The family for which the world is home, and positive energy is the guide

Introduce yourself in a few words…

Ruslan Yordanov: Journalist and traveler, storyteller from the most beautiful corners of the world. Personally, I am a positive and good person. Owner of a media group in the field of tourism, including five online publications and one business and tourism magazine.

Svetla Yordanova: A good, positive, and happy person.

What does traveling the world mean to you?

Ruslan Yordanov: Traveling is happiness that has the power to change people.

Svetla Yordanova: For us, traveling started as a hobby, and today it is also a profession. Our work has given us the opportunity to travel in the country and abroad, to discover new destinations, and to get to know the way of life of the local people. Only in this way can I appreciate every country we visit – whether it is close or far.

How many different countries have you seen so far? Share with us an interesting incident or highlights from your travels.

Ruslan Yordanov: Almost 50 countries. Each leaves its mark, but I will never forget how in Kruger Park in South Africa, huge elephants surrounded our jeep. Another time in Delhi, I accidentally stumbled upon a traditional Indian wedding and left with a gift – a huge box of sweets from the newlyweds.

Svetla Yordanova: I have visited over 40 countries. Turkey is one of the closest destinations to my heart – there I personally met stars from Turkish series like Seval Sam, Ozcahan Deniz, Burak Ozcivit, and others. A very special moment for me was when we visited the house in the Sariyer district of Istanbul where the series “Mother” was filmed. The hosts opened their doors for us, welcomed us warmly, and shared stories from the shooting process – I felt the typical Turkish hospitality again, which made me love this country even more.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: Before, I wanted to see as many different places as possible, but today I have nothing against repeating them. Every destination is special – I always discover new and new things. For example, Italy is a place I can visit every year – because of the small streets, the food, and the energy it gives me. Several times a year, we get in our car and head to Istanbul, where we have our favorite places to visit. This is the city outside Bulgaria that we feel is our second home. 

Svetla Yordanova: I also love to return to places that have left me strong emotions. I love to return to Istanbul and Vienna. I believe that a return visit gives a deeper sense of the local life of the people and the culture of the destination. I like to return to countries like Italy, Turkey, Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: India. This is a different world, a world of contrasts that makes you think philosophically about the meaning and the value of life.

Svetla Yordanova: For me, my first professional trip was on a cruise ship. At that time, I encountered new experiences that I received during my water journey. Initially, I was stressed by the large ship and the many people, but now I love cruises so much that I can't wait to get on the next ship and rediscover new destinations every day. Cruises have changed tourism by giving travelers the opportunity to see many places in a short time and then return to those that impressed them the most.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: I learned that hard work, good manners, and sincerity are valued everywhere. My work brings me together with different people – tour operators, hoteliers, airlines – and it is precisely the human connections and relationships that are the greatest wealth. I learned patience, gratitude, and humility.

Svetla Yordanova: For me, adaptability and respect are the most important. Traveling has taught me to observe, to appreciate differences, and to enrich myself through new cultures.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: Yes, and I am grateful. Some people helped me, others inspired me, and others taught me lessons – good or hard. Time shows who stays by your side.

Svetla Yordanova: I am in my profession because of my husband, he is my inspiration and proof that a person is as great as their dreams. He is an example for me with his hard work, dedication, and will. I am glad that together we started from scratch and are building our lives in personal and professional terms. Now we can appreciate and truly enjoy all that we have achieved at the cost of a lot of hard work. I admire successful people, I have met many women entrepreneurs during my work and travels who have built businesses in traditionally male industries. They have given me strength and an example that when you believe in your idea, there are no limits.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: I have been in tourism since 2011, and during this time I have created a huge professional network in Bulgaria and around the world. This helps me immensely in my daily work, which is related to the media and my partners. I believe I have created a successful and positive community in my world, with which we build our successes together.

Svetla Yordanova: Definitely, every destination is a chance for a new partnership. Often, the connections we build during travels turn into long-term friendships and collaborations.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: Patience, communication, and the ability to tell stories in a way that touches people. They tell me that I have a sense for detail and my photos distinguish my work.

Svetla Yordanova: For me, it is adaptability. For example, in the Maldives, I had to get used to a few little lizards in our villa – a challenge that our family had a lot of fun with.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: My greatest inspiration is home – there come the ideas for author projects, books, and partnerships. We are constantly building our professional network and distinguishing ourselves as people who set the trends in the industry.

Svetla Yordanova: South Korea impressed me with the combination of tradition and modernity – proof that respect for the past is the foundation for the future.

When you are in an unfamiliar country, do you feel more motivated or more distractedи? Why?

