Blog Archive: July 2018
Postcards from Ventspils
| | 7 seen
Ventspils is a city situated on the western coast of Latvia, on the Baltic Sea. Ventspils is one of Europe's busiest ports. It is also the city that honours the past, thinks of the future, and never stops working!
In today's Piece of Life series - postcards from Latvian seaside town - Ventspils.
Captured back in Summer 2017
A cannon
Found one at the inner yard of Ventpils Livonian Order Castle
Cow-traveler sculpture in Ventspils
View towards Ventspils port
Shot from Viewing Platform In Ventspils
Blue cow at Ventspils Southern quay
Concrete blocks at Southern quay
Viewing Platform In Ventspils
| Tourism objects | 9 seen
You can have a look at the city from the bird’s eye view from the 19 meters high viewing tower located next to the Ventspils Southern quay.
When visiting a new place for the first time I'm always looking for some observation desk to make some great landscape photography, that's how I discovered this Venstpils viewing platform - offering great views across the Baltics and some urban cityscape.
19 meters high viewing platform in Ventspils
I have climbed in more dangerous constructions and this one located in Ventspils seems safe enough
Construction of viewing tower in Ventspils
As it was a sunny Summer day back in 2017 when I visited this tower, there were a lot of folks in the city, but just a few tried this free attraction in Ventspils
View towards Southern quay in Ventspils
And a large parking lot.
View towards Ventspils
Venstpils Livonian Order Castle
| Military Heritage | 8 seen
The Castle of the Livonian Order, which houses Ventspils Museum since September 2001, is the oldest preserved building in Ventspils, built in the second half of the 13th century (first mentioned in 1290).
The castle was built as a convent-house type building with an inner yard and can be regarded as the oldest medieval fortress in Latvia to have retained its original form virtually unchanged.
Indeed, after visiting a couple of Livonian Order Castle Ruins (Dobele Castle Ruins, Livonian Order Castle Ruins at Aizpute) Ventspils castle is a rare exemption of a surviving castle in the territory of modern Latvia.
Back in Summer 2017, I spent a short visit to Ventspils and visited both this castle and some exhibition at castle's museum.
Ventspils Livonian Order Castle
The castle chapel is the oldest preserved church building in the region of Kurzeme. In the 13th–16th century the castle was used by the brothers of the Livonian Order, later there was an Evangelical Lutheran church in the castle (1706–1835), a Russian Orthodox church (1845–1901) and also a prison (1832–1959).
A cannon
If you are into…
Rāmkalni restaurant near Murjāņi
| Restaurant reviews | 14 seen
Rāmkalni is a popular recreational area near Murjāņi (some 60km from Riga), this place features a traditional Latvian Cusine restaurant/bistro
The venue is on the edge of the Murjāņi-Valka road (A3) and in the Gauja River Valley. It offers Latvian and Western European cuisine, as well as a shop at which you can buy local goodies and homemade treats. An active leisure park is alongside the restaurant.
Goodies at Rāmkalni
Typical Latvian cuisine
Interior at Rāmkalni
Miciņi
| Tourism objects | 15 seen
Miciņi has a very special place in my heart. I spent a good time in my early teenage years living here together with my dear granny. In fact, she was born here in 1929. Back in these days, a life buzzed in this area. Now, little has left over from the past glory - our family even doesn't own the land plot here. This is the thing I'm planning to change.
When I have a chance - I always try to visit this now almost abandoned place - it gives a good energy for me and of course a lot of good memories. For this article I'm attaching a few photographies I made at Miciņi in Summer 2017.
Crop fields at Miciņi
Nowadays some large farmer is running a farm here.
Chipped wood and crop fields
Most probably the farm is heavily subsided by EU funds
fir trees at Miciņi
Somewhere at this place was a house
My Great Grandfather (1900-1973) built a house here after WW1, the house name was Kalnmiciņi
Valmiera Market
| Shopping Venues | 37 seen
Valmiera market is another market I've visited latelty in Latvia (See: Riga Central Market, Liepāja market and Kuldiga market).
