Village of Kandanos in Crete

22 October, 2017 | Tourism objects | 46 seen

Kandanos is a town and former municipality in the Chania regional unit, Crete, Greece. We made a short stop here, during our latest trip to Crete in June 2017. 

The view in front of us was so amazing, that I decided to make some photography here. Back then I even didn't keep the record and didn't write down the name - Kandanos. Well, here is an interesting though I just made - it would be cool to handle international relations between Latvian Kandava and Cretan Kandanos. Just because, their names are so similar.

Probably the reason we decided to spend 5 minutes at Kandanos village central parking space, was following:

The village of Kandanos in Crete

Brilliant, right? Now, a couple of months later after this trip, when writing down notes about places we discovered, it was interesting to locate this place on the map, and read what Wikipedia and other resources have to say, about out this village, turns out it has a very interesting history to tell. We arrived here from Libyan hotel in Palaiochora

Village of Kandanos

In the Greek and Roman periods, a city called Kandanos or Kandania flourished here. The spot is not certain, but most people believe that it was at the site of the modern town of Kandanos, not in Kadros, which is southern, as others assume. Remains of a very large building with a mosaic floor of the third century A.D. were found in Kandanos. The church in Tzevremiana, near Kandanos, is thought to be on the site of a bishopric church from the first Byzantine period. Ancient Kandanos might have been destroyed by the Arabs.
During the Turkish occupation, Kandanos became the home of very fierce Turkish rulers and many battles took place here to drive them out. In World War II, the people in Kandanos resisted the Germans in the battle of Floria and the town was razed to the ground “so that it is never to be built again”, as the inscription that was left says. The scene of the heroic stand was north of Kandanos. The Cretans delayed a German force for two days and the ensuing death of twenty-five Germans resulted in the destruction of Kandanos. Source: Village of Kandanos

Razing of Kandanos

The Battle of Crete began on 20 May 1941 with a large-scale airborne invasion planned to capture the island's strategic locations. Kandanos is located on the road from Chania on the north coast to Paleochora in the south, which was a candidate landing point for potential Allied reinforcements from North Africa. The village of Kandanos had been bombed during the first days of the attack and a small motorized German detachment (riding motorcycles with MG 34 machine guns on their sidecars) attempted to move through it on 23 May 1941, aiming to reach and secure Paleochora. Albeit untrained and insufficiently armed, local civilians from Kandanos, Paleochora and nearby smaller villages with the assistance of a few Selino gendarmes, spontaneously confronted and fought the German force in Floria.

On the following day, the locals gathered in larger numbers and set an ambush for the advancing German troops of the 5th Gebirgsdivision (elements of the 55 motorcycle Battalion and the 95 anti-tank Battalion), at Kandanos' gorge. Despite their strong resistance on 24 and 25 May and their limited casualties, the locals were vastly outnumbered and were thus eventually forced to retreat in the mountains, letting the Germans advance towards Paleochora. Source: Razing of Kandanos

Libyan Princess Hotel Review in Palaiochóra, Crete

21 October, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 14 seen

The Libyan Princess Boutique Hotel is located in one of the most beautiful resorts of Crete, gorgeous Paleochora, also known as “Nymph of the Libyan Sea” 75km from the city of Chania.

Paleochora, built on a peninsula between two scenic gulfs, is an idyllic location harmoniously combining mountains and the deep blue coasts of the Libyan Sea.

We booked this hotel for one night in June 2017, for detailed description how we get here using Google Maps navigation, please see the following article: Crazy, Stupid, Love - Tranquil Rough Adventures in Crete

Hotel Libyan Princess

We arrived late. After we parked our car at underground parking we finally got our room. Hmm, that's actually our rental car in front of the hotel. Probably we got the room before parked car.

King size bed at Libyan Princess

Each room at this hotel is air-conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some units have a sitting area for your convenience. You will find a kettle in the room. Every room is equipped with a private bathroom. Extras include bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries. Superior rooms include a spa tub or a hot tub.

Hotel Libyan

The Libyan Princess hotel offers an exceptional combination of high standard facilities, modern comforts, contemporary design, discreet service, welcoming environment, all these in an ideal location with unique beaches and a wonderful climate.

View from the balcony in the next morning

Top Hotels and Apartments in Stavros, Crete

20 October, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 10 seen

Stavros is a village and a popular beach destination located close to the Chania town in Crete, Greece. The beach and surroundings were the place where in 1964 Michael Cacoyannis partly made the popular Greek movie "Zorba the Greek" starring Anthony Quinn.

During our latest trip to the island of Crete, we booked a luxury Kavos Beach Apartment and Studios for about 2 nights. Kavos was amazing, it's not a surprise seeing it among top rated on Booking.com

Stavros is a great destination if you are arriving in Chania international airport. When heading to Stavros you should be willing to spend about 40-70 EUR for a good apartment/hotel/ guest house - which actually is one of the cheapest destinations in Crete I've discovered so far. 

Alternatively see: Top 12 Luxury & Boutique Hotels in Chania Town

Please note: hotels listed below may contain links to Booking.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a reservation on Booking.com site, I might earn an affiliate income, at no cost to you.

Kavos Beach Apartments & Studios

This property is a 6-minute walk from the beach. At a quiet and beautiful location on the coast of Kavos, Kavos Beach Apartments & Studios boasts views over the Cretan Sea. It offers well-designed accommodation and a large outdoor pool with sun terrace.

Set amidst landscaped gardens, all apartments and studios at Kavos are air conditioned and have a spacious balcony or terrace. They are fitted with an LCD TV, kitchenette and fridge, and enjoy free Internet access.

The poolside bar offers sea views. It serves continental breakfast, snacks, cocktails and refreshing drinks.

The hotel organizes diving courses and provides diving equipment to its guests free of charge.

The village Stavros is only a 2-minute drive away. It has a lovely beach and offers traditional taverns. Chania International Airport is at 9 km. Free parking is available on site. 

Price: ~ EUR 50 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Zorbas Beach Village Hotel

This beachfront hotel is situated in a 30,000-m² area right above Akrotiri peninsula, where the famous movie Zorba The Greek was filmed. It offers self-catered rooms a few steps from the sandy beach, with free WiFi and furnished terraces. A large swimming pool, a playground and a tennis court are featured.

The traditionally decorated studios and apartments of Zorbas offer views over the Cretan Sea. Each unit has a well-equipped kitchenette with microwave and fridge, and is further equipped with a satellite LCD TV. A safe, a hairdryer and iron are available. The apartments also feature a fireplace. Free beach towels are provided upon request.

Guests can relax at the sun loungers by the pool and enjoy a drink, a refreshing cocktail or a Mediterranean meal prepared with fresh ingredients, at the poolside bar-restaurant overlooking the sea. Younger guests can enjoy themselves at the children's pool, while special events of traditional Cretan dancing are organized occasionally at the pool area. An outdoor chess board is also included.

Price: ~ EUR 45 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Theros Beach House

Located 50 m from the beach, Theros Beach House is a 3-bedroom property in Stavros Village. This holiday home features free WiFi and parking, as well as BBQ facilities and a garden.

The house features a spacious living room with fireplace, a TV, a dining area and a fully-equipped kitchen.

The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 7 km from the property. A bus stop can be found within 200 metres, while an array of restaurants, cafes and 2 supermarkets are within walking distance. 

Book this hotel on Booking.com

Cretan Pearl Resort & Spa

This property is a 18-minute walk from the beach. Cretan Pearl Resort & Spa is an exclusive resort with beautiful views of the sea and great facilities. It is situated in the Chania prefecture, between Stavros and Tersanas.

