Travel Explorers
Meet our team of travel explorers and writers responsible for inspiration, practical travel guides, stunning images, and doorways to new life-altering experiences.
Anders Pihl
Travel Writer & Photographer
Anders Pihl is a freelance journalist from Sweden with 20 years of experience of writing for leading publications in Sweden and Scandinavia. His premier subject is travel, with articles from almost 100 countries. He also writes about food, art, music, nature, environmental issues and lifestyle, especially in combination with travel stories.
Anders has published two guide books about Andalucia and Helsinki. He also works with photography, almost always contributing his own pictures to travel articles. Furthermore, he has conducted many in-depth interviews with successful Scandinavian business profiles, such as Petter Stordalen, Anders Wall and Jens Spendrup. In his spare time, Anders publishes fiction in different contexts, like short stories and dramatic plays.
He made a documentary movie “The Guardian of Star Wars Village” together with filmmaker Per Wickander, which premiered at Gothenburgs International Film Festival.
BERENISSE FERNANDEZ RIVERA
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does Deep Travel mean to you?
It’s more than travelling to take photos, cross a place off the list, and rush to the
next destination.
It is to live experiences, to know and be enveloped by the culture of the place,
it is to become a local citizen but at the same time be impressed and admire each
place with the eyes of a tourist.
What do you like to write about?
I love to convey my experiences and what I learned and share all information that can
guide whoever reads it on their next adventure. What to do, where to have the best
view, a nice coffee, or an inspiring museum.
What are your favourite places to visit?
My most difficult question because I always highlight the best of each place (which
makes me always want to return) but if I must make a top 3 it would be: my city
Cusco, London, and the south of France. And any city in Peru, and yes, I added an
extra place because it is worth it.
Carla Hyenne
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does Deep Travel mean to you?
Deep travel is about discovering and understanding the world in a way that goes beyond passport stamps and a photo on your phone. It means being humble, approaching every experience with an open mind and curiosity, and never being disappointed.
What is your favourite thing to do when travelling?
Walking is the best way to feel the heartbeat of a place, and experience what “everyday life” looks like. I love paying attention to random details: cobblestones, doorbells, old inscriptions on building facades, street names, stickers on lamp posts, metro stations, and more. Specialty coffee, bookshops and natural swimming spots are always on the top of my list.
What destinations made the most long-lasting impression on you?
are your top 3 places to visit?
Cities where I have lived and go back to visit – Brussels, Munich, Vienna, London, Brighton, Copenhagen. Each place knows a different version of me, and I’m always surprised by what I find when I go back. Both in how I have changed, and how the city has evolved.
Carolina Fabricius
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does Deep Travel mean to you?
For me, it means more than just a pin on a map. It means allowing oneself to be immersed, not only by going to a new place but getting to know the people, trying the food, experiencing the music, enjoying the nature, taking part in traditions and much, much more.
What aspects of travelling do you like to write about?
I like to combine the big impressions with the small details, which together form a total and unique experience. That means everything from a breathtaking view during a burning sunset, to a delicious pastry at a cute café.
What are your top 3 places to visit?
This is a difficult question, but the Alps and the areas around feel like a second home to me, so I will give my top 3 based on this: Monte Altissimo for a panoramic experience, Lago di Ledro for a lake experience and finally Salzburg for a city experience.
Claudia pino
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does Deep Travel mean to you?
It means going beyond the typical tourist experience and immersing yourself in the destination. I see it as a sort of commitment to explore and understand people, history, food and culture. So, beyond visiting new places, you grow while gaining a broader perspective too.
What style of travel writing defines you?
My goal is to capture the soul of a place through my interactions and observations while hoping to inspire through my own experiences . Occasionally, I delve into travel guides, offering practical tips and insights to help others on their adventures as well. My purpose is to convey the essence of what made me fall in love with an experience, a place or its culture.
What is a recent destination that really made a mark on you?
Indonesia. This has been my second trip to Asia, and I was mesmerised by the helpfulness and kindness of the locals. They are always willing to share a smile and if you ask, they don’t hesitate for a second to offer some cultural insights with genuine warmth. Riding a bike across endless rice fields is an experience unlike any other. Dining at local Warungs (small local shops and eateries) was a pleasant experience, and I was genuinely impressed by the attention and passion they put into their meals.
Daria Buson
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does Deep Travel mean to you?
It means walking through a new city and getting that tingly feeling of curiosity and excitement in my bones. Wandering the streets as if I’ve lived there my whole life, getting lost for real, taking the wrong or longer turn only to discover secrets nooks and crannies and breathtaking views, going out of my comfort zone and chatting away with locals and fellow travellers, briefly inhabiting that place as if it were my own.
What travel topics do you like to write about?
I love writing about food and drink. Whether street food or slow food, traditional or fusion, barrel-aged or freshly poured, food and drink are the engine of my travels. I don’t mind walking for hours to reach the bakeries, coffee shops and restaurants I saved on my maps to try their labour of passion and creativity first-hand. My main means of transportation (= my feet) will likely give away my other two favourite travel topics: sustainability and nature.
What cities have you lived in and what’s one thing you loved most about each?
I was born and raised in a little town at the feet of the Euganean Hills in northern Italy, a stone’s throw away from the historical and architectural beauty of Padua and Venice. In Sweden, where I’ve spent the past 7 years, I’ve lived in Uppsala, Lund and Malmö.
Enrico Belcore
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does Deep Travel mean to you?
Deep travelling is going beyond the destination. It’s the process of learning about other
cultures and connecting with people. It means taking an extra step and asking questions,
attempting to look at the world from another point of view.
