On my latest trip to Kyiv, I had a chance to visit several Borysov Restaurants. The first was Kanapa, which serves traditional Ukrainian food with a twists of modern gastronomy. My next stop was the Vatra Restaurant located in the city’s center. Vatra Restaurant is located in a garden and offers a very relaxing environment. Upon arrival at the restaurant, I was greeted promptly by friendly staff members and seated at my reserved table.
Vatra is a grill known mostly for its meat but the menu is truly massive with many more options to choose from. To get things started, I ordered oysters with lemon, assorted pickles, and a tuna salad with tomatoes, guacamole, and lettuce. A lovely start to the evening.
For the main course, I had to try both their selection of foreign and domestic beef. I tried both Ukrainian Ribeye and an American Black Angus Ribeye. It was interesting to try Ukrainian beef for the first time, but the Black Angus won when it came to tenderness and overall flavor. I was sure to pair the steak with French Fries and a glass of Malbec from Argentina. If you know me, you know this is one of my favorite combinations!
To finish the meal off I ordered two desserts. The first was Kyiv Cake and the second was cheesecake. Once again it was fun to compare and contrast the Ukrainian and foreign foods. These both had their strong points. Overall, the Kyiv Cake was a bit overly sweet but did have superior flavor than the cheesecake. I paired the desserts with a Muscat Ice Wine.
The evening at Vatra went off without a hitch and I overall the food, service and environment were quite enjoyable. If you’re looking for a solid grill while in Kyiv, make a visit to Vatra Restaurant!
On my latest trip to Kyiv, I had a chance to visit several Borysov Restaurants. The first was Kanapa, which serves traditional Ukrainian food with a twists of modern gastronomy. My next stop was the Vatra Restaurant located in the city's center. Vatra Restaurant is located in a garden and…
There are a lot of things that people do when they travel. They explore the new city, go to tourist attractions, and try local cuisine. But there are some things that you might not be doing during your travels but should.
Here’s a list of the things you’re not doing while on vacation that you should.
Taking Pictures
Taking pictures can eat up your phone’s storage, but it is an easy way to remember the moments you are living in. Most people rely on their memories or take a quick snap when back home, but that does not do justice to the time spent traveling at all.
The best part about traveling is photographing yourself with new people and surroundings. You will never want to forget the feeling of that wind in your hair or how breathtaking an experience was, so make sure you take plenty of pictures. Also, ensure you use photography apps for editing!
Recording Videos
It would help if you were recording videos of the amazing things you see during your travels. If not, you are missing out on creating great memories that you will enjoy for the rest of your life.
Start by making sure to carry a good camera or camera phone to keep capturing those moments. Make sure you also upload them to your social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, for instant sharing.
Writing Blogs
While traveling, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and rush of seeing new things that you forget about other important things like writing blogs. Don’t let that happen!
Make it a point to write every day or at least once per week so you can document your trip for yourself and others. You don’t want to come home from a fantastic adventure only to have all of the memories slip away because they are stuck in your head, never shared with anyone else, do you?
Learning New Languages
This is probably the most essential thing that you should do during your travels. Yeah, you’re on vacation and should relax but learning new languages will help you in the future.
For example, if there are other countries that you would like to visit or even live in, then knowing their language is helpful. Also, it’s good for your brain! Learning a whole new language can be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will see no limits. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Eventually, you will get better at it.
Interacting with the Locals
One of the best things you can do when traveling is to interact with locals. They know where all the good restaurants are, how much a taxi should cost and if there’s another festival happening in town next week.
In short, they could be your guidebook. So, make sure that while you’re out exploring new places or trying foods from a different culture, you’re also engaging with the people that live there. You’ll learn a ton from them, and they will probably show you places only they know about!
In conclusion, the next time you are traveling, make sure to do the above things. You will have a fantastic time and get to experience so many beautiful things that you would not be able to see otherwise.
Over the last few years I have been greatly looking forward to visiting Ukraine. It is with my great pleasure that I can now finally say that I’ve made my first visit to this interesting country. I flew in from Georgia and promptly made my way to the Bursa Hotel Kyiv, situated in the Podil District. Podil is one of the oldest areas of the city and the birthplace of the city’s trade, commerce, and industry. Everywhere I looked I saw old buildings with a lot of character. Nestled right in the middle of this area is the Bursa Hotel. From the hotel’s historic exterior it may be hard to tell what type of beautiful contemporary design awaits inside. Let’s have a look, shall we?
Click HERE to get a special rate at the BURSA Hotel!
