Piece of Life
A Family Guide to Borjomi: Hiking Trails and Sulfur Bath Tips
As summer came to a close, we continued our family's tradition of visiting Borjomi. This year marked yet another memorable trip at the end of August 2024, reaffirming our love for this beautiful Georgian town. Visiting Borjomi at least twice a year has become a cherished routine, a piece of life that we look forward to, blending relaxation, adventure, and the joy of family time.This time, we found a unique little apartment, perched on top of a…
Discover the Charms of Kuldīga: Venta Rapid, Flying Fish, and Old Brick Bridge
Tucked away in the picturesque town of Kuldīga, Latvia, lies a hidden gem that combines natural beauty with historical charm: the Venta Rapid and Old Brick Bridge. Set amidst the tranquil surroundings of the Venta River, this enchanting destination offers visitors a glimpse into Latvia's rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes.At the heart of the experience is the Venta Rapid, one of Europe's widest waterfalls and a spectacle to…
Jūrkalne Seashore Bluffs: Nature's Masterpiece on Latvia's Western Coast
Perched dramatically on the western coast of Latvia, the Jūrkalne Seashore Bluffs stand as a breathtaking natural wonder, captivating visitors with their rugged beauty and commanding views of the Baltic Sea. Carved over millennia by the relentless forces of wind and water, these majestic cliffs offer a glimpse into the geological history of the region while providing a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.I keep returning…
Postcards from Ushguli
Ushguli is a community of five villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia. Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Compared to somewhat more developed towns like Mestia, Ushguli is not in an accessible location, which has preserved many of the villages' medieval characteristics, including unique defensive tower houses called Svan towers. Because of their preservation and traditional…
Tbilisi's Revitalized Beauty: Aghmashenebeli Avenue and Dry Bridge
It was one of the few weekends, at the start of September 2023, when we decided to stay in Tbilisi, instead of traveling around Georgia, and spend quality time in the city. We agreed to walk by foot to Aghmashenebeli Avenue, and from there visit Dry Bridge and Orbeliani Square, and depending on the mood return home or keep exploring the city. I remember this area before the great restoration works started, and I love returning here time after…
Summer Solstice 2023
In case you wondered how we celebrated Summer's Solstice 2023 - we celebrated it at our rural country house some 25 km from Liepåja in Latvia. Having a lot of fun. I invited my mom to join us for the little party. Just four of us. We bought this little Dacha last year for just EUR 5,000 and now we have a place where to come and celebrate at least Līgo once in a year. I had to spend a good evening trimming grass tonight Having a property puts…
Easter Picnic at Birtvisi Canyon
On Sunday, April 9, Easter 2023 was celebrated, and this year we decided to spend it in Tbilisi and Birtvisi canyon. Our day started early in the morning as we prepared for the festivities by experimenting with a new dough and making a Jewish-style pie with eggs (inspired by a similar dish we had tried in Israel), coloring eggs, and baking cinnamon rolls. To make the day even more special, we invited our friends - a Greek-Latvian family - to…
Postcards from Yerevan (Winter)
Back in February 2023, we made a short, but very remarkable business trip to Armenia and of course it's capital Yerevan. In today's Piece of Life series - a day from Winter in the city of Yerevan. Many years ago I featured Postcards from Yerevan (Spring) Republic Square in Yerevan definitely is the city's one of main landmarks and popular tourist spots. I first discovered it back at the start of January 2014, and have returned to Yerevan city…
Beyond Yerevan: Why Vanadzor Should Be on Your Armenia Itinerary
Vanadzor, also known as Kirovakan during the Soviet era, is the third-largest city in Armenia. Located in the northern part of the country, Vanadzor serves as the administrative center of the Lori Province. The city is situated on the banks of the Pambak River and is surrounded by the picturesque mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. I made a quick stop and made a few drone photos here in Mid February 2023, after returning from Yerevan to Tbilisi.…
Tbilisi by Night
Tbilisi by night is very beautiful. Time after time I love to take out my DLSR camera and tripod to experiment with nighttime photography - long exposures, high ISO. Nighttime photography can be very creative. In today's Piece of Live series - Tbilisi by night from the balcony of our apartment. We are lucky enough living in a place which offers us some of the best views towards the old town of Tbilisi During the day we went there swimming. It…