Getting to Know a Travel Blogger Series : Portugalist
James writes the travel blog Portugalist, a guide to Portugal and all things Portuguese. You can follow him on or .
What got you into blogging and how long ago was this?
I started Portugalist in 2016. I’ve lived a few parts of Portugal, and felt that I had some useful information that was worth sharing. I’d been meaning to start Portugalist for around four years now, and finally got around to it last September. I’ve written everything from restaurant reviews to guides on tipping in Portugal and, based on the comments and feedback, I’m seeing what kind of information people find helpful.
Fav destination and why?
Aside from Portugal? That’s a tough one! There are so many.
Berlin is a city that I find myself returning to. I spent a few months living there, and then returned to live for another few months. I’m planning another short weekend trip there as we speak. There’s something about the city that just captivates you, and it’s hard not to fall in love with it.
Blogging tip
Settling on a niche (for example backpacker travel or luxury travel) will help to give your blog focus. I’ve started travel blogs in the past, but they’ve always lacked focus and ultimately I ended up giving up on them after just a few months.
The other side of that is that a niche can be limiting. Plenty of people who start blogging in their 20s focus on hostels and backpacking only to discover that’s not what they want to do in their 30s.
Dream trip
I have a few road trips that I’d like to take across the United States. Route 66 is obviously one, but I’d also really like to take a trip through the Gulf Coast. It’s something that I had been considering, but then put on hold several times.
Pet peeve about travelling
Other passengers! They usually find some way of annoying me, for example pulling on the airplane seat when they get up to go to the toilet. Although it does broaden the mind, I find getting on a plane or a bus does anything but unite me with my fellow man.
Favourite travel blogger
I used to really enjoy reading Will Peach’s writing, but unfortunately I don’t think he blogs anymore. Geraldine DeRuiter’s blog, The Everywhereist, is a good read and when I lived in Berlin I read Travels of Adam a lot.
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