Peter's Market in Liepaja

9 June, 2017 | Shopping Venues | 12 seen

Peter's market is centrally located on Kuršu street in Liepāja, Latvia. There are more than 200 sales outlets. It's the largest market in Liepaja and second largest in Latvia (after Riga Central market). 

Make sure to visit Peter's market once in Liepāja. Although not so impressive than those in Philadelphia, Barcelona or Riga, it's still quite interesting place. I believe over the time Peter's market has potential to become one of the most visited tourism attractions in Liepāja.

Peter's market in Liepāja

We come here to buy some plants for our rural country house. Lovely selection of many flowers.

Liepāja Peter's market

Sunset hotel in Jurmala

8 June, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 11 seen

I now have a great selection of Jurmala hotels, in todays article the latest addition - Hotel Sunset on Pilsonu street in Jurmala. When traveling to or from Riga and looking for a cheap stay I prefer Jurmala (as it's close to Riga) or some suburbs in Riga. Although some might think Jurmala is an expensive city  in fact - it's not. For a decent hotel room in Jurmala you could easly find value deals for about EUR 40. 

That's how we booked Sunset Hotel in Jurmala.

Hotel Sunset in Jurmala

There is a signboard saying - For Sale. If you are looking for investments in the Baltics, might be an interesting option.

This property is 4 minutes walk from the beach. Only a 2-minute walk from the sea, the Sunset Hotel is located in the heart of Jurmala, just a few steps from the main pedestrian street and 5 minutes walking distance from the Dzintari Concert Hall. It offers comfort rooms with free WiFi and a private bathroom.

Small room at Hotel Sunset in Jurmala

Yes our queen size bed took all the room, indeed the room we get was tiny, but for a one night stay - excellent.

Each room at the Sunset is air-…

Drupal 8 Minor upgrade using Putty SSH Terminal

7 June, 2017 | Drupal Development | 14 seen

In this article I'll shed some light on how easy it is to perform a minor Drupal 8 upgrade between versions using free Putty SSH terminal and just a few lines of code. 

I assume your Drupal is configured under a VPS (take Linode, for example) and your installation path is /srv/www/

See: How to upgrade Drupal 6 to Drupal 7 - Process , Upgrading Drupal 7 (minor upgrade)

Drupal security updates

By accessing available updates page (admin/reports/updates/update) we can easy update modules by just clicking update button, but if you are asked to update Drupal version a manual operation is asked

Update Drupal 8 core

Now, open Putty, enter your username and password (make sure you login with root privileges). Make sure you change tourgeorgia.eu to your actual domain name

Now visit /update.php…

Postcards from Telavi

6 June, 2017 | | 5 seen

It was on an overcast day, we decided to leave our cozy room at Chateau Mere hotel and go explore Telavi. I've been to Telavi several times, and I always thought there is nothing much to see, except the Telavi market or try khinkali at Kafe - Bari Zodiako. Turns out I was wrong - Telavi has to offer much more.

At hotel reception desk we asked for a city taxi to arrive and pick us up and just drive and explore nearby vicinity. The result - Telavi is really cool small town, without doubts I'm looking to return and explore more.

Central square in Telavi

Despite an overcast day I managed to capture a lovely panoramic photography at central Telavi square (next to the musem)

Park in Telavi

What a lovely observation point. Not to speak about interesting formations in the park - rocks and hipster style chairs.

Monument and tree

Frankly speaking before post processing these images I felt pretty sceptical about the result. Turns out even in overcast days you can capture interesting scenes.

Bridge in Telavi

Lines and shapes, grey and green. Lovely, tranquil mood from Telavi,…

Apartment Alte Pfarre in Gudensberg, Germany

5 June, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 13 seen

Alte Pfarre Gudensberg offers pet-friendly accommodation in a historical timbered house in Gudensberg, 17 km from Kassel and 42 km from Bad Hersfeld. The unit is 18 km from Bad Wildungen. Free private parking is available on site.

After a visit to this place we have agreed, let's include such apartments in our future travel plans instead of just simple hotel rooms. Stay at apartments gives much better local touch. 

We booked Alte Pfarre Gudensberg  on May 17, 2017 for a one night stay and it turned out that we were first visitors this year and as a gift we got a bottle of champagne. Lovely. Our booking price was just EUR 85. And let me call this place one of the best places I've every stayed so far. 

Spacious apartment

Now, so many things I would love to see in our own future house.

