Latvia

Dzintari concert hall is popular throughout Latvia as a place where concerts and other events are held, where outstanding artists have been performing for almost for 70 summers now. I discovered this place by accident during my cycling Jūrmala ride. I stopped my vehicle in front of this place just to rest and decided to photograph this venue site as well. Here is what I got: Water fountain in front of Dzintari Concert Hall Entrance gates at Dzintari Concert Hall Dzintari concert hall…

Welcome to another cycling series post - this time about cycling in Latvian beach resort city Jūrmala. Actually it has been a while when I last time sat on my bicycle back in Tbilisi, Georgia. We headed to Jūrmala city just shortly after the 3rd Eastern Partnership Business forum which was held in Riga. We stayed overnight at the lovely hotel Dzintars in Jūrmala and got a free bike rental at our hotel.  Bicycles we used back there in Jūrmala were more some hipster style (not professional) but…

Dzintars hotel is located in Latvian beach resort city Jūrmala - very close to the nations capital city Riga (some 30 minutes drive). The reason I chose this hotel is plain simple - my brother works as a concierge here (family ties) and this hotel is among cheapest available in Jūrmala (and by saying cheapest I mean - it's a value deal) I first visited Dzintars hotel back in 2014 or 2015 and since then have stayed here several more times. Hotel Dzintars in Jūrmala Guest can enjoy a free…

Some time ago I visited a lovely town Saldus (located some 100km from capital Riga), one of the main sights here is a church - St. John's Church of Saldus. As usual I took my camera and made a few shots here. The altarpiece at Saldus St. John's church Author of this altar painting is made by J. Dering (19th century). Read more: Churches in Saldus  Saldus St. John church This church building is the oldest building of the town and the first stone made church in Saldus built in 1615, but…

Right, I just made this name - Skrunda Cultural Center what is a direct translation from Latvian Skrundas Kultūras Centrs. I wouldn't probably mention this place on my blog, but since lately I have been travelling around Skrunda a lot, I decided why not?! Another reason I'm listing this place here - you can get a free high-speed Wi-Fi internet here (at least I managed to get some). Seriously speaking - Skrunda Cultural Center is a great place where locals gather to participate in different…

Širhans (Shirhan) is a lovely restaurant serving Azerbaijani cuisine located in the suburbs of Sarkandaugava in Riga, Latvia (Meža Prospekts 90). I visited this place just shortly after a visit to Riga Zoo. If you just like me enjoy Caucasian style cuisine you will enjoy this place. Although I must admit I'm very found of Georgian cuisine (Read my Tbilisi restaurant reviews) - this time I was pleased with Azerbaijani cuisine also. Thus take into consideration - to enjoy a real Azeri cuisine…

Riga Zoo is a city-owned zoo in Riga, Latvia. It is located in Mežaparks neighbourhood next to the Mežaparks park, on the western bank of Ķīšezers lake. Riga Zoo houses around 4000 animals of nearly 500 species and is visited by 250-300,000 visitors annually.  Ocassionaly I love visitin Riga zoo, in this article some of my pictures and data when I visited Riga Zoo together with my mom at the start of May 2016 I took my DSLR camera with myself and captured more than 600 images here, just 17…

I was surprised to learn that this church is more than 500 years old. Prior I learnt that I was even more surprised to learn that Dobele town has a lovely historical centre. This church is located just next to this historical centre. I took my camera and tried to make some great pictures here. Dobele Evangelical Lutheran Church I believe all is said with just this one photo. Just marvellous. Entrance at this church Info table This church is now already 520 years old Back view As…

Dobele is a small town located in historical region of Zemgale in Latvia some 60 km South West from nations capital city Riga. One thing a tourist should visit while in Dobele definitely is it's historical centre - marketplace square. In recent years this place has gone through some renovation and last time I visited it - it looked just amazing. Well if you are hoping to see both old and new architecture, like it's for example in German city Bonn's marketplace, then no - you wont find here any…

Cafe Dzirnaviņas is located on the roadside of Riga - Liepaja highway in a small county of Biksti. This place serves a traditional Latvian cuisine for a very affordable prices. Cafe Dzirnavinas Menu at Cafe Dzirnavinas As usual it might happen in local Latvian restaurants - a pork chop is a most popular meal. Prices indicated here are in EUR. Portions? Enormous! A daily dose of Coca-Cola They serves Coke with ice here (on request) Bread kvass Another traditional element from…