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Basilica of the Assumption, Aglona
The Aglona Roman Catholic Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Aglona is one of the most important Catholic spiritual centers in Latvia. I have visited Aglona cathedral several times and always have left quite inspired. If there is a reason to visit Latgale,then Aglona Catholoc cathedral is atop of them. Construction of the present church, which is in the Italian Baroque style, began in 1768 and was completed in 1780.…
Christ The King Mount
Christ the King Mount (Kristus Karaļa kalns) is located near the Aglona Basilica in Latgale. This place have been opened to the public in 2006. Several large wooden sculptures depicting biblical characters can be seen here. This is a great place to visit for pilgrims and rest. I first visited this place back in 2010, with my latest visit here at the start of August 2022 This is a unique sculpture complex, with orchards of 650 ornamental…
Hotel Kopola in Tskneti Review
Hotel Kopola is located in Tskneti, the suburbs of Tbilisi. Kopola Hotel features an indoor pool, a green garden, and a sun terrace with sun beds. There is a bowling alley at the hotel and guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. I have been familiar with this place for ages, as in the past we come here for playing bowling and having some drinks. Now, it was at the start of September 2022, we were left with no car (Sold our VW Touareg at the…
How To Prepare Traditional Borscht Soup at Home
Borscht is a sour soup common in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. In English, the word "borscht" is most often associated with the soup's variant of Ukrainian origin, made with red beetroots as one of the main ingredients, which give the dish its distinctive red color. The same name, however, is also used for a wide selection of sour-tasting soups without beetroots, such as sorrel-based green borscht, rye-based white borscht, and cabbage…
Coffeeshop Company Tbilisi
Coffeeshop Company is located on Mosashvili street 11 in Tbilisi and despite the interesting name - they actually serve nice brunch menus here and of course some coffee. Discovered by chance, when looking for brunch menus. As this place is located close to my partner's office in Vake, I think we might return here more frequently for brunch and not only. The name sounds bit fishy, more like a tag, but why not?! The otjer question that arrises…
Nida Pebble Beach
Nida Pebble beach is the most Southern public beach of Latvia located on the Baltic sea shores just 1 km from the Lithuanian border. The pebble beach is quite uncharacteristic for a typical Latvian seaside beach and that already a good reason to visit it. In fact the pebbles are hardly visible but still. There are plenty of smaller stones, so some can build some art. \on the other hand, there are plenty of pebbles in the sea. A good foot…
Cafe Somersēta in Aglona
Cafe Somersēta is located on Somersētas street in Aglona town, the region of Latgale in Latvia. We discovered this place by a chance shortly before visiting the famous catholic cathedral in Aglona. It seems the place is very popular among tourists, as during our meal time here, we mostly met tourists from all over the World. Well, we visited this place at the start of August 2022, I wonder what happens in the offseason. Anyhow, this place…
Piloru oak grove
Pilori Oak grove is located on the banks of Lake Ežezers in the region of Latgale. Total area is about 19.6 ha It is one of the rare oak groves in Latvia with a nature protection status granted already in 1928. The oldest oaks are around 300-400 years old. I first learned of this grove at the start of August during a weekend trip to the region of Latgale. The oak grove is located aside from Ezernieki – Andzeļi road, there is a small parking…
Lake Ežezers
Lake Ežezers is located in Kraslava municipality, in Ezernieku and Andzeļu parishes. It is the richest island lake in Latvia and even in the whole Baltic region. There are 35 islands in a total area of 77.6 ha and 70 islands formations or shoals. From the lake flows out river Narūta, which is one of the Daugava’s basin rivers. I first visited this lake back in 2010, when learned that my grandfather has been from this area (Village Andzeļi) We…
Coffee shop KUUP, Rēzekne
Kuup coffee shop is a chic place in Rēzekne, which offers coffee roasted in Latgale. We found this place by a chance, thanks to TripAdvisor when searching for top restaurants in Rēzekne. We arrived here for some 40km from Varakļāni, just to have our morning coffee. Pastry, coffee and sandwiches. Kuup has its own coffee roastery, they sell both coffee roasted in Latgale and some souvenirs at their coffee shop Quite awesome place. If you happen…
The Sacred Heart Cathedral of Rēzekne
The Sacred Heart Cathedral of Rēzekne is located in Rēzekne, Latvia. I briefly visited this cathedral at the start of August 2022, during my birthday trip to the region of Latgale On the site occupied by the church, there existed a wooden temple built in 1685. The church burned down in 1887 during a storm and the following year the works for the new and present neo-Romanesque style church began. Construction was completed in 1902 under the…
Rēzekne Castle ruins
Rēzekne Castle ruins are located in the downtown of Rēzekne, Latvia, a city in the center of Latgale. The castle served as a base of the local Livonian order landlords until the 16th century and also as the main military support base for battles against Russians and Lithuanians. Today, fragments of the stone walls and the foundation can be seen on the ancient castle hill. Archeological excavations reveal that between the 9th and 12th centuries…