I made my way to the reception desk and encountered two very friendly staff members. The lobby was in itself a work of art. Within no time it was up to see my “Wonderful Room” on the third floor. Bursa Hotel Kyiv has several categories of rooms and the Wonderful Room sits somewhere in the middle with the top being the Attic Room which I transferred to later! I must say I was very pleased with spacious feel and contemporary design. The entire room was made up of Ukrainian-sourced products. On a side note, local artwork is available for sale and visible throughout the property.
I enjoyed the branding of the hotel and how they incorporated it into every part of the hotel, including on the bedding. The beautifully designed bed offered a very comfortable night’s sleep. The property has a tram track running in front so the hotel offers ear-plugs to help mute out the noise. If you’re sensitive to noise while sleeping then I would recommend requesting a room on the backside of the hotel.
Many of the rooms at Bursa Hotel Kyiv offer lovely balconies where guests can enjoy a view of the bustling city.
The Wonderful Room’s bathroom is visible throughout the room with a stylish glass door separating it from the bedroom area. It had a large bathtub which filled up very quickly. I enjoyed a few relaxing soaks here! Great toiletries all around made sure I smelled my best.
All in all this room was just rather gorgeous! I’d like to thank the staff for the lovely sparkling wine and fruit plate. It’s important to note that the rooms are not equipped with tea kettles or coffee machines so guests have to make their way down to the cafe.
As mentioned, I also enjoyed a couple nights in the Attic Room and also toured to see other rooms. The Attic Room felt more like a loft that I could live in. A few features that really give the room lots of value are the private sauna and large private balcony. Treat yourself!
Most of the rooms are quite unique and beautiful in their own right. I fell in love with the colorful bathrooms!
The Bursa Hotel Kyiv has a library on the second floor. This is a public area with lots of comfortable seating in a cozy environment. This would be a great place to chat with friends or to get some work done. It was nice and quiet throughout my stay and had a enjoyable vibe overall.
Below the library is the Bursa Hotel’s White Noise Café. Breakfast at the Bursa Hotel is served here from 7am to 12 noon, which is quite incredible if you ask me! Breakfast there is in a buffet format with a decent amount of hot and cold items to choose from. They are currently implementing an a la carte menu and I’m excited to try these items in the future. The coffee was the smoothest thing I’ve had in a while and the staff were friendlier than I expected! Also, I was pleased to find that they have matcha!
The last part of this property that is very prominent is the 1818 Rooftop Bar on the fifth floor. There is a massive terrace at the bar which is great for enjoying the beautiful nighttime view. During my stay I got to sample some of the cocktails and must say that everything was great. These were no average cocktails but truly works of art. I’d highly recommend the Velvet Negroni.
The Bursa Hotel Kyiv is not only gorgeous on the inside and out, it has a great level of service and quality. The experience from beginning to end was quite satisfactory. It hit almost every mark desired but would be nice if they had tea kettles/coffee machines in the room, a fitness center, and a pool. When it’s all said and done, if you’re looking for stylish quality, I can easily recommend a stay at the Bursa Hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine!
Over the last few years I have been greatly looking forward to visiting Ukraine. It is with my great pleasure that I can now finally say that I've made my first visit to this interesting country. I flew in from Georgia and promptly made my way to the Bursa Hotel…
Most Beautiful Boutique Hotel in Kyiv: BURSA Hotel Kyiv Review
Most Beautiful Boutique Hotel in Kyiv: BURSA Hotel Kyiv Review
At some point, we all fall into a personal style. This might be through choice or by accident, but however it happens a habit forms, and soon it is difficult to dress or look any other way. So what happens if you think you might want to change your style? How can you change the way you have been dressing for perhaps many years? It sounds like a difficult task, but it is possible. Here are some tips on how to do it.
What Is Your Current Style?
Defining what your current style is should be the first step in finding a new one. If you don’t know where you are now, it will be much more challenging to work out where you are going next. Look at the kinds of clothes you wear and the way you style your hair and wear makeup (if you wear any at all), for example, and you will get a good idea of what your style really is. You may never have even thought about it before, so this is an important step. Once you know your style, you can work out which aspects of it you want to change.
What Do You Like?
Before you can really start working out a new style, you will need to know what you like in terms of fashion and what you don’t like. One useful way to do this is to create a mood board that will enable you to put together everything that you definitely want to try to include in your new style. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can find out how to make a mood board online and even download templates. This is a skill that you can use in many different areas of life, making decision-making a lot easier.
To get ideas for your mood board, look through magazines, make notes about what people are wearing on TV or in the movies, go out to a café and watch the people walking by as you drink a coffee, or speak to experts about the best men’s long hairstyles or jewelry, for example. Other people will give you new ideas and inspiration that you can put together to create your own style.
