ABOUT US

Hey there, We’re Mal & Robin

Your quintessential digital nomads travelling the globe full-time. 

Our mission? To inspire you through stunning photography and firsthand recommendations. We’re all about unique experiences and hidden gems, taking you off the beaten track and into the heart of each destination we explore. 

Stick around, and let’s make your travel dreams a vivid reality!

ABOUT MAL

My name is Mal. I was born in Poland but spent most of my adult life in the UK, where I graduated from Southampton University and earned a Bachelor’s in International Relations.

I have always loved travelling and every year, I spent all of my 25 days of leave abroad, visiting countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, and Brazil – the further, the better. 😛

In 2020, I decided to quit my job; I worked as a financial analyst in a big firm. I didn’t hate my job, but I just wanted something else more – freedom and adventure. 

During the pandemic, I sold my house and all my belongings and moved to Bali.🌴 I quickly fell in love with the island, which from then on became my new part-time home. 

In the summer of 2021, I travelled through the Balkans and met my partner Robin, who joined me in my lifestyle and is now a part of the team behind Raw Mal Roams. 

Mal at Bukit Cinta Bali.
Guatemala Antigua Acatenango Hike

ABOUT ROBIN

Hey there! I’m Robin, originally from a small town near Den Bosch in the Netherlands. Before embarking on this journey, I ran my own building company. 

But let’s talk about the things that matter to me the most, first being football. Yep, I’m a die-hard supporter of Feyenoord, the 2023 Champions of the Netherlands! (I couldn’t resist bragging a little – come on, we’re champions!) ⚽🏆

I’ve always had this itch to explore. My love for football actually gave me a passport to see more of Europe. Match days often doubled as quick city breaks, letting me take in the sights before heading to the stadium. 

But 2021 was a game-changer. I went solo, hitting the road across the Balkans. That’s when I met Mal in a hostel in Mostar. Long story short, I was hooked – not just on her but on the nomadic lifestyle. So, I sold my house, kissed my old life goodbye, and here I am, cruising through this incredible journey with my favourite person. 

Our Expertise & Skills

Why listen to us? Well, Mal brings academic heft with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, honing her understanding of different cultures and languages. She’s been blogging for four years and trotting the globe full-time for three. Robin, on the other hand, adds a unique business perspective from his years owning a building company. This experience has sharpened his people skills, making him exceptionally good at navigating local cultures and making connections wherever we go.

What Set Us Apart

Mal brings her photography prowess to capture the visual essence of our travels, while Robin’s love for road trips gets us to those off-the-beaten-track spots that most miss. 

Together, we have an insatiable appetite for the unique – from dining in the sky in Athens to embarking on sunrise photo missions in eastern Bali. These quirky endeavours shape our travel narrative, adding layers of adventure and authenticity.

Our Specializations

📍INDONESIA

We both love Indonesia, especially Bali, where we made our home base. We live in Canggu, which we love for its expat vibes and the fantastic dining scene! 

Our favourite destinations in Bali, where we often venture on weekends, include Ubud, with its spiritual vibes, the authentic Sidemen, and Nusa Penida, which we love for its pristine beaches and breathtaking viewpoints. 

📍GREECE

Robin has been visiting Greece with his family since his childhood! Together, we come to this beautiful country every year to visit his parents and to explore its islands. 

We’ve been to many (Milos, Paros, Naxos, Crete, etc.), but we particularly loved our recent trip to Santorini, where we spent a romantic week celebrating Mal’s birthday. We are both big wine enthusiasts, and our favourite activity (not surprising at all) was the wine tour. 

📍MEXICO

Mexico! It’s a destination that holds a special place in our hearts. Just like our annual trips to Greece, Mexico has become a yearly escape for us. 

We particularly enjoy spending time in Tulum, which is a great base for digital nomads. We normally stay in Aldea Zama and love Tulum for its beaches and cenotes. 

Other places we have visited include Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Bacalar, Merida, Valladolid, Playa del Carmen, Holbox, San Cristobal, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido and Mexico City. 

📍ALBANIA

We’ve been to Albania three times, and each time our trip lasted several months. We also lived in Sarande. 

