Sadmeli Winery & Guesthouse
| Hotel reviews | 30 seen
Located in Sadmeli village, close to Ambrolauri town in Georgia's Racha region - Sadmeli Winery features a garden, terrace, spectacular views towards the valley, and free WiFi throughout the property. The guest house has family rooms.
We booked a one-night stay at this place in mid-October 2022, during our Fall Break (at QSI Tbilisi) trip to the Region of Racha.
We arrived here by plane from Natakhtari (Tbilisi) to the Ambrolauri airplane. Shuttle service was organized for a small additional fee. In total we paid about GEL 330 for a stay in a family room, with a shared bathroom, our price included delicious on-demand supper with a bottle of local cider (from the vinerary and taxi transfer fees from and back to the airport)
I was happy playing again with a drone.
The surrounding views are just breathtaking.
Decent. No flat-screen TV and shared bathroom. But for a one-night stay - quite Okay. Bit reminds me to stay in the Georgian dessert some time ago when we stayed in a place that was running on solar power - Hotel Dalis Mta
We were served dinner on demand, with local delicacies - cheese and cider. The local…
Top 20 Best Selling Laptops with Intel core i9 2023
| Laptop Reviews | 165 seen
Laptops with this powerful but bit pricey, Intel core i9 processor has been around for a few years already.
Made for gamers, graphic editors and business professionals - ASUS, ACER, and DELL are the top brands for Intel core i9.
Intel Core i9 powered laptops come with a price attached. You should be ready to spend about $1,250-3,000 in 2023, to get one.
A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I might earn an affiliate income from that. The prices for laptop computers listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product Advertising API and are updated daily. For actual prices please refer to the product page on Amazon.
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) Gaming Laptop, 15.6” 300Hz IPS FHD Display, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, Intel Core i9 12900H, 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD, Per-Key RGB Keyboard, Windows 11 Home, G533ZM-ES93- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 - ROG Boost up to 1752 MHz at 140W (115W + 25W with Dynamic Boost)
- MUX switch - GPU MUX switch lets the GPU communicate directly with…
Why should you buy an apartment in Georgia?
| Living in Georgia | 52 seen
Recently I have been a lot into the Georgian real estate market - I'm currently gathering funds to buy an apartment in Tbilisi and later resell it for a profit.
Scouting Potential Apartment Investment in Tbilisi (Samgori Ecocity)
In this article I will lay out some information regaridng buying a real estate in Georgia (Tbiisi / Batumi/ Gudauri or other) I found with the help of TBC bank. I was considering using loan at the local TBC bank to finance such purchase, but now with potential co-investor not looking on bank loans anymore.
Feel free to contact me via blog or Linkedin if you are interested in Tbilisi, Batumi or other real estate investment in Georgia
The real estate market in Georgia is growing - more and more people are trying to buy housing for various purposes. For many, renting a home is a stable source of income that has a fairly solid relative share in the monthly budget. Many are now trying to buy a house in areas and geographical areas that are quite growing and consequently prices will rise in the coming years. In this case, buying and selling the same house becomes a…
Ambrolauri Airport
| Airports | 31 seen
Ambrolauri Airport is a small regional airport serving Ambrolauri, a town in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Georgia. The airport is owned and operated by United Airports of Georgia, a state-owned company. It has been open in its current form since January 2017 and can serve airplanes with up to 50 passengers capacity.
I first learned about this airport back in 2016, but first tried at the end of 2022, during a Fall break trip to Racha. We booked a round-trip flight here by Vanilla Sky and enjoyed a 35-minute flight from/to Natakhtari airport.
Ambrolauri Airport is located at the edge of Ambrolauri town, in the historic Racha region on the right bank of the Rioni between the Racha and Lechkhumi Ranges and at an elevation of 544 m (1,785 ft) above sea level. The region is of tourist interest and it is the cradle of one of Georgia's pre-eminent wine varieties, the Khvanchkara, named after the village of origin 10 kilometers west of Ambrolauri.
