WLP370 A Curated Experience in Romania for Digital Nomads and Remote Professionals
In this episode, Pilar interviews Andreea Gătin an event and community manager who is organising a unique experience for digital nomad and remote workers in Romania. Andreea discusses her goals for the experience, which include showcasing Romania as a destination for digital nomads and fostering a sense of community among participants. It’s happening in March 2025, so check it out!
Andreea believes that remote work and digital nomadism have changed the face of tourism, as people are now more interested in immersing themselves in local cultures and forming communities. She thinks Romania needs to adapt to this new reality to remain competitive as a tourist destination. Andreea sees untapped potential for Romania to attract digital nomads and remote workers with its beautiful locations and the passionate individuals who are interested in creating unique experiences. She sees this as an opportunity to showcase that Romania offers more than just basic accommodation.
Andreea is also aware that, while Romanian tech companies do offer remote and hybrid work options, they are not as widespread as in other countries. She acknowledges the existence of a digital nomad community in Romania, but sees it as a fertile space, indicating that it is still in its early stages of development. She wants to be part of this budding movement and contribute to its growth.
Unlike countries like Portugal, Spain, and Croatia, which actively court remote workers with dedicated programs and events, the Romanian government hasn't made significant efforts to attract digital nomads. While the country offers a digital nomad visa with tax benefits, Andreea isn't aware of any government-supported programs designed to promote Romania as a destination for remote workers. She aims to fill this gap with her small-scale, community-focused event.
Andreea Gătin
Creating Connection through an Intimate Remote Experience
Andreea describes the event as more of an experience than a conference. It's a blend of immersing into the local Romanian culture and remote working and living in a community. The experience will explore Romania's culinary richness while participants follow their own rhythm for a week, in March 23-30, 2025.
The event will be located in a mini-village that includes four 100-year-old restored houses and a barn. Andreea chose the location because she wanted to create an intimate experience where connection is fostered between the participants. There are only 11 spots available for the event.
The experience is also designed to showcase Romania as a destination for digital nomads and remote workers. Andreea feels Romania could do more to adapt to the changing tourism landscape where visitors want to immerse themselves in the local culture and build communities. She wants to show that Romania offers “more than bed and breakfast”.
Andreea is hoping to build community around these types of gatherings.In addition to co-living and co-working, the experience includes:
High-speed internet, whiteboards, and projectors for work purposes, access to a sauna, outdoor yoga and other sport practices , a pottery workshop under the guidance of an artisan from Horezu, a village known for its ceramics, a guided tour to see local gems like a waterfall or the village museum.
Andreea is encouraging participants to co-create the experience with her. Through the registration form, she asks if they would like to share their knowledge through a workshop or community experience. She is hoping participants will connect in several ways through the experience:
With each other: This is facilitated by living, eating, and working together.
With nature: This is encouraged by the location which is surrounded by mountains.
With their inner selves: This connection is also fostered by the location's natural setting.
With Romanian tradition: The cook will prepare traditional Romanian food and take into consideration dietary preferences. Participants will also stay in restored 100-year-old houses where they will encounter elements of Romanian tradition.
The location for the experience is called Albastru & Origini which translates to "blue and origin.". Andreea found the location by scrolling through Instagram. The owner, Ana-Maria, had wanted to create experiences for digital nomads but did not have access to those communities, so she was enthusiastic to work with Andreea.
Find out more about Andreea and the experience she’s creating:
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