Meet Alexander

Honorary Co-Founder & Junior Family Traveller

Alexander is Elena’s son, the second “A” in A&A Legacy Travel and the inspiration behind the business.

At only five years old, he has already experienced family holidays, long-haul flights, ferry journeys, speedboats, long road trips, wildlife encounters, a private safari, skiing, snorkelling and a wonderful variety of cultures and cuisines.

His experiences give Elena a genuine child’s perspective on destinations, hotels, food, flights and family activities.

“Honorary Co-Founder” is a family title celebrating Alexander’s special place in the story behind A&A Legacy Travel. It is not a legal or client-facing position, and he does not advise clients, arrange holidays or handle bookings.

He is the heart of the agency’s name, the inspiration behind its legacy and a very enthusiastic junior family traveller.

Where His Travel Story Began

Alexander’s travel story began before he was born.

When Elena was four months pregnant, she travelled to Crete and Ibiza for her babymoon. Alexander later returned to Ibiza with his parents in 2024 and again in 2026, making it a destination that has accompanied his family story from the beginning.

His first flight after he was born was at five months old, travelling with his mum on a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Romania.

At six months old, he experienced his first ferry journey, travelling from mainland Greece to the island of Thassos.

At around one year old, he had his first speedboat adventure. The family travelled from Tulcea through the waterways of the Danube Delta to Sfântu Gheorghe Beach - a wild, unspoilt stretch of Black Sea coastline close to where the Sfântu Gheorghe branch of the Danube reaches the sea.

After all the excitement of the journey, Alexander fell asleep on the speedboat on the way back.

When he was two, he travelled outside Europe for the first time, flying directly with British Airways from London Heathrow to Mauritius. This was also his first long-haul flight and his introduction to the personal entertainment screens he now expects every aeroplane to have.

He returned to Mauritius and celebrated his third birthday beside the swimming pool. He made the occasion even more special by inviting the children he had met at the hotel to join the celebration.

At three, Alexander experienced skiing for the first time in Poiana Brașov, in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains.

At four, he tried snorkelling for the first time in the clear waters of Fig Tree Bay in Protaras, Cyprus.

Travelling Through a Child’s Eyes

Children often notice completely different things from adults.

While adults may focus on a hotel’s design, location or view, Alexander immediately notices the swimming pool, food and activities.

A good swimming pool is essential. He is a confident swimmer and loves spending time in the water, whether he is swimming in a hotel pool, snorkelling in the sea or trying different water sports.

When Elena considers a hotel for families, she looks at the size and layout of its pools, facilities for different ages and whether the pools use freshwater, saltwater or alternative treatment systems—particularly when a child has sensitive skin.

Food is just as important to Alexander. He loves trying dishes from the countries he visits, and his favourite is albóndigas caseras - Spanish-style meatballs served in tomato sauce. He also loves exotic fruit and fresh coconut water.

A hotel receives extra approval if it offers good-quality food and a dedicated children’s buffet where younger guests can see the choices and serve themselves.

If the hotel has a golf course, that is another major advantage. There is a very good chance Alexander will be found there with his dad - especially if he is allowed to lead the way.

The Journey Is Part of the Adventure

Alexander particularly enjoys long-haul aircraft with personal entertainment screens.

His first direct British Airways flight from Heathrow to Mauritius set a high standard. Films, games and enjoyable food make the journey part of the holiday for him.

Short-haul aircraft without individual entertainment screens can consequently feel a little disappointing.

His experience helps Elena remember that travelling with children begins long before the family reaches the hotel. Flight times, entertainment, food, seating, transfers and the total length of the journey can all influence the family’s experience.

Destinations Alexander Has Experienced

Alexander’s known travel experiences include:

• Albania
• Austria, including Vienna
• Croatia
• Cyprus, including Protaras and Fig Tree Bay
• France, including Paris
• Greece, including Crete and Thassos
• Italy, including Sardinia
• Maldives
• Mauritius, visited twice
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Romania, visited multiple times
• Slovenia
• Spain, including Ibiza, Tenerife and Mallorca
• Sri Lanka

He has visited Tenerife three times, Mauritius twice, Romania on multiple occasions and Ibiza during Elena’s pregnancy, followed by further visits in 2024 and 2026.

