Authors & Contributors

Alex Copenguy, founder of Localsinsider.com, loves exploring cities on foot, finding cozy, historic boutique hotels, and avoiding tourist spots. He’s passionate about Scandinavian simple yet functional design, contemporary art, and enjoys mussels with fries and cold prosecco. A fan of saunas and banyas, he always seeks out a good male massage when traveling.

Alexander Vasilyev is a television presenter, world-renowned fashion historian, interior designer, set designer, author of popular books and a contributor to Locals Insider.

Alexey Tryapitsyn is a guide, organizer of author’s tours in Georgia, and also a son-in-law in a Georgian family. For ten years now, he has been showing guests the real Georgia.

Anastasia Shakirova — content creator, visual storyteller for brands and interiors.I capture the tone and aesthetics of each project through video. Based in Dubai, living not the “perfect” life, but my own — with coffee on the go, spontaneous routes, and favorite shoots. Always in search of soulful, atmospheric places. I love horseback rides, painting, and escaping to the mountains to catch the sunset in silence.

Anna Dezhurova is a model and blogger who has lived in Bali for three years. She creates detailed guides and shares her life on the island.

Anton Obrezchikov is a wine journalist and expert with extensive experience in the wine industry. He is the author of articles for publications like Afisha Daily, Simple Wine News, and Locals Insider, where he explores various aspects of wine culture and the industry. Anton is also a professional wine taster and a regular jury member at prestigious wine competitions.

Anya Belitskaya is a Copenhagen-based fashion designer and MA graduate of the Royal Danish Academy (Fashion, Clothing & Textiles). Her work fuses cultural memory with exuberant ornamentation—think shine, florals, and generous shapes—while centering inclusivity and joy. Belitskaya’s practice sits at the intersection of craft and community, proposing fashion that celebrates real bodies and real celebrations.

Anya Verkhoumova is a film photographer and a former dermatologist. One day, she decided to change everything and, together with her husband and their dog, left St. Petersburg for Thailand. Today, Anya lives in Bangkok, creates visual stories for people and brands, and is wholeheartedly in love with the city.

Ben works in Product for a global tour operator and is also a freelance travel writer. His favourite destinations are Italy and Vietnam and his next big trip is Sri Lanka.

Bob Duff has been an authoritative voice in gambling and sports betting since 2016. Based in Windsor, Ontario, he’s authored more than 25 books, including well‑received biographies of Johnny Bower, Desmond Howard and Gordie Howe . Bob has covered top events across the sporting world—from the Super Bowl to the Stanley Cup Finals and March Madness—and has earned awards from the Ontario Newspaper and Professional Hockey Writers’ associations. He regularly contributes expert analysis and state-based guides to LocalsInsider.com on legal gambling venues in each US state and writes for respected sites such as NJ.bet, Gambling.com.

Daniel Schweimler, originally from London, is a journalist who has been based in Buenos Aires for more than twenty years, initially as the BBC correspondent and more recently for Al Jazeera English. He also contributes to LocalsInsider with tips on the best things to do in Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

Darya Lushina is a stylist and makeup artist with 17 years of experience. She has been living in Montenegro for seven years and, thanks to her work, has traveled all over the country. During this time, she has compiled her own list of must-visit places.

Denis Boyarinov is a prominent music journalist and pop culture writer with 20+ years of experience, authoring books on Viktor Tsoi and the Soviet record label “Melodiya,” and currently exploring the music scene in Buenos Aires.

Denis Zaykovskiy, a journalist and public garden designer based in Gdansk, Poland, finds inspiration in nature and serene island escapes like the Azores, favoring peaceful landscapes over bustling tourist hubs.

Dima Nevsky is a true Balinese veteran. He moved to the island over 15 years ago when there were no trendy restaurants, coffee shops, or fashionable villas. Together with his wife, they founded the “Kinetika Surfing School” and live in Chang, raising their children and teaching anyone who wants to learn how to surf.

A Serbian-born artistic soul, Dragana Popova worked at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade before settling in Copenhagen. With a background in digital marketing and content production, she’s now focused on her own creative projects, driven by a love for good vibes and democracy.

Elena Kornilova is a journalist, YouTube editor, and producer living in Paris. She enjoys running and independent travel. She has visited 45 countries.

Elizaveta Pugacheva is a contemporary artist whose work combines figurative and abstract art in harmony. Using various techniques and media, including painting, graphics, and textile panels, she creates multi-layered pieces that delve into profound aspects of the human experience. In 2023, she relocated from St. Petersburg to Dubai.

Ellie Rudy is a journalist, actor, and podcaster based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work has been featured in publications like BuzzFeed, NBC News, The Sun, and MSN. Whether she’s writing about LGBTQ+ issues, curating shopping guides, or exploring grassroots movements, Ellie brings a sharp, engaging voice to every story. In her free time, she performs stand-up and improv, dismantles the patriarchy, and hangs out with her chiweenie, Molly. Follow her on Instagram @sweatygirl_3000.

