The Land Next Door

Gianluca Pardelli has a covetous resume of travel experiences – at only thirty years old, he’s traveled to over seventy countries on four continents. Travel has extended beyond a lifestyle; it’s become his livelihood. At one point, the Livorno-born Italian was spending up to eight months a year on the road. Today, it’s “only” three.

Gianluca is one of a handful in the world to have visited North Korea – an experience he’ll be talking about during the Berlin Travel Festival in March. He’s explored the hidden corners of Russia so intensively that he started his own tour company, Soviet Tours. With six languages and studies as a photographer under his belt, it’s no wonder that he’s a sought-after translator, speaker, author, and consultant. His accolades go on to include work as a photojournalist and author for publications including The Guardian, Russia Beyond the Headlines, Post Internazionale, DJ-Mag, Huck Magazine, Decoded Magazine, La Nazione, and Reise Know-How, just to name a few. Currently based in Berlin and Tbilisi, Gianluca shared some of his insights into lesser known regions of the East with us.

You specialize in the Soviet Union and, more recently, North Korea. What draws you to these countries, which most of the Western world tends to – if not avoid – view with a strong dose of mistrust?

A strong specific interest for pre-Soviet, Soviet, and post-Soviet arts – literature, music, and film – culture, traditions, and ethnic diversity, plus a general lust for the unknown.

What is one of the most memorable experiences from your travels in the “Hermit Kingdom”?

Riding and crashing dodgems with the locals during a night out at the amusement park in Pyongyang.

Just as North Koreans are given a lot of false information about the Western world, we are given a mountain of unpleasant information about North Korea. Are there any rumors or stereotypes about North Korea that you’d like to dispel?

People are way more open and talkative than you are taught to think and their interest in the Western world is touchingly deep and genuine.

How does one prepare for a trip to North Korea, anything special?

Be discreet when talking about politics and be ready for an internet-detox.

Could a “novice traveler” visit North Korea or more remote regions of Russia – or should someone have more travel experience before such an undertaking?

North Korea is perfectly fine as you can visit only on an organised trip, no DIY trips, provincial Russia requires both experience and expertise to travel around.

You’ve been to over seventy countries on four continents – aside from the basics, what are your three must-have travel items?

1) A good novel possibly about something completely unrelated to the place I am traveling in – to disengage a bit while reading. 2) A good book specifically related to the place I am traveling in – to learn and engage. 3) A sleep mask.

What’s next?

Lots – the amount of traveling will skyrocket in 2019, as I am also leading tours for National Geographic Expeditions and Diamir-Reisen starting in February.

Meet Gianluca Pardelli at the Berlin Travel Festival in March, where he’ll share his experiences in North Korea and Russia. Before then, you can follow him on Instagram and travel the world – be sure to check out his Soviet Tours on Instagram as well!