Cretan Pearl Resort & Spa stands 2 km from the beach which starred in the famous film “Zorba the Greek”. An extensive, 2.000-sq.m. wellness area with a long list of treatments, 2 outdoor swimming pools, a gym and a playground for children are featured on site. The hotel also features a fitness centre and a beauty salon.

Guests can enjoy Greek, Cretan and other Mediterranean dishes at the Mediterranean Restaurant and at the Eros Poolside Bar, while a buffet breakfast is offered daily at the Breakfast Restaurant.

Price: ~ EUR 69 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Kosta's House

This property is a 12-minute walk from the beach. Offering a seasonal outdoor pool and barbecue, Kosta's House is located in Stavros. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and free private parking is available on site.

Featuring a terrace, the air-conditioned accommodation features a seating area and a dining area. Some units have a balcony and/or patio. An oven, a fridge and stovetop are also provided, as well as a coffee machine. There is a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer in every unit. Towels are offered.

Price: ~ EUR 57 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Nanakis Beach Luxury Apartments

Fully refurbished in 2011, Nanakis Beach Luxury Apartments is a great place for families or groups wishing to enjoy sun, sand and sea from exclusive accommodation.

This charming apartment property is surrounded by Nanakis Beach in the resort of Stavros. This rocky beach - ideal for fishing and snorkelling - faces the apartments, and beautiful sandy beaches are found just 600 m further.

The Nanakis Beach complex of 16 apartments and studios is built on 9,500 m² of picturesque grounds. It enjoys stunning views of Stavros and the sea from its outdoor swimming pool and gardens.

Price: ~ EUR 50 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Nautilus

This property is a 4-minute walk from the beach. Located in the seaside village of Stavros, Nautilus is 300 m from the nearest beach. It offers self-catering accommodation with views over the Cretan Sea, the mountain and the garden. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas.

Featuring an attic, all air-conditioned, 1-bedroom apartments of Nautilus open to a balcony or terrace. Each has a living room with TV and a kitchen with stove and dining table. An iron is included.

Guests may enjoy the BBQ facilities provided at the property. A terrace and a well-tended garden with grassy areas, plants and trees are offered.

Price: ~ EUR 65 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Poseidon Suites Hotel

This property is a 18-minute walk from the beach. Featuring free WiFi, Poseidon Suites Hotel offers accommodations in Stavros. Chania Town is 9.7 km away. Free private parking is available on site.

The property is air conditioned and features a sitting and dining area. Some units include a terrace and/or balcony. There is also a kitchenette, equipped with a microwave, toaster and refrigerator. A stovetop is also provided, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. There is a private bathroom with slippers in each unit. Towels are available.

Poseidon Suites Hotel also includes an outdoor pool. The property also has grocery deliveries.

Price: ~ EUR 52 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Skamagkas G. Apartments

This property is a 15-minute walk from the beach. The family-run Skamagkas Apartments is located around 1.2 km from Stavros Beach. The spacious apartments have large balconies and a courtyard offering unique views of the area.

The apartments feature bright colors, tiled floors, air conditioning and free WiFi. They are equipped with a fitted kitchen, fridge, microwave, coffee maker, LCD TV and DVD player. In the exterior you will find a private parking space, olive trees and many different kinds of fruit trees.

Within a short distance, there are 2 mini markets, cafes, grill houses and traditional Greek taverns. The charming town of Chania is only 15 km away, whereas the airport and Souda Port, are 10 and 17 km away respectively. The surrounding area is full of greenery and is ideal for hiking. 

Price: ~ EUR 53 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Paradisio

This property is a 17-minute walk from the beach. Enjoy your own piece of paradise in a delightful corner of Crete, on the Akrotiri Peninsula of Hania with its scented wild herbs and the age-old olive trees.Akrotiri Peninsula of Hania with its scented wild herbs and the age-old olive trees.

Flanked by the Bay of Hania and Souda Bay, and just 12.9 km from the picturesque town of Hania, you have many opportunities for plenty of trips and activities. Enjoy the space and independence of your own air conditioned apartment, where you can admire the views from your private veranda and relax in comfort.

Lie back in the Greek sun beside the outdoor swimming pool amidst the mountains and distant views. You can rent a car from the hotel and drive to the port of Souda. You can also visit the rugged hills of Madams, the location for the movie ‘Zorba the Greek’. 

Book this hotel on Booking.com

Renting an Office in Tbilisi

19 October, 2017 | Living in Georgia | 19 seen

Just google it - rent an office in Tbilisi, or office for rent in Tbilisi and you will be mesmerized with zillions of search results. In today's Living in Georgia article series, I will share my experience about renting an office space in Tbilisi.

In short - it is a pain in the ass. There is a lack of A-Class or B-class office space for rent in Tbilisi. And if there is something it will cost you a wealth. There are plenty of questionable quality office spaces. Sure, they could be cheap. 

Most of the visible office spaces in Tbilisi already is taken by small travel agencies, moving in and out on the monthly basis, I guess.

In normal circumstances, you would hire a real estate agent - but from my latest experience - you should be very lucky to find a decent one. (If you know someone, leave a comment).

In total, we dealt with a dozen of realtors, but at the end find office space to rent from the direct owner of the premises.

Online search for office in Tbilisi

For finding real estate I prefer to use place.ge. On this website, there are many commercial rentals options, but most are listed from uninterested realtors (real estate agencies).

Other portals I could recommend MyHome.ge and makler.ge

Also, you could try local Facebook groups, search for Tbilisi rentals or something (As I'vent used, hard to tell)

Never give up on Google Search:

More than 400,000 Google search results for "Tbilisi Office Rent"

Offline search for Office in Tbilisi

This is the tactic which worked for us, after dealing with dozen of unprofessional realtors, we just went to the streets and searched for a "office for rent" sign. After some 3 days of searching, we finally got our office space.

About Office space price in Tbilisi

Now, this is another hard to understand topic. In general commercial space price in Tbilisi varies from $10 up to $45 per square meter. Yes, at one office building we were asked $45 per square meters. In general your target price should be around $12-20 per square meter. The lower the better (but not always). Also, check does price incudes or excludes VAT.

Internet for legal person in Tbilisi? Not so cheap after all - 100MB? Forget about it, only if you are not willing to spend 5000 GEL per month just for option to have a high-speed internet on your office. I was surprised about that.

Right now using 10Mb internet from Global One provider for 95GEL per month. If you are enjoying 30Mb internet at home for 30GEL, then it feels wrong having 3 times slower internet for three times higher price at work.

Crazy, Stupid, Love - Tranquil Rough Adventures in Crete

18 October, 2017 | | 18 seen

This was one of the most beautiful and craziest days we experienced in Crete during our three-week trip around the island (June 2017).

It feels like just this morning, we picked up our rental Opel at Agia Marina and set off with no destination in mind, just exploring the island. We had a lovely breakfast at Cafe Mixail Malandrakis in Kalydonia, spent some time at the beautiful beaches near Kissamos, followed a rough route to Balos Beach, turned back, and enjoyed one of the best Cretan meals at Gramvousa in Kaliviani. We also found a cafe with a spectacular view and even met a donkey at Beata's Orange Juice Bar.

Sounds like a lot? Nope, it wasn’t nearly enough! By the end of the day, we had visited at least three more beaches—although, admittedly, I lost track of their names (just captured the moments in photos). Late in the evening, we booked a room at the 4-star Libyan Hotel in Palaiochora (Top Hotels and Apartments to Book in Palaiochora, Crete). And as if that wasn’t enough, a wrong route (thanks, Google) led us off-road, literally—some 900 meters above sea level.

