How did your passion for travel get started?

Since I was a little girl, my family and I traveled to some amazing places like Spain, Greece or Egypt. My family is very open-minded and loves traveling so it has always been in my blood.

How many days/weeks are you traveling in any given year? What are the types of places you like to visit?

It really depends, sometimes I am gone for two whole months and sometimes I stay home for a few weeks. I would say I take about 12 trips every year but some of these are longer than others. I like to visit Nordic countries like Norway, Iceland or the Faroe Islands but I also really enjoy tropical places like Hawaii or the Philippines.

You grew up in the heart of the Italian Alps. What makes this area such a great travel destination? What should people do when they visit?

The best part of the Dolomites is that they are very easily accessible and the distances are very short. In only 4-5 days you can see most of the area, at least the “famous” areas you see when you are scrolling through a travel feed. People should visit this area because there is nothing quite like it!

You got your first camera at the age of 14 and later enrolled in art school in Val Gardena. How did your time there help you hone your photography skills?

Being so close to these magical and breathtaking mountains has helped me to shape a very close relationship to nature and the outdoors. The Dolomites have been my first subject to photograph and this is a dream many outdoor photographers can only dream of when they are starting out. I often went to shoot after or even before school, on the weekends and I even skipped some days at school to meet up with local photographers who were visiting the area 😉

In addition to travel and photography, you’re also passionate about the environment and climate change. When did this passion start? What are some things people can do to help reduce their carbon footprint?

I think this started even before my love for photography, or maybe it developed hand in hand. It is always hard to say where the beginning of it was but I just got very interested in the environment and the natural beauty of this world. The best thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is to cut out meat, especially red meat of your diet. I have been a vegetarian for over 5 years now and it has been one of the best decisions for my health and well being.

What do you want audiences to gain and learn from your work?

I want to inspire people but the most important thing is that I want people to develop a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty and our planet. Simple things like not littering and respecting nature, if everyone would do their part then we would not be talking about the ongoing pollution in this world.

What are the top three destinations you’ve visited?

New Zealand, South Africa, and the Faroe Islands.

Give us your ‘Top 5’ list for one of your top 3 destinations. Like a mini-guide or a to-do list of sorts. It can be anything from your favorite hotel, the best place to have lunch, the best sightseeing, etc.

I traveled around New Zealand for about 7 months after graduating from high school. I loved the Mueller Hut hike, Milford Sound and Cape Reinga in the very north of New Zealand. My all-time favorite place to grab a coffee, work and eat lunch is Yonder in Queenstown.

How many countries have you visited so far?

Good question, I actually never counted. It is not really a number that interests me because, for me, it is more important to think about how many amazing experiences I had than the numbers of places I visited.

What are your top 3 favorite cuisines?

Pizza, Sushi and probably a good old smoothie bowl!

What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What dish do you recommend there?

I would say Yonder in Queenstown, New Zealand. The blueberry pancakes are like nothing you ever tasted before!

What is your favorite travel movie?

This is an easy one, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” not really a travel movie but it has inspired me to travel to Iceland and pick up a camera.

What is your favorite international airport?

Probably Oslo or Munich!

Which city had the friendliest people?

Christchurch, New Zealand!

Who is your favorite travel companion?

My boyfriend 😉

What is the best way to kill time while traveling?

Podcasts!

What is the most exotic place your career has taken you?

Namibia!

What is your best bit of travel advice for someone who wants to, or is about to, embark on a life of travel?

Just go! Honestly, we always overthink too much about all the things that could go wrong but never think about all the amazing experiences that come from it. I know this because I have been the same, now I am always on the move. I love exploring new places, seeing new faces and taste new food!

What are 4 things you could never travel without?

My camera, my yellow jacket, my laptop, and my hard drives

What is your ultimate dream destination?

Probably Hawaii!

What is your favorite travel quote?

I don’t think I have one!

Where are you headed next?

I am going to road trip on the West Coast in the USA. Something I have been wanting to do for ages!

Bio

Giulia Woergartner is a travel and commercial photographer, based in northern Italy. Growing up in the heart of the Italian Alps, Giulia was surrounded by beauty, which helped shape her love for natural beauty and photography. Because of this, the Dolomites were the earliest subjects of her pictures, an opportunity many photographers can only dream of.

With her yellow jacket and a camera in her hand, she is always chasing the adventure and exploring beautiful corners of this world. Giulia is also very passionate about the environment, the protection and conservation of our planet.

Follow Giulia’s travels on her website, Instagram, and YouTube channel!