Since 2017, Vanilla Sky Airlines flies several times a week between Ambrolauri and Natakhtari Airfield near Tbilisi with a 19-seater Let L-410.
Former Georgian President Mikheil…
Buying Real Estate in Racha (Ambrolauri district)
| Real Estate | 141 seen
Racha is a highland area in western Georgia, located in the upper Rioni river valley and hemmed in by the Greater Caucasus mountains.
Ambrolauri serves as the seat of the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regional administration and of the Ambrolauri Municipality and had a population of 2,015 in 2021. The city is served by a small, but very convenient Ambrolauri airport, with a few weekly flights to Natakhtari (Tbilisi), thus making the city and the whole region of Racha - attractive for real estate investment.
At least, these are my thoughts after my first trip to the Region on Racha, and visiting the cities of Ambrolauri, Nikortsminda, and Agora at the end of 2022.
Despite being mountainous and with cold winters, Racha is home to some of the best Georgian wines (Khvachkara), there are many small family-run chateaus and a booming tourism industry with guest houses. camping, gleaming, and hotels developing in Racha. I agree, Racha has some great potential.
While sipping Kakhetian Wine from Alazani valley in Racha, and staying at a cozy cottage I come up with a quick idea - how about we buy some property here, not even…
Natakhtari Airfield / Airport
| Airports | 80 seen
Natakhtari Airfield is a small domestic airport located in Natakhtari, close to Tbilisi, Georgia.
It is privately owned and operated by the parent company of Vanilla Sky Airlines, Service Air. Domestic flights to Batumi, Mestia, and Ambrolauri are served from here. Free shuttle service is available from Tbilisi city center for Vanilla Sky flights.
We have been huge fans of Vanilla sky airlines, for Tbilisi - Batumi flights, which previously were scheduled from Tbilisi international airport, but seem to have been rerouted via Natakhtari airport (at least in 2022), and that's how we discovered this small, cozy airport.
Free parking spaces in front of the temrinal building. Also free shuttle service available to the Tbilisi city center. A taxi ride with Bolt cost about 25 GEL to get here. (prices as of 2022)
Natakhtari Airfield is located about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of Georgia's historic capital, Mtskheta, a popular tourist destination. Located in the Mukhrani Valley, it serves private flights and a number of small scale charter and scheduled domestic flights by Vanilla Sky Airlines.
I'm huge fan of this cozy airport. 45…
Scouting Potential Apartment Investment in Tbilisi (Samgori Ecocity)
| Real Estate | 59 seen
For the past couple of weeks and months, I have been working toward my Tbilisi real estate investment idea.
Now I have a potential co-investor and we are looking to buy one apartment in Tbilisi (or Batumi) under construction, wait until it is completed, and sell it for a profit (hopefully).
As I had done initial market research for some potential value deals in Tbilisi, I found this quite an interesting offer located in the city outskirts but meantime well connected to the rest of the city - Samgori Ecocity project by Meti developer company.
Invest in Tbilisi Real Estate - New Projects under construction
I held initial talks with the developers and was quite satisfied with the offered terms for apartments at Samgori Ecocity, Now was the right time to go and see all for myself. I was offered a $650 price per m2 - white frame. 0% interest monthly installments up to 20 months.
This morning I was in the gym when decided to shout out a message to Ralph, a German friend here in Tbilisi. I just didn't want to go alone but wanted to have good company. Also, we weren't met for some time. Ralph agreed, and in a couple of hours, we were wandering…
Invest in Tbilisi Real Estate - New Projects under construction
| Real Estate | 54 seen
A few months ago, I came up with an idea to crowdfund a real estate under construction in Batumi and sell it for profit once completed. I was contacted by a potential investor from Canada, and we kept shaping this idea more and more until we are already ready to make our first co-investment.
High Risk / High Return Investment Opportunity in Batumi Real Estate
A few weeks ago I went again to Batumi, to re-check the situation with Batumi real estate, and did some findings, some were good and some were not so good, I raised my concerns to the potential investor.
Because myself being located in Tbilisi, I decided to make a quick look at Tbilisi real estate market with a focus on new projects under construction.
