ABOUT

Hi, I’m Di (Dianne Bortoletto), a freelance writer, photographer and content creator specialising in travel, food, lifestyle and motorsport.

I’m a regular contributor to National Indigenous Times and The Indigenous Business Review (a glossy lift-out in The Australian), with bylines in Selector Magazine, Gourmet Traveller, Escape, Australian Traveller, New Zealand Herald, OUTThere and others. I’ve been commissioned by Tourism Australia, Tourism Western Australia, Scenic Group, Rottnest Island Authority, Australia’s South West and others.

With more than 20 years’ experience across journalism, communications and PR, I understand both sides of the media relationship. As a professional storyteller, I deliver clean copy, photography and content assets that meet briefs, deadlines and audience expectations.

I offer media training for those who want to nail their interview as well as workshops on PR, as well as iPhone photography. 

How I like to travel

I’m drawn to travel stories where food and culture often say more than the headline attractions. My work encourages travellers to look beyond crowded centres, or to experience well-known places in different ways that benefit local communities.

After writing about a luxury small-ship cruise in Europe that shifted my view of the industry, I’ve become increasingly interested in sustainable cruising that prioritises regional access, food and culture over mass-market experiences.

The quest for constant improvement

Never one to stop learning, in 2020, I graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Diploma of Italian Studies with a distinction average.

During the pandemic, competed courses with Le Cordon Bleu in recipe writing and also advanced food photography. In 2025, I completed a professional UGC (User Generated Content) course and I've already been contracted to created videos for brands, find out more here.

I've been accepted into the Digital News Academy in 2026 to further develop my journalism skills.

I’m a full writer member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers, International Travel Writers Alliance and MEAA. I’m based in Western Australia, splitting my time between Margaret River and Perth.

My own platforms

In December 2024, I launched Away We Go Podcast, a weekly podcast connecting Formula 1 and travel. My first passion project, travelletto.com, is a food and travel blog established in 2010 and continues with a loyal, engaged audience.

Get to know me

I'm a self-professed coffee snob, I'm addicted to travelling and I love the sound of fast cars. My other loves include regional dishes, supermarket shopping in foreign countries, little places beyond the tourist zones, summer days and all things Italian.

1. Favourite destination: It really depends on so many things, but it's hard to go past Italy
2. I always pack: earplugs, noise cancelling headphones, lavender essential oil and a pashmina
3. Backpack or wheelie suitcase? Depends on where I'm going and the kind of travel I'm doing. If I'm moving around a lot, on and off trains and buses, a backpack.
4. Carry on or check in? Depends where I'm going. I really love just walking off a plane and not waiting at the luggage carousel, but it's hard to do because I like to have all my camera gear with me. My hand luggage record (so far) is a two-week trip to two destinations, one a conference and one visiting family.
5. Wish list destinations: Japan tops the list. But I'd also like to see more of Greece and parts of Italy I haven't been to, Denmark and Norway, more of New Zealand, more of Australia including FNQ and Uluru, China, Africa for wildlife. I'm a travel writer, I want to go everywhere!
6. Favourite Formula 1 destination: I haven't been to all of them (yet!), but Milan because it's close to Monza.
7. Longest trip: 7 months non-stop travel through Italy, Barcelona, through Egypt, and 3.5 months in South America
8. Pinch me moment: sitting in the Arena de Amozonia in Manuas in Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup watching Italy v England. I cried. And it was the only game Italy won!
9. Most stressful travel moment: Being stranded at Panama Airport because Cota Airlines overbooked the flight to Manaus - we almost missed the game (see 8. above) and after 38 hours, made it to the stadium 30 minutes before kick off. I wrote about that experience here.
10. Why travel? Travelling is important for so many reasons. I truly believe that if everyone travelled in a thoughtful way (not rushing around ticking off must-see attractions), the world would be a much more tolerant and understanding place.

Happy place: where I live in Margaret River. I'm also very happy at a table eating great food, on a beautiful beach, watching a sunset, and just about anywhere in Italy.