Introduce Yourself — December 2025

[fazzalari]

Good morning,

1. Name: Frank Fazzalari

2. Location: Welland, Ontario & Gilbert, Arizona

3. What led me to become a Local Guide: I travel a lot and want every dining experience to be memorable. Honest, detailed reviews actually help people — especially when you point out things most people overlook. If I can steer someone away from a tourist trap or toward a great local spot, that’s a huge win.

4. My favorite thing to explore: Anywhere with good food — I better not be leaving thinking I could’ve made it better. I love places with real local character or a view worth slowing down for… though it has to be pretty great because I like to stay on the move. I’m all about hidden corners of neighborhoods, markets, small piazzette in Italy, and most importantly, the spots where locals actually go.

5. Fun fact about me: I spend a good part of the year in Italy and I’m always chasing great meals without the tourist prices. I’m retired, I travel with my wife, and I definitely have well-tested opinions — especially about food. And yes, I write a lot of reviews… because I enjoy it.

Saluti

[IndianRavi]

Welcome to the connect family @luanabedin , thanks @AngieYC for sharing with us .

[Maximilianozalazar]

@luanabedin felicidades por esta mención

[AdamGT]

Hi and a big welcome to the Connect Community @luanabedin.

I see from the fun fact about you that you have been travelling through several countries for almost a year now and have travelled to some interesting places like the Prague Astronomical Clock, The Royal Castle in Warsaw and the Bridge of Peace in Old Tbilisi in Georgia. I’ve been to some of these same amazing places myself and reading your story brought back memories of my travels to these places. My tip: Don’t worry too much about the points. Just enjoy the journey, keep taking great photos and writing great reviews and before you know it, you will reach the top levels.

[efcxp]

Parabéns pelo Destaque aqui no Connect @luanabedin !

Quando viajo também gosto de conhecer lugares frequentados por locais. É uma outra forma de experienciar a viagem.

Gostei também de conhecer Itapema. Foi um bom passeio

[luanabedin]

That’s really nice, @AdamGT. I loved visiting all of those places, but Georgia was the country that truly stole our .

[AbdullahAM]

Congratulation Luana @luanabedin for featuring for month of December 2025; i am glad to see your favorites and details of you. Thank you for Introducing and sharing the post with us @AngieYC

[cuicani]

@luanabedin oi! Bem-vinda à nossa comunidade!

[SharmaK]

Hi @Sara28, @Bhebet_aquarius, @Faruk6506, @Mehdyriza, @Tripnyafi, @CarmeloSquillaci, @Hagai, @ariadna, @Doubledge, @pachadella, @wanape.enwa, @Ronnyber, @Fellner_Andreas, @Porla, @G-Whizz, @rohit1, @OzfromAus, @tienheothi, @krupalrajgor, @Tomas_z_Jicina, @King_Mt_resident, @laiba-22, @Farid_islam, @EmiliaG, @marketerhayat, @Tammydef, @camila.cbgb, @Yar35, @K4rrar, @ariarsalan, @Ahmed1983, @Iq.i, @casper7-21, @voyageur0131, @Lucasan, @Huanoi – welcome to Local Guides Connect!

Congratulations on your badge reward! Special shoutout to @wanape.enwa, @Ronnyber, @rohit1, @Tomas_z_Jicina, @Farid_islam, @ariarsalan, @Ahmed1983 for earning 3 badges: New Friend, Newly Popular, and New Writer!

Since January 2025, we’ve been celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Local Guides Program and the 20th anniversary of Google Maps. You’ve joined at a remarkable milestone—let’s celebrate together!

Here’s how you can get started:

• Introduce Yourself: Share your story! Check out Introduce Yourself — December 2025

• Attend Meetups: Connect with fellow Local Guides.

Support Sustainable Development Goals:

As a Local Guide, our contributions can help achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Here are simple ways to support sustainability on Maps as described by Googler TiffanyBnyc in her post 5 ways to support sustainability on Google Maps:

1. Update Recycling Attributes: Highlight businesses that recycle plastics, batteries, and electronics.

2. Add Sustainability Details to Reviews: Share eco-friendly practices of your favorite places.

3. Map Recycling Centers & Drop-Off Locations: Help your community easily find recycling points.

4. Create Dedicated Lists: Include EV charging stations, reusable packaging points, or recycling centers.

5. Share Photos of Green Options: Make sustainable choices visible for everyone in your community.

Learn more from her post here: 5 Ways to Support Sustainability on Google Maps

Question for you:

Have you ever used Google Maps to find eco-friendly places or recycling points in your city?

• Yes
• No

How do you personally support sustainability in your community? Share your experiences by creating a post and selecting tag sustainability!

Keep exploring, keep sharing, and keep guiding! Together, we can make Local Guides a force for a more sustainable and climate-friendly world.

[SharmaK]

Welcome Back & Congratulations!

Hello @Melissa2143, @Jorgeredmaster! A big shoutout to each of you for earning the ‘New Friend’ badge on Local Guides Connect!

Even if you’ve been part of Connect before, seeing you engage again—starting with your first like—is always a joy. Every small interaction helps make our community stronger!