Stargazing in Ječi, Boat Riding in Laidi, Stock Trading in Vilgāle
Yesterday we traveled to Ječi to move the lawn, grill a fish and use it as a camp base before visiting a pebbled beach near Nida close to the Latvian/Lithuanian. Our new favorite shop - LIDL, fish is awesome and the rest is good too. We are lucky to have one LIDL store in Liepaja, about 25 km from our Ječi house. I love both Nida and Pape, really awesome beaches. Pāvilosta is good, Jūrkalne too. After returning to Ječi and making our…
Guest House 'Odumiņi'
Guesthouse Odumiņi is located close to Varakļāni town in the historical region of Latgale, Latvia. We booked a one-night stay here at the start of August 2022, during our weekend trip to Latgale. For a one-night stay here we paid about EUR 100, with the sauna included. The vacation home comes with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with garden views. We were…
Varakļāni Palace
Varakļāni Palace is located in Varakļāni, in the historical region of Latgale, Latvia. We visited this place shortly at the start of August 2022, during a weekend trip to Latgale. I was not sure what for to look in the area and just googled the top sightseeing objects in Varakļani and this place popped top on the list. Just later I learned history of this place. After the end of the Livonian War in 1583, the von der Borch family acquired the…
Koknese Castle
Koknese Castle is a complex in Koknese, Latvia, dating from the 13th century. The castle was situated on a high bluff overlooking the Daugava river valley. In 1965 a hydroelectric dam was built downriver, creating a reservoir that partially submerged the castle and flooded the surrounding valley. We visited Koknese castle during a weekend trip to the region of Latgale at the start of August 2022 Before the arrival of the Teutonic Knights,…
More Laminate flooring, Tiles for the Bathroom + some electricity works
After the tile removal in the kitchen and hallway area, it was already agreed - I will re-install laminate there. Additionally, after hydro isolation works in the bathroom I decided I will tile again. I was very scared before the new tile job and measured everything 10 times before applying tile glue. Also, I decided to go for 6mm spacers (instead of 3mm) I bought 8m2 of laminate, but was bit short after my first day, bought additioanal 4m2 at…
Quail Farm Rīta Putni / Olalā Koknese
Rīta Putni is located in one of the most picturesque places in Latvia - Koknese county Bilstini just a few minutes away from Perse and Daugava river, where an impressive view of Koknese castle ruins can be seen. I first heard about this place, or more about its products - quail eggs, a few years ago back in Georgia, an acquaintance was involved in this business. At the start of August 2022, during our weekend trip to the Latgale region, passing…
Church hill Daugavpils
Baznīckalns or Church hill in Daugavpils is said to be one of the main tourist attractions in the city. This was one of the rare times I visited Daugavpils and I must admit I didn't had any clue what should we see here and just Google for the top attractions and Church hill or Baznickalns was atop of the list. Every traveler who wants to be acquainted with Daugavpils should definitely visit Church Hill which has gathered the churches of four…
Demolishing tiles, Hydroisolation for bathroom
A few weeks ago I did the tile job in the kitchen and hallway for our Vilgāle apartment. In the end, I was not happy with the result, not happy with the tile job (which could be done better), and not satisfied with the visual looks. At one point I decided to list this apartment for sale as it is, with asking price EUR 25,000. As I didn't get any request during more than 7 days, I decided I still want to sell this flat but I will make it look…
Guesthouse Pirts Baudas
Guesthouse Pirts Baudas is located in Ilzenes parish, Aluksnes county. The property is 24.1 km from Alūksne, and guests benefit from complimentary WiFi and private parking available on site. We booked this place during our day trip to Valka and the area. I thought this place will be much closer to Valka, but it turned out about a 2-hour drive with a distance of some 130km. Though the drive was spectacular with stops at places like Gaujiena,…
Velēna church
The Velēna Lutheran Church is at the crossing of the Smiltene-Gulbene-Lizums roads. I would call this as one of the most beautiful churches in Latvia. It's said the first built church here was a wooden church with a turf roof. This is where the place got its name from – Velēna (Torf). Visitors can still enjoy one of the most beautiful organs in Latvia, built in 1898 in W. Sauer Company, they are considered as one of the best preserved organs in…
Cafe Papes Vēji
Cafe Papes Vēji is a summer cafe located next to the Pape channel in Western Latvia near the Pape Lighthouse. This place serves traditional Latvian cuisine, and cold beer and some can buy smoked fish (apparently in the season) I have been fond of this area for a few years already and first discovered this cafe about a year ago, now in Summer 2022 we made a stop here, had a hearty dinner, and bought some smoked fish. Awesome Seems there is also…
Summer Cafe Kazbārs in Kazdanga
Summer café-bar “Kazbārs” is located next to the watermill in the heart of the scenic park of Kazdanga. This place serves freshly ground coffee, Italian dessert affogato, refreshing soft ice cream (including vegan options), cold live beer, and vegan soups. Place is run by energetic couple from Riga, if you will be happy enough you could catch up with host Ernests and enjoy the conversation about the running restaurant, flying planes, local…