That’s what I call independent travel! In today’s Piece of Life photo series, here’s a small glimpse of a whirlwind afternoon in Crete. Crazy, stupid, love!

Rocky beaches in Crete

Beautiful scenery with flowers and small rock formations, almost like a miniature version of El Torcal, which we explored a year ago: In Search of El Torcal - Wilderness in Spain. These secluded, rocky Cretan beaches also remind me of the beaches near the Black Sea. See: Postcards from Batumi, Georgia.

Beautiful, non-touristic beach in Crete

Rumor has it, this beach was popular among hippies in the 1970s. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep a record of the name.

Our rental Opel

This car went through a lot of rough roads that day.

Chasing sunset in Crete

Another beautiful beach in Crete, captured in stunning HDR as we chased the sunset. See: Chasing Sunset Photography with a Strong Foreground (Pāvilosta / Jūrkalne).

Girl and the sea

I have the most beautiful girl to photograph. See: Postcards from Chania.

Culmination for the night

Our car at the top of the hill. Thanks, Google Navigation :)

Bitcoin Price Increases Altcoin Market Bleeding

17 October, 2017 | Crypto | 12 seen

For the past couple of weeks, the price for Bitcoin price has soared to all-time height $5,852.48 (October 15, 2017), while it might sound like a great news for bitcoin holders, altcoin market instead is literally bleeding.

As I'm new to crypto investments, with just a little bit more than 3-month experience, this seems both thrilling and scary. At the start, I thought if bitcoin price goes up, the same should happen with altcoins, turns out I was wrong. Luckily investments in altcoins take just the 10% from my total crypto portfolio. And as a matter of fact, my portfolio hasn't been negatively affected (yet).

Since, July 2017 I keep investing for a long-term (buy&hold) in following coins - bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin and ripple. The long-term portfolio gives a lovely +30.75% value growth. With value growth for Bitcoin taking its lions share (+60.16%)

Bitcoin and top altcoin portfolio

For tracking cryptocurrencies, I've built a custom Google Spreadsheet, you can read more and download here: How To Track Your CryptoCurrencies Portfolio Automatically Using Google Spreadsheets

For  speculative trades, I have built a smaller but much more volatile altcoin portfolio trading against bitcoin:

Altcoin market bleeding

For tracking altcoin performance I've built a separate Google Spreadsheet, read more and download here: Google Spreadsheet To Track BTC/Altcoin Trading on Monthly Basis

Right now this altcoin portfolio gives me a -42.75% value decrease.

Now if there is a lesson I've learned in the past couple of months while exploring investments in crypto-currencies, then the most valuable lesson I've learned so far is to buy&hold only.

I still feel bullish regarding bitcoin price reaching $10,000. not sure will it happen in the next 12 months, but for the long-term - hell, yes. 

For a possible reason why bitcoin price is rising so high, see: Another Bitcoin Hard Fork Planned (Bitcoin Gold) - My Approach to Survive It

Cozy Latvian Family Run Tbilisi Hostel 17/17 - Centrally located, Close to the Opera

16 October, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 19 seen

Hostel 17/17 is a family run Tbilisi hostel, located on the Rezo Tabukashvili Street No. 17.  This place has been just recently renovated and opened for public.

Hostel 17/17 offers great quality for a budget price - you should be willing to spend just EUR 12 per night (per person) to stay at Hostel 17/17. 

This hostel is run by Mr. David Iakobidze - a great storyteller and mastermind in finances - make sure to listen to some of his banking experience stories, they are awesome. Interested in cryptocurrencies or Georgian Stock market? David has an opinion. A helping hand to manage this hostel is provided by another family members, like Davids mother - Regina Jakobidze, a long-term chairman of the board at Latvian Society in Georgia Avesol. 

Interested in Latvian footprints in Georgia? Ask Regina! See: Jūlijs Straume: Caucasus on my mind; exhibition at Tbilisi State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts of Georgia

Daily tours and excursions can be ordered on site

Hostel 17/17 in Tbilisi

Quite an interesting interior for this place. The hostel has been opened for public since May 2017, it is still new and fresh.

Anteroom at Hostel 17/17 

Situated on the street level, this hostel offers 3 bedrooms – One large bedroom for 8 persons and two smaller ones - each for 4 guests.

Hall at Tbilisi Hostel 17/17

There are two halls for public use with furniture, Large and well-equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and a shower room. The hostel also has a cozy courtyard, where you can have a cup of coffee and have a smoke. Free WiFi is available. The host (David) speaks Russian and English (and can say also Labrīt or have a small talk in Latvian), David can help organizing daily tours in Georgia, cultural events and give advice about interesting places in Tbilisi and Georgia. 

Let's agree - David is a walking Wikipedia!

A fireplace

Could be lovely to enjoy some glass (or bottle) of Georgian red wine in winter in front of this fireplace.

Small cozy bedroom at Hostel 17/17

Net Worth Reached $10,000

15 October, 2017 | Investments | 10 seen

On October 13, 2017, my net worth for the first time reached $10,000 Milestone. It was just 10 months after I started my million dollar journey and I was 32 years old.

To celebrate this little victory I've decided to wrap up a brief article for the history.

It doesn't come as a surprise, as I have been preparing to reach $10,000 milestone this year, just I thought it will happen most probably after a month. But rising Bitcoin price and great performing Baltic stock market gave a nice boost to the total value of the portfolio, on this October 13 Friday night.

On the overall I've exceeded my initial plan for this year's investments - originally I planned to deposit $8,561 this year in several batches. There are still 2 months left before the end of this year and I've already invested $9,640.67.

Net worth $10,000

Month after month I keep adding money to my portfolio. In 2017 I was investing in - peer to peer lending, mutual funds, stocks, crypto-currencies, and cash. Starting with the May 2017, I provide monthly dividend income report coverings earnings and happenings on a monthly basis. 

So far, portfolio has been performing good, giving about 3.78% value growth (year to the date)

Portfolio structure reaching $10,000 Net Worth

Here is the breakdown by positions:

• Peer to peer lending: -2.42%
• Stocks: +4.11%
• Mutual funds: +5.53%
• Crypto investments: +30.29%

Also, the portfolio has produced dividend income of $389.51, giving a dividend yield at 4.04%. 

If counted together both value growth and dividend yield, I can proudly report about 7% annual growth rate. These numbers will of course change in the next 2 months, but right now reaching $10,000 net worth I feel very inspired and thankful that this New Years resolution, to save and invest, has produced first results.

If things will continue to be so bright in the future, I could reach a total net worth of $25,000 by the end of 2018, being 33 years old.

Top Hotels and Apartments to Book in Palaiochora, Crete

13 October, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 3 seen

Palaiochora is a small town in Crete, located some 77 km south of Chania, on the southwest coast of Crete and occupies a small peninsula 400m wide and 700m long. The town is set along 11 km of coastline bordering the Libyan Sea. 

We booked a 4-star hotel here in June 2017, during our about 3 weeks long trip around the Island of Crete.

In today's article, I've listed top hotels, apartments and guest houses in Palaiochora, according to actual user reviews on Booking.com.

When heading to Palaiochora you should be willing to spend about 30-100 EUR for a good apartment/hotel/ guest house - which IMHO is fantastic.

Alternatively, see: 

• Top 12 Luxury & Boutique Hotels in Chania Town
• Top 20 Apartments in Agia Marina Beach, Crete (Aparthotels, Villas & Hotels)
• Top 20 Luxury 5-star hotels in Athens, Greece

Please note: hotels listed below may contain links to Booking.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a reservation on Booking.com site, I might earn an affiliate income, at no cost to you.