Ruslan Yordanov: Every unfamiliar country charges us with new energy and knowledge. This motivates us to present it in the best way and to rediscover it every time. I think unfamiliar countries inspire us more, every time we are like little children, more curious and eager to rediscover more of the new destinations. 

Svetla Yordanova: For me, this is a moment of concentration and inspiration. New cultures and worlds make me see more details and ideas that we then apply in our profession. We always find time to enjoy new places and to draw motivation from all the good examples we encounter.

Are there destinations that act as a “restart” for your creativity and ambition?

Ruslan: For me, these are the UAE (Dubai), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea – places that show that the sky is not the limit, but the beginning of new ideas.

Svetla Yordanova: For me, this is Istanbul – the sea, hospitality, a boat ride on the Bosphorus, the urban atmosphere, the markets, the taste of Turkish cuisine.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: I admit that for me, work and pleasure are mixed – I am always in work mode. That’s why I try to enjoy the little things as much as possible – the nice weather, the atmosphere, and the meetings with people.

Svetla Yordanova: I find small moments for myself, which are not only a pleasure for me but also give meaning to my day – morning coffee and breakfast with my husband, a walk through the local market, visiting my favorite shops, and I always find time every day to hear from my loved ones, no matter where in the world I am. All of this gives me positive energy for everything else.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: The best investment is experiences – they last forever.

Svetla Yordanova: The true value is in people and memories.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: The moment we stopped following the money, it started following us. I believe that over time we have proven ourselves as professionals whom our partners can trust not only but also have a long-term sustainable friendship. Money is not the goal during our travels!

Svetla Yordanova: Our goal during our travels is to provide quality content to our partners and to the audience of our media group.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: In different cultures, I have seen people who live happily and freely with little resources, as well as societies where prosperity is achieved through courage and entrepreneurship. Independence comes when you know how to value your work and manage your resources wisely.

Svetla Yordanova: I also support the thesis that financial independence comes when funds are spent wisely. There are destinations where people are poor but united and happy – they show that money is not the greatest happiness and everything in the world.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: Experiences last a lifetime. They not only give you memories but also change the way you look at the world. Investing in a trip or meeting a new culture is the greatest wealth a person can accumulate.

Svetla Yordanova: For me, experiences are the greatest value. They build us as individuals and give us emotions that no one can take away from us. Material possessions can bring joy for a short time, but experiences remain in our hearts for a lifetime.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

Ruslan Yordanov: The internet has made it possible to work from anywhere. More and more people are choosing this way of life.

Svetla Yordanova: This is a trend that will develop. The new generation does not want to be tied to a static office. Places with good internet and quality living environments will become increasingly attractive.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: Many destinations have their advantages. The United States is the land of unlimited opportunities, where the scales are huge. For me, the Greek islands are favorable for work and investments due to the climate and tranquility.

Svetla Yordanova: I would highlight Spain and Austria – not only because of the climate and way of life but also because they encourage innovation and small business.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: I would choose Dubai. It is a city of enormous scale, where the boundaries of the possible expand every day. The atmosphere there is so dynamic and energizing that it motivates me to think big and dream. I believe that it is there that a new idea could turn into a project with a global reach.

Svetla Yordanova: For me, it would be Seoul in South Korea. There, modernity and tradition go hand in hand and provide a sense of sustainable future. It is an environment that inspires and shows that respect for the past can go in harmony with innovations.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: Because of the nature and wonderful cuisine, I would recommend Iceland, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Madeira Island, the Sahara Desert in Morocco, the Taj Mahal in India. I will also recommend cruise ships – they are a destination in themselves that offers everything on board. I would recommend destinations that offer snorkeling, which allows tourists to rediscover another world – an underwater cosmos with colorful and incredibly beautiful fish that even modern designers would envy.

Svetla Yordanova: I would point out South Korea, Madeira, Peru, the Maldives, Bali – these are interesting and different worlds that offer rich and diverse culture.

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

Ruslan Yordanov: Teachers are important! I am a happy person that over the years I had the opportunity to learn from good people who are professionals in their field in journalism and tourism, true visionaries. My heart has always told me that I should be a good person who loves their work, is dedicated to it, and constantly wants to improve if they want to succeed. The same applies to family - we must fight for it every day and not take it for granted. At the same time, we live in extremely ugly and difficult times, where trust is the most valuable currency. Professionally, I would advise to respect the work of others, to value the people and professionals around us, and personally – travel, travel, travel – tourism will change you, enrich your knowledge, make you happier, more fulfilled, provoke your curiosity, and may give you new opportunities.

Svetla Yordanova: Be good and genuine people. Life itself is an interesting director, and the world is a teacher that shows different models of success. The most important thing is not to stop developing and seeking inspiration, to live and work in harmony.