TBILISI
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and lies in the Eastern part of the country in
the foothills of the Trialeti mountain range. According to Georgian legends, it was
founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali and the superb Old Town shows
off its roots as an ancient crossroad between Europe and Asia, with its narrow, winding
alleys, handsome religious buildings, traditional balconied houses and caravanserais.
Politically, culturally, economically and socially, Tbilisi is the centre of the
country, welcoming businessmen, politicians and tourists from all over the world.
Thanks to its history, location and background, Tbilisi is one of the great treasures
of world cities, with so many cultures and conquests leaving their mark. Visiting
is a full, sensory experience and to get the best out of your trip to Tbilisi, here
are just a few of the amazing sights to see and things to do.
BATUMI
Batumi is a city which visitors find easy to fall in love with, thanks to its unique
blend of subtropical coastline and beaches, framed by spectacular snow-capped mountains
and boasting a legendary nightlife. The health restoring qualities of this combination
of sea and mountain air is renowned and perhaps one reason why Georgia boasts an
unusually high number of centenarians. The fields around the city are mostly tea
and citrus plantations, spotted with ancient ruins and their sweet fragrance diffuses
throughout the area. Just 9km north of Batumi at Mtsvane Kontskhi (GreenCape), the
Batumi Botanical Garden grows thousands of beautiful species of plants – there are
over 1,200 species of roses alone. Thanks to Adjara’s unique micro-climate, gardens
can grow an astonishing variety of plants from different regions and climates, all
side by side. Marvel at the full impact of so many species together in one place,
or simply breathe in the scent from these spectacular plants.
MTSKHETA
Mtskheta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been inhabited since before 1,000
BC and was once the capital of the early kingdom of Iberia, (today’s Eastern Georgia).
Just 20 km from today’s capital Tbilisi, and situated at the confluence of the Mtkvari
and Aragvi rivers, the city is located on an ancient trade route. Archaeologists
have unearthed evidence of Mtskheta’s status as a major trading post. Glass perfume
bottles, Greek and Aramaic writings, pottery, metalwork and jewellery are all found
in abundance beneath the ground here, and many examples are on show in the town’s
fine Museum. The ancient geographer Strabo, described Mtskheta as a highly developed
city with a water supply system, markets and stone houses. Mtskheta was also the
religious centre of the country, with a number of major shrines to Georgia’s pagan
pantheon, these would later be replaced by churches when St. Nino converted the country
to Christianity in around 337 AD. Although the capital was moved to the more easily
defended Tbilisi at the beginning of the 6th century, Mtskheta continued to be the
coronation and burial place of Georgian kings, and the seat of the Patriarch, who
is also known as the Bishop of Mtskheta. Today, the lovely old town has a laid back,
village feel, especially after the more hectic pace of Tbilisi.
USHGULI
Ushguli’s ancient constructions, just like the towers and churches of Svaneti, are
under the protection of UNESCO. A historical settlement located in the very East
of Svaneti, Ushguli is one of the highest settlements in Europe (2,000-2,200 metres
above sea level). It was part of the so-called “Free Svaneti” as for centuries the
people here defended the region against numerous attacks. The Church of Saint Mary
is located on one of the highest points in Ushguli and it is also the home to the
remnants of one of the most ancient fortresses of Svaneti with 37 towers, dating
back to the reign of Queen Tamar. There is also superb hiking and climbing in the
area, while horse riding and mountain biking are also available.{slider=Vardzia}The
cave town of Vardzia is one of the most important and impressive historic monuments
in Georgia. At an altitude of 1300 metres above sea level, and starting 100 metres
above the valley floor, the caves continue up for half a kilometre and had 13 floors,
connected by a complex system of tunnels. Vardzia was built by King George III in
1156-1184 and this incredible town quickly grew to consist of over 3,000 caves that
could accommodate 50,000 people at a time. The Vardzia complex had living quarters,
refectories, barns, wine cellars (marani), stables, drugstores and even libraries.
