Maria Sendroiu
I’m originally from Romania, and after high school, I had the opportunity to move to Switzerland to study tourism and hospitality. What started as a desire to travel soon became much more—it opened the door to connecting with people from all over the world. Working in various hotels after graduation gave me the chance not only to meet many guests from diverse backgrounds but also to share in their journeys and experiences.
These interactions and shared experiences became a gateway for me to travel and experience different cultures in a personal and meaningful way.
Now I am based in Amsterdam and I’m excited to be part of the Operations team—and I look forward to being part of your journey in Europe.
How did you get involved in travel?
"My passion for travel really took shape while living in Switzerland. Being based in the center of Europe made exploring nearby countries and cultures easy, and I found myself constantly planning weekend getaways. I realized that what I enjoyed most wasn’t just the travel itself, but the process—researching, organizing, and finding experiences. That's when I knew I wanted to turn this passion into helping others create memorable journeys."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I was with my husband in Bagan, Myanmar, after a long day exploring the temples on our little electric scooter. As sunset approached, we desperately hoped to find an open temple to watch the sunset from above-just like we’d seen in all those photos online. We knew most temples were closed due to recent restrictions, but we believed there had to be one still open. So we kept riding, a little aimlessly, desperate to find one.
Then, out of nowhere, two local teenagers approached us. They told us they knew of a temple that was still open and offered to guide us there. Excited, we followed them on their scooter as they led the way deeper into the outskirts of Bagan. The ride felt endless, and as the terrain got rougher and the landscape more desolate, doubts started creeping in. What if this wasn’t safe? My mind raced with worries while my husband navigated the sand patches, bumpy paths, and even a few chasing dogs.
But then, just as we were about to turn back, we arrived at the temple—still open and perfectly timed for the sunset. We climbed to the top and were greeted by a view that was nothing short of magical.
We then talked with the guys and learned more about their lives in Bagan and their families. As it turned out, they had initially approached us hoping to sell some sand paintings, their family business. As a thank you, we bought a few paintings that are just beautiful. Watching the sunset from that temple, completely alone and surrounded by such beauty, was a moment we’ll never forget. We even extended our stay in Bagan to catch more sunsets like that one and connect more with the local people. "