Most memorable journeys

Thales Panagides graduated with an MBA in Entrepreneurship in 1998. He spent weeks searching for a job in the financial district of New York City and realized Wall Street wasn’t the right fit for a Cypriot who spent most of his summers on the beach. Uncertain about his future and how to leverage his business degree, he decided to visit his cousin in Brazil who just launched an Internet company. The plan was to spend a couple of weeks, but he ended up staying for ten fruitful years. Thales was offered a stake in his cousin’s technology company called Inova Tecnologias. Highlights included attracting venture capital and launching a B2B website selling high fashion Brazilian bikinis around the world. The bikini website drew media attention and was mentioned in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Inc Magazine. He moved to Cyprus with his wife and two daughters in 2008 and launched a second ecommerce website focusing on gym wear. Today Inova Technologias employs 20 people and Thales continues to be one of the leading independent distributors of Brazilian bikinis and fitness wear in the world. Thales enjoys open water swimming, cycling and running. He’s also the author of 'Odessey to the Heart', an inspirational philosophical story of a man's journey to spiritual enlightenment who priorities meaning and not profit maximisation.

Life is a journey and we all have our stories. Sharing those stories helps others be brave enough to break their own silences. Let's be kind to ourselves, each other and make this world a better place.

He has a desire for self development, mental health awareness and a budding passion to learn more about himself and others in order to make himself a better human being and in extension, help others be better human beings.

I met Rick during a Master Coach Training in Dubai and was fascinated by his stories about living in #Baghdad, #Afghanistan and countries in the Gulf. He was born in Canada and currently he is stationed in #Bahrain but who knows where he will be going next. We share the love for the Middle East and Gulf States because of their beautiful hospitality, their colors and their history.

At just 21 years old, historian and author Schmidt has established himself as a dedicated truth-seeker. Since penning his 8-part educational series "History Bites" at age 12, Schmidt has made it his mission to inspire young minds and uncover the stories that shaped America.

With a number of exclusive interviews with household names such as Bob Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, Mike Tyson, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., O.J. Simpson, Donald Trump and many others, what lead him to his latest interview subject is a fascinating story.

His latest work, "Legal Gladiator," is the only biography of Alan Dershowitz, America's most controversial attorney.

Alan gave author Solomon Schmidt unprecedented access to his personal and professional life, and in Legal Gladiator, Solomon takes readers inside Alan’s most high-profile cases, including the notorious Trump trial.

He accompanies tours to England and Scotland and his biggest wish is to interview JK Rowling.

Solomon's website: https://www.solomonschmidt.com/about-5

History Bites:  https://historybites.com/whos-solomon/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbyHftBkYK8VW6zClFKQWA

When Cole Sjoholm was asked, "Would you go?" his answer transformed his life in ways he never imagined. In 2023, he embarked on an extraordinary journey, setting foot on all seven continents in just one year—solo. From the vibrant cities of Europe to the icy expanses of Antarctica, and from the sun-drenched landscapes of Australia to the bustling streets of the Far East, Cole completed 71 flights, covered 110,246 miles, and spent 167 nights exploring the world. This wasn't just about ticking items off a bucket list; it was about discovering a new way of living and filling his bucket with unforgettable experiences.

Discover the incredible story behind Cole's epic adventure and the profound lessons he learned along the way. His journey isn't just a travelogue—it's a testament to the transformative power of stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown.

Join Cole Sjoholm, mortgage lender, travel blogger, photographer, and public speaker, as he shares his remarkable experiences and insights. Dive into his story at http://www.mortgageguytravelstheworld.com and get inspired to start your own adventure today!

I met Costa at the Cyprus Diaspora Forum (Thank you Paul Lambis) and started following him on social media. I am fascinated by his zest for life and how he enjoys everything he does whether it’s traveling the world, exploring Cyprus or dancing Salsa with his wife Anna.

Costa was born in Melbourne, Australia, and moved to Cyprus as an adult. In Australia, he studied psychology, psycho-neurosciences, politics and history at a bachelor level, followed by a master’s in international relations and law. He is the Director of CONSTANTi, a consultancy offering social and political analysis and advice, as well as conducting research and consulting in the fields of international relations, conflict, civil society, public diplomacy and project management. He worked as a European Project Office manager at the University of Nicosia for 2 years working on migrant integration and adult learning projects, and spent 14 years as policy and public diplomacy manager at the Australian High Commission. Costa is an advocate of the crucial and real power of civil society and social media, as well as being an active campaigner for human rights, gender equality, peace building and conflict resolution. He is a founding Board Member of the peace-building NGO Cyprus Academic Dialogue (CAD) Costa is also the Cyprus rapporteur for Freedom House and produces the Freedom in the World Report for the Republic of Cyprus, focusing on transparency and corruption matters, issues of democratic governance, freedom of speech, religious and minority rights, gender equality and other key markers for Cyprus.

https://constanti.org/

Becky Lukovic is a 20 year veteran in the travel industry.  She started On the Go Travel Company in Indiana in 2001 after an “aha” moment in Sorrento, Italy.  Standing on a bridge overlooking the sparkling Bay of Naples, Becky realized planning independent and culture-centric travel was her passion.  In the next 20 years, she would use that passion to design unique, custom adventures for her clients.

Becky developed an extensive book of luxury travel connections and became involved in the American Society of Travel Agents, held a position on the Mid-America Chapter board, and served on the national ASTA communications committee in the early 2000s.

