Daniel James Clarke
Travel Writer & Photographer
Hi, I’m Daniel James Clarke, a British travel writer, guidebook author and photographer who has lived in Portugal for six years.
I’m passionate about slow, sustainable travel and forging deeper connections with destinations and their more offbeat corners. Particular interests include traditional culture, customs and artistic crafts (my studies were in performing arts), the links between cuisine and culture (I’m a former restaurant manager), independent and family-run accommodation, LGBT+ travel, and flight-free journeys. I can provide photography to pair with commissions; my imagery has been published by the likes of Lonely Planet Magazine, National Geographic and Grazia and licensed to brands and tourism boards, such as Visit Britain, Visit Austria, and Germany Tourism.
My primary region of coverage is Europe, especially my home country of Portugal – I’m a local Lonely Planet author and The Times destination expert for the Azores. I’m also well versed in continental no-fly travel, and in 2023, I traversed Europe by train, bus and ferry from Faro (Portugal) to the Faroe Islands and then returned from the Arctic Circle to North Africa. I’ve previously lived in England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand and have travelled extensively.
Tourism for social good – when done correctly and responsibly – is of the utmost importance to me. I have covered and worked on (professionally and personally) various developmental projects, including with the TUI Care Foundation in Mexico City, a one-month video project with EU Aid in Jamaica, and multiple projects with Empowerment Tourism, mainly focused in Vietnam, India, and alongside Indigenous communities in Australia. I’m always keen to highlight native voices and viewpoints wherever possible.
For commissions or image requests, please contact me at hi@danieljamesclarke.com. I look forward to working with you.
Portfolio
National Geographic Traveller Magazine Journey through Puglia (November 2023 – PDF)
Rough Guides Slow Travel in Europe (October 2024 – Contributor: Azores & Spain)
Lonely Planet Portugal Guidebook (2023 Edition – Algarve & Centro Regions)
Lonely Planet Gourmet Trails (2023 – Contributor: Porto & The Douro – PDF)
Lonely Planet Experience Portugal (2022 Edition – Algarve & Centro Regions)
Lonely Planet Magazine Across Oman (Four-page photo essay – PDF)
Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2020 (Contributor: Aruba)
Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2019 (Contributor: Indonesia)
Lonely Planet Travel Goals (Contributor)
Lonely Planet Digital Nomads Handbook (Contributor)
Lonely Planet Magazine Best destinations in Europe for 2019 (Contributor: Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Lonely Planet Magazine Best destinations in Asia for 2018 (Contributor: Komodo National Park)
Journey Magazine Spotlight on Helsinki (PDF)
Focus Magazine County Durham, the quintessential English destination (PDF)
Going Places (Malaysia Airlines) Contributor: Indonesia
Portugal Resident How to spend a long weekend in Lisbon
Portugal Resident Vines and volcanoes: an autumnal escape to the Azores
Digital
Going What to eat in Portugal
Going A local’s guide to planning a trip to Portugal
Lonely Planet Weekend in Tartu, a European Capital of Culture 2024
Lonely Planet Crossing the Arctic Circle from Lapland to the Lofoten Islands by train
Lonely Planet How to experience the Azores sustainably without a car
Lonely Planet Where locals travel in Portugal (Contributor)
Matador Network Why I’ll always travel by train
Sustainable Cities In Graz, sustainability starts with community
The Times Azores travel guide
The Times Best hotels in the Azores
The Times Best beaches in the Azores
The Times Best things to do in the Azores
Weather2Travel The Algarve or Madeira: which is best for a sunny holiday in Portugal?
The London Economic Why Porto & The Douro should be your next culinary break
The London Economic Quinta da Saraiva Hotel Review
The Portugal News Porto’s pivot into a culinary powerhouse is complete—what’s on the menu?
Lonely Planet The world’s best bowl foods (Contributor)
Amex Essentials Best destinations in 2024 (Contributor)
Commercial
Celebrity Current Best things to do in Sintra
Celebrity Current Insider’s guide to Funchal, Madeira
Celebrity Current Azores food guide
Celebrity Current Incredible day trips from Lisbon
Celebrity Current Best beach towns in Portugal
Celebrity Current Best museums in Lisbon
Celebrity Current Lisbon vs Porto
Celebrity Current Best beaches in Lisbon
Celebrity Current What to eat in Lisbon
Celebrity Current Best beaches in Madeira
Celebrity Current Best neighbourhoods to visit in Lisbon
Celebrity Current Best beaches in Portugal
inEmiliaRomagna Three days in Emilia Romagna
Hands on Journeys All photography, copy and video production for tour company’s website
Empowerment Tourism All photography, copy and video production for their website
Display more commercial writing examples
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Photography & videography
My photography has been licensed by the likes of Lonely Planet, Vogue, and Grazia and featured in various outlets, including Travel and Leisure and National Geographic. I also work with tour companies and tourism boards to create photography assets for general stock bank usage.
Lonely Planet Video Presenter Aboriginal art and culture in Queensland
Matador Network Photo Essay: Bosnia & Herzegovina
Matador Network Photo Essay: Mauritius beyond the beaches
Matador Network Photo Essay: Oman road-trip
Matador Network Photo Essay: Why Albania is Europe’s next big destination
Matador Network Photo Essay: India’s Golden Triangle
Special projects & ambassadorships
Edinburgh Festivals “Blogger in Residence 2018 & 2019” creating articles, videos & photography for the official Edinburgh Festivals platforms
Europe Aid (Directorate-General for International Partnerships) Faces2Hearts project, creating articles and videos on development projects in Jamaica (One month, February 2020)
Lonely Planet Ambassador 2016 – 2020, representing Lonely Planet at in-person events in the UK and internationally, video work including presenting and production, sponsored partner campaigns with the likes of Three Mobile, G Adventures, Snapchat & Intrepid Travel, and hosting workshops and branded activities, including photography walks and new title launches.
Awards
Oman Air Awards Best blog covering Oman
Traverse Creator Awards 2019 Best photography
Traverse Creator Awards 2023 Best storytelling: Summer in Innsbruck, where the Alps are for all ART&TUR: International Tourism Film Festival 4x 1st place, 2x 2nd place awards for the innovative video project Sky Base One (concept, filming, post-processing and production)
Social media
Alongside my own social media (@danflyingsolo), I’ve worked on various campaigns and projects, including presenting Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe and Best in Travel awards on their social channels and on branded partnerships with Snapchat.