For this focus, I decided to look at a few properties across Tbilisi city, not prime locations, but lower prices. Because of the lower price we could afford to buy a more spacious apartment, which we could sell with a good profit margin to families with kids or rent it out for long term or Airbnb.
For this quick research, I was using korter.ge website, the more digging in would be required, contacting developer companies or dealing…
Blog 9-year anniversary
| | 5 seen
Wow, time flies, today on October 10, 2022, we are already celebrating 9 years since I launched my personal blog at ReinisFischer.com
Over the years the blog has grown into something big and had become a part of my daily life - many topics have been covered, many more will be covered, many friendships have been established, and many more will be established.
Almost 6 million users have visited this blog over the past 9 years. With 20% coming from the US, 10% from India, 6% United Kingdom, 4% Philippines and 3% from Canada.
The top 10 articles are about some of the best-selling laptops and average salaries across the European Union.
For the years to come, I will focus more on my investing adventures with crypto and stocks, photography, and video.
My body weight this morning was 108kg - I hope I will be under 100, before turning 10
To the next 99 years.
Batumi and Tbilisoba
| Living in Georgia | 7 seen
A quick day trip to Batumi and back by Vanilla Sky from Natakhtari airfield, stay at the Hilton hotel with heated swimming pool + some bits of real estate investing, returned back to Tbilisi and voted at Latvian Parliament elections 2022 at the embassy, the next day visited Tbilisi city festival.
Enjoy the show and thumbs up!
MyHeritage DNA test result
| Genealogy | 638 seen
Today I finally received the DNA test result from MyHeritage. The result was quite surprising - I learned I have 56% Baltic, 18.8% Ashkenazi Jewish, 15.85% Balkan, and 8.7% North and West European DNA.
Before the test, I assumed my Baltic (Latvian) heritage will be about 75%, maybe 60%, but seeing 56% left me quite surprised.
I knew about Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry (my grandfather), so no surprise here, the biggest surprise though comes from the 15.8% Balkan ancestry.
Knowing that 18% Ashkenazi Jewish comes from my paternal grandfather I was left wondering, that probably 15% Balkans also comes from one of my paternal grandparents. I was left wondering, from whom then, as I had no idea about Balkan heritage before.
I have my thoughts - thinking either my grandmother (from my father's side) or my great-granmother from my mother's side has Balkan ancestry.
The DNA test revealed a few matches, I was surprised not to see zillions of Jewish relatives here, just a few very distant relatives, which leads me to think that for tracking Jewish ancestry I should use another service, service…
Dumas Restaurant Tbilisi / Axis Tower
| Restaurant reviews | 131 seen
Dumas is a French Restaurant with a Southern European accent, located on the 36th floor of the landmark Axis Tower in Tbilisi.
Looking to impress your date, business partner, or simply good coffee - Dumas restaurant is the way to go.
Named after the famous French writer Alexander Dumas, the restaurant offers guests an authentic food and beverage experience that is fresh and flavorful. The ‘Dumas’ open kitchen serves up French and Mediterranean cuisine transitioning its menus throughout the day to please the most discerning gourmet palate, complimented by incredible panoramic views of the city.
with seating areas both next to the window and away from it
I bet sunsets are just magnificent here
Being vegetarian for already a year I try out strange soups, even pumpkin soups, and this one was just brilliant
One of the fancoest places I have latelty discovered in Tbilisi.
Minimum Wages Set to Increase in Baltic States in 2023
| Macroeconomics | 100 seen
In 2023 minimum wage is set to increase in all Baltic states. Estonia will have a minimum wage of EUR 725; Latvia - EUR 620 and Lithuania - EUR 800.
During the past 5 years minimum wages across the Baltics have experienced a steep increase, and in some cases even doubled. When compared to 2018, Estonia's minimum wage has increased by EUR 225, Latvia's by EUR 220, and Lithuania's by a whooping EUR 400.