Vakakis-ME Apartments

This property is 5 minutes walk from the beach. Featuring free WiFi and air conditioning, Vakakis-ME Apartments is situated in Panorama, 900 m from the centre of Palaiochóra. Pachia Ammos Beach is at a distance of 400 m.

The accommodation features a seating area. Some units include a balcony and/or patio with sea or garden views. All units have a kitchen fitted with an oven and microwave. A fridge and stovetop are also provided, as well as a coffee machine. Bed linen is offered.

Vakakis-ME Apartments also includes a sun terrace.

Elafonisi is 13 km from Vakakis-ME Apartments, while Chania Town is 44 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 54 km from Vakakis-ME Apartments. 

Price: ~ EUR 80 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Megim Hotel

This property is 5 minutes walk from the beach. Situated 100 m away from Grammeno beach, Megim offers free transportation around the area and free sun beds and umbrellas on the beach.

Megim hotel rooms are bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows. They are equipped with air conditioning and refrigerator, and they have a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms. Most of the rooms offer sea sea views and feature a satellite TV.

Hotel Megim has a restaurant serving traditional Greek cuisine. Guests can also relax at the outdoor seating area, under the vine roof, with a drink from the bar. A beach bar is also featured.

The busy town of Palaiochora is within 4 km from Megim, while Elafonisi lies within 1-hour drive away. Free private parking is available on site. 

Price: ~ EUR 35.70 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Libyan Princess

This property is 2 minutes walk from the beach. The boutique hotel Libyan Princess is situated in Paleochora, also known as the Nymph of the Libyan Sea. It offers superior guest rooms, an outdoor pool, a gym and on-site parking.

The luxuriously appointed guest rooms combine elegance with functionality. Among the many room facilities, guests will find LCD 26’ TVs, safe, minibar and clothes dryer. The bathrooms feature a spa bath and a magnifying mirror. Their private balconies offer views of Paleochora, or the pool and the garden.

Popular snacks, salads, refreshing juices as well as Greek and international wines are served at the pool bar.

The wellness club features a gym and a hot tub. Massages, face and body treatments are also available.

Book this hotel on Booking.com

Pal Beach

This property is 2 minutes walk from the beach. The Pal Beach is located along Pachia Ammos Beach, in Paleochora. Guests enjoy free sun beds and umbrellas on the beach. Hotel features a 24-hour front desk, breakfast hall and snack bar.

Each unit at Pal Beach is fitted with tiled floors and has a bathroom with hairdryer, ceiling fan and centrally controlled air conditioning.

Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and bar areas. Free safes can be provided through reception.

Souda Port is 70 km away and Chania Airport is at 95 km. Transfer service can be arranged upon arrival and departure, for an extra charge. Free public parking is available at the street in front of the property.

Price: ~ EUR 45 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Hotel Agas

This property is 2 minutes walk from the beach. Hotel Agas is located 150 m from the centre of Palaiochora and 100 m from the sandy Pachia Ammos Beach. It offers rooms with mountain or sea views and has a snack bar.

Agas rooms are simply furnished and they all feature a private balcony with table and chairs. They are equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV and mini fridge and have en-suite bathroom with shower.

A la carte breakfast with different options each day is offered in the morning. The on-site bar serves hot and cold drinks and light snacks until late in the evening.

The beach of Palaiochora is 180 m away, while a super market can be found within 100 m.

Price: ~ EUR 37 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Panorama Apartments 

This property is 4 minutes walk from the beach. Within 400 m from the beach of Paleochora, Panorama Apartments offers self-catering units with private balconies overlooking the Libyan Sea. In the village centre located 800 m away, you will find many restaurants, super markets and car rental agencies.

All air-conditioned apartments at Panorama enjoy free Wi-Fi access. They include a kitchen equipped with stove, fridge and coffee maker and they also have a dining area. Each unit also features a TV and a hairdryer.

Guests can visit the seaside village of Agia Kyriaki at 8 km and Sougia at 35 km. 

Price: ~ EUR 55 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Virginia Studios

This property is 2 minutes walk from the beach. Situated in a garden 100 m from the sandy Pachia Ammos Beach, Virginia Studios features studios with free Wi-Fi and furnished balcony overlooking the lush greenery. The centre of Palaiochora with restaurants and shops is only 100 m away.

A kitchenette with cooking facilities, electric kettle and fridge is included in all the air-conditioned studios at the Virginia. Each has a seating area. A private bathroom with toiletries and hairdryer is provided.

Sougia Beach is 35 km away. Staff can arrange car rental and free private parking is possible on site. 

Price: ~ EUR 38 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Kampos Rooms

This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Set in Palaiochóra, 44 km from Chania Town, Kampos Rooms boasts a sun terrace and views of the garden. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and free private parking is available on site.

A terrace or patio are featured in certain rooms. Every room is equipped with a private bathroom.

The property offers housekeeping.

Price: ~ EUR 32 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Klima Rooms

This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Centrally located in Palaiochora Town of Crete, the family-run Klima Rooms offers simply decorated units with air conditioning. It lies within a 10-minutes’ walk from the beach and just 50 m from taverns and bars.

The rooms and studios of Klima offer views over the mountain or the Libyan Sea. Each is equipped with a fridge and an electric kettle, while some also include a kitchenette. The private bathroom comes with a shower. Some units open to a balcony.

Price: ~ EUR 30 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Glaros Hotel

This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. In the centre of Palaiochora, in Crete, 50 m from Votsala Beach, Glaros offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and a balcony overlooking the gardens. Breakfast is served under a bougainvillea-covered pergola.

Each room at Glaros Hotel has air conditioning and a satellite TV. All units include a fridge. A private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer is included.

The hotel features a bar that serves drinks and coffee indoors and in the garden throughout the day.

Pachia Ammos Beach is 80 m away. Restaurants and shops are within 30 m. A bus to the National Park of Samaria Gorge stops 50 m from the hotel. 

Price: ~ EUR 45 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Libyan Mare

Offering a pool, Libyan Mare is set amidst olive groves. Located in Palaiochora, it features accommodation with free WiFi in all areas and views of the Mediterranean Sea. The popular beach of Elafonisi is 12 km away and Chania Town is 44 km away.

All units of the property are air conditioned and come with a seating area. Towels and bed linen are provided.

Bicycle and car rental services are featured. A supermarket and a restaurant can be found at a distance of 200 m.

Price: ~ EUR 169 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Studios George

Offering a garden and sun terrace, Studios George is set in Palaiochóra. Chania Town is 44 km away. Free WiFi is featured throughout the property.

All units are air conditioned and have a TV with satellite channels. There is also a kitchen, fitted with a toaster. A fridge and stovetop are also provided, as well as a kettle. Each unit has a private bathroom with a bath or shower and a hairdryer. Towels are available.

Price: ~ EUR 38 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Poseidon Studios

This property is 2 minutes walk from the beach. At a distance of 100 m from Pachia Ammos Beach, Poseidon Studios offers tastefully furnished accommodation with kitchenette facilities and free WiFi access. It is 150 m from taverns, cafes and super markets.

Studios at Poseidon are bright with light-wood furnishings and soft colours. They are equipped with a flat-screen, satellite TV, electric kettle, mini fridge and coffee maker. All units open out to a private balcony.

The nearest bus stop is 200 m away. The scenic town of Chania with its Venetian harbour is 70 km away, while Ioannis Daskalogiannis International Airport is at 90 km. Free parking is available near the premises. 

Price: ~ EUR 57 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Bond Market Overview in Georgia (Fixed Income) 2017

12 October, 2017 | Living in Georgia | 64 seen

Investments in Georgia, have been on my focus, probably since the day one since I relocated here (see: Living in Georgia), back in 2011. Unfortunately, it was hard to find a transparent and easy to understand stock exchange.

