Blog Archive: August 2014
Luca Polare - One Of The Best Ice Creams In Tbilisi
| Restaurant reviews | 75 seen
I have decided to start a new post series - Tbilisi restaurants.
As you might already know I'm an expat living in Georgia (Tbilisi).
I'm a huge lover of restaurants and coffee shops, and since living in Georgia I have came even a bigger fan of eating outside the home.
Since I'm eating out pretty regular - there are my favourite places, then there are places, that once was my favourite places, and then there are places better to avoid.
I'm willing to make an description of them and to photograph the food I have tasted on those places.
Perhaps on such decision I came after making a post of Fine Dining places in Yerevan, when I forget the names and locations for lovely Yerevan restaurants. Not any more!
Please note, this is just my subjective opinion. For taking photographs I'm using my Samsung phone and using Instagram (then taking them from Instagram and adding to posts - you can read a blog post on how I turned my Instagram account into a photo blog - speaking of what - I decided there is no need and place to keep up with 2 blogs - so I decided to shot tourgeorgia down - and starting today…
20 Top Rated Romantic Hotels / Apartments In Barcelona
| Hotel reviews | 14 seen
Barcelona is a perfect location for romantic trips, in case you are looking for the best honeymoon or just a romantic weekend in fabulous Barcelona city, I have listed Top 20 best-rated hotels and apartments in Barcelona, based on actual user reviews on the Booking site.
In this list, you will find both hotels and apartments.
The price per night for those 20 top-rated hotels varies - starting from EUR 95 and up to EUR 375. The price may change, and there are some hotels offering huge savings.
Disclosure: hotels listed below contain links to Booking.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a reservation on the Booking.com site, I might earn an affiliate income, at no cost to you.
Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel GLThis property is 9 minutes walk from the beach. Set within the World Trade Center building, this 5-star design hotel overlooks Barcelona’s port and is a 5-minute walk from La Rambla. It features a seasonal rooftop pool, a gym and a spaciousterrace.
The Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel GL offers modern rooms with wooden flooring and warm-coloured fabrics. A flat-…
11 Top Rated Hotels / Guest Houses in Mestia, Region Of Svaneti, Georgia
| Hotel reviews | 5 seen
<p>Mestia is a remote mountainous village in region of Svaneti in Georgia. You can reach Mestia by car, minibus (<em>marshrutka</em>) or even by plane. Speaking of the last one - I'm not sure, but there is <a href="http://www.reinisfischer.com/flights-mestia-tbilisi-will-resume-startin… flights available from Tbilisi to Mestia</a>. Depending are you a solo traveller or you travel as couple, or maybe as a group, you might want to check this list with Top rated Mestia hotels, based on actual user ratings and reviews on Booking site.</p><p>Here at Mestia you will mostly find guest houses and hostel type accommodations, although here are a few hotels as well. Price will vary, starting from GEL 20 per night up to GEL 120.</p><h2 class="item"><span id="hp_hotel_name" class="fn">Marina Guest House (<a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/ge/guesthouse-marina.en-gb.html?aid=363972… Now</a>)</span></h2><p><span class="fn"><a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/ge/guesthouse-marina.en-gb.html?aid=363972… src="http://www.reinisfischer.…
Celebrating Birthday in Yerevan, Armenia - Roundup
| Travel guides | 25 seen
This post is a round up post from my birthday celebrations in capital of Armenia, Yerevan, at start of the August.
Idea of visiting Armenia, arise soon after I decided it might be fishy to flight to Mestia (Georgia). That was first option - to visit mountainous region of Svaneti in Georgia. I even expressed my joy, learning that regular flights has been launched from Tbilisi to Mestia. After several attempts to contact aircraft-carrier - they didn't expressed much trust for me - like - on questions, when is the flights, where are they from (it's some airfield out of Tbilisi) - the answers were typical lame - call tomorrow e.t.c. So screw you Mestia - it's time for Armenia.
