Young, cool, and digital

YouTube-Star Ischtar Isik is testing Polo and up!

When travelling with Ischtar Isik, you have to just accept that the 22 year old will suddenly pull out her smartphone and start talking to her followers. “Hey guys, I’m here on the Amalfi Coast with Volkswagen. We're testing the Polo and the up!” she explains, beaming at the selfie camera. More than a million subscribers will see it later. The Berlin native is now one of the new brand ambassadors of Volkswagen. We also chat that during our trip on the scenic coastal road.

Starting in Praiano, we head for Amalfi, the town that lends its name to this idyllic coastline. We travel ten kilometres on the SS163, better known as the “Amalfitana”. It's a real balancing act, trying to enjoy the scenery whilst also keeping your eyes on the road.

Luckily, manoeuvring the tight corners in the Polo is practically child’s play.

Ischtar posted her first video seven years ago
Ischtar Isik. 22 years young. Profession: YouTuber. Online sensation. She’s particularly popular with young people and she’s even interviewed German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Her videos cover lifestyle and fashion. It’s safe to say she's gained a large following. The Berlin native posted her first video at the age of 15, and today she’s a huge influencer. Even Justin Bieber is among her followers.

“It’s a huge honour for me to be here,” she smiles. “It’s something I could never have dreamt of. I uploaded a video when I was 15 without really thinking about it and now I’m here, working with Volkswagen. I’d say that's a pretty big leap.”

Ischtar Isik posted her first video on YouTube at the age of 15

We all hear the wild stories about young celebrities and footballers who are on another planet, but fortunately, Ischtar is different. She has both feet firmly on the ground. She knows that her YouTube success could be fleeting, so she’ll make the most out of it while it lasts.

“I’d like to start my own fashion brand. That would be my dream! It’s a long-term goal I would love to achieve,” explains Ischtar in our red Polo GTI just before we reach the roundabout in Amalfi:

“YouTube and its wide-reaching platform lay a good foundation.”

Lunch at Il Pirata
We head to the famous Il Pirata for lunch. Delightfully tucked away behind a rock a few metres from the tranquil sea. A couple of boats are moored in the bay.

It's here that Ischtar meets up with the other Volkswagen guests for a photo shoot: German actors Emilia Schüle and Max von Thun.

These two established stars have been in the business for many years; but this visit to the delightful coast, a UNESCO heritage site, is a first for all three of our guests.

Lunch at Il Pirata: Max von Thun and Emilia Schüle

The photographers simply can't get enough of Emilia Schüle. The 25 year old found time between two film shoots to take a break on the famous cliff-side road. Despite only being 25, she’s already one of the biggest stars on the scene, captivating audiences in her films. It's a real joy to see her in her element at the photo shoot.

When abroad, Emilia finds it thrilling to hire a car and take a drive around the area. “It's such a special kind of freedom when you're on holiday in other countries and you can just get into a car and drive,” she enthuses, interrupted only by the beeping of a passing van. Emilia herself drove a Volkswagen bus, a California, across New Zealand. “We did also sleep in a hotel from time to time, but it was awesome!”

Emilia Schüle and the up!

Crossing Europe in a Bulli
Max von Thun had a similar experience. After finishing high school, he travelled around Europe with his band for a year and lived in the Bulli. Today, he’s joined Ischtar Isik for a few photos. They both casually lean against the bonnet of a white up! and let their gaze wander over the rocks and the sea. Driving on the narrow roads is a real delight for Max von Thun.

“I really like it, if anything, they could even be a little narrower,” he laughs. At almost two metres tall, the actor isn’t exactly your typical subcompact car driver. But he’s very comfortable, maybe even a little too relaxed: “These cars take the corners beautifully and they're great for nipping through traffic. You just have to keep your eyes on the road. I tend to drift off, looking out to the sea and forgetting that a corner’s up ahead.”

Max von Thun and Ischtar Isik pose during the break

Max von Thun loves the „Amalfitana“

Ischtar loves being her own boss
Max and Ischtar take turns driving on the way to the jetty. Ischtar got her driving licence two years ago, and now drives her T-Roc around Berlin. Ischtar loves having the control of being her own boss. But there's only one passenger she especially has to be patient with. “Do you know who make the worst passengers?” she asks, as a bus turns around the corner: “Mothers!” She laughs loudly. But Ischtar's mum can sleep easy: anyone who can handle this winding coastal road can certainly tackle Berlin traffic.