Erin Lohrenz is a health, fitness, and wellness writer, as well as a certified personal trainer and RRCA running coach. With a Master’s in Nutrition, an MBA, and years of hands-on coaching experience, Erin brings both expertise and passion to every article. She contributes to LocalsInsider.com, where she shares insights on training, nutrition, and active living — inspired by her own journey as a marathon runner and lifelong athlete.

Gabriel Douek is a travel expert who has visited 100+ countries, flown nearly 100 airlines, and explored all 50 U.S. states. With over 25 million points redeemed across Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Wells Fargo, he specializes in turning everyday spending into extraordinary travel experiences. Gabriel offers concierge-style services via vantagepointtravel.com, from crafting personalized credit card strategies to booking trips, monitoring perks, and building custom itineraries.

Gilbert Larose, a native of Martinique, is a self-taught historian and founder of La Savane des Esclaves, an open-air museum that brings 400 years of the island’s history to life. His work, including the comic book Ti Gilbé, aims to make Martinique’s heritage accessible and engaging for all generations.

Gosha Slugin is a journalist and editor who has worked for the international magazine Time Out and as a PR specialist at the British Higher School of Art and Design. He now lives with his family in Alanya, Turkey, where he organizes movie nights and runs a blog about the vibrant local life.

Hannah Forrest is a travel and marketing writer with over 11 years of experience crafting contentfor brands like Best Western and Apartments.com. She’s also a published author and a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Harrison Pierce is a digital nomad and writer originally from Wilmington, North Carolina. Over the past four years, he has built a career blending travel, credit cards, and points and miles expertise, with features published in leading outlets including Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, USA Today Blueprint, Forbes Advisor, Thrillist, and more.

Helene Eriksen is a creative soul from Denmark with a passion for traveling and discovering the world. Her adventures have taken her to destinations like Tanzania, New Zealand, Nicaragua, and Vietnam, to name just a few. Helene loves expressing her creativity through knitting and baking, finding joy in crafting and creating. She once lived and worked in Greenland but prefers warmer climates, where her curiosity and love for new cultures continue to inspire her journeys.

Irina Klimenko is a tour guide and relocation consultant in Montenegro. Having lived here for seven years, she loves the country and shares her favourite places and life hacks with her followers and our readers.

Berlin-based lifestyle influencer who shares her love for travel, unique style, and the art of enjoying life’s beautiful moments. From hidden gems to curated aesthetics, @its.zina is all about finding magic in the everyday.

Jennifer Weinberg is a Miami-based writer whose passion for the craft is ignited by her love for reading, writing, travel and photography. Her own travel blog Camp Jen has a fantastic community where readers access a ton of information on recipes, creative activities to do at home, travel advice, and more. Additionally, Weinberg and her business partner Mayela Lanza wanted to bring awareness regarding food waste and sustainability to a Florida audience in a way that wouldn’t be overwhelming but would instead inspire people to make a few easy changes that make a big difference to the earth. Together they launched with Aaron Karger Sustainable Supperclub, which has an empowering mission in identifying and working with Miami-based organizations who assist those in need by accepting reallocation of food that would otherwise be discarded.

Jimmy Schatz is a New York-based comedian, actor, and talk show host known for his stand-up performances at NYC venues like the New York Comedy Club and Grisly Pear. He hosts the podcast “Talkin’ Sh*t with Jimmy Schatz” and has acting credits including a role in Orange Is the New Black. Jimmy also produces live shows, such as “Jimmy and his Box of Crayons” at The Stonewall Inn.

Julia Hammond is a freelance travel writer from the United Kingdom whose work has been featured in BBC Travel, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, The Telegraph, The Independent, NZ Herald, Which?, Fodors, and Bradt guides (Bus Pass Britain Rides Again & To Oldly Go). Online, she’s written for The Discoverer, Trip Trivia, Daily Passport, Hotels.com, Culture Trip, and more. Julia also creates bespoke travel itineraries and web content for commercial clients. With a joint honours degree in Geography and History — and travels to 126 countries — she brings a wealth of experience and curiosity to every project.

Jéssica Cruz is an award-winning journalist, fixer, and producer based in São Paulo, Brazil. Currently BBC News’ South America producer, she’s worked with outlets like Channel News Asia, Nine News Australia, and NOS. Fluent in English and Portuguese, Jéssica has earned international awards for documentaries on Amazon mining and corruption, bringing sharp insight and on-the-ground expertise to every story.

Kaelyn Buzzo is a Florida-based health, food, and fitness writer, as well as a certified personal trainer (ISSA). With a background in English (Creative Writing) and Nutrition, she blends her expertise in wellness with a talent for storytelling. Passionate about inspiring others to live well, Kaelyn brings a creative, adaptable approach to every piece she writes for LocalsInsider.com and other media.

