The beginning of 2025 kicked off with an amazing time spent by our team in the original Kino base of Newcastle, the charming, historic city in the North East of England. For some of us, it was our first visit, and we already know it won’t be the last!
Our Friday evening began with BattleKart in Gateshead – a unique blend of go-karting and augmented reality gaming. We took part in BattleRace, BattleColor, BattleSnake, and BattleFoot, making it an unforgettable experience filled with excitement and friendly competition. After spending time on the track, we headed to Zucchini Pasta Bar for some great Italian food (though we were so hungry that no one even thought to take a group photo). Following our meal, we made our way to Redhouse for a drink to round off the evening.
Some of us, particularly those visiting for the first time, spent the next day exploring Newcastle, which was lively that day due to a protest and the Newcastle 10K January 2025 run, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying a walk through the city and admiring famous bridges and architectural buildings. Newcastle has as many as seven bridges crossing the River Tyne, the most famous of which is the Tyne Bridge, connecting Newcastle to Gateshead.
“Newcastle was a pleasant surprise! I didn’t have high expectations at first, but it turned out to be much more fun than I imagined.”
Minh
Our day also included visits to Discovery Museum – museum of science and local history, Laing Art Gallery – a hub for British painting and decorative arts, Newcastle Castle – a medieval fortress, as well as a stop at Grainger Market – a marketplace dating back to 1835, featuring vendors selling produce, meat and unique vintage finds.
“It was great to explore the city in good company and learn some interesting facts, especially from our local team members (shout-out to Simon! 😊) Who knows, maybe next time we’ll go to another city – or even another country.“
Karo
From history and architecture to lovely streets and great food, Newcastle had it all. Those were the days of exploring, laughing and making memories, and we’re already wondering… where to next?
Photos: Karo Laptas 📸