This was not the first time we headed to Yerevan, Armenia, this was second time this year, and third time in total. Seems I'm found of Armenia.
So we did quickly found a car transfer service from Tbilisi to Yerevan, and our trip started.
Click on the above image to find out how to travel cheap by taxi car from Tbilisi to Yerevan
Prior to visiting Yerevan, we booked a Hotel Republica Yerevan in city centre.
…How To Get Pre-Paid SIM Card In Armenia - VivaCell-MTS
| Travel guides | 21 seen
<p>During my short two days trip to Yerevan in Armenia, I decided I will need a local SIM card to make calls and browse internet.</p><blockquote><p>There are three mobile phone operators currently in Armenia: Viva Cell MTS, Orange and Beeline. Orange and Beeline only offer 2G and 3G services. Viva Cell MTS offers both 2G and 3G as well as 4G services. All three networks are widely modern and reliable with shops located in major towns and cities where one can purchase a sim card or get assistance if needed. Most unlocked mobile phones are able to be used on roaming however network charges apply. Orange and Viva Cell MTS are often recommended to tourists due to the variety of tariffs available and the help available in a variety of languages.</p></blockquote><p>I was really surprised being informed by taxi driver who took us to Yerevan, that you can have a Pre-Paid SIM card bought at VivaCell-MTS office near Marriott Hotel (Republic square) in centre of Yerevan - 24/7.</p><p>I followed taxi drivers advice and went to VivaCell-MTS office around 6.00 AM. That's right - they are opened 24/7.</p><p>I briefly…
Fine Dining Places In Yerevan
| Travel guides | 38 seen
During our short 2 day trip to Yerevan, Armenia, in time we celebrated my 29th birthday - we tasted a lot of great Armenian and European food.
Now, looking through my Instagram account - I decided to add photos of food I have taken with my Android phone. Unfortunately I don't remember precise locations and names for many of those lovely Yerevan restaurants, but still it's pleasant to view some food photos.
We started our food adventures at Marriott Hotel in Centre of Yerevan at 6 AM.
We didn't use any alcoholic beverages here - instead we had a fine coffee with delicious Armenian truffles. One of the best truffles I have tasted. Our overall cheque here was about EUR 15
After couple of hours, we stop at the Olivia place. Kinda Italian restaurant.
Nothing special here, but they have breakfast menu here for 1000 Drams (About EUR 1.83)- scrambled eggs. Coffee, tea, soda must be paid separate. Overall cheque here some EUR 10
Then we found an excellent place for dinner - at bottom of the Yerevan cascade, there is Paulaner restaurant
We took chefs special - steak, potatoes and grilled vegetables.…
Tbilisi - Yerevan Transfers By Taxi Car
| Travel guides | 81 seen
Update: This article originally was written back in 2014 - a lot has changed since then, mostly prices and services - prices have gone up, service in some cases have gone down - I've removed any contacts listed in this article - please read comments section for up to the date information.
See: Tbilisi - Yerevan Transfer by GoTrip.Ge Review
Those of you looking to travel from Tbilisi to Yerevan, or from Yerevan to Tbilisi, you have few options to choose - I'm not 100% sure but one of the options is by plain, the second option is by train, the third option by bus, another option by minibus (marshrutka) - the best option so far I have found is by private taxi car.
Actually, I have never traveled to Yerevan by plane or train from Tbilisi. I'm always choosing a private taxi car.
Update: Rend a car in Tbilisi
By saying a taxi car - I do not mean a regular taxi - you can chase on every street corner. Probably you can get with them too to Yerevan, but the price might be too pricey.
There are literally tons of privately held - semi-official, unofficial firms that offer Tbilisi - Yerevan transfers.…
17 Best HP Laptops You Can Buy Online - Amazon.com
| Laptop Reviews | 203 seen
In this article, you will find 17+ great HP laptop models featured on Amazon.