Sure, I found Georgia Stock exchange website, but what I saw there a few years ago, didn't give me a lot of confidence to trust the platform and investigate more, On the other hand, I was more interested in buying stocks, rather investing in bonds. For me, bonds have always sounded kind of boring, and in fact, I haven't yet invested in bonds. 

Now, at the end of 2017, some things have changed, I've started to build my million dollar investment fund, and I have been heavily investing in Georgian peer to peer lending, aka paydays loans. See: Invest in Georgia - Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending - Mintos.com. 

For a short period of time (2014/2015), I invested in compound savings account in Georgia in national GEL currency, thus when Lari depreciated against both EUR and USD currencies for more than -15% I stopped my activities with savings accounts. See: My February Savings Report - GEL Loses Another 16.5% Against USD; -17% Against EUR

Now, I feel thankful I have kept records on the blog for more than 4 years already, and I can always browse through the archives to learn from my mistakes or success (and hopefully, you can too). Without much doubt, when mintos.com peer to peer lending popped on my radar and offered to invest in Georgian payday loans with 17% annual return I started to build my portfolio there. 

I still feel worried about my investments in GEL currency, and if there is the thing I like the most about Mintos (after it's great performance), then it's an option to exchange currency directly on the platform. So my initial investments in GEL currency slowly but are exchanged to EUR currency and diversified across loans in others countries. Well, as this is not an article about Mintos, learn more about my experience in this article: Mintos.com Peer To Peer Lending Review After 9 Month of Investing

Now, returning to the bond market in Georgia. I don't know for sure, do things have changed a lot, since 2011, but one is for sure, Georgian Stock Exchange have upgraded their website, at least it looks more professional and as I like to think, looks more transparent. 

Screenshot of Georgian Stock Exchange website

As I'm a dividend income type of investor, I was looking for stocks exclusively here, but as it was still hard to find detailed information about companies listed here and their dividend history, I decided to explore the bond market.

Ok, right now I should return to my investments on mintos.com platform one more final time - the thing is, as much I like the platform, I don't trust it in a long-term, I've set my top limit how much I plan to invest there, right now the limit is at about EUR 5,000, after reaching which I plan to move profit (interest) earned there in bonds.

My initial plan is to acquire bonds listed on the Baltic stock exchange, but for the moment I would love to be informed about bond market in Georgia. I don't plan yet to purchase bonds in Georgia, as I'm planning to make my first investments in the Baltics. 

As I see it right now, both peer to peer lending and bonds are very similar investment opportunities, with peer to peer lending giving much higher, but riskier returns, while bond market giving lower but safer returns. At least that's what I believe right now.

Structure of my investment portfolio September 2017

Peer to peer lending took 36.9% from my investment portfolio at the end of September. If there is a classic 60/40 approach (60% bonds, 40% stocks), then right now my investment portfolio might look like a complete mess. On the other hand, if we look on peer to peer lending as a type of the bond investment, and actually convert some of them to actual bonds, then it looks much better. 

For a complete dividend income in September, read: September 2017 Dividend Income Report - $55.08

Bond market overview in Georgia in 2017

I've found there are an A and B listings available for Georgian bonds, available in GEL and USD currencies, with "cheapest" nominal set at $1,000 and highest GEL 1,000,000.

In total as of October 2017, there are 6 bonds available on market. I spent some time to build the following table, to give an easier overview on what should you expect from Georgian bond market

Georgian bond market as of October 10, 2017. Data source: Georgian Stock Exchange

Now seeing coupon rates at 7%,7.5%,9% and even 11% for bonds issued in USD currency I feel like why I haven't been investing here yet? Let's agree it's rare to find such lucrative interest rates for bonds. On the other hand, higher coupon rates in USD are set for B listing only, meaning there is no government bailout if things go south.

Now, once I have a better overview of Georgian Bond market, I feel that in a foreseen future, I should open a local brokerage account (I'm hoping to make it happen with my existing Bank of Georgia account, see: Opening Bank Account in Georgia - Bank of Georgia) and purchase Georgian bonds.

I will keep an open eye on Georgian Stock exchange, write down my findings in the blog (make sure to subscribe below) and most probably will invest about USD 3,000 in Georgian Bond market in 2018.

As usual, let's do the math with lowest possible numbers: $3,000 + 7% = $3,210.

$210 interest annually would give me a nice boost to my overall dividend income. How about you? Are you investing in Georgian bond or stock market? Leave a comment. I would love to hear!

How To Add a Custom Token Balance in MyEtherWallet.com

11 October, 2017 | Crypto | 5 seen

MyEtherWallet.com is a free, open-source, client-side tool for easily & securely interacting with the Ethereum network.

I'm not an expert in MyEtherWallet usage, in fact, I discovered it just recently, when faced a need to swap tokens from Waves platform.

Around the middle of August, I decided to take participation in my first ico, and I opted for a Golden Fleece tokens, which back then were served on Wavesvallet.io, see: Invest in Georgia - First Georgian Crypto Currency - "Golden Fleece Token" ICO

By the end of September, developers of Golden Fleece project announced about a swap

We switch from Waves to Ethereum platform with a purpose to improve ICO process and reach a larger group of investors.

At the start, I mistakenly sent my tokens to Coinbase account, but with the help of Golden Fleece dev team we figured it out, and guys agreed to fix this if I will provide MyEtherWallet address:

coinbase doesnt support Tokens, unless they give you private key of that wallet, which they will not :) there is some recovery tool if you use there multisig, but we havent dealt with that
https://support.coinbase.com/customer/en/portal/articles/1526452-where-can-i-find-the-private-keys-for-my-wallet-?b_id=13521

And that's how I ended using MyEtherWallet. 

I will not cover details on how to create a new address here, just stick with the topic with this article:

How To Add a Custom Token Balance in MyEtherWallet.com

Once you are sure, that you have received custom tokens on MyEtherWallet (use https://etherscan.io or Ethplorer.io scanners to check your balance), try searching for your tokens under Show Tokens, and if you can't see it here, click on Add Custom Token.

Add custom token on MyEtherWallet

In Address field enter the contract address, for example, Golden Fleece token 0x26607f9bf9d62a37b0c78e1d3719fcd1fa32bef9

Token Symbol, enter your custom symbol, for Golden Fleece it is GFL

Decimals, it might differ, but in most cases, it is 18. To check, open etherscan.io search for your address, and look under tokens:

View tokens on etherscan.io

From here, click on View Tokens:

Token details on etherscan.io

Now, when returning to wallet info, you should see your custom token balance:

Custom token balance on MyEtherWallet

Optional Not a valid ERC-20 token

If you encounter Not a valid ERC-20 token error, double check that you have entered all information right. I got this error several times until discovered that I have been entering wrong contract address in the address field. Again, etherscan.io is your best friend to investigate.

Hope that helps, as usual, if you have any comments, please drop a line or two below in the comments section.

4 Year Blog Anniversary

10 October, 2017 | Blogging | 5 seen

Today, on October 10th, 2017, ReinisFischer.com website is celebrating its 4th birthday. Each blog anniversary is a huge milestone for me and the 4th birthday is no exception. What has started as a simple experiment has turned out to be a successful online business venture!

It was just yet another Autumn evening when back on October 10, 2013, I registered domain name www.ReinisFischer.com, but in fact, I started this blog some 7 days earlier on October 3rd, 2013. I had blog been set up and it already was filled with a few articles, before it was actually launched. Yes, such strange behavior probably can be explained that geeks do geek things, though I don't see a geek in me.

