When people think of traveling, most people imagine a vacation in Italy, relaxing by the sea, or exploring famous metropolises. But I was always attracted by something else – to see the world as it really is .

After my accident in Croatia and the death of my father, I realized that life is too short to live it in a comfort zone. I wanted to see reality. What does the real world look like outside the European bubble? How do people live where they have no certainty about tomorrow?

And so I started traveling. Iraq, Eritrea, Sudan, Bangladesh…

Many people ask me: Why these countries?

Simple answer: I want to see the truth. I want to understand what it’s like to live in conditions that most of us can’t even imagine. Because only when you see the poverty in Bangladesh or the consequences of war in Iraq will you realize the luxury we live in in Slovakia.

One of the most powerful experiences was my trip to Iraq. I spent more than 10 days there and crossed the country from Basra, through Nasiriyah, Ur, Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad, Samarra, and all the way to Mosul. Seeing Iraq with your own eyes is like experiencing two completely different realities.

🔹 Cities destroyed by war, hidden terrorist cells, but also fascinating historical sites and monuments.
🔹 From extreme heat of 56°C outside to icy rooms with air conditioning.
🔹 From places where people fight for food and water to neighborhoods where you overeat in restaurants, Iraq is not a country for tourists looking for comfort. It is a country for those who want to understand the world differently than the media shows it .

Each of these journeys taught me something. In Sudan, I understood what true hospitality means. In Iraq, I saw that people are the same everywhere in the world – we all want safety, family, and a chance at a better life. And in Bangladesh, I realized that happiness does not depend on wealth, but on how you can appreciate what you have.

If you are interested in traveling to less traditional destinations and want to see the world through different eyes, follow my other trips. You might be surprised to learn that sometimes the poorest places hide the richest stories.