Be Comfortable
Having a complete change of style is exciting and fun, but it can also be uncomfortable. If you do too much too quickly, especially if you’ve never really even thought about your own personal style before, then you might regret what you have done and instantly change back. If you change one aspect of a time and get used to it, decide whether or not you really like it, and then move on to the next, you are more likely to stick with your new style and be comfortable with it.
Trust Yourself
When you try on an outfit or look at a new hairstyle, you will know right away whether or not you like it. Stick with that initial decision and really trust yourself – you know what is best for you, after all. If you go against your true feelings, you will find that you’re just not happy with your new look, and you won’t want to show it off at all, which means a waste of time and money.
Find New Ways To Shop
If you want to know how to modify your dress style without scouring stores and the internet aimlessly, you could be interested in new subscription-based services. Aside from subscription services that send out consumables such as razors and cosmetics, a number of enterprises have emerged to make clothing purchasing easier. Simply fill out an online form, call a stylist, and wait for your package of hand-picked garments to arrive.
In this way, you can experiment with many different styles, cuts, colors, and so on until you find what works for you. Not only is this fun, but it also means you will have access to expert opinions and people you can ask for advice from.
Rotate Your Closet
What the eye sees is when you open your closet or chest of drawers is what we wear, so it’s a good idea to rotate what’s in your wardrobe every few months to ensure that the things that have been at the back are now front and center. Simply by rotating your items, you’ll be able to give some other parts of your wardrobe a chance to shine, and you might find a new style just by wearing some clothes that you had entirely forgotten about.
If you also take the opportunity topurge your closet of anything you know you’re never going to wear again, you’ll clear out space and get a good idea of what it is you like or don’t like. This gives you more room to buy new things, especially if you sell the old ones and use that cash to buy something that suits you better.
Give Yourself A Fashion Challenge
It’s nice to fall back on tried-and-true outfit combinations, but it’s also a good idea to broaden your sartorial boundaries on occasion to develop and freshen your style. To prevent a wardrobe rut, set aside one day every week to push yourself to include a certain design into your style or to wear a specific color. This will inspire you to look at your clothing in fresh ways and help you rediscover old favorites.
You can search online for ideas for these mini-challenges to give you a good start, and over time you’ll be able to create your own. It’s a fun way to enjoy your clothing more and get to grips with what it is that you enjoy when it comes to fashion. If something doesn’t work, don’t think of it as a mistake, just be aware that it’s not for you and move on.
Showcase Your Best Attributes
Red, white, brilliant blue, and yellow are eye-catching colors. When you wear them near your most remarkable features, you draw attention to the areas you want it to be drawn to, rather than anything you’re not so happy with. This might seem like something that women would find easier considering there tend to be more accessories for female fashion, but don’t despair; using hats, sunglasses, jewelry, scarves, and more, you can create the same effect.
Even if first dates are wonderful, they are more often than not a meet-and-greet and a sort of…getting to know-each-other session. After your first date, you’ll both know if you want to see one other again based on your body language. After a successful first date, it’s time to start planning an unforgettable second date that will leave your date feeling like a million bucks. Check out these great second date ideas!
Go to a posh venue.
Taking a date somewhere posh and sophisticated is the one of the best approaches to impress them. Why not add to the thrill by asking them to dress up and surprising them with a beautiful setting, such as a rooftop bar with incredible views or a candlelit supper with no one else present? You’ll get a lot of brownie points and have an amazing time with someone you want to learn more about. Who knows, maybe more dates will follow!
Cook for them
There’s something extremely attractive about dating someone who can cook, so why not show off your culinary skills? If they’ve got a sweet tooth, you might consider cooking a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe. Or, if they prefer savoury dishes, you could cook them a gourmet pasta dish that’s sure to impress them right from the get go.
Give them something to do.
When you’re still feeling the pinch of a new relationship, it can be tough to know how to keep your date entertained without appearing to be overly concerned with appearances. This is when the beauty of theatre entertainment comes into play. If you truly want to wow them, attempt to recall one of their favorite things from your first date and base your entertainment on it! If someone indicated they enjoy humor, for example, choose a comedy show to watch, and vice versa for all other genres.
Take a stroll under the moonlight.
Sometimes the greatest approach to get to know someone is to remove all interruptions from the moment. If you live in a gorgeous area, consider packing a lunch, bringing a flask of your favorite drinks, and going for a moonlit walk with them and a picnic blanket. It’s a fantastic approach to be able to speak from the heart while also learning more about the person. Plus, moonlit strolls are incredibly romantic!
