Meet the team - Central Asia

Ovidiu  

I come from a place that could easily be described as the end of the world. Growing up in a pristine environment has turned out to be a true blessing – one of which I was unaware until I moved to the UK and started studying tourism. I quickly realised that my passion for the travel and tourism industry came from a bizarre combination: lack of experience and endless curiosity.  

My favourite book as a child was an encyclopaedia which had picture of volcanoes, forests, and, most fascinating of all, people – people that were different from me in their appearance, their language, and their food. I was captivated by the possibility of meeting these people one day.  

I haven’t always had the opportunity to travel. By the time I finished high school I understood that I would have to make changes to generate those opportunities, and – a few years later – I had graduated university, I was living in a new country, and I had visited a number of countries.  

Insider tip 

Jordan is a beautiful country which is famous for Petra, considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a destination on a lot of people’s bucket list.  

For me, the most beautiful part about this country is the walk to Petra’s Treasury building, and the first glimpse you get of it. My advice would be to visit the Treasury in the morning; that way you will avoid the crowds and you will understand why they call it the ‘rose-red city’.  

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Petra attracts visitors from across the globe. A useful tip for all those planning to visit is to barter – never agree to pay the first amount they ask for, as the real price is sometimes even 10 times less that the asking price. 

Favourite experience 

It’s hard to pick a favourite experience, but whenever I try, there is always one that pops to mind. I have always been adventurous and liked exciting, almost dangerous activities. Because we had great mountain areas close to where I grew up, I spent a lot of time exploring the beautiful forests and the high hills. My favourite experience was the quad bikes rides; we would spend hours riding and, in the winter, we would switch to snowmobiles. The beautiful scenery of the Madaras Mountains is something I will never forget. 

Favourite place 

Without a doubt, my favourite place to go is Budapest in Hungary. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Budapest is the beautiful architecture, the stunning parliament building and the mesmerising castles across the river. I love going to Heroes’ Square by myself, climbing the lion statue and watching people walking by. 

The thing about Budapest is that there is always something new to discover, a new reason to love this city, a new favourite coffee shop or place to go to; it surprises me every single time I visit. That is how I know it is a special destination.  

Favourite hotel 

The InterContinental Amman in Jordan is one of my favourite hotels. It has the most amazing view of the city, and the rooms are nicely decorated. Among the various restaurants, my absolute favourite is the Indian one. This restaurant is well known in Amman, and some say it is the best Indian food you can find in the city.  

What I like about this hotel is the attention to detail, the hospitality of the staff and the quality of the service. This hotel is the first 5-star hotel in Jordan and the second in the Middle East, so it has a legacy and a reputation. The recent hotel renovation added a premium wing with new rooms, with a unique design and a truly luxurious feel. 

Neil 

Originally hailing from Poole, Dorset, I took inspiration from my well-travelled grandparents and spread my wings in my early 20s with backpacking trips to India, Southeast Asia and to South America, before moving to London. I am very experienced in the travel industry having worked as both a travel agent and a tour operator. After the pandemic, my experience of travel has changed as I now travel with a young family; recently we visited both Greece and Turkey.  

Insider tip 

It is very easy to rush from one destination to another in order to see as many sights as possible. My tip is to not rush your travels. I have travelled extensively by rail throughout Eastern Europe, and while progress can be slow and journeys don’t always run to plan, you get to see more of the real daily life of a country, as well as the time to meet and talk to local people – who are often as interested in you as you are them. 

Favourite experience 

Travel is a huge part of my life but is just one of my many interests. I love nothing more than combining my desire to travel with another of my passions – so far I have attended live football matches in Brazil, Argentina and Macedonia; watched test cricket in Barbados; been to music festivals in France, Germany, and Japan; and been wildlife spotting in South Africa, Papa New Guinea and Bolivia. 

The holiday to Barbados was with the social cricket club that I play for, and as well as watching the West Indies versus England, we played a match against a local club who we expected to be of the same level. On arrival at their ground, we soon discovered that they had a club member who had played for the West Indies. Safe to say we were soundly beaten, but more importantly, we had a great evening after the match chatting to our opposition over a few beers and a very generous barbecue. 

Favourite place 

The Georgian capital Tbilisi is an undiscovered gem. Lying on the banks of the Kura River and in the foothills of the Trialeti Range, meaning that it is surrounded on three sides by mountains, its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet modernist structures. Having visited twice over a number of years, it has been fascinating to watch the city slowly modernise while retaining its own identity, culture, and customs. 

Favourite hotel 

For a truly unique experience then it has to be the cave hotels of Cappadocia. A personal favourite is the Yunak Cave Hotel in Urgup. The hotel is carved into a mountain cliff and has private cave rooms dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries and is crowned with a 19th Century Greek Mansion. After a busy day exploring the unique landscape of Cappadocia, you can relax in one of the hotel’s two swimming pools while taking in views of the fairy chimneys and rock formations.  

Bianca 

It was age six, flying as an unaccompanied minor to Australia, when I first realised my love of travel – staring out of the window for most of the 26-hour flight at the ever-changing scenery of mountains, plains, and seas. I have since made it my life’s mission to experience as much of the world and its beautiful landscapes and fascinating cultures as is humanly possible. With an unquenchable thirst for experiencing everything that life can offer, there are very few experiences I wouldn’t try – be that eating fermented shark in Reykjavík (a very acquired taste!) or jumping out of a plane in Cairns.   

Insider tip 

Should you visit the Italian city of Matera, I highly recommend the Osteria MateraMì restaurant. It served us one of the best meals we’ve ever eaten in Italy. If the weather is good, ask for a table on the terrace to take advantage of the views. 

Favourite place 

Asking me to choose my favourite destination is like asking me to pick my favourite child – I love them all equally, but for very different reasons. Italy will always be a firm favourite; just walking through the cobbled streets, you feel immersed in history and can imagine what life was like hundreds (if not thousands) of years ago. The food is always excellent, and the weather generally fantastic. Matera in the southern region of Basilicata is a particular favourite of mine. I visited in October, staying in a sassi – a former cave, fitted out with all modern luxuries. At sunset, the view over the town was just magical and will stay with me forever. 

Favourite experience 

Medieval walled towns are a particular weakness of mine, and, if you’ve not been to Romania yet, I’d recommend that you step away from Bucharest, and head into Transylvania. The museum within the ancient tower in Sighisoara is both informative and fascinating, and the view from the top is superb (thankfully, the museum itself is split over the many floors, so there’s a chance for respite on the way up). Brasov is sweet town, ringed by the Carpathians and known for its Saxon walls and bastions, and its pretty cobbled old town with colourful baroque buildings. I particularly enjoyed a Romanian meal at La Ceaun, a short walk from the main square. Both Sighisoara and Viscri can be reached on a day trip from here but if you have time, it's worth staying overnight. A surprise highlight for me was the wine – Romanian wine is phenomenal. If you're a fan of full-bodied reds, Feteascā Neagrā (translating to Back Maiden) is one to look out for. 

Favourite hotel 

If you decide to stay overnight at the pretty Saxon village of Viscri, in central Romania, the Viscri Guesthouse is the perfect way to experience traditional Romanian life.