The people behind Beyond Dracula

You might not know this, but in 2023 we’re celebrating 10 years since we started Beyond Dracula. Yuhu! 

In June 2013, I joined Giulio and Alexandra da Sacco, as the managing partner for something which, at the time, was an idea only: to put Romania on the map of bespoke travel.

What you might also not know is that when I joined, the company already existed, it had a name and a logo. I had 0 to do with that.

Giulio and Alexandra had the idea a few years before and even started the company in 2012, but had to close it because they didn’t have the time to build it and they didn’t find someone else to do it.

I am sharing all of this because throughout the year you’ll get what I’m calling gratitude emails.

They will be about the people and events, but mostly the people who helped Beyond Dracula thrive and without whom I would not be here, sending you this message.

The very first gratitude email is for Giulio and Alexandra. They had the idea and the energy to hold on to it, although everyone told them it won’t work.

(We love these pictures with them in their home in Mesendorf, Transylvania.)

They were called crazy but fought to see it become reality because, to them, it made perfect sense.

After I joined and they passed the business building bit to me, they stayed on board as the most supportive partners one could ask.

Their offer was this: “Raluca, if you join, you are the only decision maker in this company.”

They kept their word and have gotten involved only to help (there were countless times I would call to ask for advice…) and always with the best intentions in mind for the company (if you’ve met them, you know). That’s so rare!

I really wish they could get an award for their service to this country. They so deserve it.

But while I cannot do that for them, anytime I speak about Beyond Dracula, they will be the first ones I bring up.

It was their courage, generosity and kindness that brought us all here today, 10 years later.

Thank you SO much. 

Raluca