In 2010, Becky rebranded her company as Bella Travel Planning, LLC. in Carmel, Indiana to reflect her passion for beautiful, engaging, life-changing travel.  In the summer of 2015, she and her husband moved cross-country to beautiful Atlanta, Georgia to start a new adventure.

Becky designs adventures for her clients across seven continents ranging from private scuba dives in Costa Rica to tiger sanctuaries in India to the 2008 Summer Olympics in China to cruises at the bottom of the world – Antarctica. She is a specialist in Culinary travel, Wine tasting trips, Italy, France, South Africa, Adventure travel, Antarctica, Incentive trips and meetings, and girlfriend getaways.

Recently, Becky trekked in the mountains of Uganda to visit a family of Silverback Gorillas—what an adventure.  She’s been on land in Antarctica photographing colonies on Penguins, and explored countless off-the-beaten path European Ski resorts and Christmas Villages.  A well-crafted tasting menu with wine parings are her love language and she counts many hotel owners and general managers as personal friends. A quick google of her name will reveal how many times she’s been quoted for industry publications as well as being featured on the cover of Luxury Travel Advisor Magazine.

Becky is a former member of the Saveur Magazine Travel Advisory Board and is currently a member of The Vast adventure travel society and the Culinary Travel Community with Virtuoso.  She holds many destination and resort specialist certifications and is a preferred advisor with Four Seasons, Relais & Chateaux, Belmond, Ritz Carlton, Luxury Collection, Blackberry Farms, and Mandarin Oriental just to name a few.  With these partnerships, she can wow her travelers with upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, hotel credits, and special rates for your travels.

https://bellatravelplanning.com/

Neil Laird is a multiple Emmy-nominated director of historical films for Discovery, BBC, PBS, History Channel, National Geographic, and many other networks. He has produced over 100 programs around the globe that feature crumbling Egyptian tombs, lost Mayan cities, and mysterious shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea.

He is a TV producer turned novelist and discusses his unique career journey and the creation of his comedic time travel novels like Prime Time Travelers. Neil shares how his background in the TV industry and his passion for ancient history and mythology inspired his writing. We dive into the challenges of transitioning from TV to writing, the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing, and the critical role of marketing for authors. Neil also reflects on the power of storytelling, his awe-inspiring travels, and the balance between preserving historical sites and the passage of time.

He loves the world and especially the Middle East where he gets even more inspire to think and write

Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with valuable takeaways for aspiring writers and storytellers.

https://www.neillaird.com/

Elisa is a mother of 5 sons which she brought up mostly on her own and lived in Texas, Miami, Canada, France. She overcame extreme challenges and create a life that she loves.

In May 2016, she founded#happy2succeed, intending to bring awareness and wellbeing to body and mind. She inspires and and empowers women globally to discover their hidden power with a positive spiritual mindset method, to grow their Authentic Self, and powerfully fulfilled, to make an impact. Helping Women Globally with Kindness & Joy! #Body-Mind-Soul ELISA has served hundreds of individuals worldwide and created thousands of happy, empowered women.

Elisa’s advice is both inspiring and practical. She lavishes individuals with a combination of innovative personal solutions that spur miracle creation and profoundly personal advice that unlocks energy and sparks enthusiasm in dream lives. If you want to feel happy, experience inner peace, and infinite fulfillment on every day of your life, it is essential to determine what is your Life Purpose.

BUT first and foremost, you have to know YOURSELF. As Dr. Wayne W. Dyer said it so well: “Here you are in this intelligent system that has no beginning and no end, in which all of the galaxies move in harmony with each other. You must have shown up here for a reason!”

She truly believes that each one of us is born with a unique Life Purpose. To have a clear understanding of our life purpose is the ultimate way to guide you towards Happiness and Success. She likes to give the best tools and the most astonishing pieces of wisdom she’s learned in 30 years as a be-creative mother, as a parent with a dream, as an achiever with goal-set, and as a kind spiritual-being with love for a better and happier world.

https://elisacard.com/meet-elisa-card/

Anna-Maria Athanasiou wrote her first books, The Waiting for Summer novels in secret, firstly because she never thought she’d finish them and secondly, it was a completely new territory for her. Throughout her life Anna-Maria had regularly created scenarios and stories in her head, thinking that one day she would finally put them down on paper. Eventually, in the September of 2011 she took the plunge and started to write down an idea that she'd been creating for almost ten years.

Waiting for Summer books one and two are the result of her small idea, and she finally had them published in September 2013 and June 2014. The love story and her characters, Sylvie and Nick, captured the hearts and enthusiasm of her readers, spurring Anna-Maria to carry on with her writing.

Anna-Maria has since been asked to collaborate with other authors on four charity anthologies and is an Inspirational Global Woman Nominee.

She lives in Cyprus and has two sons, a Golden Retriever and seven cats, and has penchant for cake, tea, whisky, wine and a healthy obsession with shoes. Anna-Maria loves the fantasy land of romantic fiction, and is passionate about bringing her stories and characters to life.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B00IZNBTAY

Stefan was born and raised in Switzerland. He studied economics in Zurich and ended up in business journalism and wrote for Finanz und Wirtschaft, Berner Zeitung, Tages-Anzeiger and Handelszeitung.

He loves to travel and started globetrotting as a young child with his parents. He has always been fascinated by planes and airports and became the founder and editor of aeroTELEGRAPH, an online platform all about planes, flying, airports etc.

He is the author of the book “Fascination Airport - The most beautiful airports and their stories” which is available on Amazon.

https://www.aerotelegraph.com/author/stefan-eiselin/page/169