Attend a wine tasting.
Alternatively, you might go for a beer tasting…or a whiskey tasting! Why not plan a cocktail tasting evening with your date, whatever their interests are. Wine tasting is an inexpensive way to have a fantastic night with your friends, with the added benefit of a little Dutch courage from the alcohol you’re sampling! If you follow it up with a wonderful meal, you’ll be planning your next few dates with them in no time.
Finally, always remember to be yourself. It’s good to be able to wow your date, but don’t lose sight of who you are; else, you can unintentionally discourage them from considering another date!
As I had just arrived in Ukraine, I was very excited to try the local Ukrainian cuisine. After doing some in-depth research online, I came across Kanapa Restaurant. Kanapa is a Ukrainian Restaurant that focuses on traditional, pre-revolutionary Ukrainian dishes with an element of molecular gastronomy! I was intrigued. Kanapa is located near St. Andrews Church. It was a bit of an adventure to walk to, but I enjoyed it!
From the moment I entered, I was greeted with warm service. For the evening, I went with a degustation menu as well as the alcohol pairing option. The first course was the Pike Caviar in Odessa style with salted sponge cake, paired with champagne also from Odessa. This was a lovely way to start the meal! The saltiness of the caviar paired perfectly with the light and fluffy sponge cake for optimum flavor. I was sad when I finished it.
Up next was Aspic made of hare and pheasant meat with horseradish paired with Hrinovuha. Aspic is a savory jelly which can contain different ingredients and Hrinovuha is a locally produced vodka, made with pepper and horseradish. I must say I’ve never had horseradish in my alcohol but I really enjoyed! I always tend to like anything with a kick. Both were very tasty!
The next course was a Ukrainian Borscht with pork ears, prunes, smoked pear and again paired with another glass of Hrinovuha. This was a very wholesome and heart-warming dish. The flavor was a bit sweeter than I imagined but delicious nonetheless! The presentation inside half of a cabbage was very memorable as well.
Up next was the Varenyky (traditional dumplings) with pikeperch and smoked salo filling paired with Chardonnay Kolonist from Ukraine. This was probably my favorite item of the entire evening! I could eat these dumplings again and again. Another very heartwarming dish that was just perfectly balanced, no added seasoning needed.
Now it was time for the main event, Chicken Kyiv with egg and cheese sauce paired with Cabernet Sauvignon Reserv Shabo from Ukraine. Chicken Kyiv is a very famous Ukrainian dish. Inside this crispy outside was chicken with greens. I did enjoy the flavor but felt it could have been a bit juicier.
For dessert, I tried the Varenyky stuffed with mint, served with seasonal berries and also the cottage cheese pancakes with cherry sauce. The Varenyky were my favorite! I guess I tend to be a major fan of dumplings. They were quite rich and stuffed me right to the limit.
The evening at Kanapa Restaurant in Kyiv, Ukraine was fantastic! The staff interactions were great throughout the evening! I felt the service was very attentive and friendly. The food all went down smoothly and I loved nearly everything I ate! I’d have to say this was a success and great first impression to Ukraining cuisine. When it’s all said and done, Kanapa Restaurant was a great introduction to Ukrainian food and I can highly recommend it to all!
As I had just arrived in Ukraine, I was very excited to try the local Ukrainian cuisine. After doing some in-depth research online, I came across Kanapa Restaurant. Kanapa is a Ukrainian Restaurant that focuses on traditional, pre-revolutionary Ukrainian dishes with an element of molecular gastronomy! I was intrigued. Kanapa…
Incredible Ukrainian Cuisine in Kyiv: Kanapa Restaurant Review
Incredible Ukrainian Cuisine in Kyiv: Kanapa Restaurant Review
With summer coming to an end and winter on the way, you might be thinking about planning a trip to lift your spirits during the colder months. If you are not sure where to go, you should consider Utah. It’s often called the ultimate winter destination because this amazing state really comes into its own when the snow starts falling. There’s no better time to visit the beautiful national parks, go hiking, and even try a spot of skiing. There are some great vibrant cities to visit while you’re there too, so you’ll get a bit of everything. This quick guide will help you start planning your trip to Utah this winter.
Best National Parks In Utah
Arches National Park
This is one of the most well-known national parks in Utah, which isn’t surprising given just how beautiful it is. The magnificent rock formations are perfect for hiking and exploring and there are over 2,000 natural stone arches within the park that were created thanks to erosion over millions of years. One of the best ways to explore the terrain surrounding the arches is by taking a self-guided camping trip through some of its trails.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is home to one of the biggest canyons in North America and it’s actually even bigger than both the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon put together. The scenery is like something out of a fantasy novel, with cliffs jutting up all around you as well as numerous waterfalls cascading down towards towering valley walls.