Make sure to check out these great articles on historical blog's birthdays below: 

• Blog One Year Anniversary
• Two Year Blog Anniversary
• Three Year Blog Anniversary

I started a blog with a simple goal - To blog 365 consecutive days in a row, and when launched, I was looking to reach about 6,000 monthly users by the end of first blogging year. Now, four years latter blog proudly attracts about 100,000 users monthly. See: From 0 To Over 100,000 Monthly Website Visitors in 3 Years and 10 Months

Blog traffic October 2013 - October 2017 (Data source: Google Analytics)

In the past four year's blog have attracted about 1,797,383 users and generated more than 2,5 million page views.

For the past four years, I have been writing every single day - that's more than 1300 days not missing an article (Ok, I missed two days back in 2014 actually)  - consecutive writing has been my corner strategy.

My content writing strategy has shifted away from covering in general topics, towards a fewer, specific key topics on the blog. In 2017, or blogs 4th blogging year, I've hired a few freelance authors, to help come out with new articles in categories: living in Georgia, Digital Photography school. See: How & Why To Hire a Virtual Assistant / Freelancer - UpWork.com

I have partnered with great tourism organizations in Georgia and since the begging of 2017 help organizing tours in Georgia. Massive blog audience and plenty of information about Georgia help things to happen.

The latest trend on the blog - investments in crypto-currencies, since July I've been buying & holding both bitcoins and altcoins, always making an article on some important milestones. Also, I have stopped to publish online income reports (income generated from the blog), but instead focusing on dividend income from great stocks, by building a net worth of 1 million US dollars by 2045. 

I keep traveling a lot - so do I keep writing independent reviews about interesting places, hotels, and restaurants on the blog. This year has been amazing so far, with countries like US, Germany, Greece, Ukraine, Latvia and of course Georgia been visited in 2017. There is one more major travel plan for the end of this year - Sri Lanka. See a complete travel map.

For the future, I can see that I will keep writing about travel destinations, investments and some technical geek stuff about Drupal website development. 

Although writing an article per day had been sometimes exhausting, I've developed it as a habit already and I don't plan to abandon this strategy for at least next two years. For the past 4 years this blog has been powered by Drupal 7 content management system, I can see that in one stage I will upgrade it to the Drupal 8, it will be a complicated task, as the blog you are currently reading is pretty custom built, with many cool features not yet supported in Drupal 8.

Colorful Autumn Tour to the Region of Samtskhe-Javakheti in Georgia

7 October, 2017 | Travel guides | 11 seen

It is no surprise that Georgia is a diverse country that in its run can be divided into regions.

Samtskhe-Javakheti, situated in the south of Georgia is really interesting to explore not only from the perspective of a traveler who encounters the extraordinary beauty of the place. Samtskhe-Javakheti is a historical place full of mysteries and legends connected with early Georgian monarchs like Queen Tamar. Lakes hidden in the mountains, dormant volcanoes, and enigmatic forests will not leave you indifferent. On the contrary, people say that they feel an inexplicable burst of energy during their journeys in the mountains of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

When planning your trip to Samtskhe-Javakheti don’t forget to visit Borjomi first. This small town is a picturesque resort which is close to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. If you decide to stay there for a couple of days don’t miss your chance to take an easy trail in the Park and merge with nature. The entrance to the National Park is free of charge and no matter the season and whether you will enjoy your stay there. It is not highly recommended for the beginners to stay out there in cold seasons or go high in the mountains as lots of things have to be taken care of. Despite being small Borjomi is the perfect spot to get rid of the fuss of big cities even if you rent an apartment in the downtown. You cannot escape from nature – it surrounds you everywhere! Don’t forget to fill your flasks with curative mineral water! That is genuine Borjomi with specific smell and flavor just like any mineral water is supposed to have.

After having spent some days in Borjomi it’s time to move on to face other sites in the vicinity of Samtskhe-Javakheti. Traveling further in the western direction from Borjomi you should definitely visit the Green Monastery (Mtsvane Monastery). It is not so close to the highway and you have to walk a little in order to climb up to the monastery. You won’t regret choosing Green Monastery as your stop because while you are walking to it you start feeling as if you are entering a parallel dimension. The road seems to be like the fairy-tale trail that will lead you to unknown lands full of wizards and sorcerers. To tell you the truth, when entering the green monastery territory you can count you have touched pieces of history as this monastery dates back to 9th-10th centuries. You can find monk cells around the monastery that look like modern cottages. Monks also look after the apiary there.

You might have a question – why is it called Green Monastery? It is apparent that during autumn and winter seasons foliage is not that dense and even if trees keep some of the leaves they are not green anymore. On your way to a car just turn back to look at the Monastery and you will freeze by the mystique of the scenery. The monastery is as if hidden in the forest under the mountains from the extraneous eye.

The next destination is Akhaltsikhe that is 50 km from Green Monastery. You can reach it in 40 minutes the reason to go to Akhaltsikhe is only one – to visit the medieval fortress complex that dates back to 13th century. The castle itself is newly renovated and combines impacts of different cultures. You can find an orthodox church, mosque, synagogue, and minaret on its territory.

The fortress itself had a mission to protect lands of Georgia from Turkish invasion. Georgians were able to hold the onslaught from the enemy for 3 centuries but the picture had changed a lot when in 16th century Georgians were forced to surrender the fortress. That’s why Rabati complex combines echoes from different cultures.

The fortress was a very developed and advanced center of culture back in medieval times. You could find not only churches but Supreme Court, sulfur baths, and a bank that was more known as a monetary court. After falling in the hands of Turkish Empire it was decided to build a big mosque in the center of the fortress. It was built after Constantinopolis Ayasofya mosque.

Despite being controlled by Turkish sultans Akhaltsikhe was a very tolerant city where one could find not only Georgians and Turks but Russians, Armenians and Jewish settlers as well.

There are lots of complaints though that after renovation the fortress has lost its face and became a mere shadow of what it used to look like. They say it looks too modern because of the materials as the feeling of ancient times has as if disappeared from the fortress.

From one hand, they have a point but from another hand, it would be impossible to visit the place without renovating it as it was in really bad and unsightly condition.

After having walked in Rabati get ready to travel to another destination known as Vardzia – huge rock complex famous for its caves. Once it used to be the summer residence of the well-known and eminent Georgian monarch Queen Tamar. Actually, that is thanks to her that the complex has got its name. According to the legend, Queen Tamar being small got lost while playing somewhere in the huge complex. Her uncle was worried and was calling her when suddenly he heard the girl shouting back ‘Var, dzia!’ which literally means ‘I’m here uncle’. This story dates back to the 12th century.

The excavations show though that Vardzia was inhabited even during the Bronze Age.  You will be taken on a giddy adventure through the underground tunnels and numerous caves that once represented King’s Quarters, meeting halls and private rooms of the royal family members. You can also find bell tower, wine cellars, pharmacy and many cave dwellings throughout the complex.  Due to its uniqueness, Vardzia has been submitted for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a Cultural Site.  

Top Five-star and Luxury Hotels in Kiev, Ukraine

6 October, 2017 | Hotel reviews | 37 seen

For a luxury stay in Kiev's top-end hotels, you should be ready to spend about EUR 200-300 per night. 

I first visited Kiev and Ukraine at the end of 2016, during a connecting flight to New York City, while waiting for a connecting flight, it was announced that our flight is delayed by some 10 hours. Decided to use these 10 hours and visit the city. See: Short Day Trip To Kiev, Ukraine

After a short unplanned day-trip to Kiev, we decided it's worth to return here again, most probably in Summer, and so we did. Returned to Kiev for a couple of days in August to celebrate my birthday here. During our 3 or 4 days stay in Kiev we stayed at hotel Ukraine which is a very centrally located (just behind the Independence Square)  4-star hotel. It was good, I even got a small complimentary gift on my birthday.

