3 Reasons to Love Tbilisi, the Georgian City that Loves You!

According to the Georgian ancient proverb, Tbilisi is the city that loves you! Since ancient times, it has been noted that “Every guest is Godsend,” for hospitality. Located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, is a former Soviet republic that’s home to Caucasus Mountain villages and Black Sea beaches is a confluence of multiple cultures. Explore this underrated yet spectacular city of culture, art, and hospitality with the Tbilisi Travel Guide and Offline Map for a stress-free visit.

1.      The Architecture

The patchwork architecture in Old Tbilisi is reason enough to visit this pretty capital city. Intricate balconies sigh from tired buildings. Cobbled streets ramble through historic neighborhoods. Centuries of Persian, German, and Russian architectural influence is visible. But it’s not just the historic aspects that fascinates. Tbilisi’s more recent stability has it screaming into a disorienting modernity. Controversial space-age architecture takes up residence alongside the historic buildings. A gamut of architectural possibilities sit in the shadow of the 4th century Narikala Fortress. Tbilisi has a complicated history that has continued into the present. The aesthetic of the city bears testament.

2.      The Wine Culture

Georgia’s clay vessel winemaking process, Qvevri, made UNESCO’s list for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. They are one of the oldest wine regions in the world, where they cultivated grapevines and neolithic wine production for over 8000 years. Sprinkled throughout the boutiques and sidewalk cafés are dozens of wine shops and tasting rooms. Wine is the icebreaker with new Georgian friends. Each time you meet a local, you can bet they'll share with you their favorite variety. Even more often, they might just boast of their tasty homemade wines.

3.      The Hospitality

Hospitality runs deep in every Georgian's blood, as evidenced by Kartlis Deda watching over over Tbilisi from Sololaki Hill. Better known as Mother Georgia, her looming figure exemplifies the spirit of welcome in the country. For Georgians, this statue represents the dual priorities of hospitality and freedom. Erected in the 50s, Mother Georgia carries a bowl of wine in one hand and a sword in the other. The wine is for friends, the sword for enemies.

Learn more about other destinations that offer unique experiences by checking out eTips.

A city armed with Gothic grit and glamour- Visit Lisbon!

WOW! Lisbon skyline at sunset

Lisbon which came out of a dire recession galvanized and game for anything, has found itself in the unexpected position being of Europe's new cool capital. There are more exciting things to do in Lisbon so make sure you have your Lisbon Travel Guide and Offline City Map & Metro.

Enjoy the view

Strap on some comfy shoes and get moving, Lisbon, after all, is a city of seven hills, which means there are breathtaking views around (nearly) every corner. One of the best views of Lisbon can be found from the São Jorge Castle. Get your tickets online to avoid lining up, and enjoy the view of the city from the castle grounds. If you’d rather not pay for a view, Miradouro da Graca offers some of the best sights free of charge. Bring a sandwich, grab a bench, and enjoy a leisurely lunch with a stunning view of Lisbon. If you’re after a luxurious setting, Silk nightclub is supposed to be one of the best vantage points to see Lisbon at night. Just make sure to dress the part, as this club has a fairly strict dress code (we found out the hard way).

Shop

Shopping in Lisbon is plentiful and very affordable. Skip the useless souvenirs, and instead stock up on delicious Portuguese specialties like gourmet tinned fish, sweet Ginja, and the delicious Portuguese-made preserves and honeys. Portuguese ceramics and fragrant soaps are also amazing keepsakes to bring back with you. Make sure you’re not buying the Made in China products by shopping at stores that sell the locally-crafted ceramics (and other goodies) – Lisbon Shop, A Vida Portuguesa, and Embaixada are a few of my faves. Embaixada deserves a special mention for its beautiful setting.

Explore

Lisbon is a lively, beautiful city with a ton of things to do and plenty of landmarks to visit. Admiring the many tiled buildings was probably my favorite thing, which is why I’m so sad that we missed out on a visit to the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (aka the Tile Museum). I hear it’s a gem, so check it out if you get a chance.

It was too hot for us to ride the infamous Tram 28, but hanging out along its route to take photos of the passing trams was just as fun.

So beautiful, typical Lisbon architecture

Eat

Lisbon’s foodie scene was definitely a pleasant surprise. Nearly every single meal we had during our trip was a smash hit. There’s a plethora of delicious options at the admittedly touristy Time Out Market; the Piri Piri chicken from the Miguel Laffan stall was my personal favorite, but other restaurants were great too according to my friends and fellow travelers (just watch out for aggressive table stealers).

For a fresh take on ceviche, A Cevicheria is a must-visit. You won’t be impressed with the quantity of food at this tiny resto, but you will certainly love every bite.

Get to know more about Lisbon or some other city you plan to visit, just go to eTips to get all the info you need!

The Ultimate American Experience in Washington DC!