Despite pretty decent increases in the Baltic States, minimum wages here are still among the lowest in the European Union. See: Minimum Wages in European Union 2022
On the other hand, it seems that the Baltics will reach EUR 1,000 gross minimum wage in the next 3-5 years. It seems either Lithuania or Estonia will get there first.
Also, I believe the minimum wage will double in all three countries by 2033. And my bet is Estonia EUR 1,500, Latvia EUR 1,300, and Lithuania EUR 1,600.
Now, let's see if I'll be able to take at least the Latvian minimum wage from dividend stocks and options trading by the end of 2023.
Basilica of the Assumption, Aglona
| Churches and Monasteries | 21 seen
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. Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, it was consecrated in 1800 by Bishop J. Benislavski.
The church was the seat of the bishop of Riga from 1920 to 1924, when the newly promoted archbishop Antonijs Springovičs moved to the Cathedral of St. James in Riga. Springovičs was consecrated bishop there on 22 August 1920 by Kaunas auxiliary bishop Juozapas Skvireckas.
Every year thousands of pilgrims flock to the Basilica on 15 August, the feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is one of the eight international shrines recognized by the Holy See[6] and its religious events were attended by around 300,000 pilgrims.
In 1980 the Basilica of the Assumption celebrated its 200th…
Invest in Batumi Real Estate with a business partner - Joint Ownership
| Real Estate | 31 seen
Back in Spring 2022, I come up with an idea - launching a crypto token for investing in Batumi real estate. The original idea was to issue about 100 tokens over Ethereum smart chain, collect the funds, buy the property, sell it for a profit, and buy back tokens at an increased price.
I still like this idea, and I'm still looking to go forward with it. During the past 6 months my idea didn't raise much interest, yes I had a talk with a few investors, but most were not aware of what a smart token is, so I stopped actively pushing this idea.
- High Risk / High Return Investment Opportunity in Batumi Real Estate
- Invest in Batumi Real Estate (Buying Black Frame Projects)
Recently I got contacted by a Canadian citizen showing interest in this project, but in a more traditional way, the FIAT way - I was offered to establish some kind of business partnership, with me owning 10% and partner 90% in such partnership
I'm interested in knowing more about investing in a couple of studio apartments at a bargain price working with you. If things work out okay, then I'll be able to pump $20,000 immediately and…
Latest video
Tsikhisdziri & Batumi Botanical Garden
After returning from our amazing trip to Thessaloniki, we decided to extend our holiday a bit longer — this time in beautiful Tsikhisdziri. Huge thanks to Eto for kindly offering her cozy apartments at Bambo Beach, where we enjoyed a full week of relaxation by the sea.During our stay, we explored local gems like Shukura Tsikhisdziri (შუქურა…
Summer in Latvia 2025
Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to Jaunpiebalga, Vecpiebalga, Smiltene, and Valka. From sipping sparkling wine with swallows to running 4K morning…
Chateau Ateni. Gori
This time (May 2025), our journey takes us to Gori and the enchanting Chateau Ateni - a hidden gem where authentic Georgian cuisine blends seamlessly with avant-garde natural wines, soulful traditional dance, and even the charming surprise of a small chick farm.What makes this trip extra special is sharing it with our Latvian/Georgian friends,…Living in Georgia
Mziuri Tennis Club in Tbilisi
Our family has been attending Mziuri Tennis Club in Tbilisi since September 2025, after several recommendations from our BIST community. We signed up our 7-year-old for the junior program, which costs 300 GEL per month. After a few months…
12 Rounds Boxing Club in Tbilisi
Sometimes even the most loyal gym-goers need to shake things up—and that's exactly what I did this month. After years of training at the "luxurious Axis Tower gym", I decided to take a short break. Not because I had any complaints about…
Tbilisi Circus: A Historic Landmark with a Surprising Past
Tbilisi Circus is an iconic part of the city's cultural landscape. Having lived in Georgia since 2011, I have passed by the Tbilisi Circus almost every day. However, it wasn’t until I attended a show that I truly appreciated its grandeur…
