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Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Zoom Lens Review
At the end of July, I finally got replacement lens for original Canon Rebel T5 (Canon 1200D) DSLR camera - I ordered online from Amazon Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Zoom Lens. For the original kit lens, the autofocus stopped working properly and for the most time I had to shoot in manual mode, it's perfectly fine for me, but I admit having working autofocus is really neat, it can help a lot (for example in bright sunlight). I was…
Gonio Fortress
Gonio fortress, previously called Apsaros, or Apsarunto, is a Roman fortification in Adjara, Georgia, on the Black Sea, 15 km south of Batumi, at the mouth of the Chorokhi river. The village sits 4 km north of the Turkish border. Gonio has been on my radar since I probably first visited Batumi back in the Summer of 2011, but for the first time, I visited this ancient Roman site at the end of April 2019, while doing an easy weekend trip around…
HP ENVY x360 - 15-cn0003ur Convertable Touchscreen Laptop Review
HP ENVY x360 - convertible touchscreen Laptop is the latest addition to our home office. Bought at the local Tbilisi shop in early June 2019. Paid about $1,150 but I believe you could get one much cheaper on Amazon Equipped with Backlit keyboard, FULL HD 1920X1080 screen resolution, this laptop will make many envy it. lol Top 20 Laptops with Full HD 1920X1080 Resolution From its distinctive materials and iconic design, this PC exudes…
Kirman Belazur Resort &Spa Review in Antalya, Turkey
Situated at the seafront, Kirman Hotels Belazur Resort & Spa has a private beach but you don't need a beach when you have one of the longest warm water outdoor pools. There is a water park and a bowling alley on site and guests can enjoy the restaurant and bar. Free WiFi is featured throughout the hotel and free private parking is available on site. We booked a tour package from Tbilisi to Turkey's region of Antalya and chose this 5-star…
Latvian - Georgian Cafe 4You in Gori
Now besides hostel in Tbilisi, Latvians have a cafe in Gori Latvian - Georgian Cafe 4You is located on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue 34, Gori. Opened for the public in 2018, this place serves pastry, cakes and a huge menu of a different kind of meals (both Latvian and Georgian style), you can get here both some salty Gori style cutlets and even Kiev's cutlet, not to speak about salad olive and more. Overall feeling - The Soviet Obshchepit (…
Gori Fortress & Memorial of Georgian Warrior Heroes
Gori Fortress is a medieval citadel in Georgia, standing above the city of Gori on a rocky hill. The fortress is very well visible from the city, unfortunately, I have never climbed up to the fortress, but I believe very cool aerial photos might be taken from here. At the bottom of the fortress, there is located the Memorial of Georgian Warrior Heroes consisting of 8 (?) sculptures of Georgian Warriors. The fortress first appears in the 13th-…
Georgia Palace Hotel & SPA Kobuleti
Georgia Palace Hotel & SPA is the first Georgian Brand five-star Resort hotel located on the Black Sea shore of Georgia's famed summer resort in Kobuleti, Georgia. We booked this 5-star hotel for a one night at the end of April 2019, during a short weekend trip to Batumi and the nearby vicinity. We paid just USD 80 for our stay here, which I believe is a discount price and available just in the low-season. Situated in the resort of…
Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin is located in Gori on Lomouri street 7, just opposite to the Gori Fortress. Some might be surprised noticing that this church looks like a typical Catholic church rather than a typical Georgian Orthodox church. According to Georgia.Travel the temple was built as a Catholic church between 1806 and 1810. In 1920, it was heavily damaged by an earthquake. View towards cathedral from Gori…
Black Sea Arena Georgia
Black Sea Arena is an indoor arena located on the coast of the Black Sea in Shekvetili, Guria, Georgia, some 45 km north of Batumi, the country's second largest city. The venue, designed by the architects from the German company Drei Architekten, is the largest open concert hall in the Caucasus. The auditorium has a capacity of 10,000 seats in circular grandstands. The American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera performed at the official…
Batumi McDonald's
The coolest McDonald's building probably is located in Georgian seaside town Batumi. Officially opened for public already back in 2013, this place has been featured in countless architecture award magazines across the World. Named as the World’s Best Commercial Building 2014 (source: Batumi McDonald’s: World’s Best Commercial Building 2014) The restaurant, designed by Harvard-graduate and Georgian architect Giorgi Khmaladze, was named…
Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori
The Joseph Stalin Museum is a museum in Gori, Georgia dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori. The Museum retains its Soviet-era characteristics. The museum has three sections, all located in the town's central square. It was officially dedicated to Stalin in 1957. With the downfall of the Soviet Union and independence movement of Georgia, the museum was closed in 1989, but has since been…
Villa St Maria Boutique hotel Jūrmala