Washington DC will surely share to you the best experience in monuments, museums local music and so much more! Washington DC is situated on the east coast of the USA along the banks of the Potomac River. The city has an area of just under 70 square miles. Washington was founded as the nation's capital in 1791 as soon as you land here you get a sense of the power history metropolis, that represents most visitors the start at the national mall to mild green strip off and referred to as the nation's front lawn.

Visit Washinton DC a monumental city

Our Washington DC Travel Guide and Offline City Map Support will surely help you get to know this amazing place, and will provide some FYI before you get those feet in this exciting city!

Begin your tour of the mall at the zero milestones, the proposed reference point for distances on all US maps. To the north you'll see America's most famous residents the White House, and to the South stands the Washington Monument rising 555 feet as marble obelisk is the centerpiece of the nation.

All the US Capitol building on top of Capitol Hill is the nation seed of federal government rest a while by the reflecting pool surrounded by America's most iconic tributes to its heroes and founding fathers.

Abraham Lincoln majestic monument in Washington DC

It's easy to let your mind wander back through the various chapters of America's history nestled in the trees is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial grave in its walls are the names of tens of thousands of soldiers who lost their lives in the battlefields of Vietnam. The nearby Lincoln memorial is where Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous “I have a dream” speech.

The mall is also a home to many of the nation's Smithsonian building. To learn more about this interesting collection of museum galleries, stop at the information center in the Smithsonian Institution building called the castle. Surely, you will enjoy the Smithsonian national air and space museum where you can let your imagination fly high on historic airplanes or spacecraft that can create your own headlines at the museum and interactive museum dedicated to the world of news media and the Botanic Garden of the Capitol building that offers an escape monuments or museums.

But the mall is not the only attraction in DC to explore the many attractions outside of the mall. The convenient capital Bike share system is available all over the city. In picture-perfect downtown neighborhoods such as Dupont circle, browse bookstores by day and try the cafes by night.

Another charming central suburb is Foggy Bottom, named after the fog that rises from the Potomac River. Here you'll find the Watergate Hotel and the Kennedy Center past Washington circle to get to Georgetown with its 18th century buildings.

It is the oldest district in DC and today, university students in a lively atmosphere Wisconsin Avenue & M Street offer many boutique stores and galleries.

Another family favorite is the International Spy Museum, a play undercover agent in an interactive game. Just across the river in neighboring Virginia is the Nation's most hallowed ground, Arlington National Cemetery, wander among rows of tombstones dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country- President John F. Kennedy's final resting place marked by an eternal flame is one of the most visited graves from Arlington House.

You can look back over DC and its surrounding. Washington has a lot more to walk in the political buildings stately monuments that is so famous and no matter how often you've seen these landmarks news or in movies nothing beats the real thing.

You will surely love this place and the wonderful experiences it can give you. If you want to learn more travel guides, just visit our eTips site! Then travel with knowledge and confidence!

Pack your things and say kon'nichiwa Tokyo, Japan!

Sit down and get to know our etips guide to have a smooth travel in one of the largest cities around the globe! It’s a pretty interesting place and you have to be prepared with all the fun-to-do things in this always on top destination among travelers. Our eTips guide will help you learn about some things with this bright and colourful city!

Cafe’s to visit

Hunt for the unusual yet fun places to relax in these themed cafés such as the robot restaurant, cat café, owl café, reptiles café, ninja, and the Alice in wonderland café. Yes, they are weird but you will surely enjoy every moment!

Foods to eat

You won’t regret to try eating the most popular foods cooked from the local. Try getting some Kushiyaki, Tonkatsu, Sushi, Tamagoyaki and their ever famous ramen.

Enjoy the exquisite Tokyo cuisine

Don Quijote

It’s a marketplace in Tokyo that is extremely busy and is where you will find almost everything you need from food, cosmetics, to gadgets. It’s open 24-hours a day, but the best time to visit is around 9 AM and 9 at night onwards.

Visit Tokyo, visit Asakusa

Yoyogi Park

The most interesting, well lighted, and largest green area in Tokyo. It is located in Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo.There, you will find the Meiji shrine, which is a place for spiritual relazation, yoga or cleansing.

Ginza

It’s a luxury and entertaining district which is the largest in Japan. Known to have huge establishments including brands from all over the world. You may want to spend your time in an outdoor café during your weekends or shop around the famous stores like Cartier, Apple, Uniqlo, Adidas, or Sanyo.

You’ll get a handful of things to do anywhere in Tokyo, and a week visit isn’t really enough to get into the places it is most proud of. Above details for first time travellers are highlights of what Tokyo can provide to your trip. It has always been one of the dream countries of travellers because of the people, culture, interesting boutiques, and many unforgettable sceneries. Check Tokyo Travel Guide and Offline City Map Support to remind yourself of our quick tips for Tokyo travellers!