Phil Thomas

Part of every traveller’s suitcase is the story of either falling headfirst or skillfully avoiding a potential scam while away. It’s something of a universal language, as others round the table nod sympathetically…or smugly think ‘well that wouldn’t happen to me!’ Yes but… I was thinking about this on a recent trip and the fine line between out-and-out scams, legal but dubious practices and things that are perfectly normal in a particular place but can easily by misinterpreted by an...

I’m addicted to bookshops. There, I’ve said it. I can rarely pass one by and I’m extremely guilty of buying titles long before I have a need for new material (my ‘to read’ list constantly stands in double figures). Up until very recently, the only way to find LGBTQ+ literature was in specialist bookshops. Whilst it’s heartening to see so many gay titles reach mainstream bookstores (although the cynic in me knows this has nothing to do with representation and everything to do with...

France’s most famous cities, Paris , Lyon, Bordeaux, are magnificent, but they’re hardly secrets. Their magic and attractions – the Eiffel Tower, gastronomic excellence and some of the best wine on the planet - are known and loved the world over. But the world’s most visited country has considerably more magic up its sleeve and you don’t have to look far to find it. This wonder often lies in smaller towns where centuries of history sit quietly behind scenic café terraces, delectable...