Gabriela Rogati

Business Development Manager UK & Europe

Gabriela had always known that her life will be connected with tourism. It all started from helping her parents to run a family-run guesthouse nearby Bucharest, Romania. She studied Tourism and Hospitality at school and her latest achievement is a Master’s in Strategic Tourism Management. After working in the industry, Gabriela has found Sundowners Overland to be a good fit; a specialist company that allows her to broaden her horizons and learn more about Asia.
Gabriela’s role as Business Development Manager is a combination of all her interests both work related and personal. She enjoys to have the daily involvement with agents, networking, maintaining relationships at industry level, marketing and advertising, and is passionate about building brand awareness. Gabriela sees her role as a lifestyle more than a job, that it’s part of her wherever she goes and whoever she talks to.

What do you love most about overland travel?
There are so many things I love about overland travel! The comfort of travelling by train in a 4 berth compartment instead of a small plane or coach seat, the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that gives you the chance to befriend the locals or other tourists travelling on the same route or the romantic evenings spent watching beautiful sunsets out of the train windows.  Time has a different dimension when you travel overland, you forget about days of the week, dates of the month and you simply enjoy the experience!

Which of the Sundowners Overland destinations fascinates you most?
All of them in their own way!!! After my trip to China, Mongolia and Russia, I can honestly say I’d like to go back to all of them and explore more! I’d love to experience the Silk Road journey too, but equally India has a charm that makes me interested in spending a few weeks there! So many places, not enough time!

Give us your best tip for travelling on Sundowners Overland journeys.
Be tolerant, be open minded, don’t judge, don’t stand out. Think of it as a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience places and countries that are still not part of “mass tourism”. Enjoy the beauty of sleeping in a Mongolian ger, taste as many local foods as possible, experience as many little adventures as you can – whether it’s climbing the Great Wall in China or swimming in Lake Baikal in Russia, you will always remember them! Also befriend as many locals or fellow travellers as you can, some friendships can last a lifetime!

What is your most memorable travel experience?
I have to say all my travels have been memorable in their own way, but based on my recent Trans Mongolian trip, I’d have to say climbing the Great Wall of China gave me an amazing feeling! Visiting and staying at a ger camp in Mongolia was the best experience in terms of unique highlight of my trip, while the hospitality and food at Tatiana’s guesthouse in Listvyanka were better than any hotels’ I’ve ever stayed in.

Which Sundowners Overland journeys are on your wish list?
Silk Road and India as I have never been, but also Naadam festival – whether it’s the short 10 day version or the full 24 days one, I guess that will all depend on holiday days!

What is your favourite season to travel?
Definitely summer, everything is better when the sun is shining!

Where have you travelled in the world?