Authors
Sharon Kurtz is a travel writer from Austin, Texas, who loves sharing the world’s beauty through stories. She thrives on exploring local cultures, tasting regional cuisines, and uncovering hidden gems that make each destination unique. From bustling cities to off-the-beaten-path escapes, Sharon captures not just sights but the people, flavors, and traditions that define a place. Follow her adventures on Instagram: @Shar_Kurtz.
Tamara MC, Ph.D., is the 2025 Lowell Thomas Bronze Award winner for Travel Journalist of the Year, with 90+ publication credits, including The New York Times, BBC Wildlife, and Newsweek. Her work explores the intersection of culture, identity, and place—examining how communities tell their stories through folklore, food, and the spaces they create. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and is a Middle East scholar, with residencies at Bread Loaf, Sewanee, and Ragdale. She has a deep love of fuchsia and can always be spotted wearing the color somewhere on her person.
Writing is Jill's "second act." She spent 25 years in the United States Air Force and has lived in four countries outside the United States, which have fueled her love of travel and exploration of different cultures. She began writing news stories and personal essays for the Walt Disney Company's former parenting website, Babble, after retiring from the military. She transitioned to travel writing after realizing how much joy she found in journaling about a weekend trip. Jill writes about all types of travel but loves covering stories that encourage families to experience and explore together. Her writing has appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, Southern Living, Fodor's Travel, Business Insider, and many other publications.
Caroline Eubanks is a writer and author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States (2018), winner of a Lowell Thomas award, and A Boozy History of Atlanta: People, Places & Drinks that Made a City (2025). She’s also a contributor to several guidebooks for Lonely Planet and DK Eyewitness, and her work has appeared in National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, and the Chicago Tribune.
Barbara Noe Kennedy is a freelance journalist and former Senior Editor at National Geographic Travel Publishing. She specializes in stories at the crossroads of travel, history, culture, and social justice. Her work has appeared in National Geographic Travel, BBC Travel, Fodor’s, London Telegraph, Lonely Planet, AAA, and others. Learn more at barbaranoekennedy.com.
May Sanvictores is a furmom to her senior Chihuahua and a passionate DIY traveler, currently on a mission to visit 50 countries. She enjoys slow, flexible travel that lets her fully experience each destination at her own pace. With nearly a decade of experience, May is the founder of Masanvi Virtual Assistance Services & Consultancy. She has partnered with over 15 clients, offering support in website management, online course development, content creation, video editing, team leadership, and executive assistance. Her background in project management and team training makes her a reliable go-to for entrepreneurs and coaches looking to delegate with ease. Outside of work, you’ll find May pampering her pup, mapping out her next trip, or watching Japanese animation. She’s also a dedicated advocate for stray animals and believes in building both a life and a business rooted in purpose and intention.
Nicholas Kontis was born on Santorini Island in Greece and raised in America's cultural capital, San Francisco. After a 13-month whirlwind around-the-world adventure, Nicholas returned to San Francisco and started the first travel agency in the United States specializing in discount around-the-world airfares. He is an award-winning travel writer, journalist, and USA Today photojournalist who has traveled to over 100 countries and is the author of the experiential travel book Going Local Experiences and Encounters on the Road.
Sonja Stark of PilotGirl Productions is an award-winning director, editor, and aerial videographer. She has shot video productions in over 80 countries for broadcast television series and documentaries. She is a certified New York State WBE and carries a FAA Part 107 UAS license and PADI open water SCUBA certification.
Julie Diebolt Price is a seasoned photographer, author, and travel writer with over 35 years of experience. Her diverse career spans travel, documentary, corporate, stock, and event photography. See more of Julie's work at www.PhotoTravelWrite.com.
Freelance writer. Road tripper. Travel diva. Dog rescuer. Writes for food or kibbles and bits. Based out of Pittsburgh, PA, via Juneau, AK, Vanessa has been a freelance writer for more than 25 years. An avid traveler, she always bring home amazing memories, intriguing stories...and often more dogs. www.VanessaOrrInk.com
Teh Chin Liang is a long-time travel journal contributor to Dave’s Travel Corner and Global Travel Insider and a Senior Writer for GoNomad. Having traveled to more than 30 countries and counting, he especially enjoys venturing off the beaten path and experiencing unique local customs and cultures. He mostly travels solo and loves to capture what he sees on the road through words and photographs. Becoming a travel writer has made him more sensitive to each place he visits and encourages him to live more fully in the present.
Bruce Northam is a veteran and prize-winning travel writer and five-time author. Here are his recent features. His talk, Directions to Your Destination, reveals a new way of evaluating tourism. Bruce is the author of THE DIRECTIONS TO HAPPINESS: A 135-Country Quest for Life Lessons as well as a renowned Lower East Side NYC walking tour guide. Bruce’s show, American Detour, bares a travel writer’s journey to 150 countries.