Offering a sauna, boutique hotel Villa St Maria is set in the heart of Jurmala on the main pedestrian promenade Jomas street, some 400 m from Dzintari Concert Hall. In summers guests can enjoy a lounge terrace on the rooftop of the hotel and an on-site restaurant with Japanese, Korean and European cuisine and drinks. We booked this hotel for a short one night stay before departing back to Tbilisi in May 2019. We paid EUR 68 for a stay here…
Resort Ujarma
Resort Ujarma is located on the banks of Iori river some 32 km from Tbilisi (about 40 minute drive with a car) The main feature of the Resort Ujarma is healing water with iodine and bromine. The entire territory of the resort covered in forest. The climate is characteristic of the low mountains of eastern Georgia, relatively wet. We discovered this interesting - back to the USSR style, place on a lovely Saturday morning in early June 2019,…
Grill Bar Lighthouse Jūrmala
Grill bar Lighthouse is centrally located on Jomas street in Jūrmala. We visited this place in early May 2019, during a short 10 day trip to Latvia. Before diving in details - I should note - grill bar Lighthouse is a kid-friendly place, our then 9-month old daughter enjoyed here a lot Grill bar Lighthouse serves traditional seasonal Latvian cuisine and not only, but you will also find seafood like shrimps and tuna. Grill bar Lighthouse…
Secret Tunnel Near Tbilisi Sulfur Bath's
Ok, probably this tunnel is not so secret after all. In fact, I was more than 100% sure that the name of this place is Kolga Tbilisi Photo Tunnel, as I have seen a photo exhibition at this tunnel, but Kolga.ge is stubbornly silent on this matter. Turns out the name for this place is "Leghvtakhevi Tunnel" and the owner of the place is Meidan Group. (see comments) Kolga Tbilisi Photo organises exhibitions throughout the city, but it doesn't…
Rebi Gurjaani Restaurant
Rebi Gurjaani is a restaurant located in Gurjaani, we discovered back in September 2017, while returning from a weekend trip to Kakheti back to Tbilisi. Seems Rebi Gurjaani is not only a restaurant but also a hotel. In case you are traveling to Gurjaani, consider Rebi. Now, regarding restaurant - this place serves typical Georgian cuisine for very affordable money. The huge outdoor terrace at Rebi Gurjaani restaurant Menu at Rebi Gurjaani…
Castello Mare Hotel & Wellness Resort
Located at the seafront, Castello Mare Hotel & Wellness Resort is located between Kobuleti and Chakvi seaside villages in Western Georgia. The hotel offers spa facilities, an indoor pool tennis court, and a fitness center. We booked this hotel for a one night stay via Booking.com at the end of April 2019 and paid about GEL 160. The hotel offers spa facilities, indoor pool tennis court and a fitness center. Room with a seaside view…
Cabo Cafe
Cabo cafe is a cafe with a unique charm, located in Mežaparks, on the very shore of lake Ķīšezers. Cabo cafe serves burgers, french fries, and delicious shashlik. First discovered by a recommendation from a friend. Now visited pretty regular once in Riga. Grilled meat at Cabo cafe Cabo cafe neat Ķīšezers in Riga
Chateau Eniseli
We booked a stay at Chateau Eniseli back in September 2017. During our stay here we had a great opportunity to enjoy the rtveli or grape harvesting, see: Grape Harvest Rtveli in Georgia (Region of Kakheti) Wine cellar at Chateau Eniseli Offering tours of the historical vineyard and winery at the property, Chateau Eniseli provides hotel accommodation located in the heart of the Kakheti countryside. Free WiFi is available. Rooms at Chateau…
Restaurant by Plane Tree / Telavi
Restaurant by Plane Tree in Telavi is located next to the Giant Plane Tree. Because of a touristic spot, prices at this restaurant is well above the average, though the food is delicious. Restaurant by Plane Tree Cucumber/tomato salads
Autosole Economy Motel in Riga
Autosole Economy is set in a wooden building, 3 km from Riga’s Old Town. We booked Autosole Economy for one night back in September 2017, paid for a stay here ~ EUR 60. Despite a week ago we stayed at 4-star Park Hotel by Radisson hotel in Riga, we booked Autosole motel, because it's a rare pet-friendly hotel in Riga, we had a flight next morning to the Tbilisi and we were traveling with both of our cats. Free parking in front of the motel…
Restaurant Antre Batono Ubisa
Restaurant Antre Batono Ubisa is located near the Ubisa village in the region of Imereti, Georgia some 170 km from Tbilisi. We made a stop here and discovered this lovely place, while traveled to Batumi via Tbilisi - Senaki - Leselidze highway at the end of April 2019. This place serves typical Georgian cuisine, VISA is accepted and last, but not least prices are considerably lower if compared to the Tbilisi restaurants. The outdoor…
Restaurant Marani in Vertkvichala
Restaurant Marani Vertkvichala is located near the village Vertkvichala on Tbilisi - Senaki - Leselidze highway some 160 km from Tbilisi in the Imereti region of Georgia. We stopped here for a brief stop to take a meal and have some rest before heading back to Tbilisi (from Batumi) Restaurant Marani The place looked like a lovely B&B to me, as I noticed there are some hotel rooms, but when asked the waiter, he denied that there is a…
Park Inn by Radisson Riga Valdemara
Built in 2016, Park Inn by Radisson Riga Valdemara invites its guests to stay on the western side of Daugava River with good connections to the Old Town, Riga International Airport and main sights. Guests can enjoy a meal at the onsite restaurant, enjoy views from terrace and exercise in the fitness centre. We stayed at this hotel at the start of September 2017. By now I have an extensive list of Riga hotels, and I must admit that Park Hotel by…