The town had a potable water supply and a sewerage system
TELAVI
Telavi is home to several of the region’s world-famous wineries, art museums, castles
and a theatre highlighting folk singing and dancing. Telavi is located on the crossroad
of the region and is an ideal place to stop for a lunch or an excellent jumping-off
point for two or three-day excursions.
SHATILI
Shatili is one of the most brilliant masterpieces of Georgian architecture. This
village is scattered on the slopes of a rocky hill and served both as a
residence and a fortress. For many centuries it served to defend northern passes
in the Caucasus leading to Georgia (now restored). The village is lined with closely
built tower-houses, which makes a solid and inaccessible fortress wall surrounding
the whole village. Shatili is linked with the outer world only by a narrow road leading
to Arghuni gorge. The architecture is based on terraces of flat-roofed houses and
towers, with narrow stone stairs leading to the top between the buildings. An interesting
feature is the bridges made of bones and several still remain today. They were used
to traverse the village without having to go outside when the enemy invaded.
MESTIA
Mestia, the main regional centre of Zemo Svaneti, is situated 456km from Georgia’s
capital city, Tbilisi and is 1,500 metres above sea level. Mestia is the starting
point for most trips to Svaneti, with a range of hotels, guesthouses and local travel
services. It is a convenient base for exploring the area. From the centre of the
town it is possible to hike up to the glaciers at the foot of mount Ushba, or take
horses up to the pristine alpine meadows. Plus, a new ski resort makes it possible
to ski or snowboard even in the height of summer. Tourists interested in religious
history will find plenty of examples of wall paintings, frescoes and icons from the
Middle Ages in the churches around Mestia. Within Mestia, Saint George Church has
preserved crosses and icons from the 12th century. Also, Pusdi Church still contains
fragments of 13th century wall paintings.
GUDAURI
Gudauri, at over 2,000 metres above sea level is situated on the Georgian military
road near the Cross Mountain Pass of the main Caucasus range, about 120km from Tbilisi.
Even in mild winters, Gudauri offers reliable snow cover from November through May.
The total length of groomed ski runs are over 20km and are suitable for all skiers,
from beginners to experts. Gudauri is well known for its winter activities and hosts
ski and snowboard competitions and sports festivals every year. Gudauri is also a
great summer destination, offering bird watching, trekking, horseback riding and
rafting
GAREJA
Gareja is the largest complex of monasteries in Georgia, where famous historical
figures lived and worked in ancient times. Built between the 6-18th Century, the
monastery is all the more remarkable for being carved entirely out of rock. It was
once a Royal monastery and the churches represent almost the entire range of architectural
and artistic styles from the 6th century onwards, while its original frescos are
equally stunning.
BORJOMI
The Mineral Water Park of Borjomi is a fascinating year round experience. Everyone
has their own favorite season here, and they all have their own splendor and beauty.
The park covers 30 hectares of the gorge and is the recreation center of Borjomi.The
most famous and incredible thing about Borjomi is its unique mineral waters that
are at least the equal of the world’s best. Its natural high purity and healthy chemical
components make it not only pleasant to drink but also a perfect preventive and curative
against a number of diseases. The water is rich in the most important and necessary
micro-elements for life and each spring the region is characterized by the effect
these various properties have on the wildlife. There are hundreds of different springs
and each one has its own unique taste and temperature. The water’s curative effects
were well known to the locals since ancient times and a stone bathing tub dating
back to the 1st century BC was recently found here.
BAKURIANI
Bakuriani, the great mountain resort of Georgia, is a feast for snow-lovers and skiers.
