ABOUT US
Dear traveler,
Odysseia-In is a visionary project for its time, started at the dawn of Bulgarian entrepreneurship, which owes its conception to the efforts of Lubomir Popiordanov and half a dozen climbers and mountaineers, all members of the Edelweiss Alpine Club-- Sofia. Together, they traversed the Balkans, the Tatras,and the Pamirs. It was only natural to try and use their experience to earn a living. They weren’t short of ideas, but reality struck hard even before the end of the first year. Yes, they welcomed first foreign guests, who for some reason had placed their trust in them. But in 1991 the company was in an unannounced bankruptcy. Then, in 1993, business expanded to include import and distribution of outdoor equipment. There was growth but mistakes were made, and services were not always up to standard. In 1994 Momtchil Damyanov joined in. A step was made towards professionalism with the attendance of a course in business development and marketing, supported by program of the French government, which also provided first corporate contacts. Aadditional assistance came from MBA consultants via USAID. The rest was a matter of integrity and faith, work and determination. The key to understanding Odysseia-in – a phenomenon on Bulgarianbusiness map – is the team of motivated people who share a vision and who never stop dreaming.
We wish you a wonderful trip in Bulgaria!
Explore Bulgaria and experience the Balkans with Odysseia-In!
Lubomir Popiordanov
Founder and CEO
THE TEAM
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Lubomir Popiordanov
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Lubomir Popiordanov has a huge background: master of law, mountaineer, passionate traveler, photographer, painter, author of a book, producer of films, publisher and philanthropist, freelance journalist…! More than ever he spends time to participate in and initiate socially significant causes like nature protection, preservation of the cultural heritage and introduce creative and innovative thinking in the travel business. He believes that Bulgaria can be a prestigious place to live in. And more, that tourism can be developed in a responsible way. Lubomir is married with three children. Founder and CEO of Odysseia-In. |
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Valentina Popiordanova
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Valia is Lubomir’s wife and chief accountant in the company. Long-term performance of the company and its financial stability is thanks to Valia’s firm policy. She successfully combines analytical rigour (accounting) with the art of housewife and raising her children, currently three – Andrea, Sofia and Georgi. She loves travelling in places like the deserts of Morocco and Tunisia; Spain, Italy, France and India. She has a passion for red wines, cheese and jazz. Valia is our pretty woman with a gentle touch for fashion and beauty.
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Stela Samouneva
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Stela is our Product Manager for the English market. "Life is measured not by the number of breathings that we make but by the moments that stop our breath." Following this moto everyday I try to find, feel, touch a new emotion. But finally I found out that the real happiness doesn't hide behind the fulfilment of my dreams but behind the sharing of the moment with the people around. That's why I am here, to make you feel at least a part of this sweet enchantment with unknown places and unseen beauties. With my best wishes for a real extreme happiness. See you around!
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Svidna Mihailova
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Svidna is our Product Manager for the Spanish market, fluent in Spanish, French and English. She obtained her master degree in Tourism Management in Barcelona and has a huge travel experience. Among her favourite destinations are Nepal, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Crete. She is well acquainted with South Europe (Spain, France, Italy) and the east coast of USA. But what she best knows and likes are the mountains of Bulgaria. She is also a mountain leader and loves skiing and ski-mountaineering. Svidna has a passion for tango and guitar.
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Krasimir Ivanov
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Krasimir is leading our most challenging English speaking groups. He has more than 15 years of experience in the mountains, some which gained in the US. Krasimir is a co-founder of Bikearea and a keen biker. Krasimir speaks English. |
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Ioanna Georgieva
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Ioanna is our best tour leader when it comes to culture, history, architecture and religion. She is fluent in French and English and holds a Master of History and currently studies Cultural Tourism. She has real passion for art, architecture and Christianity. |
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Irina Shalamandova
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Irina works in the Reservations Department and as a mountain guide during the summer. She has gained experience from trekking in Latin America (Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia) and several mountains in Europe. She speaks Spanish and English, loves nature, folklore and dancing, traveling and being “out”. For Irina volunteering is the best way to discover, and lately she gets involved in a "green" project related to the "Eho" high-mountain hut in the Central Balkan National Park. |
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Kancho Shipkov
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Kancho is a professional mountaineer and one of our most experienced guides. He leads also groups for ski mountaineering. Kancho is also a member of the Bulgarian mountain rescue team. Kancho speaks English. |
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Kiril Petrov
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Kiril is leading our most challenging German speaking groups. He is a man with huge mountain experience behind him and a keen photographer too. Whenever in Sofia he works at our outdoor shops: www.stenata.com
Kiril speaks German.
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Dimiter Samounev
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Dimitar is a mountain guide with a lot of knowledge about nature and wildlife. He has graduated the University of Forestry and leads summer and winter snowshoeing groups. Dimitar speaks English and Spanish.
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Asen Marinov
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Asen is well known among our American and English guests. He has more than 15 years of experience in the mountains and has hiked in several regions in USA, Europe and Asia. Asen is a keen guitar player and also photographer. Asen speaks English. |
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Mihail Mihov
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Mihail is our Product Manager for the Geman market. He has a hard time staying in the office and can be often seen all over Bulgaria. He is a licensed mountain leader and in the summer is usually “outdoors”. He loves working in the field of responsible tourism, education of mountain guides and Internet marketing. Mihail recently became very active on civil issues and actions for the protection of the Bulgarian and European natural heritage. He is proud to be part of the civil society, which is very strong in the country. Whenever possible he is in the mountains with his friends. |
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Momchil Damianov
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Momchil has been for a long time with the company and is currently Lumobir’s associate. He loves mountains and nature. He also holds a degree for mountain leader and thus making his hobby a profession. Apart from that he has a passion for rock and ice climbing. He prefers walking in the high mountains, but also likes discovering historic and cultural sites in natural environment. He has trekked in the Alps and Himalayas. Momchil is an instructor in the mountain-guiding courses organized by the association “Mountains and People”. Momchil is fluent in French. |
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Nina Milanova
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Nina is the head of our Reservations Department, fluent in French and English. She can organize everything related to your stay in Bulgaria – accommodation, transfers, meals…just name it! She manages the contacts with our suppliers and knows them well. Although her work is related with long-office-hours she loves travelling and visiting new places. Her colleagues are also her best friends and this makes work more pleasant. All office parties begin or end at her desk! |
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Vasil Todev
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Vassil is a person with various interests. He has graduated geography at Sofia University and is well familiar with GIS. He enjoys the outdoors on foot and by bike. He is the founder of BikeArea. Vassil recently returned from an expedition in Africa. Vassil speaks English. |
