Which off-the-beaten-path destinations are worth exploring, and what unexpected events can happen in distant Dubai? We talk about this and more with Kassandra Koziorowicz, known as ‘kassanderka’
Editor: In your bio on the Findia app, you wrote that travel is freedom and an element of spontaneity. Is spontaneity the most important aspect of travel for you?
Kassandra Koziorowicz: Absolutely. Spontaneity is freedom. It’s what truly expresses who I am when I travel. I don’t have a strict schedule down to the hour or day. When I have some free time and see a good deal, I’ll just go. Of course, some trips require more planning. But I try to keep them open and pressure-free, without imposing any strict rules on myself.
How do you choose the places you want to visit?
It’s often random. I use Ryanair a lot, so it’s often just a matter of what deal pops up. You can find a lot of great offers that way. I divide my travel plans into two categories: distant dream destinations and the ones I can visit at any moment. People often ask me what I most want to see or what’s on my must-visit list. Honestly, I want to see everything. I can always find something inspiring in every place I visit. I’m open to everything.
What are some of your favorite spots that you’ve visited?
The Caucasus is definitely one of my favorite regions – Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. It’s such an interesting area. These countries are so close together and border one another, but so many things are different. For example, Georgia is predominantly Christian, like us, while Azerbaijan is Muslim. These countries are right next to each other, yet their customs and way of life are completely different.
‘What shocked me in Azerbaijan was seeing the poor streets. I knew they were fairly wealthy, thanks to their oil exports, but seeing that level of poverty was unexpected.’
Then I flew to Armenia – a beautiful country – where a strike was taking place. They’re fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh with Azerbaijan. People didn’t have access to food, water, or electricity. They had been living without basic necessities for a month. It’s these kinds of events that make you wonder how people function in such extreme conditions on a daily basis.
Have you encountered similar extremes in other places?
The Maldives are a big surprise for Europeans. On the one hand, people are surrounded by beautiful nature—the ocean, islands. But on the other hand, the locals throw their trash out of windows, so the local islands are completely littered. People smoke in restaurants, even while eating. It’s unthinkable for us to have someone smoking over their food and casually throwing their cigarette anywhere. For me, it’s a country of extremes. On one side, we hear that it’s paradise on Earth, but it really depends on which part of the Maldives you’re in. For the very wealthy, the Maldives are beautiful. In other parts, it’s not necessarily a paradise…
You’ve already mentioned a few countries you’ve visited. Could you recommend some specific spots?
In Azerbaijan, I highly recommend seeing the “singing stone”. This stone actually produces different sounds when touched, and the experience is even more special when paired with music.
‘In Georgia, the mountains are stunning; it’s hard to pick just one place. You simply have to go and explore the mountains because the views are breathtaking.’
For me, the Baltic countries are also very underrated destinations. They’re cheaper because they’re close to us, but there are still plenty of differences. In Latvia, I was amazed by a beach hidden among cliffs, a place connected to healing practices. The entire beach is nestled in cliffs with stunning rock formations. When I posted pictures on social media, everyone thought I was in Greece, Italy, or Spain (laughs). People were shocked when they found out it was Latvia—that such beautiful places are so close to us.
You’ve hinted at this topic, so what can users find on the Findia app? First and foremost, it’s an app for people who are curious about the world. That’s the starting point, and using the app is a fun experience. If you’re in a specific place and want to find something cool, you can just open the app and see that someone—an actual person—has recommended it. It’s real people sharing their real experiences. This isn’t just an Instagram or Google review; these are real people, whether they’re using the app abroad or in Poland.
I believe the Travel Creators’ reviews are very genuine, which is why I think it’s a great option for travel. You can head somewhere, check who’s been there and what they’ve recommended. See what they have to say, for example, about Spain. Thanks to that, you might discover new places. I think the Findia app (discover more Hot Spots with the Findia app) is a great way to get to know different cultures better.
I liked your phrase that these are real people, so their stories are also real. Could you share one or two interesting travel anecdotes with us?
I tend to attract strange situations, so there are many. One of my most hardcore stories happened in Dubai. I was there with some friends, and we were about to fly back to Poland. The announcements were in Arabic, so no one really understood what was going on. Suddenly, two women approached me. In the airport, there’s a clear division between the roles of men and women. These women grabbed me by the arm and pulled me like a child. I had no idea what was happening. They spoke to me in Arabic, which I didn’t understand at all. Finally, they realized I didn’t understand, and they switched to English. They told me that they had received a report from the local police that a woman was trying to flee the country and was currently at the airport. The description matched me. I was wearing the same dress and had a similar build. They mistook me for the fugitive. So, I ended up sitting in a small room. It was dark and cold…