I am just a regular guy- born in Bulgaria and raised in the US, with a dream to see everything I can in between and all over.
about vITal-trek
Hello,
Thank you for visiting my website! I have created this site as a way to share my travel experiences with others around the world. It is, in a way, my virtual scrapbook of places I have gone and places I hope to get to. I also want to make this more than just a blog, as the site will also include tips and tools that I use to plan and enjoy my trips. For many, figuring out how to plan for a trip can be the most arduous part of traveling. But, I love the planning process, which for me includes a lot of research, and making charts and maps. A bit of planning helps to make the trip more enjoyable, and it helps in prioritizing and making space in the schedule to see the things I most want to see. I also make sure to leave room in the schedule for some “unscheduled” sorts of exploring. Some of the best finds while traveling often happen when something unexpected happens, or you just walk into a place on a whim. Overall I hope there will be something useful for anyone planning a trip, or just trying to find ideas for a new travel destination.
If you like the content please follow me on Instagram and YouTube, to see more pictures and videos from my travels.
Again, Thank you for visiting my site! I hope it will be a vITal trek.
Ivo T.
about me
I am just a regular guy- born in Bulgaria and raised in the US, with a dream to see everything I can in between and all over.
I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall. My parents immigrated to the US when I was two, but because of some immigration complications (i.e. end of the Cold War), I spent the first ten years of my life living with my grandparents. Sure I was away from my parents and my brother, but it was fine because I was probably the most spoiled kid out there. I mean grandparents are supposed to spoil you when you see them, but I had that daily for a decade.
Eventually, I was able to come to the US, and the city my parents had chosen to settle down in was Cleveland. If you are familiar with Cleveland and the Balkans the way I am, you will find there are many striking similarities between them. Both places are seen as being once great, followed by a rough stretch, and now are on a upswing. They are both perpetual underdogs, whether in life or sport, and they often get overlooked. But both have a ton to offer, be it in culture, entertainment, or top notch tourist destinations. And regarding sports, both have the craziest, most loyal fan bases and an illustrious history of winning, but unfortunately mostly before I was born.
Since I could not go to school for sports, I instead pursued degrees in Political Science and Global Interactions. I even did a year in law school, but it was not for me. However, my family (and I) often note that my year at law school was the best decision I have ever made, because it was there that I met my travel buddy, best friend and wife, Kay. And as Winnie the Pooh once said “As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen.”
After school we spent four years living in Washington D.C. working towards getting public interest jobs. As often happens in life though, my path changed, and I ended up working for a hospitality company that I love, with great co-workers and great employee appreciation. That job eventually helped facilitate a move back home to Cleveland for Kay and me. And not to toot my own horn, but both of the hotels I have worked for have won plenty of awards.
So that is my story. Living the regular life, and thinking about the next great adventure.
Ivo T. favorites
My Wife 🙂 Obviously!
Destinations
- Yosemite National Park
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Washington D.C.
- Toronto, Canada
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland
Movies
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Point Break (2015)
- Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
vITal-trek 