How to find history, adventure & ancient wines in Georgia
For such a tiny country, Georgia bursts with cultural attractions, natural wonders and culinary experiences. The Caucasus Mountains drift along the north and south while the Black Sea edges the western coast. As for the east, that's wine country.
Getting around this mountainous nation couldn't be easier: fast trains connect the main cities of Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Marking the crossroads of Europe and Asia, a holiday in Georgia* gives a taste of both continents.
Getting there: find affordable small group tours with Explore!* and the experts at Wild Frontiers*, which also offers tailor-made holidays to the country.
Tbilisi, the Balcony of Europe
Georgia's labyrinthine capital is the starting point for any Caucasian odyssey. Old Tbilisi is a joy to explore on foot with wrought-iron balconies and magnolia-festooned courtyards providing ample photography opportunities in all seasons.
Ornate thermal bath houses stud the Abanotubani neighbourhood where you can rent a private suite for an hour of wellness.
The Botanical Garden and Narikala Fortress rise in the background with the emblematic Mother of Georgia watching over the city. She bears a cup of wine (for friends) and a sword (for foes).
Beyond Vake's trendy wine bars and Sololaki's cocktail lounges, swing by Fabrika, a Soviet-era sewing factory-turned cultural centre.
Hikers can explore the Mtatsminda and Kojori trails and bargain hunters can scoop curiosities at the Dry Bridge Market.
Ancient cave monasteries
Georgia's rock-hewn cities and monasteries are some of the country's most fascinating sites. Closest to Tbilisi*, the David Gareja Monastery was founded in the 6th century by the monk Davit of Gareji.
The multi-monastery complex sits on the border with Azerbaijan in the Udabno region, which means "desert" in Georgian. Tours from Tbilisi include stops to admire the Rainbow Hills.
The Vardzia Cave Monastery is even older, with roots in the Bronze Age. As with David Gareja, Vardzia* remains partially inhabited by monks. Akhaltsikhe is the nearest city but Vardzia may be visited as a day trip from Kutaisi, Batumi or Tbilisi.
Uplistsikhe differs from the monasteries as it was conceived as a town where cave residences exist alongside ceremonial spaces. It makes sense to tag Uplistsikhe onto a Gori outing or book a tour that stops at both.
Shemomechama & supra
Shemomechama is a Georgian word for "accidentally" eating to excess. Everyone's been there but only in Sakartvelo is there a name for it, and over-indulging is a traveller's rite of passage!
Georgian supra (feast) culture encourages the sharing of dishes. Khachapuri (cheesy bread) and khinkali (giant soupy dumplings stuffed with meat, cheese, potatoes or mushrooms) are the most famous Georgian dishes. Adjarian khachapuri is the iconic canoe-shaped shotis puri bread topped with a month's worth of butter and a runny egg yolk.
There are lighter options on the menu. Nigvziani badrijani (aubergine and walnut rolls) is a moreish starter. A signature Georgian salad tosses thickly chopped tomatoes, cucumbers and slices of onion under a walnut dressing. It sounds simple but Georgian greens hit differently.
Rest assured that a steaming bowl of kharcho, an aromatic beef and wine stew, will keep the winter chill at bay. Over on the balmy Black Sea, you can pick up the freshest catch at Batumi Fish Market and have one of the seaside restaurants turn it into a meal.
The Black Sea & magnetic sand
The Black Sea beach resorts enjoy a near-subtropical climate. Batumi, the capital of the Adjara region, is a popular summer destination where experimental architecture contrasts the olde-worlde Europe Square.
Visit the Ali and Nino art installation at dusk and watch the lovers, the Romeo and Juliet of the Caucasus, reunite. Sameba Church and the Argo Cable Car cough up the most panoramic views.
A pebble beach is the sole downside to Batumi. Fortunately, there are sandy bays north of the city in the Guria region; a short drive in a rental car or with public marshrutka buses.
Ureki, Shekvetili and Magnetiti beaches have black magnetic sand rich in iron minerals thought to benefit common ailments.
Compelling historic sights
Ever-present churches and monasteries reveal insight into Georgia's Eastern Orthodox culture. The remote Gergeti Trinity Church, set to a dramatic backdrop of Mount Kazbek, stored precious relics during times of conflict.
Back in Tbilisi, the Open Air Museum of Ethnography exhibits rural houses and recreates country life.
Sataplia Nature Reserve in the Imereti region preserves dinosaur footprints and, in conjunction with the Prometheus Cave, is a wonderful day out with kids.
In the same area, Tskaltubo is an abandoned spa town where you'll wander among opulent 20th-century sanatoria standing in ruin atop radon-carbonate springs.
Georgia is most known for its Soviet history. One floor of the Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi is dedicated to the occupation and Brutalist landmarks dot the streets. Joseph Stalin's childhood home and bulletproof train carriage are part of the Stalin Museum in Gori.
Great outdoors
Before the Kingdom of Georgia was founded, Sakartvelo was divided into Colchis and Iberia. That's the same Colchis where Jason and the Argonauts sought the Golden Fleece; this mythological region is now preserved by UNESCO as the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands.
Trails weave through the Mtirala National Park and boating excursions take place in the Kolkheti National Park.
Borjomi, the source of Georgia's carbonated mineral water, is a delightful resort in the country's heartland surrounded by emerald-green valleys. There are hikes of varying lengths as well as sulphur pools, spa hotels and wholesome restaurants dishing up local fare.
Tusheti National Park* is one of the most ambitious destinations. This isolated region is only accessible during summer. Svaneti National Park* offers similarly powerful scenery minus the perilous roads.
An homage to the birthplace of wine
Georgia's 8,000-year-old winemaking history is inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Wineries uphold traditional techniques using Qvevri earthenware vessels for fermentation and ageing.
Saperavi, the native red grape, is versatile enough to produce the full spectrum of sweet, semi-sweet, dry and rosé wines. Rkatsiteli dominates the white landscape and is often blended with Mtsvane grapes to create Tsinandali.
The Kakheti wine region has glorious weather between May and September when Rtveli harvest events begin.
It's typical to be gifted homemade wine when checking into family-owned hotels in Georgia. Even border agents are known to hand out mini bottles of wine at Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports honouring the Georgian belief that any guest is a gift from God.
Climate in Georgia
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The above guide shows the climate in Tbilisi. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Georgia.
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