Virginia Maxwell Ubud Region, East Bali Although based in Australia, Virginia spends at least half of her year updating Lonely Planet destination coverage across the globe. The Mediterranean is her major area of interest — she has covered Spain, Italy, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia for Lonely Planet — but she also covers Bali, Finland, Armenia, the Netherlands, the USA and Australia.
Mark Johanson Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Mark grew up in Virginia and has called five different countries home over the past decade while circling the globe reporting for British newspapers (The Guardian), American magazines (Men's Journal) and global media outlets (CNN, BBC). When not on the road, you'll find him gazing at the Andes from his current home in Santiago, Chile. Sofia Levin East Nusa Tenggara Traveller and food journalist Sofia believes that eating in a country other than one's own is the best way to understand a culture.
It's why she feels so lucky to call Melbourne home, where the city's diversity allows her to eat all over the world without catching a flight. With Insta-famous poodle, @lifeofjinkee, on her lap, she writes for newspapers and travel magazines, acts as Lonely Planet's Melbourne local and co-authors international. MaSovaida Morgan Bali MaSovaida is a travel journalist who's been to more than 55 countries across all continents.
She contributes to Lonely Planet guidebooks on destinations throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Previously, she worked in-house at Lonely Planet's Nashville office, and as an editor for newspapers and NGOs in New York, Israel and the UK. She studied publishing and digital media at University of the Arts London. Ryan Ver Berkmoes Bali, Nusa Tenggara Ryan has written more than 110 guidebooks for Lonely Planet.
He grew up in Santa Cruz, CA, but now calls New York City home. He has travelled the world and has covered everything from wars to bars — much preferring the latter. His byline has appeared in scores of publications and he's talked travel on radio and TV.