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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 2018Kalvene Station was opened on September 25, 1929, along with the opening of the railway line Jelgava-Liepaja . The modern…
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…
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…
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, …
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 Royal…
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…
Padure Manor in Latvia
I'm continuing to explore manor houses located in Latvia. This time a short stop at Padure manor near AizputePadure manor in 2018In 2018, there was located Laža special school in Padure manor. See: http://lazasskola.lv/
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…
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 VentspilsDespite you cannot compare this pizzeria with the famous Armenia Tashir Pizza - one thing is common, both pizzerias have very similar…
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…
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…
Rāmkalni restaurant near Murjāņi
Rāmkalni is a popular recreational area near Murjāņi (some 60km from Riga), this place features a traditional Latvian Cusine restaurant/bistroThe 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 RāmkalniTypical Latvian…
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…
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 marketResidents of Valmiera come here every day for produce grown by local farmers, gardeners, ranchers and artisan food producers.Flowers and plants…
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 AnsisSeems that at the nearby lake there are some water attractions availableInterior at Mazais AnsisClassical…
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 RaceneAgain, when thinking about something former - I always remember the lovely former hotel London building…
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 near…
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 footbridge…
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…
The Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk
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…
La Playa Taverna Cafe Ouzeri Near Rethymno
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 RethymnoDiscovered during our latest trip to the island of Crete back in Summer 2017Beach near La Playa Taverna Cafe OuzeriPalms…
Early Spring 2018 in the Yard
Since early 2018 we have been relocated to Jūrmala resort town in Latvia. It was in early April 5th morning I decided to run my second 365 days photo challenge. I didn't sleep that night, I thought about making a cool sunset photography at Jūrmala beach. I actually did.Once we returned from the nearby sea to our yard - I decided to make a panoramic photography of the yard we have spent so much time. Piece of Life.Our yard for 2018 (…
Restaurant Istabas In Talsi Review
Restaurant Istabas in Talsi is among the best restaurants I've tried in Latvia lately, located on Liela street 31 in Talsi city, the restaurant offers great views of Lake Talsi .Istabas restaurant serves great European/American cuisine.First visited back in the Summer of 2017, since then have returned here for a couple of times.Restaurant Istabas in TalsiLocated in a three-storey building, seems there is a hotel…
Galaxy Iraklio 5-star Hotel Review (Heraklion, Crete)
Located in Heraklion's elegant district, this 5-star hotel offers 2 gourmet restaurants, a free wellness centre and a large freshwater pool. Luxurious rooms feature balconies with pool and city views.We booked this hotel for a one night stay back in the Summer of 2017 and paid about EUR 100. Top 5 star and Luxury hotels in HeraklionDisclosure: this article contains links to Booking.com, by clicking on links on this page and by…
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