The journey is an unfiltered and unedited clash with the world

Introduce yourself in a few words..

Storyteller, hunter of adventures and collector of unforgettable memories. Ifind meaning in encounters that no GPS map can predict. I created the platforms “Adventures with Zhivko Konstantinov” and “TravelRadar”, to inspire and inform.

For you, traveling the world is?

Aconstant clash with the world as it is — unfiltered, unedited. Away to stay awake to everything real and human.

How many different countries have you seen so far? Tell us a curious incident or highlights from your travels?

Honestly... I have never counted the countries. Not because there are few, but simply because for me it has never been a matter of quantity, but of depth. More important than where you’ve been is what you’ve felt. How many times you’ve gotten goosebumps. How many times you’ve gotten lost to find yourself again. How many times the world has expanded your boundaries beyond geography.

One such encounter was in the Chitwan jungle, in Nepal.

The air was soaked with something inexplicable - a mixture of moisture, expectation, and... fear. The jeep with the local ranger stopped in absolutesilence. Only the sound of our rapid breathing was heard…

And then... he appeared he.

A wild Bengal tiger. Real. Not in a zoo. Not in a documentary film. No more than 15 meters from us.

He stopped. Looked at us. His eyes didn’t just look — they read. There was something majestic, deep, and primal in that gaze. It was as if time froze. As if all the laws of reality folded into a moment of absolute presence.

The fear was not panic. I felt how every cell in me was awakening, how the instincts I didn’t know existed were screaming for me not to move, to breathe more quietly, to be just a shadow.

The tiger remained motionless for a few seconds — or maybe minutes? — and slowly turned and disappeared into the jungle. Without a sound. Without a trace. As if he had never been there.

But he was. And I will never forget him.

This was not just a meeting with an animal. This was a meeting with something bigger than me — with nature in its purest, wildest form. And even today, when I close my eyes, I can see that gaze. The tiger's.

And if I have to choose just one experience that is more valuable than any “check” on a list of countries — here it is.

Do you like to repeat destinations? Give examples and motivation “for” or “against”?

Yes! Absolutely, firmly, passionately yes! Repeating destinations is not a sign of a lack of adventurous spirit, but of love. And if there is one place on earth that I return to like an old love, it is Greece. Ah, this wonderful Greece…

Returning to a favorite place is not boredom — it is inspired deepening. Such is the case with the Greek islands. There are no two identical mornings, nor one boring sunset, which canturn your soul upside down.

Of course, there are people who chase only the new. They want “one more tick on the map”. But I believe that depth brings more than quantity. And returning is not a step back, but a step into a deeper experience.

What was your first trip that truly changed you as a professional and can be said to have changed your thinking?

Without hesitation – Antarctica.

When I first set foot on the Ice Continent, I had the feeling that I was not just traveling to the end of the world, but that I was entering the heart of my own search – as a journalist, as a traveler, as a person. A place, where the horizon has no end, but only possibilities.

Although I have been to Antarctica six times already, each subsequent time feels like the first.

Antarctica taught me the most valuable lesson – humility before the greatness of nature and responsibility towards the truth. It requires patience, resilience, and respect – lessons that I have carried into my work. There I learned that sometimes the strongest story is the one you simply let happen before the eyes of others, without embellishing it. And that’s why I will always return. Antarctica is not just a journey. It is a path. And a change.

What do you learn about yourself and your professional skills when you are in a new cultural environment?

In a new environment, a very important professional ability is enhanced – the ability to communicate with different people in different ways, without losing yourself. Empathy, patience, and observation develop – all qualities that are invaluable in journalism, but also in any profession related to working with people.

I also learn how important it is to be flexible. Plans often change, things don’t happen exactly as you expect, but if you stay open and calm, you will manage. And often it is in these unforeseen situations that the best stories are born – and the most valuable lessons.

Have you met people or ideas during your travels that have influenced your career Vand path?

Traveling has the amazing property of meeting you with the right people at the right moment – sometimes literally at an airport terminal, other times – on a boat in Indonesia or in a café in Havana. They don’t have to be famous personalities or opinion leaders. Sometimes the most influential ideas come from strangers who simply tell you something at the right moment.

Do you think that traveling helps you expand your professional network? How?