Karen “K.C.” Dermody is a travel writer from Seattle with hundreds of articles published in major outlets like Yahoo Travel, Travelocity, and Trips to Discover. She creates tour itineraries for leading tour companies, cruise lines, and private clients, and writes compelling copy for real estate professionals and vacation rental owners. With a background in healthcare marketing and a passion for wellness, K.C. also contributes to LocalsInsider.com, sharing expert insights on destinations, culture, and travel trends.

Kate Bohush is a professional fitness specialist with over 12 years of experience as a trainer, functional coach, and stretching expert. Holding a Master’s degree in Sport, she combines proven training methods with practical nutrition advice to help people reach their health and fitness goals. When she’s not coaching clients, Kate writes about wellness, travel, and fitness trends — and contributes regularly to LocalsInsider.com, sharing insights to inspire healthier, more balanced lifestyles.

Katie Hollamby is a freelance writer from England with years of experience in travel, hospitality, and lifestyle. She has lived and worked across the Middle East and Asia, bringing cultural insight to her work. Her clients include Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and World Bride Magazine.

Liam Gilliver is an award-winning, NCTJ-trained journalist specialising in travel and the environment. He has written for some of the UK’s biggest newspapers, including the Mirror, Daily Star, the Independent, and the I.

Liza Birger is a journalist, literary critic, and curator of “Poltory Komnaty,” the only Russian-language bookstore in Istanbul. Since moving to Istanbul in 2010, she has contributed to travel guides, authored numerous articles, led countless tours, and uncovered many hidden facets of the city.

Lucy Grin is a radio host known for her work on the Silver Rain radio station. She has created popular shows like “Nothing to Lose” and “Around the World in 80 Days”. Lucy is famous for her directness, unique style, and adventurous spirit, often traveling and broadcasting remotely.

Maria Lopez is a journalist based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With a background spanning radio, print, social media, and production, she works independently to bring stories from concept to publication. She loves traveling and exploring new places.

Maria Pushkarskaia graduated from MGIMO University’s journalism department and has been living in Berlin for several years, working in marketing and communications. She loves to travel — she started with trips around Europe, and now she is discovering new countries on other continents and sharing her itineraries.

A lifestyle expert in Dubai. She knows where to go for an atmospheric dinner, which exhibitions are worth visiting, and how to live beautifully without losing meaning. Her recommendations are a trusted guide to Dubai for those who appreciate taste, aesthetics, and inspiring places.

Martin Danemaq, editor at Localsinsider.com, was born in Thy, Northern Jutland, Denmark, and has traveled widely, now residing in Malta. With a background in pharmacy, he combines his scientific mindset with an interest in history, social sciences, and authentic local experiences.

Max Avdeev is a documentary and conflict photographer known for his immersive, on-the-ground storytelling from some of the world’s most challenging environments. His work focuses on real life in extreme conditions, from war zones to closed communities, capturing honest, human moments without staging or sensationalism. Originally trained in economics, he now contributes to international publications and long-form visual projects, with a growing presence in contemporary photography and art.

Michael Glovaski is the visionary founder of GloVerse, a Miami-based agency that specializes in brand development, advertising, PR, and creative content creation. With years of experience and a proven track record, Michael has helped businesses craft compelling narratives and build impactful campaigns that resonate globally.

Mónica Vargas is a Lima-based freelance journalist and former Reuters correspondent. She covers Latin American culture, travel, and current affairs, bringing a sharp.

Writing about travel, fashion, and creative industries. Contributor to ASW and Matador Network, and ghostwriter for top travel influencers. Studied fashion and media at the University of the Arts London, with a background in e-commerce content management. Passionate about travel, music, and technology, bringing a unique, creative voice shaped by monthly travels and diverse writing projects.

Nikita Matveev is a Russian born, Hong Kong based mixologist, bar manager, consultant and co-founder of bar ware brand. Over the past 10 years, he was working in a wide variety of food and beverage concepts in Russia, Macau and Hong Kong.Nikita began his mixology journey at the age of 16 when he started as a waiter in a local restaurant in his home country of Russia. Upon receiving his degree in Customs Law, he pursued a career in hospitality instead, joining Soho Lounge, where he learned of the industry and brushed up knowledge on creating cocktails with innovative flavor combination.After one year of into the drinks business, he competes the Diageo World Class Russia Cocktail Championship and ranked in TOP 10. In June 2017, he returned to the competition as a finalist and the winner of “Bartender-Bar-Chef” nomination in food pairing.After moving to Macau at the invitation of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Nikita Matveev became Mandarin Oriental Macau’s first resident mixologist and marking Vida Rica’s transformation to a new speakeasy format. Later this year Nikita took part in a various of bartender’s competitions, including Diageo World Class Hong Kong & Macau 2018, where he was recognized as first runner up of the year. During this time Nikita was named the best bartender in Macau 2018 according to Bar Awards.After moving to Hong Kong in 2018 and starting to work with the Shangri-La Hotel group in Kerry Hotel as a head bartender, and later being a part of pre-opening team of Soho House Hong Kong, he went to Sweden to represent Hong Kong at the Herno Gin Cocktail World Final, where he took second place.Nikita is widely known to have reinvented the traditional cocktail bar to suit the tastes and senses of the 21st century. Sense of detail, playful presentation and outstanding service are the nature of Nikita’s own way of bartending.Today Nikita is in charge of the operations at The Old Man Bar.

