-06.svg)
-06.svg)
Neko Travels was founded by two friends with a shared passion for travel, languages, and cultural discovery.
‍
Andrei Mariea, born in Romania, was raised in a coastal town on the Costa Brava in Spain. Sergio Martinez originally from Seville, where he grew up and spent most of his life.
Years later, they met while working in a restaurant in Barcelona and have been inseparable ever since, sharing adventures together for over eight years and counting.
Eventually, both moved to Dublin, Ireland, where they’ve now been living for over two years. During this time, Andrei has been working in the international education and travel industry, helping students from all over the world come to study English in Ireland.
Sergio, on the other hand, has been working in automation and robotics, a field that has sharpened his attention to detail and creative thinking. Together, their personal and professional experiences abroad have shaped the vision behind Neko Travels.
From an early age, both founders were fascinated by Japanese culture. Anime, manga, and shows like Naruto sparked a deep curiosity for exploring the world and learning new languages. They admired Japan’s passion for excellence, its attention to detail, and the richness of its history and traditions.
‍
This early inspiration planted the seed for what would later become their life’s project: building something that helps others feel that same excitement about travel and cultural exchange.
Years ago, before starting Neko Travels, both founders had a disappointing experience with an agency while trying to travel to Australia.
The trip never happened. Once the payment was made, they felt forgotten, like no one cared about their situation. That experience, though frustrating, became fuel.
They realised there was a better way to do things.
‍
A way to build a travel agency where people feel genuinely guided, supported, and listened to, not just another number. That’s how Neko Travels was born.
We believe that travel is one of the most powerful ways to grow as a person. At Neko Travels, our goal is to help people from all over the world explore new places, live unforgettable experiences, and become more confident, open, and connected.
‍
Whether you’re a student looking to improve your English, a young traveller joining a summer camp, or a school group on a cultural adventure, our team is here for you.
If you're ready to live new experiences or even work while studying in Ireland, we’ll be by your side every step of the way.
‍
We want to make sure no one else goes through what we did. That’s why we built a company based on honesty, care, and real human connection.
Because of their deep connection to Japanese culture, Andrei and Sergio knew from the beginning that the name of their company had to reflect that inspiration. That’s why they chose “Neko,” which means cat in Japanese.
‍
Cats are curious, independent, and adventurous, qualities we aim to inspire in every student and traveler who joins Neko Travels.
‍
In both Japan and China, cats also symbolize good fortune and prosperity, especially the famous maneki-neko or lucky cat often seen at shop entrances.
‍
Neko represents more than just a name or a logo. It’s a reflection of who we are and what we stand for: discovery, confidence, growth, and good energy in every journey.
‍
Above all, it represents curiosity, the desire to explore, to ask questions, and to never stop learning. That’s the heart of every Neko Travels experience.