Though I believe some could buy here goodies grown by local farmers, last time I visited this market (July 2017) all I could find was just flowers and plants.
Valmiera market
Residents of Valmiera come here every day for produce grown by local farmers, gardeners, ranchers and artisan food producers.
Flowers and plants for sale at Valmiera market
Mazais Ansis Restaurant Near Valmiera
| Restaurant reviews | 17 seen
Mazais Ansis is a popular roadside cafeteria/restaurant located some 15 km from Valmiera town (if driving from Riga). This place serves a traditional Latvian cuisine.
When traveling to the Vidzeme region in Latvia, I love to take a stop here and have a lunch. Here comes my latest review back from Summer 2017.
The outdoor terrace at Mazais Ansis
Seems that at the nearby lake there are some water attractions available
Interior at Mazais Ansis
Classical Latvian decors with modern touch
A meal at Mazais Ansis
Typical "Latvian cuisine" - French fries with some salads and meat. Tastes good.
Mazais Ansis near Valmiera
Wood carved sculptures are very popular across the Baltics (for sure in Latvia and Lithuania). See: Rural Tourism in Lithuania - Karpyne
Former bath-house of Emilija Racene in Jurmala
| Tourism objects | 75 seen
When thinking about bathhouses the first thing that arrives in my head is the sulphur bathhouses located in Tbilisi, should they be located in the Abanotubani district or the old and neglected Kiev's bath.
Turns out there is not less interesting bath-house (though former) in Latvian Jūrmala - Former bath-house of Emilija Racene
Again, when thinking about something former - I always remember the lovely former hotel London building in Tbilisi.
Now, back to the subject, according to visitjurmala.lv
The building was constructed in the beginning of the 20th century and saw its expansion in 1914, for he first time ever in this part of Jurmala offering various – warm sea water, carbonic acid, oxygen and pine-tree extract baths daily in summer, and winter time. Two-storeyd wooden building is characterized by a high plinth on the beach side and wooden carvings that creates an urban accent in the buildings and constructions on the beach side. During the Soviet times the building hosted resort clinics that was one of the most well-arranged treatment establishments in Jurmala.
…
Lake Ķīšezers
| Lakes | 15 seen
Ķīšezers is a lake in Riga, Latvia, with a primary inflow of the Jugla River. The lake is 1,730 ha (4,300 acres) large, it has 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) of average depth and reaches 4.2 metres (14 ft) at the deepest point.
Lake Ķīšezers is a popular recreation area both for locals and foreign guest in the Mežaparks neighborhood. Riga Zoo is located close to the lake.
A recreational area near Lake Ķīšezers in Riga
Top Hotels & Apartments in Valletta (Malta) when Traveling with Kids (Family Friendly)
| Hotel reviews | 29 seen
Valletta is the capital of the island nation of Malta. A harbor city, Valletta preserves much of its 16th-century architectural heritage built under the Hospitallers.
With its large array of shops, catering establishments, entertainment venues, and culture, Malta's capital has what it takes to capture people's imagination.
Though, I have never been to Valletta or Malta, when planning our possible upcoming holidays next travels to Malta I decided to look on hotel offers in Malta, this time looking to travel with a little baby girl. It's interesting to observe that family friendly hotels are in fact more expensive than hotels for couples.
In today's article - top 10 family friendly hotels in Valletta, Malta.
Disclosure: hotels listed below contain links to Booking.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a reservation on Booking.com site, I might earn an affiliate income, at no cost to you.
Grand Hotel ExcelsiorSet just outside the historic entrance to Valletta, this seafront hotel enjoys viewsof Marsamxett Harbour and Manoel Island. It offers …
Pontoon Footbridge Over Mill Lake In Kazdanga
| Tourism objects | 13 seen
The pontoon footbridge over Mill Lake in Kazdanga, Latvia is a recently built and opened for a public a really cool tourist attraction.