The apartment is located on the ground floor, has its own entrance and direct access to the garden. There is a seating area, a dining area and a kitchen as well as a private bathroom. A flat-screen TV, as well as a CD player are provided. Other facilities at Alte Pfarre Gudensberg include a barbecue. The apartment…

May 2017 Dividend Income Report - $65.45

4 June, 2017 | Investments | 13 seen

There are two financial goals I'm looking to achieve. The short term goal is to earn from dividend paying stocks more than $100/mo by February 2018. The long tern goal -  to land 1 million dollars in my savings account by the time I will turn 60 (that's in 2045).

I started my wealth building adventure (portfolio) January 2017 with goal to invest $8,561 this year in several batches. Now, five months latter I'm publishing my first dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from stocks and peer to peer lending in May 2017. 

Most of my investments right now are concentrated in the Baltic states and Georgia. My portfolio consists of investments in Georgian Lari and EUR currencies. At the end of May I had invested $4,656.36 what equals to about 0.47% from my ultimate goal to have 1 million dollars and 54.39% from my 2017 planned investments

The total value of my portfolio in May 2017 were $4,766.22, making the difference between invested and value + $109.86

• Invested: $4,656.36
• Value: $4,766.22

Growth: + $109.86

…

Cafe - Hotel Kandava

3 June, 2017 | Restaurant reviews | 13 seen

Kandava is a small but lovely town in the Western Latvia. I haven't been here many times, just some 3-4, but I really enjoy these small and tranquil Latvian towns. We were just driving around Latvia and around meal time discovered we are in Kandava.

In the city center on Sabiles street we found a lovely cafeteria with clear name - Kandava.Turns out there is both cafe and hotel available at this place. Probably next time when in Kandava, a hotel room in the city center might be great option.

Interior at Cafe Kandava

​I was surprised of after seeing such cozy interior. But not surprised at all discovering that we are the only guests. Luckily the chef was on site and all meals from menu were available. I choose to stick with potatoes pancakes and some omelet.

Omelet at cafe Kandava

Spare Hotel in Riga

2 June, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 7 seen

Spare Hotel is located a 5-minute drive from Riga International Airport and 7 minutes from the historic city centre. It features free parking and an on-site bowling complex. We booked Spare hotel for a short stay in Riga for one night. 

Spare hotel in Riga

Seems the hotel is located in former dwelling house, but our stay here was decent. Had a lovely dinner at hotels restaurant and simple free breakfast.

All rooms of Spare Hotel provide a bathroom and cable TV. Most rooms offer a seating area and a work desk.

Guests of the Spare Hotel can enjoy the breakfast buffet and other meals in the on-site restaurant, which offers Korean, Japanese and European cuisine. Cocktails as well as non-alcoholic beverages are also served.

Hotel Mezaparks in Riga

1 June, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 4 seen

Hotel Mezaparks in Riga is a really great value deal for a very affordable price (we paid about EUR 30). Located next to the lake Kisezers and just 15 minute drive from the Old town. We booked hotel Mezaparks for one night stay in Spring 2016. 

Hotel Mezaparks is a great choice if you are looking for a cheap stay for one night in Riga, it doesn't offer much extra's, although there is even a restaurant located in first floor.

This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Hotel Mezaparks enjoys a quiet and green location in a park on the shore of beautiful Lake Kisezers, only a 15-minute drive away from the old town of Riga. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available in the rooms and free public parking is provided when arranged in advance.

Twin Room at hotel Mezaparks

The overall impression about this place - it's kind of summer camp for young athletes or something.

The cosy rooms are decorated with wooden furniture and carpeted floors. Most rooms have balconies with views over the lake.

The terrace overlooking the lake is a great place to enjoy a coffee or a cocktail. All meals, including breakfast, can be…

Lopota lake Resort & Spa

31 May, 2017 | Lakes | 32 seen

Lopota Lake Resort & Spa is ideal for those seeking a peaceful place to rest. Your personal piece of paradise is located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, surrounded by the famous Caucasus mountains, just 2 hours drive from Tbilisi, the nation's capital.

We first discovered Lopota lake in early Spring 2017, during a weekend trip to the region of Kakheti. We returned here back for a few day stay in June 2020.

Lopota lake in Georgia

Here is the story of how we first discovered this place - At the start of April (2017), we booked another hotel here in Kakheti (Chateau Mere near Telavi). Unfortunately, when we arrived on site, the weather was overcast and it was no fun to stay at the huge concrete complex, we took a local taxi and asked him to show us some cool nearby sites, as I was equipped with a tripod and camera I was looking for some lakes, water and so on, as wanted to make some long exposure shots. 

The taxi driver suggested us to visit Lopota lake, as I had heard about it before, we agreed.

At Lopota lake there are located a hotel complex, restaurants, outdoor pools and…

Hotel Chateau Mere near Telavi

30 May, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 17 seen

We booked hotel Chateau Mere Telavi at the start of April 2017 and were hoping to enjoy early spring in Kakheti. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, and instead we enjoyed a couple of rainy days in a stylish hotel complex.