Best Cities to Visit In Utah
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is the state capital of Utah and also one of its biggest cities. It’s surrounded by mountains on all sides, making it a gorgeous place to visit at any time of the year, but it really comes into its own in winter. While you’re there, make sure that you check out Temple Square which is home to hundreds of different cultural attractions including museums and art galleries. There are also plenty of great opportunities for shopping if you’re looking to get your hands on some souvenirs while you’re visiting Salt Lake City.
Provo
Provo is a great place to visit if you want to get away from the big cities and see some smaller towns for a change. It’s also worth pointing out that it’s home to Brigham Young University which means there are lots of different cultural attractions to enjoy, as well as several performance spaces including an amphitheater and an opera house. You’ll also find the best pizza in Provo Utah because there is a great culinary scene there. Most people head straight for Salt Lake City but if you want a more unique experience, Provo is definitely worth a visit.
Skiing In Utah
Skiing is one of the best things to do in Utah if you want to add some adventure to your trip. You will find some of the best skiing resorts right at your doorstep, such as Deer Valley (which hosts some very famous international events), Canyons, Alta, Solitude, Brighton, Park City Mountain Resort and Sundance. Whether you are a beginner or a pro skier, there’s something for everyone, so grab your gear and hit the slopes!
Utah is such a beautiful destination in the winter, so why not start planning your trip today?
After spending some time in Armenia, I moved north to the country of Georgia. My first stop was in Tbilisi where I stayed at the Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel. This hotel is located right in the heart of the city, nearby the Parliament building and Liberty Square Metro Station. Everything is easily accessible from this location, therefore it’s incredibly convenient. I arrived by car but it would also be easy to arrive by metro as it’s just a few minutes walk from the station.
Click HERE to get a special rate at the Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel!
The lobby had a modern design and comfortable seating. Part of it was under renovation during my visit. The best feature of the lobby were all of the incredibly kind staff members at the reception desk. These people truly care about their guests and do everything that they can to help them. I actually had a bit of a health issue when I arrived, and they really did a great job at facilitating my requests. Thank you Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel!
After checking in I went to the third floor to see my room. Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel has several room types and for my stay, I had a Traveler’s Double Room. I had a chance to tour other room types and although this was the first room-type I felt it easily had everything I needed and with a gorgeous style! I loved how bright it was as well as the materials that were used. Another nice feature for my room was the balcony. Minimal and stylish.
The bedding was something truly extraordinary. Not only did they have a variety of pillows on their pillow menu, they also offer mattresses with a very comfortable topper (felt like foam) that gave me a well-deserved deep sleep I needed!
On the desk, there was a very modern kettle with instant coffee, tea. The accompanying office chair was quite comfortable as well!
For my room type, the bathroom had a separated toilet stall and separated shower stall but other room types had bathtubs. I loved the marble used throughout the bathroom. The toiletries also kept me smelling nice.
A major selling point for Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel is Restaurant Melograno and Terrace on the minus one floor. The dining room of the restaurant and the outdoor terrace provide a relaxed and stylish ambiance.
Lasting from 8am to 12pm the breakfast was quite impressive. The quality of the food was just amazing and had a huge variety of local and western options to choose from. Along with the massive buffet spread is an à la carte menu. Go for the Eggs Benedict with bacon!
Also on the -1 floor are the fitness center, indoor pool, and changing rooms with relaxation facilities. The pool is another picture-perfect part of the property. The pool is also long enough to do laps. The gym is on the smaller side but did have two treadmills so I could run. The saunas are massive and modern. Overall, I did enjoy these facilities and the friendly staff that worked within them.
The Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel in Tbilisi, Georgia is a beautiful property! The staff were mostly very warm and did a solid job for the most part. There were a few hiccups but as this is a younger hotel, I believe that the kinks will be worked out soon. Some major positive points of the Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel are the design, location, breakfast, and pool and relaxation facilities. When it’s all said and done, I’d be happy to recommend the beautiful Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel!
After spending some time in Armenia, I moved north to the country of Georgia. My first stop was in Tbilisi where I stayed at the Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel. This hotel is located right in the heart of the city, nearby the Parliament building and Liberty Square Metro Station. Everything…
Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel Review: A Chic Stay in Tbilisi
Shota @Rustaveli Boutique Hotel Review: A Chic Stay in Tbilisi
