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Mtatsminda Park in Tbilisi

Mtatsminda Park is an amusement facility located atop on Mount Mtatsminda on a 770-meter height overlooking the Georgian capital Tbilisi.  It is the highest point in Tbilisi. Located on more than 100 hectares. Park has more than 100 years of history. Mtatsminda Park is the most popular theme park in Tbilisi. It is the best choice for fun and relaxation.  You can find various cafes, Souvenirs shops, child entertainment center, a…


Tourism objects |

Tbilisi TV Tower

Tbilisi TV tower probably is the most visible construction in the city, located inMtatsminda  I haven't heard though it would be opened for public.  Here is what we know about it: Georgia Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower is a free-standing tower structure used for communications purposes. The tower is located in Tbilisi, Georgia and was built in 1972. The preceding structure, built in 1955, was…


Tourism objects |

Cafe Gardeni Tbilisi

Cafe Gardeni is located on D. Aghmanashebeli street in Tbilisi, just behind the Bank of Georgia building. I have been coming to this place for years just to enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee. Over the years I have learned here are served great homemade dumplings, tasty ice cream and more.  The owner of this place is a very intellectual Armenian man KamoJan, we have been exchanging views over foreign policy, internal happenings …


Restaurant reviews |

Tbilisoba 2018

Tbilisoba or Tbilisi City Festival is an annual October festival which celebrates the diversity and history of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. If you are planning your first trip to Georgia - consider your trip here during the city festival and try local cuisine (horis mcvadi) and that awesome Georgian wine. Tbilisoba 2018wase held on October 6-7 in the streets of ..you are right - Tbilisi. This year's …


Living in Georgia |

Kalvene Railway Station

Kalvene Station is a railway station on the Jelgava – Liepāja Railway. The station is located in the Kalvenes municipality of the Aizpute district in Latvia. I noticed this railway couple of years ago and was amazed by its impressive heights visible from the road.  Kalvene Railway Station September 2018 Kalvene Station was opened on September 25, 1929, along with the opening of the railway line Jelgava-Liepaja . The…


Railway / Bus / Ferry |

Gutmanis Cave in Sigulda

Gutman's Cave (Latvian: Gūtmaņa ala) is the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries, located on the Gauja River in the National Park of Sigulda, Latvia. It started forming more than 10 000 years ago when meltwater eroded the sandstone rock after the Ice Age. It is the oldest tourist attraction in Latvia. On the walls of the cave are inscriptions from the 17th century.  It is 18.8…


Tourism objects |

Cafe Ivetas Ķēķis / Jura Staļļi / Grobiņa

Cafe Ivetas Ķēķis (Iveta's Kitchen) is located in Grobiņa municipality, some 10km from Liepāja, this cafe/restaurant actually is part of another cool attraction Jura Staļļi (George's Stables). From my understanding, it's a family run business.  It was already past 20:00 and we left Liepāja a little bit hungry and decided to take some quick stop at Caffe Lielā Pietura, but the place was already closed, and we decided to give it a…


Restaurant reviews |

Red Sun Buffet Liepāja

Red Sun Buffet is a stylish cafe/restaurant located in the heart of Liepāja town. Visited it briefly in the mid-August 2018, just to take some coffee take away. Interior at Red Sun Buffet Featuring elements Latvians are proud of - Brainstorm, Kristaps Porzingis (NY Knicks) and Intars Busulis. Heh Interior at Red Sun Buffet Somehow I already feel bored from black blackboards and white texts. Though cafe late ordered here…


Restaurant reviews |

Wild Horses at the Lake Pape (Latvia)

Now, this is an interesting story - we didn't meet any wild horses tonight, but found some great information. At least I did. It turns out, wild horses have been living here just since 1999 when WWF-Latvia started to stimulate the return of wild horses in 1999 in Latvia.  It was in the evening of my birthday when we finally reached the place called  "Wild Horses at the Lake Pape " - unfortunately, turns out, such wild places,…


Outdoor Activities |

Europa City Amrita Hotel Review in Liepāja

Europa City Amrita Hotel is located in the centre of Liepāja. We booked this 4-star hotel in mid-August 2018 and stayed here for two nights in total paying EUR ~110. The 4-star hotel offers rooms with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a minibar, and a private bathroom. Free private parking is available for hotel guests. A couple of years ago I stayed at another great Liepāja hotel - see: Hotel Fontaine…


Hotel reviews |

Pape Lighthouse

The Pape Lighthouse (Latvian: Papes bāka) is a lighthouse located on the Latvian coast of the Baltic Sea. I paid a short visit here during my 33 birthday in August 2018. The lighthouse was built in 1910; in a place of a former lighthouse (which existed since 1887); on the southernmost tip of Latvia's coast to the Baltic Sea. Although this lighthouse doesn't impress as much as Akmenrags…


Tourism objects |

Padure Manor in Latvia

I'm continuing to explore manor houses located in Latvia. This time a short stop at Padure manor near Aizpute Padure manor in 2018 In 2018, there was located Laža special school in Padure manor. See: http://lazasskola.lv/


Tourism objects |

Dubulti Evangelical Lutheran Church

Dubulti church, the most expressive object and the visual dominant of the surrounding area is the most monumental and exquisite Art Nouveau building in Jurmala from the viewpoint of historical and sacral architecture. The size and details of the building clearly show the tradition of national romanticism that may be seen in the rich sculptural elements of the building in the placement of the elements, decor of ornamental sculptural details, as…


Churches and Monasteries |

Pica Diāna - Pizzeria in Ventspils

Pizza Diana probably is the most popular pizzeria in Ventspils. This Pizzeria offers more than 25 types of pizzas and various second dishes at very friendly prices. Located on J.Poruka street in an old 5-story Soviet apartment house, the pizzeria is pretty close to the city center. Pica Diāna in Ventspils Despite you cannot compare this pizzeria with the famous Armenia Tashir Pizza - one thing is common, both pizzerias have very…


Restaurant reviews |

Viewing Platform In Ventspils

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…


Tourism objects |

Venstpils Livonian Order Castle

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…


Military Heritage |

Rāmkalni restaurant near Murjāņi

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…


Restaurant reviews |

Miciņi

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…


Tourism objects |

Valmiera Market

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.…


Shopping Venues |

Mazais Ansis Restaurant Near Valmiera

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…


Restaurant reviews |

Former bath-house of Emilija Racene in Jurmala

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…


Tourism objects |

Lake Ķīšezers

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…


Lakes |

Pontoon Footbridge Over Mill Lake In Kazdanga

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 …


Tourism objects |

Eden Beach Hotel Review in Agia Marina

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…


Hotel reviews |