Ever wondered who the faces are behind Love Home Swap? In our ‘Swapstar’ series, we’re introducing you to our wonderful colleagues. Fluent in Spanish, Romanian and English, and with good French conversational skills, multi-lingual Ramona is a much-valued part of our dynamic Customer Care Team. If you need help with finding your dream swap, Ramona is bursting with helpful advice.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Romania, in the eastern part of the country, in a city called Galati. I spent most of my life there, until I decided to grab the bull by the horns and come to live in the UK. I left behind my friends and family, and so far, the journey has been nothing but amazing and exciting. I love my regional accent – some of my friends tease me about it, but I am proud of it.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I am into architecture and design. Whenever I visit a new place, I always check what type of houses it has and I go straight to visit the historic centre of the city, as a good majority of cities have preserved the old structure of the houses and buildings. It’s fascinating to be able to see the difference between ‘old’ and ‘new’ times thorough architecture.
It’s even better if I can look around someone’s home. I genuinely like to see how people decorate their space. I also have a look at their libraries to see the books they’re reading, as I’m always looking for inspiration.
Ramona enjoying ‘old’ and ‘new’ architecture in Greenwich, London
What is the best destination you’ve visited?
It must be Albufeira, which is a coastal city in southern Portugal. The scenery is absolutely amazing. Google images don’t do it justice when it comes to the different type of landscapes the place has to offer. From the white houses to the sandy beaches and the impressive cliffs, the city has this unique countryside vibe, and the people are so friendly and welcoming – they make you feel like you belong there. It’s a place I would definitely like to revisit sometime in the future.
Which destination is top of your bucket list?
That would be The Caribbean. My friends who have already been to the islands tell me the rich culture and beautiful places are worth visiting, even during the rainy season. Each location apparently has different types of attractions and activities, so there’s no time to get bored. There would always be something suitable for me to do, even if I was only spending the entire day at the beach!
Ramona soaking up the sun in Seville
Share one of your best hidden travel gems…
I was invited to a friend’s house in Andalusia, southern Spain in a village called Arcos de la Frontera. The place is absolutely amazing, as it’s a small community that sustain themselves with local produce and industry. The surroundings are simply spectacular, as the village itself sits on top of sheer cliffs, and the local food is really delicious. It’s a relatively small village and sometimes I enjoy being in a place with not too many tourists, as I get to properly explore the surroundings.
Where do you want to travel to next?
My next trip will definitely be to the South of France. I think we’ve established by now that wherever I find myself, it’s going to be in the south of the country! I’ve never been there, but I want to visit the idyllic villages, the narrow streets and the crystal-clear water of the Mediterranean beaches. I’ve heard the food is excellent and there are so many other historic attractions like medieval towns and ancient Roman ruins that I’d love to explore.
What’s the one thing that you can’t live without when travelling?
I think that would be sunscreen and a good book. Because no matter where I end up travelling next, I will definitely need them. Most of my trips are during spring or the summer season, so I will certainly find myself near a beach or a sun-drenched countryside destination – and I wouldn’t want to miss the company of an interesting book and the protection of sunscreen!
What’s your favourite thing about working at Love Home Swap?
I would say my colleagues in the first place. We make an incredible team, and we really help each other out. And I am not only talking about my colleagues from the Customer Care Team, but also other departments too. They are nothing but wonderful people who are always willing to offer support when needed.
My second favourite thing would be that I get to have a peek at our members’ houses – I get inspired by them. I love to see the countryside houses that are surrounded by green fields as well as the ones that are located in big cities like Tokyo, New York or Sydney. I am fascinated by the good taste our members have when it comes to decorating their space and making it as cosy as possible for their guests.
What’s your top tip for getting the most out of our site?
I think it would be that when you’re looking for a certain destination, you should consider applying as many filters as possible to get the best results out of our platform. This way the website will only shortlist the properties based precisely on your criteria. I love the fact that we have such a detailed platform and that members have the possibility of looking for trips even in the most remote parts of the world. We even have listings in Vanuatu and Fiji Islands (and these destinations also happen to be on my bucket list!)
We hope you enjoy getting to know our wonderful team at Love Home Swap. If you ever want to reach out, we’re always here to help. Get in touch to have a natter, pop us an email, or you can even book a call.