Whether you’re returning after a break or exploring Connect more deeply now, we’re thrilled to have you back. Connect isn’t just a platform—it’s a community, and every interaction counts.

And there’s no better time to rejoin the celebration! 2025 marks 10 years of the Local Guides Program and 20 years of Google Maps—a perfect moment for renewed engagement!

By connecting and sharing responsibly, Local Guides help others make sustainable choices in their daily lives—aligning with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. As highlighted in Googler Julie_A’s post “Help others choose sustainability with Google Maps”, every contribution we make can inspire others to live and travel more sustainably, making each effort truly meaningful.

Ways to Keep the Momentum Going:
Introduce Yourself: Haven’t done it yet? Jump into the December 2025 ‘Introduce Yourself’ thread.
Attend Meetups: Discover or host virtual/in-person events to connect with fellow Local Guides.

Welcome back, and here’s to many more milestones! Let’s keep guiding, connecting, and promoting sustainability together!

[marketerhayat]

1. Name: Faisal Saleh Hayat

2. Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

3. What led me to become a Local Guide:

I enjoy sharing clear and helpful information about places so others can find what they need easily.

4. My favorite thing to explore:

Local cafés, fuel stations, service spots, and hidden gems where locals usually go.

Fun fact about me:

I run a digital marketing agency called Marketer Hayat where I help businesses strengthen their online presence, boost sales, and generate qualified leads. My work involves frequent travel, both domestically and internationally, giving me the chance to explore and review a wide variety of locations. I enjoy noticing small details that help others make informed decisions on Google Maps.

[ArdiOjegUlin]

helo nama saya Ardi

saya bekerja sebagai ojol di kota bandung

suka berkeliling menjelajahi resto resto di bandung ,sambil sekali ketempat tempat bagus di kota bandung sekitar nya

.

[Rohitkumar2794]

welcome to local guide connect congratulations to new journey

[RivaniRahmadani]

@luanabedin wellcome to local guides connect , Congratulations, your profile has been featured for the month of December. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rivani, a mother and a local guide with a passion for travelling.

[Bapt]

Nice to meet you in the world of local guides @luanabedin. Thanks for your introduction. You’re right, local spots are the best.

[Winnie_the_King]

Hi All,

I only learned about this website after reaching level 7, and today is my first time joining.

[mahatokoushik623]

Hey there @Winnie_the_King , welcome to our LG Connect family​:bouquet:

We’re really glad to have you here. This is a place where Local Guides from all around share their experiences, stories, and discoveries …. helping others explore the world through genuine insights.

As Local Guides, our small contributions .. reviews, photos, and answers — make a big difference on Google Maps. So, before you dive in, please take a moment to introduce yourself using this short format

1. Name:

2. Location:

3. What I love about being a Local Guide:

4. My favorite thing to explore:

5. Fun fact about me:

Pro tip: You can also read the Connect community guidelines to understand how the community works and how we keep it friendly and helpful for everyone.

[KashifMisidia]

Hello @Winnie_the_King and Welcome to Local Guides Connect.

I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — December 2025 to you , where you can meet local guides from around the world.

Moreover, Here you can follow the five prompts below and share your introduction In this thread including your photo (in landscape mode).

1.Name:

2.Location:

3.What I love about being a Local Guide:

4.My favorite thing to explore:

5.Fun Fact about me:

A landscape photo of you with a brief description.

I also wanted to recommend to you, check Read first! Connect community guidelines for more information on Connect redesign FAQ: Your questions answered!,
& You can also Visit Community guidelines page for in-depth resources on the Connect features.

and many more

[AutumnMeadows1]

Hello I’m Autumn.. a level 6 contributor from the famous ~ Wonder of the World ~ Niagara Falls Canada!

I love exploring all the nooks & crannies that Niagara Falls has to offer, including attractions, nature and because I’m a foodie… amazing places to eat. I also often comment on accessibility to various places.

Random encounters with animals just makes my day brighter and I’ve been accused of being a crazy plant lady ( they’re only slightly less needy than cats )

I often am often completely immersed in taking photos & videos of every little thing that captures my attention and then creating content for my Google Maps reviews and social media sites.

One of my favorite reviews is of the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls. It’s such a magical place to de-stress and escape our cold and snowy Canadian winters.

I enjoy learning about new cultures and their the stories of far flung places

Its nice to meet people who come to visit Niagara Falls. Maybe one day some of us vmcan meet up in person in my area!

[Living_Life]

My name is Pam Jones, and I’m a Level 8 reviewer who fell in love with sharing honest feedback about the businesses I visit and the meals I enjoy. What started as a marketing professional casually reviewing places soon turned into a passion for helping others discover authentic, local experiences that truly reflect a community. I rely heavily on reviews myself, have a knack for spotting fake ones, and now genuinely enjoy documenting my visits so I can remember favorite spots and plan future trips.

I’m especially drawn to local restaurants, historical sites, and caves—interests that surprised me later in life as history became more intriguing and meaningful. Outside of exploring, my husband and I spend a lot of time traveling to see our growing crew of nearly 18 grandchildren, and we still make room for our own little getaway adventures to find the next fun experience together.