Hello Travelers,

​

My name is Alina and I have just returned to Europe after 2 years living and working in Maldives.

Someone once said that "great things never come from comfort zone" and I couldn't agree more!

Looking back at my life & professional experience I can see how strength grew in the moments when I thought I couldn't go on but I kept going anyway...

First of all let me introduce myself better: I was born in Romania in 1988, in 2002 I have moved to Italy with my family where I have lived until 2015. This was the year when I felt like I needed a big change in my life - after the end of a long relationship as happens to many of us! :)

So I have decided to move to London mainly to prove myself that I could do everything without anyone's help! At the beginning was a bit scary but I have to say the London experience was a great source of inspiration for my future. I have enjoyed every single day there, felt in love with music festivals, discovered new artists - from the street art to the music industries - and day after day the idea of starting my own business became more vivid in my mind. I am the kind of person who puts a lot of effort in every single job I do and I started to think that this would be much more fulfilling if I would use it for something that is mine instead of working for others.

After 3 years in London, I have spent 6 months in Paris and returned back to Italy mainly because I needed a break from the crazy-beautiful London.

While doing some research for the next destination where I could move and work, the opportunity of Boutique Supervisor on a Maldives resort island has came...

I still remember how nervous but excited I was when I took my first flight from Milan to Velana International Airport, but I could never forget when after a 9 hours night flight, I opened my eyes and I felt like being in paradise, that peaceful feeling...and this happened every time I have returned to Maldives ever since. I have spent 7 months on a resort island where the time seemed to pause, I have met incredible people, learnt about the Maldivian culture and made some unforgettable memories.

After the resort life - that started to feel a bit tight :) - I have started working for a Travel Agency based in Male'. Working in the capital of Maldives it is for sure more challenging that being on a resort island, but I have made some good friends and learnt a lot about tourism in Maldives. Deciding to return to Europe was definitely not an easy choice, but I took it as another challenge and thanks to my boyfriend's support, Unique Getaways came to life...