During one of these extensive stays, we even called Sarandë our home. Our explorations took us through a tapestry of experiences: the tranquil beaches of Ksamil, Himarë, and Dhermi; the historical richness of Berat and Gjirokastër; the urban pulse of Tirana; the historical echoes in Krujë; the cultural depth of Shkodër; and the natural splendours of Theth and Valbona. 

📍ITALY

With Mal’s family roots in Calabria and numerous trips throughout the country, Italy feels like a second home to us. From the Colosseum in Rome to the canals of Venice and the rustic charm of the Italian countryside, we’re seasoned in all things Italian.

📍UNITED KINGDOM

Mal lived in the UK for 14 years and has managed to explore the country inside and out.

📍GUATEMALA

We visited Guatemala in 2022 and spent 3 months touring the country. We particularly loved Antigua and El Paredon, where we stayed longer to surf. 

📍CZECH REPUBLIC

We’ve been to Prague 4 times, and Mal has been visiting the mountainous regions of the Czech Republic since childhood since it’s only a few hour’s drive from where she grew up. 

📍HUNGARY

We visited Budapest in 2022 and stayed for 2 weeks.

EUROPE

📍NETHERLANDS (where Robin is from)

📍POLAND (where Mal is from)

📍PORTUGAL (Porto, Faro, Lisbon, Algarves)

📍SPAIN (Mal lived in Barcelona as a student; we visited Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Costa Brava, Gran Canaria)

📍FRANCE (Paris, Niece, Toulouse) 

📍MONACO

📍MONTENEGRO

📍BOSNIA (we met in Mostar!)

📍CROATIA (Dubrovnik)

📍BULGARIA (Sofia)

📍MACEDONIA

📍AUSTRIA

📍GERMANY 

📍BELGIUM (Bruges)

📍LUXEMBURG

📍NORWAY 

📍SWEDEN (Stockholm)

📍FINLAND

📍DENMARK

📍SLOVENIA 

📍SLOVAKIA

📍UKRAINE

📍LITHUANIA

📍GIBRALTAR

ASIA

📍SINGAPORE

📍THAILAND (Bangkok, Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Tao, Ayutthaya, Chian Rai) 

📍VIETNAM (Hoi An, Halong Bay, Sapa, Ho Chi Min, Hanoi)

📍PHILLIPINS (Boracai)

📍CAMBODIA (Angkor Wat)

📍MYANMAR (Yangon, Bagan, Lake Inla, Mandalay)

📍CHINA (Beijing, Xian)

📍MALAYSIA (Kuala Lumpur)

AMERICAS

📍USA (San Francisco)

📍COSTA RICA (Santa Teresa, Monteverde, Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, Uvita, Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, Rio Celeste) 

📍PERU (Lima, Huacachina, Cusco, Machu Picchu)

📍BOLIVIA (La Paz, Salar de Uyuni)

📍COLOMBIA (Bogota)

📍BRASIL (Rio de Janeiro, Buzios)

📍CUBA (Holguin, Santiago de Cuba)

AFRICA

📍MOROCCO (Marrakesdh) 

📍TUNISIA (Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, El Djem, Matmata, Djerba)

📍EGYPT (Cairo, Sharm el Sheikh) 

Why Trust Us?

Featured Publications

Our work has been recognised and featured in high-profile platforms like USA Today, Adventurous Kate (the biggest travel blog around!), and The Seattle Times. We’ve also had the honour of collaborating with reputable brands like Get Your Guide, Netflix’s famous Camaya in Bali, and even European household names like TOMS.

Genuine Recommendations

When we rave about a charming boutique hotel in Oaxaca or a mind-blowing snorkelling spot in Bali, know that we’ve been there, done that, and wholeheartedly endorse it. We only recommend places that we have personally visited and loved. That’s a promise!

Let’s Connect!

We cherish our reader’s trust. If you have any questions or suggestions or want to collaborate, feel free to reach out. We’re always eager to hear from fellow travel enthusiasts.

Buckle up and join us on this thrilling journey to discover the world’s untapped wonders. 

Safe travels!

Mal & Robin

Our Recent Adventures

Prague is one of the best places to visit on your European road trip.
Driving a rental car in Athens.
About us Photo for Renting a car in Europe 101
Driving a rental car in Mykonos.
Homepage photo for Renting a car in Europe 101, Budapest