In this article, I've listed top 5-star and luxury hotels in Kiev, according to Booking.com

Please note: hotels listed below may contain links to Booking.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a reservation on Booking.com site, I might earn an affiliate income, at no cost to you.

Premier Palace Hotel

This 5-star hotel with free Wi-Fi features richly decorated rooms and an elegant swimming pool with glass ceiling. It lies in the heart of Kiev, 100 m from Besarabsky Market.

The historic Premier Palace Hotel features 8 stylish restaurants and bars, serving a wide range of gourmet international cuisine. Live music is offered at the hotel’s cabaret lounge.

Classical décor and flat-screen TVs are featured in the Premier Palace’s spacious rooms and suites. Bathrobes and luxury toiletries are provided in the bathrooms.

Relaxing massages and beauty treatments can be booked at the spa salon.

The hotel is surrounded by museums, shops and restaurants. Tealtralna and Ploscha Lva Tolstoho Metro Stations are just 300 m away, providing connections to all parts of Kiev. 

Shevchenkivskyj is a great choice for travellers interested in walking, history and architecture.

Price: ~ EUR 220 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv

Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv

In the heart of downtown Podil district, this elegant 5 star hotel features spacious rooms from 40 sq.m. Wi-fi, award-winning restaurant Vogue, spa and gym are also available.

Rooms at the Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv include a flat-screen TV, minibar and work desk. The private bathroom provides bathrobes, slippers and complimentary toiletries.

Breakfast is served at Vogue restaurant which features an exquisite menu, spacious interiors and cozy atmosphere. The restaurant serves European, Chinese and Ukrainian cuisine, while the well-stocked bar offers a variety of drinks. Guests can enjoy a desert with coffee while reading a book in the lobby area in newly opened Sweet Book Pastry&Library cafeteria.

Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv is only 100 m from the Kiev River Port on the Dniepr River. Poctovaia Ploshad Metro Station is 70 m from the hotel.Poctovaia Ploshad Metro Station is 70 m from the hotel.

Price: ~ EUR 256 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Natsionalny Hotel 

One of our top picks in Kiev.

Located opposite the Mariysky Palace in Kiev’s central business district, this hotel is just a 7-minute walk from Khreschatyk Metro Station. It features an elegant restaurant, classical-style rooms and free Wi-Fi.

Soundproofed rooms with city views are offered at Natsionalny Hotel, and all are equipped with hot drinks facilities, satellite TV and a minibar. The modern bathrooms include bathrobes and toiletries.

Guests can enjoy a light breakfast and a range of Ukrainian specialities in the Natsionalny’s grand restaurant. Drinks are served in the cosy bar.

Surrounded by shops and museums, Hotel Natsionalny is an ideal base for exploring Kiev. The Dynamo Stadium is a 5-minute walk away, as is the House of the Weeping Widow. 

Book this hotel on Booking.com

Opera Hotel

Located in the heart of Kiev, this boutique hotel offers elegant rooms with antique furniture and satellite TV. Facilities include a spa. Free private parking is possible on site.

All rooms of the Opera Hotel are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a minibar, and a work desk. Some rooms have a flat-screen TV and a seating area.

The Diva SPA & Beauty Salon offers a wide range of health and beauty treatments, including full body wraps and aromatherapy. Hotel Opera also has a sauna, a gym, and a spa bath.

Guests can enjoy Mediterranean gourmet cuisine in Teatro Restaurant. Looby Lounge offers local and international drinks, snacks and cigars.

Opera Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the National Opera House and St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral. St. Sophia’s Cathedral is a 20-minute walk away. 

Price: ~ EUR 220 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Hilton Kyiv

Featuring a fitness centre, spa and sauna, Hilton Kyiv offers modern accommodation in Kiev. The property is 300 m from St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, while the Kiev Opera House is a 10-minute walk away.

The air-conditioned rooms come with a TV, seating area, electric kettle and a minibar. All rooms include separate shower and bathroom, hairdryer and free toiletries.

A rich breakfast is served every morning. There is also a bar and a restaurant on site. Guests are offered free access to fitness, sauna and spa and wellness centre.

Kiev Central Station is 1.2 km from Hilton Kyiv. 

Price: ~ EUR 265 Book this hotel on Booking.com

City Holiday Resort & SPA

Featuring equipped conference rooms and other business facilities, City Holiday Resort & SPA offers accommodation in Kiev, 11.9 km from Khreshchatyk and Maidan Nezalezhnosti. Free private parking is available on site and free WiFi is provided throughout the property. There is also a free charging station for electric cars at the City Holiday Resort & SPA.

The hotel's spa centre boasts an indoor pool and a seasonal outdoor pool. Similarly, there are 2 pools for children, indoors and outdoors. There is also a sauna, a massage parlour and a gym. A variety of treatments is offered to guests.

The air-conditioned rooms of City Holiday Resort & SPA come with a flat-screen satellite TV, a minibar and a safety deposit box. Some rooms have a seating area where you can relax. The private bathrooms feature underfloor heating and are fitted with a shower and bidet. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes and slippers.

Guests can enjoy dishes of European cuisine at City Holiday and Vinette on-site restaurants, or have a drink at the 24-hour lobby bar of the hotel.

City Holiday Resort & SPA's front desk operates around the clock and offers car rental, concierge, tour desk and ticket services.

The nearest airport is Zhuliany Airport, 6 km from City Holiday Resort & SPA. 

Price: ~ EUR 204 Book this hotel on Booking.com

InterContinental Kiev

This property is 14 minutes walk from the beach. Boasting impressive views of Kiev, a spa centre and elegant restaurants with chandeliers, this 5-star hotel is just a 2-minute walk from the famous St. Andrew’s Descent.

Stylish, air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TVs are offered at InterContinental Kiev. Modern amenities such as a minibar, kettle and hairdryer are provided, and the marble bathrooms include bathrobes and slippers.

Restaurant Olivera serves Italian cuisine and a daily breakfast buffet, and the grand Comme il Faut restaurant serves French and Ukranian specialities. Trendy bar B-hush offers panoramic city views and exotic cocktails.

Spa facilities at InterContinental include an indoor pool, sauna and fitness centre. Massages and beauty treatments can be booked here.

Price: ~ EUR 250 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Hyatt Regency Kiev

Located in the heart of Kiev and overlooking the Saint Sophia and Saint Michael's cathedrals, this 5-star hotel features free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and a spa centre.

The elegant, air-conditioned rooms are decorated in warm colours and offer modern interiors. Each room comes complete with a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a marble bathroom with heated floors.

Grill Asia Restaurant serves European and Asian cuisine. And Bar on 8, located on the 8th floor, offers panoramic views of the city, a summer terrace and a wide selection of drinks.

Guests of Hyatt Regency Kiev are welcome to work out in the on-site gym, and relax in the sauna or the Turkish steam bath. Massage services and a beauty salon are also available.

Maidan Nezalezhnosti Metro Station is a 7-minute walk from Hyatt Regency Kiev. Kiev Central Train Station is 3 km away, and Boryspil International Airport is 40 km from the hotel. Boryspil International Airport is 40 km from the hotel. 

Price: ~ EUR 265 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Ramada Encore Kiev

Offering free Wi-Fi, this 4-star hotel is situated in the Holosiivsky District in Kiev. It features a fitness centre, and Domosphera Trade Centre is just a 5-minute walk away.

The modern rooms at the Ramada Encore Kiev feature stylish interiors, a flat-screen TV and a seating area. Toiletries and a hairdryer are provided in the en suite bathroom.