Foraging for Mushrooms near Tsodoreti Lake: A Day in the Suburbs of Tbilisi
Back in June 2024, I first came across Tsodoreti Lake during one of the Tbilisi Trails races, which turned out to be one of the most challenging runs of my life. While I tackled the 10K trail route, my partner and our kiddo took a gentler…
Piece of Life
Postcards from Marseille
It’s been nearly two years since our last trip to Marseille, a sun-drenched jewel on France’s southern coast that left an indelible mark on our memories. That summer of 2023, we set out to explore the city’s vibrant beaches and winding old town, arriving and departing through the bustling hub of Marseille St. Charles train station. As I sit…
Christmas Eve at Palolem Beach: Fire Shows, Old Monk
While we just celebrated Orthodox Christmas in Georgia, I can’t help but delve into the memories of our Western Christmas last year (2024), spent on the serene shores of Palolem Beach in Goa, India. That evening was magical in every way, filled with vibrant energy, beautiful scenery, and a new discovery that made the night unforgettable.Palolem…
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,…
Travel guides
Gateway of India, Mumbai
I first visited the Gateway of India at the end of December 2025, during our three-week trip to India. We spent only a few short days in Mumbai, and this stop was not planned in any deep or academic way. We arrived from The Lalit Hotel by…
Summer in Latvia 2025
Summer in Latvia movie is out - Join us on our July (2025) journey through Latvia: installing a bathtub in our countryside cottage, setting up a pop-up store at Bangotnes, celebrating a birthday in Vērbeļnieki, traveling via Riga to…
Birthday in Thessaloniki, Greece
Turning 40 is a milestone worth celebrating in style, and what better way than in Thessaloniki — a city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and cuisine. From affordable flights and boutique stays to seafood feasts and hidden beaches,…
Hotel Reviews
Stays & Trails La Maison Hotel Review in Panaji
At the tail end of 2024, just before catching our flight back to Delhi, we decided to book a one-night stay at Stays & Trails La Maison Fontainhas in Panaji, Goa. After weeks staying in Palolem beach, we wanted to wrap up our trip with…
Schuchmann Wines Château: A Long-Awaited Stay in Georgia’s Premier Winery Hotel & Spa
It took us over a decade to finally make it to Schuchmann Wines Château & Spa, and it was well worth the wait! We’ve spent years recommending this stunning winery hotel to visiting friends and business partners, yet somehow, we had…
Hotel Belvedere Prague: A Practical Stay with Easy Access
During our recent trip to Prague in mid-October 2024, we stayed at Hotel Belvedere. My partner attended the MEET Central Europe Translators conference, and we were joined by one of our office employees, so we opted to book two rooms. …
Review: Art Hotel Prague – A Cozy Stay in a Tranquil Part of Prague
During our recent trip to Prague in October 2024, we opted for a one-night stay at the Art Hotel Prague. We arrived at the hotel via Bolt taxi from Václav Havel Airport, which was straightforward and efficient. At about EUR 120 per room…
Toursim objects
Plage des Catalans: A Shrinking Memory in Marseille
Plage des Catalans, a sandy crescent tucked along Marseille’s coastline, holds a special place in my travel tapestry. I first visited this beach in the summer of 2003, a carefree stop during my early adventures in the city. Back then, it felt like a haven—close to the bustling port yet offering a slice of Mediterranean calm. When I returned…
Colva Beach: Golden Sands and Tranquility in Goa
Colva Beach, located in South Goa, is known for its expansive golden sands and tranquil atmosphere. Stretching for several kilometers along the Arabian Sea, the beach offers a peaceful escape from the busier tourist hubs in the region. Its wide shoreline, framed by swaying palm trees, provides plenty of space for visitors to relax, stroll, or…
Charles Bridge: A Timeless Landmark in Prague
The Charles Bridge (Karlův most) in Prague is one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in Europe. Built in the 14th century under the reign of King Charles IV, this Gothic stone bridge spans the Vltava River, connecting Prague's Old Town with the Lesser Town (Malá Strana). Adorned with a series of 30 Baroque statues and surrounded by…