Nikolay Masterov is an interviewer, producer, and entertainment enthusiast now based in Sin City after years in China. He explores Vegas nightlife, shares its stories, and tries to keep his plants alive in the challenging desert climate—a fitting metaphor for his unpredictable, exciting life.

Olga Khuskivadze is an artist who has lived with a Georgian family in Georgia for six years. She is a mother of three bilingual children and a blogger. She often travels around the country with her family, sharing beautiful locations and useful places on her blog.

Olga Modjaro is a travel blogger who writes in both Russian and English. She has adored Italy all her life and dreamed of moving there. But one day everything changed… For the past four years, she and her family have been living in France, in Burgundy — right in the heart of the famous town of Chablis. She is a photographer and has been running successful blogs for over ten years, has visited more than 35 countries, and has written three travel guides. Olga is a hedonist. She knows a lot about cheese, attends wine auctions, and loves both France and Italy. She is also passionate about beautiful and unique hotels. “Every hotel has a story, and I strive to tell it — that’s my principle!” she says.

Olga Vial is a photographer based in Bangkok. She came to the profession intentionally, leaving behind a long career in intellectual property, and has since been exploring light, atmosphere, and the subtle expressiveness of the moment. Her work blends portraiture, fashion, and urban storytelling.

Paolo De Andreis is an Italian journalist, editor, and author based in Viterbo with over three decades of experience writing about culture, technology, and travel. A former founder of Italy’s first daily online news site, Punto Informatico, Paolo has contributed to leading publishers such as Repubblica, Italia Oggi, and Olive Oil Times. He brings a deep love of language, storytelling, and fine wine to his work. When he’s not writing, you might find him playing national-level chess or exploring linguistic trends across cultures.

Phil Drinkwater is a coach and speaker specialising in ADHD and performance. Drawing on lived experience and work with professionals and organisations, he helps people understand how to design systems that align with neurodivergent thinking — building confidence, focus, and sustainable wellbeing.

Rebecca Puttock is a luxury travel expert with 13+ years in bespoke travel for HNWI and adventure seekers, CEO of a travel concierge service, and a content writer with a global network for exclusive, tailor-made experiences.

Renee Miozza Wagner is the CEO of The MAG Agency, where she helps brands shine and reach their full potential with creative strategies that actually work. She’s also the publisher of The MAG Lifestyle, a luxury magazine and TV network that celebrates inspiring stories and beautiful places. Renee’s all about connecting people, sharing big ideas, and making an impact in the world of media and marketing.

Ryan Clancy is a Miami-based freelance writer and former mechanical engineer. He covers engineering, technology, SaaS, finance, and construction for leading publications and companies worldwide.

Sophie Campbell is a traveler and writer from the UK, with 10 years of exploring Europe, Australasia, and the Americas under her belt. Armed with a BA in English and Education, she’s written for travel blogs, charity magazines, and runs a popular Instagram about dog-friendly travel and Substack.

Teddy Dondanville is a rock climbing guide and freelance writer originally from California, now based in Albany, NY. He works as an Assistant Rock Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. A returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Peru, Theodore combines his passions for the outdoors, writing, and the Spanish language in both guiding and storytelling.

Vladimir Khorev is a Taipei-based professional tango dancer, author for LocalsInsider.com and urban photographer captivated by light, colors, and geometry in everyday life. With over 2,800 followers on Instagram, he invites others to join him in exploring his visual storytelling.

Vyacheslav Gnedchik is a soloist with the Hungarian National Ballet in Budapest. Born in Minsk, he trained at the renowned Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and previously held the position of principal dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre. Known for his leading roles in “The Nutcracker,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Sleeping Beauty,” Gnedchik has toured extensively across Europe, Asia, and the US. Since 2023, he has been captivating audiences as a principal dancer with the Hungarian State Opera.

Chief Financial Officer at a Chinese photovoltaic company (solar panel manufacturing). He grew up in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, spent several years in Shanghai, and has been living in Paris for the past two years, working at the company’s Paris office.

Yakov Lysenko is a professional wine journalist based in Paris who loves photography and travel.