The DK, the Windows and the Hub restaurants serve European cuisine, and the 2 bars offer a variety of drinks.

Price: ~ EUR 202 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Park-Hotel Golosievo

Offering free Wi-Fi and a daily breakfast buffet, the modern hotel provides a quiet location in an urban setting. Guests can enjoy a 24-hour reception at the hotel, located in Holosievskiy Park.

Rooms at Park-Hotel Golosievo feature warm Golosievo feature warm décor and come equipped with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with hairdryer and free toiletries. Some rooms include a balcony or park views.

European dishes are served in the restaurant at Park-Hotel Golosievo. Guests can also enjoy drinks from the bar on the hotel’s terrace.Golosievo. Guests can also enjoy drinks from the bar on the hotel’s terrace.

The hotel features a conference room for 80 people, and a laundry service. Valet parking is also available.

The hotel is located 500 m from the Holosiivska Underground Station, offering direct connections to central Kiev. The Zhulyany Airport is 10 km from the hotel and the Borispol Airport is 35 km away. An airport shuttle is available for an extra fee. 

Price: ~ EUR 306 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Senator Apartments Maidan

This property is 17 minutes walk from the beach. Located in the heart of Kiev, 120 m from Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square, premium Senator Apartments Maidan feature free Wi-Fi and free private parking. The famous Khreshchatyk Street is 3 minutes' walk away. The apartments offer 24-hour security, concierge services and house-keeping.

Set in the city centre, Senator Apartments provide quick access to such attractions, as the Saint Sophia Cathedral, 7 minutes' walk away. The Golden Gates are 650 m from the property.

A daily breakfast can be served in the breakfast room, and a range of restaurants is available as close as 5 minutes' walk from the apartments.

Price: ~ EUR 209 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Khreschatyk City Center Hotel

This property is 13 minutes walk from the beach. Situated on the main Kiev street, between the European Square and the Independence Square in Kiev, Khreschatyk Hotel offers rooms with free WiFi and satellite TV. Guests are offered free access to the gym and spa centre with sauna and indoor pool.

All of the rooms of Hotel Khreschatyk are equipped with air conditioning, a minibar, a telephone, and sound and lighting control system.

The Khreschatyk is less than a 15-minute walk from St. Sophia’s Cathedral and the National Art Museum of the Ukraine.

A rich breakfast buffet is served daily at the Khreschatyk Restaurant. Buddha-Bar Kiev is also located in the hotel’s building, where guests can enjoy oriental dishes.

Price: ~ EUR 209 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Holiday Inn Kiev

Holiday Inn Kiev is a hotel with modern rooms and free Wi-Fi situated in the centre of the city. It offers an excellent location from which to explore the many attractions of Kiev.

All rooms at the Holiday Inn Kiev are air-conditioned and designed with wooden furnishings. In addition to flat-screen satellite TV, they have en suite bathroom with a hairdryer.

The hotel is 100 m from the St Nicholas Cathedral and is a 10-minute walk to the Kiev Planetarium. Khreshchatyk Street offers an abundance of stylish shops 3 km away.

Breakfast is provided each morning and the restaurant serves Ukrainian specialities and international cuisine. The lobby bar serves a range of snacks in addition to coffees and cocktails.

Price: ~ EUR 205 Book this hotel on Booking.com

City Park Hotel

Situated in Kiev’s city centre, City Park Hotel offers luxurious rooms with air conditioning, free WiFi and a plasma TV. Free private parking is possible on site.

All rooms of Hotel City Park are equipped with a minibar, satellite TV and a private bathroom. Some of the rooms have a private sauna.

Guests can benefit from the 24-hour front desk service City Park provides. It also has a ticket service and a tour desk.

The coffee bar serves a buffet breakfast every morning. In the afternoon and evenings it serves snacks and drinks.

Price: ~ EUR 204 Book this hotel on Booking.com

President Hotel

This 4-star hotel stands on a picturesque hill in central Kiev, a 10-minute walk from the shops and restaurants of Khreshchatyk Street. Hotel President offers an indoor pool, free parking and free Wi-Fi.

Each of the President's individually furnished rooms and suites has large windows and air conditioning. In-room comforts include satellite TV and slippers.

President Hotel is a 5-minute walk from Kiev’s Sports Palace and Olympic Stadium, and a 10-minute walk from Palats Sportu Metro Station. The 24-hour reception includes a tour desk and ticket service. 

Price: ~ EUR 297 Book this hotel on Booking.com

Mintos.com Peer To Peer Lending Review After 9 Month of Investing

5 October, 2017 | Peer to Peer Lending | 12 seen

Mintos is a Latvian made peer-to-peer lending marketplace operating Globally, it connects investors with borrowers of non-bank lenders.

It is an easy and transparent alternative to the traditional banking system. At Mintos both retail and institutional investors can invest in fractions of loans originated in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Currently, they serve agricultural loans, business loans, invoice financing, mortgage loans, personal loans, pawnbroking loans, car loans and short-term loans. The minimum investment in one loan is EUR 10. 

Both individuals and entities can invest through Mintos. Individual investors must be at least 18 years old, have a bank account in the European Union or third countries currently considered to have AML/CFT systems equivalent to the EU, and have their identity successfully verified by Mintos. At the moment, US citizens or taxpayers cannot register as investors at Mintos.

Affiliate link here: Signup to Mintos.com here. By using this affiliate link for registration both you and I will receive — 1% of our average daily balance which should be paid in 3 installments for the first 90 days.

This peer to peer lending platform has been in my portfolio since January 2017.

By now (October 2017) mintos.com takes the second largest position (after stocks) in my portfolio with 38.8% of my funds invested here.

Investment portfolio

Make sure to read out my previous quarterly reviews:

• Mintos.com Review after 3 month investing in Peer to Peer loans
• Review of Mintos.com Peer To Peer Lending Platform After 6 Month of Investing

There is one reason I'm investing via Mintos - option to invest in Georgian Lari currency, as I've been living in Georgia for a while, I like the idea of having some of my money in the local market. See: Invest in Georgia - Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending - Mintos.com

About interest earned on mintos.com

During the past 9 months, I've invested in total EUR 3,365.90 and have made a profit from interest payments  EUR 196.67. That would equal to 5.84% year to the date yield. This number is lower than average excepted around ~11-12% annual rate, because of I keep adding more funds month after month.

Mintos.com contributes regularly to my dividend income with little over than EUR 30/mo, and I'm looking to increase interest earned here to about EUR 50, during the next 3-6 months.

Monthly return on Mintos.com platform (January - September 2017)

I  started lending on Mintos.com in January, it took me some time for my deposit to go through, more interesting to observe that in February I got even a negative return (-0.42 EUR) because of currency exchange fees. See: My Start at Investing on Mintos Peer to Peer Lending Platform: Depositing Funds

My investments are spread between EUR and GEL currency loans.

Withdrawing money and paying taxes

I haven't yet withdrawn any money from mintos.com, though I'm planning to do so (withdraw interest earned here) in January 2018. I haven't paid any taxes yet (should do after withdrawal). 

About Auto Invest

Auto Invest works like a charm, I've defined a few auto invest portfolio, all with buyback guarantee and longest remaining loan term 48 months (4 years)

Auto investing on Mintos.com platform

Auto Invest automatically implements your chosen investment strategy. After you have entered your investment criteria, Auto Invest will automatically invest in suitable loans. You can access Auto Invest at any time and follow your portfolio activity in real time to make sure it is working according to your investment goals. Auto Invest is a very effective tool for saving time spent on investing activities. It also allows you to access newly placed loans in the system before manually-made investments.