The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Julia Stella realized the extent of Japanese hospitality following an unexpected encounter with a stranger. After departing from a train, and carrying heavy luggage on a flight of stairs, she felt the weight she was carrying disappear. To her surprise, a man had taken her suitcase. Shock transformed into gratitude — the man who appeared to be stealing her luggage was actually carrying the suitcase for her. Moments like this weave into the vibrant tapestry of Julia’s life as a luxury travel blogger.
Collaborations with the likes of Four Seasons, One&Only Royal Mirage, and Mandarin Oriental, prove that Julia Stella has already left an indelible mark on the luxury travel industry. However, there’s a carefully planned career path behind her exponential success as an influential luxury travel blogger. Her brand is built on a level of authenticity that is rarely found on Instagram — she shares both positive and negative aspects of her travels with her followers. Beau Monde Traveler looks behind the lens to find out where Julia visits for cultural experiences, culinary delights, romantic weekends away, and more.
It all started with photos of the gates of Kyoto. Julia Stella began posting selfies, pictures of nature, and videos online, while she was traveling with her husband, who first suggested that she should consider becoming a luxury travel blogger. At the end of 2019, she left her job as a wedding planner because the pandemic decreased the amount of available work. This inspired a detour in her career path. After investing in Instagram advertising, she saw her 12,000 followers in 2020 grow to the 70k (and counting) strong following she has today on @iamjuliastella. She attributes her ability to transition seamlessly into travel blogging, to her experience with photography and the network of hotel contacts she developed working as a wedding planner.
Japan is Julia’s favorite country to visit because her close friend lives there. She found Tokyo to be a safe city that would not be intimidating for people who are introverted or traveling alone. She shares that it’s great to know the locals, the food is “like art” with a highly creative cuisine, and the leisure activities, such as museum visits and shopping are incredible. Japan and Seoul, South Korea have amazing shops that focus on the quality and style of clothing, produced with great materials. Her most treasured purchase from Japan is a mohair coat, the color of a matcha latte – a drink she recommends trying while visiting the country.
This jet-setter’s top travel destinations include France, Tuscany, and Australia. She spent time in Paris, enjoying the French way of life, delicious food, and world-renowned galleries. The Côte d’Azur is charming with its quaint towns and sea views, while she highlights Provence for its scenic landscapes and brilliant cuisine. Julia recommends Tuscany for its cultural experiences, museums, famous food, striking architecture, beautiful countryside, and impressive hotels. In Australia, she celebrated a memorable New Year’s Eve in Syndey, with a view of the Opera House. She connected with the friendly locals and enjoyed spending time in the country’s natural surroundings, spotting wild animals. However, she found the food to be disappointing and expensive, with limited options.
Julia values the comfort offered at a luxury hotel – she appreciates it when the hotel breakfast can be flexible with food options. As a luxury travel blogger, she seeks out hotels that have great locations with accessible transportation. Hotels should have a well-designed pool and a large spa area, with exceptional service. She remembers the One&Only Royal Mirage Resort in Dubai for its beautiful interiors and stunning pools. The Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel in Côte d’Azur, has an astounding private pool and flexible service. The Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi “allows you to feel like a royal” – expect a soothing atmosphere at the spa, phenomenal dining, and great transportation links to the city.
As a discerning epicurean, Julia enjoyed dining at the Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi in Abu Dhabi. She “wanted to try everything on the menu” and was impressed by the stunning staff uniforms, artistic dishes, and excellent service. La Dame de Pic, located in Megève, France, is highly recommended for its delicious meals and serene Alpine views. The Avlu Restaurant in Istanbul provides exciting Turkish fusion food in a comfortable, romantic setting.
Trips with her husband have enabled Julia to notice where couples are treated to the finer things in life. This purveyor of luxury travel would visit Venice for a romantic weekend away. She explains that couples can book a private gondola to explore the canals of the city, which would create the perfect setting for a proposal. Switzerland also presents year-round opportunities for couples looking to stay in breathtaking spa hotels with stunning lake views.
After spending time traveling around Europe, Julia has an insider’s knowledge of the best countries that display the beauty of the natural world. Julia became familiar with the exceptional nature, culture, and food on offer at the Italian island of Sicily. She admits that the entire country of Switzerland is amazing for nature lovers visiting at any time of the year. The winter months are ideal for skiing, while the summer months provide the perfect climate for hiking and exploration.
A globetrotter at heart, Julia reels off a list of countries on her bucket list: Morocco, Costa Rica, Brazil, and South Africa. The main reason for choosing these destinations is to immerse herself in the vast natural landscapes of these countries. She is drawn to Morocco to view its intricate architecture and meet the fascinating people who live there.
Julia Stella’s life as a luxury travel blogger is glamorous, opulent, and intriguing to her large following, however, behind the beautiful images is a person who wants to seek out the best experiences for others. Her career is not slowing down any time soon, because she has plans to expand her online shop, www.atravelgirl.com, with new photographs and digital products. She also wishes to collaborate with more under-the-radar boutique hotels. Her parting advice for those planning a luxury holiday is to prioritize what you want to experience on your trip. Prepare to immerse yourself in the local culture by eating the food and talking to people who live in the area. Learn about the place you are going to visit. In her words, “a luxury travel experience is about feeling special.”