The family is still completing his full travel list, so more destinations may be added as previous journeys are checked.

Why Mauritius Is So Special to Him

Mauritius is probably the destination closest to Alexander’s heart.

It brings together many of the things he loves most: beautiful beaches, palm trees, fresh coconuts, swimming, water sports, mountains, wildlife and family adventures.

He has visited the island twice and celebrated his third birthday there beside the swimming pool.

One of his most memorable experiences was seeing the giant tortoises at La Vanille Nature Park. The experience showed him that a beach holiday can include much more than swimming and relaxing—it can also offer wildlife, nature, culture, local food and opportunities to explore.

His experiences support Elena’s belief that Mauritius can be an excellent destination for families and multigenerational travellers, not only for couples and honeymooners.

From Sri Lanka to the Maldives

During their family journey through Sri Lanka, Alexander, Elena and Mihai travelled through almost half of the island.

Their experiences included a private safari, local food, changing landscapes and the opportunity to observe a different culture and way of life.

After spending a week in Sri Lanka, the family flew to the Maldives. While Elena and Mihai ate their rice with forks, Alexander began eating his with his hands, following what he had observed during their travels.

It was a small but meaningful example of how naturally children can learn from and adapt to the cultures they experience.

Alexander’s time in the Maldives also demonstrates that the destination is not only suitable for honeymooners and couples. The right Maldivian island can offer an exciting family holiday with beaches, marine life, swimming, snorkelling and activities for children.

One of the family’s funniest memories happened after visiting a local island.

While travelling by taxi from Malé to Hulhumalé, Alexander was looking out of the window when he noticed a cemetery. From his child’s perspective, he misunderstood what he saw and excitedly shouted:

“Mummy, look - a playground!”

It was an innocent observation that became one of the family stories they still remember from the journey.

The Second “A” in A&A Legacy Travel

The name A&A Legacy Travel has a deeply personal meaning.

The first “A” represents Alexandra, Elena’s middle name. The second represents Alexander, her son.

“Legacy Travel” represents the business Elena is building for her family and the meaningful experiences she helps other families create through travel.

Alexander is not expected or required to enter the travel industry. However, Elena hopes that one day, if he chooses, he may continue A&A Legacy Travel, shape it in his own way and perhaps eventually pass it to his own children.

“Alexander is my inspiration and the reason behind the legacy I am building. One day, if he chooses, I hope he will continue A&A Legacy Travel and perhaps pass it to his own family.”
- Elena Alexandra Mihailov

Whatever he decides in the future, Alexander will always remain part of the name, values and story of A&A Legacy Travel.

Quick Travel Facts

Role: Honorary Co-Founder and Junior Family Traveller
Connection to A&A Legacy Travel: Elena’s son and the second “A” in the agency’s name
Favourite destination: Mauritius
Favourite food: Albóndigas caseras, exotic fruit and fresh coconut
Favourite activities: Swimming, golf, snorkelling, skiing and water sports
Essential hotel feature: A good swimming pool
Hotel bonus: A children’s buffet and access to a golf course
Perfect holiday setting: A beach surrounded by palm trees with fresh coconut water
Travel wish list: Seychelles, Málaga and Bora Bora
Funniest travel memory: Mistaking a cemetery for a playground while travelling between Malé and Hulhumalé

Read Our Family Travel Stories

More stories from Elena and Alexander’s travels are coming soon, including:

• Celebrating Alexander’s Birthday in Mauritius
• Mauritius Through a Child’s Eyes
• Exploring Sri Lanka With a Young Child
• What Alexander Notices When Visiting a Hotel
• Flying Long-Haul With Young Children
• Introducing Children to Skiing and Snorkelling

Plan Your Family Holiday

Alexander does not personally respond to enquiries or arrange holidays, but Elena and the A&A Legacy Travel team are ready to help.

Tell us who is travelling, the ages of your children, what your family enjoys and what you want from your time away. We will help you explore destinations, hotels and experiences suited to your family.