It is rare for someone to have such a natural affinity for discovering the finest experiences that one location may offer as does Gretchen McGarry. Her meticulous research earns leads her to discover the most luxurious hotels, restaurants, and après-ski spots offered at each resort that she sets in her crosshairs. She summarises her lifestyle in light of John Muir’s famous quote: “The mountains are calling, and I must go”.

In just three years, Gretchen McGarry, aka Woman Takes World, has gained an impressive 82.2k followers, through her candid Instagram stories and informative and aesthetically pleasing posts about her world travels. Each enviable destination she visits takes her followers along with her, as she reveals the secrets to finding luxurious destinations, extraordinary experiences and epicurean delights. 

With her parents as her travel companions, Gretchen began travelling the world at the age of three months. She admits her parents were driven by wanderlust, a trait which she has naturally inherited. Gretchen attributes all her best characteristics to her travels, including patience, an open mind, and a love of cultures. Since Gretchen grew up travelling and living out of suitcases, she gravitated towards jobs that allowed her to travel, such as going to Law School overseas. Yet she never envisioned being a travel influencer before going sailing around Croatia in 2018. In response to the overwhelming number of questions she received from her friends on her personal account, she set up Woman Takes World to document her travels. “It was just organic, for the love of what I was doing already, and it took off”, she explained.

Since Gretchen was two years old, she has skied in resorts across North America. She often invites friends who do not ski to join her on her adventures, showing them how to enjoy an epicurean mountain lifestyle without even stepping foot on a ski. With non-skiers also in mind, Gretchen is always considering fun activities such as snowshoeing, dogsledding or apres-ski destinations. “I’m always looking for the best mid-mountain experience because when I’m up there, I don’t want to come down”, she says. According to her, Aperol spritzes and truffle fries at Ajax Tavern in Aspen are a perfect ending to a good day on the mountain. Whereas the ‘10^th’ restaurant in Vail, stands out for its exceptional dining experience and extraordinary views.

If you see Gretchen on the slopes, she will most likely be wearing Instagram cult favourite brand Perfect Moment. Although wearing a houndstooth one-piece make should her easily identifiable on the slopes, as the brand has become synonymous with fashionable skiers, her boyfriend once followed the wrong woman down the slopes. Gretchen’s Instagram page demonstrates her stunning style, admitting that she thoroughly researches destinations before travel so she will bring the right clothing. Additionally, she buys clothing at her destinations so that her photos are authentic to that place.

Ski resorts tend to be thought of as essentially the same, featuring slopes, restaurants, and hotels. Yet Gretchen can tell you about each resort’s unique history, which is what gives them character. Take Colorado ski resorts, Aspen and Vail, for example. Gretchen explains that Aspen’s mining history is obvious in the architecture, while Vail was built by soldiers returning from World War II, having Alpine and Bavarian influences. According to her, the ‘energy’ and culture of the resorts are quite different, giving credence to the well-known saying “CEOs go to Vail, celebrities go to Aspen”. Vail is ideal for early morning powder skiing in the early mornings, whereas Aspen is ideal for late-night après. Gretchen’s attention to detail about each resort is one of the things that distinguishes her as a travel writer.

From speaking with Gretchen, it is apparent she has a natural appetite for adventure, not just on the slopes, but also in her other travels. In the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake at Everest Base Camp in Nepal, Gretchen was stranded for six days. Despite the devastation surrounding Gretchen, she looks back at the ways communities came together to help support each other, including the local guides who stayed to protect them. Luckily, the experience did not alter her enthusiasm for the great outdoors. She made no hesitation in revealing that her favourite trip was her five-country Safari through Africa, taking her from South Africa to Zimbabwe. “I just feel the most alive when I’m out in the bush”, she explains. “All of my senses are heightened, the air smells different, you’re so close to the animals and there is a sense of peace that comes over me”.

Gretchen emphasizes the importance of conveying the experience, rather than having herself be the focal point of the shot. “I always want people to look at my photos and imagine them having that moment”, she leads. “Not because I’m camera shy, but I want to inspire people and give an ‘insert you here’ vibe”. Her goal is no longer only to document her travels, but also to inspire others. Gretchen leads her followers to each destination, by way of beautiful images and inspiring quotes, that allow them to experience it vicariously for themselves.

There is a clear pattern among Gretchen’s incredible travels: the inspirational quotes on her page. She began journaling quotes as a child, which she still does now to express her feelings toward different places. “It seemed like a natural way to express myself and connect with my community”, Gretchen says, “I thought maybe one of those quotes would seem relatable or resonate with one of my followers or readers”. She has a fondness for the writing of John Muir, who shares her love of the mountains, outdoors and National Parks. In light of his famous quote, “The mountains are calling, and I must go”, she jokes that it sums up her life.

“I really want to inspire women just to go, there’s never a perfect time to drop your life and travel, so just do it” she explains. With each new location she visits, Gretchen continues to inspire women who are apprehensive about travelling to new places or trying new experiences. Take a look at the enviable destinations, beautiful images and inspiring quotes on the @womantakesworld Instagram account for ideas for your next mountain adventure.