For getting forth and back from our Tbilisi apartment to Chateau Mere in Tbilisi we pre-ordered a shuttle service from the hotel (70 GEL one direction)

Housed in a stone castle, this design hotel features free Wi-Fi, an outdoor swimming pool and a spacious garden. Located in Telavi, it is set in Georgia’s wine-producing area amidst the Caucasus Mountains and Alazani Valley.

Stylish room at hotel Chateau Mere

Chateau Mere has classically decorated rooms featuring antique-style furnishings. Each room includes a flat-screen TV and minibar, and some rooms offer a balcony.

Outdoor swimming pool

Although it was already the start of April, the weather didn't spoil us at all. Mist, rain, and even snow. Thus the view from the balcony is nice.

The dining hall at Chateau Mere

A breakfast buffet is provided at the hotel, which also features its own restaurant serving…

Day trip to Gori and nearby vicinity

28 May, 2017 | Travel guides | 16 seen

Day trips to Gori and nearby vicinity are quite possible if traveling from Tbilisi. Although not so popular as day trips to Mtskheta and Jvari (because located very close to Tbilisi) a trip to Gori and the region (Shida Kartli) is a nice way to travel through the past. 

It was at the end of March 2017, when my business partner (traveltogeorgia.net) agreed to show me some cool and unseen places in Gori and nearby vicinity

One of the most famous landmarks in Gori is the Stalin Museum, which I, unfortunately,  didn't visit during this trip (as I've been here several times already in past). The second landmark you should see - Uplitsikhe Cave town ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia, some 10 kilometers east of the town of Gori. Enjoyed some wine and the lovely small winery Chateau Ateni, visited Atenis Sioni, and last visited some hidden gem - Sulfur baths in Biisi village.

Sulfur bath house in Biisi, Georgia

27 May, 2017 | Health & Wellness | 35 seen

Georgia is well known of it's sulfur bath houses, most recognized are located in the Tbilisi' s Old Town (see Abanotubani district), but there are more across country. One such is located in Biisi village (Shida Kartli region).

I was taken here by a friend from traveltogeorgia.net after we visited Uplitsikhe cave town and Atenis Sioni at the end of March 2017

You won't find much comfort here, but if you love diggers stuff (and I do) or rough travel - Biisi is really cool and attractive place to visit. Eco tourists will enjoy, it's completely free to take a sulfur bath here. Grab a towel before.

Biisi in Georgia

Old and neglected. Rusted but cool.

Sulfur bathhouse in Biisi

Some handy locals have made a lovely hardwood finishing.

Bath in Biisi

I didn't dare to take a bath here, but I must admit that the bathhouse seems completely functional, and I love the idea of free things. If you travel to this place, don't forget to drop a comment and tell how did it go.

Ateni Sioni Church

26 May, 2017 | Churches and Monasteries | 18 seen

The Ateni Sioni Church  is an early 7th-century Georgian Orthodox church in the village of Ateni, some 10 km (6.2 mi) south of the city of Gori, Georgia. It stands in a setting of the Tana River valley known not only for its historical monuments but also for its picturesque landscapes and wine. The name "Sioni" derives from Mount Zion at Jerusalem.

I had a chance to visit Atenis Sioni first in March 2017, as my business partner from tourgeorgia.eu Mrs. David Gabliashvili took me to the most interesting places in Gori area.

Atenis Sioni in Georgia

Sioni is an early example of a "four-apse church with four niches" domed tetraconch (between the four apses are three-quarter cylindrical niches which are open to the central space). The church's cruciform interior measures 24m x 19.22m, and its façades are faced with carved rectangular greenish-gray stones, richly decorated with ornaments and figurative reliefs. The church is not dated but is very similar in design to the Jvari Monastery at Mtskheta, which is generally held to have preceded it, and…

Chateau Ateni (Winery in Georgia)

25 May, 2017 | Tourism objects | 17 seen

Here comes another interesting, though small winery I've visited here in Georgia. Meet Chateau Ateni near Gori. I was taken here in the frames of short day trip to Gori with my business partner David Gablishvili from Traveltogeorgia.net.

Chateau Ateni is a small family run winery, offering to try local wine and famous Georgian hospitality. Located some 10km from Uplitisikhe cave town. 

Chateau Ateni winery in Georgia

As we visited this winery at the end of March it was still nothing much to see, but should be very beautiful if visited in Summer or Fall.

Chateau Ateni winery in Georgia

A small exhibition hall with fine bottled wines from this winery. 

Wine tasting room