Worldly Women of Travel: Interview with Alina Brasoveanu

Alina Brasoveanu is the most recent feature in our GIVEjoy interview series.  She is incredibly knowledgeable with a passion for culture and history.  We had the opportunity to meet Alina during our walking tour of Bucharest in September 2025. Given her effervescent personality, intellect, and kindness, we had an amazing tour and became fast friends.  I’m so pleased to share my recent interview with Alina.

Per December 2025 Interview

What / who first inspired you to travel?

My initial taste of international travel was actually with the National U-19 Football (Soccer) Team. Flying to Portugal was an incredible experience that, despite our performance, created lasting camaraderie and offered my first glimpse of Iberian culture.

The true passion, however, developed during my studies abroad in Italy and France. I suppose the interest was always there; my parents, who grew up under the Romanian communist dictatorship and were not allowed to travel, always instilled in me a deep appreciation for the world and for welcoming foreigners. My career in the travel industry is truly my way of fulfilling that generational desire for connection and exploration.

What was your most meaningful trip? Where was it and how was it meaningful?

While every trip shifts my perspective, the most pivotal one recently wasn’t about spatial distance, but rather traveling through time.

Last month, I visited the Communism Museum & Café in Bucharest with my 9-year-old nephew, Leo. The museum recreates a typical 1980s Romanian home, and we were there to explore history together.

The experience was unexpectedly transformative for me. I was born in the harsh mid-’80s of the Socialist Republic of Romania and grew up through the transition to democracy. Seeing that past environment, which I often reference in my work as a guide, through Leo’s fresh, modern gaze felt like two worlds colliding. I realized that to him, I am part of the generation infused with the culture of that regime. It was a profound moment that helped me accept and understand my own heritage on a deeper, emotional level. Sharing that “time travel” experience with my family made it incredibly meaningful.

It was a profound moment that helped me accept and understand my own heritage on a deeper, emotional level.

How have your experiences traveling impacted your perspectives  (once you return home)?

Taking time away from the daily routine through travel is essential for mental clarity and reprioritization.

When I travel, I dedicate more time to mindfulness and journaling, which helps me identify what is truly important. The core impact of travel is the reminder that regularly stepping back makes us more productive and creative in our work, and equally important, helps us be grateful for our lives.

Where is next on your travel adventure list and why?

My next adventure is a family trip to France for the winter holidays to visit my husband’s family.

This will be a special trip, as it will be the first time celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve there. It will be a wonderful experience centered on family, fun, and the delicious gastronomic adventure of a French holiday menu!

It’s also an opportunity to immerse myself fully in the French language and culture, especially as I recently acquired my French citizenship. It’s a chance to truly sink into my adopted culture while enjoying quality time with family.

What advice would you give to others considering an international trip?

Once I return home, I am immediately better at setting boundaries and devoting quality time to the important people and projects in my life. Although that clarity can fade, this is why I schedule regular trips throughout the year—to renew my perspective and maintain that grateful focus.

I would offer three key pieces of advice:

• Travel Light: Less baggage means more freedom and flexibility.
• Walk Everywhere: Walking is the best, most authentic way to connect with the city, its rhythms, and local life.
• Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness: Be fully present and grateful for the small things—a new flavor in a local dish, or a successful, if difficult, interaction with a local in their language. This mindset transforms a simple vacation into a deeply meaningful experience.

So inspiring and enlightening!  Thank you, Alina, for sharing your incredible story and meaningful perspectives on the impact of travel.

The core impact of travel is the reminder that regularly stepping back makes us more productive and creative in our work, and equally important, helps us be grateful for our lives.

For more information:

Communism Museum & Café

Explore France – for culture and heritage information

Alina Brasoveanu, Ph.D.
wheninbucharest@gmail.com
alina@wheninbucharest.com
www.wheninbucharest.com