What type of travel writing defines you?
My writings aim to inspire a more conscious way of travelling. I want to show how
sustainability and nature can be at the core of most destinations, and how slow travelling
often offers a richer and more transformative experience.
Recommendations for places to visit?
Anywhere that is off the beaten track! Even the most popular destinations have plenty of
less known areas that can make for amazing experiences. And perhaps pair the trip with a
specific activity. Whether it’s discovering the natural wines of Val de Loire, birdwatching in
southern New Zealand, or exploring the off-the-grid communities in central Portugal, the
possibilities are countless.
Hannah Pentin
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does deep travel mean to you?
It means recognising that I am a tourist, a visitor, everywhere I go. It means going deeper than the surface level of a place. Whether that’s simply buying local produce and products from small businesses, in markets, or participating in voluntary projects. As I speak conversational Spanish, I believe this will continue enhancing my travels to all regions where this is the main language.
What style of travel writing defines you?
I write with an authentic voice. I want to provide a true insight into every destination I visit – to help travellers plan their adventures, uncover hidden gems and focus on writing about a more responsible form of tourism.
A place recommendation that dazzled you?
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala – Hiking volcanos at sunrise, being amongst distinct Mayan communities, experiencing language diversity and the friendliest locals. It combines aspects of India with the yoga and spirituality in San Marcos, hints of Colombia with street food stalls and music everywhere you go, cuisine similarities with Mexico, and boat transport and other vibes from Bocas Del Toro in Panama. I also visited India this year and it’s a country abundant with diverse landscapes. Each region has its own rich and unique traditions, cuisines and festivals.
Maika Cotton
Travel Explorer & Writer
What is Deep Travel to you?
To me, deep travel is all about uncovering the roots, stories, and nuances that shape a destination. It’s learning the language (or at least giving it a shot), adopting local routines, and savouring everyday moments; whether that’s grabbing breakfast from a street vendor or making small talk at a neighbourhood market. With deep travel, you become a student of culture, and connection.
What interests define you as a traveller?
My love for languages, culture, and food pretty much sums me up. Food, in particular, is one of my favourite ways to explore—because, let’s be honest, no guidebook explains a place better than its dishes. I like to taste the essence of a destination (and maybe eat way too many local pastries in the process). I also enjoy diving into the cultural quirks and picking up bits of the local language—because even if I butcher it, people appreciate the effort.
What are your top 3 destinations and why?
Singapore – A cultural melting pot where the food scene is absolutely unbeatable. The energy here is contagious, especially around mealtime. Barcelona – Art, food, and people, it’s impossible not to be charmed.
Seoul – Tradition meets futuristic vibes. From ancient temples to street food wonders, Seoul is literally love at first sight.
Stavroula Soulopoulou
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does Deep Travel mean to you?
To me, deep travel is an extension of my way of being. It’s a slower journey, one
where I view the world not as a tourist or passerby, but as a part of it. It’s about
connecting with places and their people, not consuming them. It means discovering
hidden gems and illuminating the easily overlooked. It’s about being more vulnerable
while being a bit more adventurous and finding joy in the process.
What do you like to write about?
As Jane Austen wrote, “If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village,
she must seek them abroad”. While I may not be a “young lady”, I am genuinely
interested in the solo, female travel experience at any age. I thrive on the fusion of
diverse fields, relishing the opportunity to write about art and cultural heritage, nature,
community history, global and public health.
What is your top tip for deep travel in Greece?
Before embarking on your journey to Greece, immerse yourself in its history, poetry,
and literature. But once you arrive, let go of all expectations. The country’s rich past
is so enchanting that it’s easy to overlook the vibrancy of the present and the seamless
thread that connects them. Greece has an almost surreal quality that demands
flexibility, whether you seek it or not. It is an ideal destination for deep travel, making
it effortlessly natural to connect with the locals.
Valentina Pucciano
Travel Explorer & Writer
What does Deep Travel mean to you?
Travelling = passion. It’s that simple. Excitement and anticipation courses through my body when I wake up in a new country, sampling the cuisine, and getting to know the local culture. To travel deep means feeling the journey rather than ticking a box, and coming out of it a richer person.
What type of travel writing will you dazzle us with?
Travel guides and personal reflections, often with the solo female traveller’s perspective, that inspire others to embark on journeys that turn into adventures of a lifetime.
Recommendations for places to visit?
Are you on the hunt for a life-changing experience? Try Peru, my top destination so far. First class scenery, but I credit the people I met along the way, now my lifelong friends, for making it a singular trip for me.
Yali Kang
Travel Explorer & Writer
What is Deep Travel to you?
For me, deep travel means exploring with curiosity and taking the time to immerse myself in the local culture, language, cuisine, and environment—without judgement. Deep travel is also a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
What defines you as a traveller?
My love for culture, food, and an insatiable curiosity about the world made me a traveller. I enjoy experiencing and observing firsthand the real living conditions of people from different parts of the world. I have to admit—I’m a true foodie, and I’m always serious when it comes to talking about food.
What are your top reasons for why China is a fantastic destination to visit?
China’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and incredible cuisine are all compelling reasons to experience the country in person. Whether you’re interested in ancient Chinese culture or the authentic, everyday lives of modern people, numerous destinations invite deep and immersive travel. For food lovers, Chinese cuisine has an endless supply of choices. Each city presents its own unique style and culinary surprises.
Travelling to China has become much more convenient. China has reinstated the 144-hour transit visa policy, which applies to travellers from 54 countries.
ARe you our next travel writer?
Join the adventure!
We are always on the lookout for new explorers and travel writers. More details here.