Such tourist attractions seem is really gaining the momentum in Latvia, as in fact, this is already third such type of construction I've visited lately in Latvia. See: The Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk and Hiking Trails in Kemeri National Park (Near Forest House)
Kazdanga footbridge is 2 meters wide and 190 meters long, with a viewing tower 2.7 meters height it has been built with a support of funds by European Union
Discovered by an accident, after wandering around Kazdanga Mill Lake in April.
Pontoon footbridge in Kazdanga
The estimated cost for such footbridge is about EUR 100,000
Mill Lake in Kazdanga
Located in a very close distance to the impressive Kazdanga manor Kazdanga Mill Lake and its surroundings is a must have attraction while you are in Kazdanga.
The pontoon footbridge in Kazdanga
Observation deck
Eden Beach Hotel Review in Agia Marina
| Hotel reviews | 10 seen
During our about a month-long trip around the island of Crete back in 2017, we stayed at Agia Marina twice - for about 2 nights at trips start and about 5 days at the end of the trip. For the start, we chose Vergina beach hotel which was good and for the end, we stayed at Eden Beach hotel apartment - which was amazing.
Eden Beach Hotel is set in Agia Marina Nea Kydonias and provides air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, as well as access to an outdoor swimming pool.
Top 20 Apartments in Agia Marina Beach, Crete (Aparthotels, Villas & Hotels)
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to Booking.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a reservation on Booking site, I might earn an affiliate income from that at no cost to you.
Our apartment at Edem beach Hotel in Agia Marina
Instead of a hotel room, we got a nice 2 bedroom aparthotel with a kitchenette.
All units include a fully equipped kitchenette, allowing guests to prepare their own meals. Some units include a dining area and/or a terrace.
The aparthotel offers a terrace…
The Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk
| Tourism objects | 20 seen
The Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk is a popular tourist destination in Kemeri National Park, offering visitors a chance to explore the bog and its inhabitants.
As we have been relocated to Latvia's Jūrmala for some time, we decided to explore nearby vicinity, and we started with nearby hiking trails. Ķemeri has many attractions to offer, sure The Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk probably is the most popular, but there are other routes as well, for example, Hiking Trails in Kemeri National Park (Near Forest House)
Now, it was a sunny April's Sunday morning and here we go:
Start of the Ķemeri bog hiking trail
The boardwalk takes visitors to the world of moss, small pine trees, deep pools, tiny dark lakes, and the smell of wild rosemary.
Turquoise blue ponds in the bog
The pretty rare scenery in Latvia
Bird observation deck in Kemeri bog
The astute visitor will notice the carnivorous plant of sundew, and a variety of birds – wood sandpipers, white wagtails, tree pipits, and also hear cranes further away. Those who prefer shorter strolls can take the small boardwalk arc (~1.4 km),…
La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri Near Rethymno
| Restaurant reviews | 21 seen
And again I must say - strange how it works - I almost missed coordinates for this place but with a little investigation from pictures and help with Greek transliteration and even Greek car plate registration table I was able to locate this place finally on the map.
Meet La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri Near Rethymno
Discovered during our latest trip to the island of Crete back in Summer 2017
Beach near La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri
Palms near La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri
Beautiful scenery
Interior at La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri
If I remember correct, we actually didn't offered any meal here, instead enjoyed just a cup of coffee during our little break
Postcards from Talsi
| | 4 seen
Talsi is a city in Latvia, I have discovered just lately. During the Summer of 2017, I had to spend here some time.
During my stay, I discovered some amazing places, and have returned here for a couple of times more. In today's Piece of life series - postcards from Talsi.
Postcards from Talsi
Reminds me panoramas from Germany's Mossel Valley, see: 3 day leisure trip to Germany (The Mossel Valley) or Andernach - A Lovely German Town On The Banks Of Rhine
View towards Talsi town