Absolutely. Traveling is like a living LinkedIn – only without profile pictures in suits and “professional goals”, but with real people, living stories, and unexpected connections. The professional network built during traveling is more authentic – because it is based on shared experiences, not on business cards.

What skills do you develop the most when you travel, and how do they reflect on your work Vand?

With every outing from home, I develop adaptability, observational skills, and communication. All three are gold in my work.

Adaptability helps in the professional world when the terrain (literally and figuratively) changes in minutes. You learn on the go.

Observation - Ilearned to look behind the facade, to catch the nuances, the details, the small stories that make the big one.

Communication - it is not just in words. It is in the gaze, in the gesture, in the respect for the cultural context of the person opposite you.

Is there a city or country that has Vinspired you to start a new business or project?

Yes – and that is without doubt Hong Kong. In this city, you can feel the pulse of the world. Hong Kong does not just live at a fast pace – it literally vibrates with energy, opportunities, and ideas. This is the place where the East meets the West not only geographically, but culturally, economically, and technologically.

When you are in a foreign country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?

The new environment awakens curiosity and provokes the senses, which often makes me more alert and inspired. Distraction comes from the abundance of impressions and details that are unusual for me, but that is also part of the charm – to be open to the world, to learn and adapt on the go. In those moments, my motivation is reborn – it is not just for work, but for the very experience and the opportunity to create something unique, born from the encounter with the new. Theunfamiliar makes me more creative, more persistent, and truly alive.

Are there any destinations that act as a "restart" for your creativity and ambition?

Definitely yes – it may sound cliché, but this is the island Bali. There I discover balance between tranquility and dynamism, which unlocks my creative energy and gives me the strength to think outside the box. Inspiration comes not only from nature, but  and from people – creators, entrepreneurs, digital nomads – all together create an incredible atmosphere that simply makes dreams come true.

How do you manage the balance between work and pleasure when you travel?

In short – the balance comes from respect for yourself and the ability to enjoy both work and adventures. This way, every trip becomes a fulfilling and inspiring experience.

How have travels changed the way you perceive the value of money?

Instead of spending on things, I learned to invest in experiences.

Do you travel with the aim of finding new ways to make money?

Traveling is primarily an experience, an opportunity to break away from the daily routine, to get inspired, and to explore the world. I believe that when you primarily strive for financial results, you can miss the magic and true value of traveling.

What lessons about financial independence have you learned from different economies and cultures?

Financial independence comes from the ability to save and plan wisely. In some countries, people live modestly and are very disciplined with their money, while in others they invest and seek different ways for income. It is important to have backup options and not rely solely on one source of money. The most valuable lesson is that you must keep learning and be flexible, because the world and economies are constantly changing.

According to I, is it better to spend on experiences rather than material possessions?

Spending on experiences is like investing in yourself – in memories that no one can take away from you, in stories you tell for a lifetime, and in lessons that make you braver and a more interesting person. For me, there is nothing more valuable than being rich in moments, not in things!

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

Time is on the side of those who want to live and create beyond the walls of a traditional office!

Are there specific countries that are more favorable for work and investments?

I don't think there is a universally most favorable place for work and investments – each country has its advantages and challenges. For me, it is important to find an environment, where I can be productive and where the conditions for work and life are balanced.  The important thing is to be adaptable and to take advantage of the opportunities that the specific place offers you.

If you could choose one place in the world to develop your next big idea, what would it be and why?

Ican be anywhere, as long as the inspiration is with me. Theimportant thing is to carry the idea with you, not to let the place limit you.

What are the destinations that you would definitely recommend to be visited and why?

Antarctica is something extraterrestrial - an icy wasteland where silence speaks, and nature is unrefined and raw. There you feel the true power of the planet, which reminds us how small we are…

Namibia is another universe - red sand dunes that disappear into the endless desert, endless freedom, and air that fills your lungs with life. There meetings with wildlife change you forever.

The Philippines, on the other hand, are a tropical paradise with incredible beaches, where the water is so clear and blue that you wish to stay forever. There, the people are hospitable, and their smiles are contagious. The Philippines are the perfect place to recharge your soul with energy, adventures, and new friendships.

What is the career advice you would give based on what you have seen around the world?

Be curious and never stop learning and adapting. It is important to be flexible, to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.