Tooting My Own Horn

Nobody writes for the purpose of being nominated for awards - that would be a fool's errand and is unlikely to get you anywhere. When I started blogging and then writing for external publications, I was wracked with imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Am I any good at this? Why would anyone want to read my words? As I develop as a writer, this diminishes but I'd be a pretty poor liar if I didn't admit I still get those nagging feelings.

In my previous career, awards meant very little (corporate life de-sensitises you like that and don't get me started on the politics!). Here, I've come to realise it's a bit different. When you're swimming solo as a freelancer, particularly when I still get those awkward moments of self-doubt, being recognised is a timely reminder that I occasionally know what I'm doing, particularly when I hear it externally. Saying 'award-winning travel writer' still feels slightly preposterous but hey, I'll take it.

So here's a little summary of where I've been recognised and a link to the articles in question.

International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association: Excellence in Journalism Awards (2025)

Winner: Best In Show

Winner: Best Travel Feature - The Wild Freedom of Lofoten's Summer (Travel & Leisure - July 2025)

The Lofoten Islands, off the west coast of Norway, had long been my dream destination. 

As I wrote in the article, the landscape looked like something Tolkein could have stretched and the locals really do jokingly say ‘welcome to the Caribbean’ to visitors whose jaws drop when they see how clear the water is. 

What set Lofoten apart from other scenic destinations I’ve visited was the 24 hours of daylight.  Being freed from the tyranny of the clock allowed my partner Paul and I to hike, paddle and stroll whenever we saw fit.  In doing so, we gained an understanding of friluftsliv, the uniquely Norwegian joy of being outdoors during the summer midnight sun that locals swear is behind the country’s status as one of the happiest on Earth.

My goal in writing this story was able to impart this unique feeling of joy, freedom and contentment and I hope readers are able to discover landscapes where they can indulge their own friluftsliv.

Very chuffed with the judges comments too:

Writer Phil Thomas entices the reader to a fabulous destination they might otherwise never have known or even considered.

With “boots on the ground” experience, his writing is not only technically excellent but a pleasing blend of personal stories, humor, practical advice — and peppered with useful web links.

Phil's article is a journey in itself — splendidly written with vivid descriptions and photos. Now, I want to go to Lofoten!” Head Judge, Brian Patrick Duggan

3rd Place: Best Travel Feature - A Journey Through Tunisia's Living History (Food, Wine & Travel Magazine, May 2025), Article of the Month

This article was special for me as it represented a return to the first place I ever went on a foreign holiday with my family. 

Thirty years on, I grappled with half-memories, some real, some probably imagined but Tunisia remains as evocative as ever.  

The stallholders in the souk bantering in six languages, the ubiquitous cats darting in and out of sight and the taxi drivers seeing road-signs and lane markings as optional suggestions. 

I remembered Tunisia’s epic history from my visit as a child – the Carthigians, Romans, Ottomans, Berbers and French all left their fingerprints – but what became the center-point of the story was how little you needed to do to actually discover this. 

Walking down a random backstreet, we stumbled upon the royal mausoleum, a masterpiece of Arabic sculpture and calligraphy, but that had lain dormant for fifty years before being reopened in 2023.  

Quite often we see history as something you only experience in museums.  In Tunisia, you just literally need to walk to experience it first-hand. 

Darkus Magazine Annual Awards

Winner: Travel Writer of The Year (2025) - articles here

I love writing for Darkus for its bold mix of lifestyle, music, fashion and travel content - it's unlike any other publication I've written for previously and I love the freedom to curate stories for Darkus' well-read and curious audience, who want stories beyond the status quo.

I've written for them about Round-The-World travel and unusual festive traditions across the world (that was a fun piece to research and write!) and am excited to collaborate further with Thushara and the team at Darkus on further opportunties in 2026. It's a publications that's going places and I'm thrilled to be a part of its journey.

"On behalf of DARKUS, it gives me huge pleasure to announce Phil Thomas as our selected Travel Writer of 2025. 

I really admire the passion which Phil puts into your online platform Someone Else’s Country. His content is engaging and reading any piece of your work it feels like the reader is right there with you reliving the adventure, and we are truly blessed we were able to share some of your travel adventures with the DARKUS audience." Thushara Chandrasiri - Editor, Darkus Magazine