Most of the HP laptops in 2022 come with the latest Windows 11 Operating system
However not only Windows manufactures operating systems, but Google also does as well. In case you don't need to run fancy Windows programs and you are ready to store your data online - a Chromebook might be a really neat alternative, Chrome books come ridiculously cheap.
Whether you are looking for a just regular notebook capable of doing regular things, a super-fast gaming laptop (see: Top 20 Quad Core Laptops (Popular among Gamers or Top 20 Gaming Laptops with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB Graphics card) or a good business-class notebook - Hewlett Packard has it all, starting small-sized colorful laptops, ending super fast, touch screen and even convertible (laptop+tablet) machines.
Since the end of 2018, I'm a proud owner of the HP ProBook G5, you can read my review here: HP ProBook 450 G5 (2RS04EA) Laptop Review, also since 2019 in our household we are using HP ENVY 360 touchscreen
A quick note: This…
Republica Hotel Yerevan Review
| Hotel reviews | 17 seen
We made a reservation for Republica Hotel Yerevan during our trip to Armenia, to celebrate my birthday on August 6th to August 8th. We chose this hotel - mainly because of it's location (it's located on lively street Amiryan in centre of Yerevan) and it's price (for 2 nights it was 92 000 Armenian Drams, what equals to about EUR 166 or USD 220)
Deluxe room with King sized bed at Republica Hotel Yerevan
Flat Screen TV opposite to bed
Flat Screen TV is a must have option in every hotel in over days - unfortunately this TV had just some 17 TV channels, some 6 of them was Armenian, 2 or 3 Russian, and rest was some news channels - Euronews, BBC news, Bloomberg. I guess they had one German channel and one Italian. Anyway it was kinda boring to watch TV here - I mean only option left to us was news channels, which repeats one new 24 hours a day. My recommendations for Republica Hotel Yerevan management - you could add some paid channels at least.
Closet with mirrored slider doors and electronic safe at Republica Hotel Yerevan
I actually for first time used electronic safe to store…
Erebuni Fortress
| Tourism objects | 33 seen
Erebuni Fortress is an ancient site situated in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan.
I had heard of this place before, but hadn't visited it in my two previous trips to Yerevan. This time I decided to change that. Actually this was my birthday I visited this place. My overall impressions? Well... Let the photos speak for themself:
Road to Erebuni Fortress
We took a taxi from Yerevan Mall, and taxi driver took from us 1000 Dram, although the fare-meter showed 800 Drams. I didn't argued much with taxi driver, because of 1000 Drams equals to EUR 1.83
Some demolished building at Erebuni Fortress entrance
Since we took our way to Erebuni fortress from the other side - not typical front - we had an opportunity to see the Real Erebuni Fortress, and in fact, the reality it looks as abandoned place.
Master plan of Erebuni Citadel - sign in 3 languages, Armenian, Russian and English
View to some of Yerevan neighbourhoods from Erebuni Fortress
Erebuni Fortress ruins and view to some neighbourhood of Yerevan
Some tourists at Erebuni Fortress
…
20 Best Ankara Hotels That Wont Break Your Travel Budget
| Hotel reviews | 9 seen
<h2 class="item"><span id="hp_hotel_name" class="fn">Mona Hotel</span></h2><p><span class="fn"><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/Mona%20Hotel.jpg" alt="Mona Hotel Ankara" title="Mona Hotel Ankara" width="840" height="460"></span></p><p><strong><span class="fn">Located on Kavaklidere district, Mona Hotel offers:</span></strong></p><ul><li>Mona Hotel has a central location close to restaurants, shops and business centres. The hotel offers luxurious rooms with modern amenities.</li><li>The rooms of Hotel Mona are tastefully decorated combining classic and modern furnishings. Each room includes soundproofing, flat-screen TV and air conditioning. 24-hour room service is also available.</li><li>You can start the day with a rich open buffet breakfast including fresh and organic products in the stylish breakfast hall. There is also a bar at the hotel.</li></ul><p><strong>Price: ~ EUR 119</strong>…
Yerevan Cascade
| Tourism objects | 248 seen
One of the top attractions in Yerevan, Armenia is the Cascade - stairways providing probably the most beautiful views of the city. I have been in Yerevan for the third time, but this was the first time I decided to visit Cascade actually.
