop town. "Vanilla, strawberry, pistachio... onion?!" The server, who's clearly seen this bemused reaction before, grins. " Si," she exclaims proudly. "È delizioso. Solo qui!" Perhaps it's "only here" for a reason - the gelato certainly leaves an unforgettable first impression.
15 Best Ways to Experience LGBTQ+ Berlin, From Gay Bars to Bookstores
The Film on Palestine Everyone’s Talking About but Few Can See ARTS & CULTUREThe Film on Palestine Everyone’s Talking About but Few Can SeePolitics, controversy, and industry caution keep No Other Land off major …
15 Best Ways to Experience LGBTQ+ Berlin, From Gay Bars to Bookstores
Few cities feel as unapologetically queer as Berlin. A hundred years ago, this was the heart of the world’s first LGBTQ+ rights movement. Weimar cabarets, cross-dressing revues, and radical thinkers made space for gender and sexual freedom, decades before most places dared to do so. This momentum was violently interrupted by the rise of Nazism, but never entirely halted. Today, Berlin ranks among the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities on Earth, not just in attitude, but in action.
Take the train to Certaldo for the perfect Tuscan getaway
There’s something not quite right, I realise, as my eyes scan the gelateria counter in Certaldo, a small Tuscan hilltop town. “Vanilla, strawberry, pistachio… onion?!” The server, who’s clearly seen this bemused reaction before, grins. “Si,” she exclaims proudly. “È delizioso. Solo qui!” Perhaps it’s “only here” for a reason – the gelato certainly leaves an unforgettable first impression.
NFL players praised for their response to Morice Norris’ injury
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NFL players praised for their response to Morice Norris’ injury
Get all your news in one place. Get all your news in one place. 100’s of premium titles. One news app. Start reading The Independent UK Sport Charles Odum and Phil Thomas NFL players praised for their response to Morice Norris’ injury Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris sustained a serious injury during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. Norris received on-field medical attention for approximately 20 minutes before being transported off in an ambulance.
NFL preseason game between Detroit and Atlanta stopped after serious injury
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NFL preseason game between Detroit and Atlanta stopped after serious injury
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy Microsoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
NFL preseason game between Detroit and Atlanta stopped after serious injury
The NFL preseason game between Detroit and Atalanta was stopped with 6:31 to after a serious injury saw an ambulance on the field. Detroit safety Morice Norris was attended to for about 20 minutes and taken off in the ambulance during the Lions' preseason game Friday night against Atlanta. with the game ending with 6:31 to go after the players let the clock run. Advertisement The game ended with 6:31 to go after the players let the clock run.
Beyond Google: Finding the Best New Mexico Food the Old-Fashioned Way
The instructions were clear, absolute, and brooked no argument. “When you get to Taos, don’t stop – just keep driving.” The waitress, Debbie, gave me a look usually reserved for people who ask if the chile is spicy. Then, deciding I might be trainable, she leaned in, grabbed a coaster, and added another pen stroke to the map of New Mexico food forming in front of me. “It’s another two miles down the road on the left-hand side.
Are 'the world's most beautiful islands' in danger? Original
Norway's stunning Lofoten Islands have gone viral for their midnight summer sun. But as the isles face overtourism for the first time, residents have an important message for visitors. Located 300km inside the Arctic Circle, Norway's Lofoten archipelago rises dramatically from the sea in a jagged, mountainous crescendo. Its otherworldly glacier-sculpted landscapes and magical 24-hour summer daylight have led the isles to proudly dub themselves "the world's most beautiful islands".
Are 'the world's most beautiful islands' in danger?
Where Luxury Travelers Should Book To See Europe’s Rare 2026 Eclipse Iceland and northern Spain are expected to be two of the best places to see the celestial event, the continent’s first total solar eclipse in 27 years. Noctourism was outlined as one of the top travel trends for this year. With solar activity anticipated to peak at levels not seen in decades this …
These European Islands Have 24 Hours of Daylight in Summer—and Sit Just Above the Arctic Circle Original
At some point on my second night in Norway, I stop checking my watch. Not out of laziness or an act of rebellion, but simply because it has stopped mattering. It’s 11 p.m. I am standing on Reinebringen, one of Norway’s most famous peaks, gazing out across the fjord below. Golden light spills across the water, casting lengthy shadows and catching the wings of gulls circling beneath. In this moment, I feel something rare: a quiet, expansive joy I haven’t found in any other place I’ve traveled.
Sir Alex Ferguson quickly bounces back from Man Utd axe as alternative venture secures him more than a year’s earnings ...Middle East
The Sun - Sport source : The Sun ( Middle East ) () 29 SIR ALEX FERGUSON is still earning a pretty penny, despite being ruthlessly axed from his lucrative role at Manchester United. The legendary manager was the biggest casualty of Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s ruthless cost-cutting spree last season.
Lessons from Sitges - The Pride with No Price Tag (And a Big Payoff)
Pride in 2025 sits at a crossroads. As populist politicians and right-wing media stoke hostility, the need for Pride as a space of celebration, resistance, and community is more urgent than ever. But balancing inclusivity with financial sustainability is a growing challenge. A role model? Take a peek across the Pyrenees to the Catalan town of Sitges.
Presidential candidate shot and seriously wounded in Colombia
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