Joanna Kalafatis

Joanna Kalafatis is a Greek-American travel writer, blogger, and journalist who divides her time between Los Angeles and Athens, Greece. On her travel blog, LosetheMap.com, she shares insights and photography from her journeys to more than fifty countries. Her approach emphasizes spontaneous discovery over rigid itineraries, with a strong focus on responsible and ethical tourism. This includes promoting local voices and ensuring that tourist revenue directly benefits the communities visited. She aims to move beyond superficial travel, seeking to uncover the rich stories, histories, and cultural nuances inherent in each destination. Kalafatis's written work has appeared in various publications, including Time Out New York, Matador Network, Business Insider, and Tasting Table. She also authored "Moon Best of Greece" for Moon Travel Guides, a project that allowed her to showcase her homeland's diverse landscapes and cultures from a deeply local perspective. As an accomplished photographer, she has published two photography books, and her interests extend beyond travel narratives to explore sociopolitical issues. Her approach consistently emphasizes deep cultural engagement and fostering authentic experiences within the broader travel writing landscape.