We took a taxi from Arminyan street right next to our hotel - Republica, and shortly explained to a taxi driver in Russian - that I want to go there - where the most beautiful photos of Yerevan can be taken - stairways. The taxi driver soon realized I'm talking of Cascade, and promised 1000 Drams took us uphill. I had no idea - what does he mean by uphill - but I agreed.
Just many years later I learned that the uphills actually is another cool site of Yerevan - Monument to 50 Years of Soviet Armenia in Yerevan
Taxi driver - as he told has 3 times been Master in Box in USSR in weight 52. So no arguing with him, ok?
After a short drive, we were at top of the Cascade.
From up there - Cascade looks rather demolished and abandoned, that a top attraction of the city.
Me at top of the Yerevan Cascade
View to Yerevan city…
Setting My First Amazon Affiliate Marketing Goal
| Blogging | 14 seen
Amazon affiliate program is something completely new for me, not to say affiliate marketing as whole is a new thing for me. I have been playing around with Google Adsense for last 5 years (my earnings are still pathetic low - actually, just in two last months I have earned a bit more than $10 per month)
Speaking of Affiliate marketing programs, the one and only I have been using so far - Booking.com affiliate (although the results there sucks too)
Some time ago I started to learn more about affiliate marketing programs - mainly everyone in our days speaks - Adsense is pennies compared to affiliate marketing - and in fact I do believe that.
Take a look at my last online income report - income from affiliate programs in first month is even to my Google Adsense Earnings.
Since affiliate is new to me - I'm learning it slowly (I'm not even speaking of mastering it).
Before I started to promote Booking hotels - I did setup a modest goal for it - to send 50 visitors in a month to their booking site. After the first month I didn't manage to reach my goal (I stood still at 42 sent visitors) but I believe I will manage to achieve 50…
My Online Income Report - July 2014
| Blogging | 7 seen
At start of every month I'm publishing my online income report covering earnings I managed to earn sole on internet (this doesn't include freelance or service payments I receive through my professional career).
The resaon I'm publishing these reports is simple - It keeps me track where I was, where I'm and where am I heading to.
@Reinis_Fischer I love this post, and it made me smile to see the excitement over a few dollars. I haven't started earning yet....yet!
— LifesHiddenTreasures (@LifeHidTreasure) August 2, 2014
Last month was another great month in terms of my online income. I managed to earn $21.41 from Google Adsense and Affiliates. Compared to my online earnings last month ($16.49) it's 29.83% increase or it's more by $4.92. Pretty awesome growth right?
My average daily earnings reached $0.69, what is up by $0.14 per day compared to previous month ($0.55). By now my online income generates me a little bit more than minimum wage in Kyrgyzstan (~$16). But I'm still bellow extreme poverty line earnings less than $1 per day.
Now, to be serious - I managed to increase…
13 Best Budget Laptops / Notebooks Under $250
| Laptop Reviews | 50 seen
If you are looking for a cheap budget-friendly laptop/notebook - you have come to the right place. In this article I have listed 13 under $250 notebooks and laptops (even one tablet) that will perfectly do what they should do - you can buy them all on Amazon - perform basic everyday tasks.
Depending on your needs - are you looking for a laptop to take with you on your travels, maybe perform your accounting? If you are looking for a simple machine, that's always connected to the internet, and you don't need to run specific programs on it (like Adobe Photoshop or MS Word) - try Chromebooks If you still prefer to work with MS Office programs, Chromebooks won't be your best friends.
In this list, you will find both traditional notebooks with MS operating system on it and Chromebooks
Please note: items listed bellow contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income from that. Prices for laptops listed on this page is retrieved by using Amazon Product Advertising API and is updated daily.…