It is an internationally known winter sports centre, built to Olympic standards and
many sportsmen and women come here to practice. But novices and children alike equally
enjoy their first winter sports steps in this winter paradise. Off the slopes, one
of the most interesting places to visit in Bakuriani is the Botanical Garden, which
opened in 1910. Over 1,500 species of plants provide a rich collection of Alpine
and Sub-Alpine vegetation
ANANURI FORTRESS
The fairy-tale Ananuri ensemble is beautifully situated on the Georgian Military
Highway, on the shore of the azure blue Zhinvali reservoir. Zurab Aragveli, who is
responsible for building much of what is now seen, was a ruthless local prince known
for attacking neighbouring mountain clans and even blinding his own brother. In spite
of this, the complex he produced rates as one of the top sites of Georgia, with two
churches and a watchtower squeezed almost impossibly inside massive defensive walls
with huge battlements.
SIGNAGI
The name of the town comes from Turkish word “Signak” meaning a shelter and has had
a rich history as a centre for tradesmen and artisans. The winding cobblestone streets,
Italian architecture, and 18th century walls create a charming atmosphere. Down the
hill from the main town there are several historic churches. Stay the night and enjoy
the hospitality of the innkeepers and restaurateurs.
A centre for local Kakhetian folk song and dance, Sighnaghi is one of the best locations
to join a supra hosted by a local winery and find yourself in the very middle of
the fiery, impassioned polyphonic singing that characterises Georgia.
Sighnaghi museum shows many archaeological, ethnographical and medieval exhibits
and artefacts including musical instruments, weapons, clothes and many other historical
items of everyday life. The most remarkable exhibition is the paintings of Niko Pirosmanashvili,
the greatest Georgian self-taught artist of the 19th century.
KUTAISI
Kutaisi, Imereti’s main city, is Georgia’s second largest city after Tbilisi. The
elegant, tree lined streets of the 19th century houses stretching down to the banks
of the Rioni River, along with several attractive parks, make Kutaisi a very beautiful
place to stroll around and to take in some of the many sights. In the Jewish Quarter
a number of Synagogues demonstrate the long history of the Georgian Jewish community.
The town’s largest synagogue, built in 1866 can seat 500 worshipers and the magnificent
churches of Bagrati and Gelati – both UNESCO world heritages sites – testify to the
importance of the region.
KAZBEGI
Kazbegi National Park is located on the northern slopes of the mighty Caucasus range
and its protected area covers a total of over 8,700 hectares. At 5,047 metres above
sea level, Kazbegi mountain (or Mkinvartsveri) is the third highest mountain in Georgia,
and is surrounded in myth and religious history. According to the Greek myth, as
punishment for teaching mankind how to make fire, the Titan Prometheus was chained
to a mountainside in the Caucasus for all eternity. According to Georgian stories,
it was the icy slopes of Kazbegi to which he was chained. Prometheus (known as Amirani
in Georgia) was apparently imprisoned in a cave 4,000 metres up. The cave, now called
Betlemi (Bethlehem), later served as a dwelling for orthodox monks, and was said
to contain many sacred relics, including Abraham’s tent and Christ’s manger. Hot
springs, acidic and carbonated lakes surround the mountain, and earth tremors are
fairly frequent. Covered with 135 square kilometres of glacier, Kazbegi is a great
place for ice climbing and mountaineering. The Darial Gorge is an almost impossibly
steep cleft in the mountains connecting Russia and Georgia, running for 18km from
Stepantsminda to the Russian border at Zemo Larsi. For millennia, this mountain passage
has been strategically crucial, and has been fortified since at least 150 BC. In
places, the cliff faces are more than 1,000m high, and medieval watchtowers, waterfalls
and wildlife make this one of the most incredible roads in the world. The steep valleys
either side of the gorge are great places for bird watching. Eagles, hawks and the
massive griffon vultures all nest among the rocky outcrops.
TUSHETI
The fascinating and exclusive area of Tusheti is hidden away in the Caucasus mountains
along Kakheti’s northern border with Russia. The Abanos Pass is only open from mid-June
to early October and travellers should expect the unexpected as you wind your way
between the steep cliffs. Tusheti has a truly unique cultural heritage, and locals
still practice their own form of Orthodox Christianity. Small stone towers dot the
landscape and mark the ancient sites of ritual animal sacrifices. For an extra adventure
and to gain a deeper insight into the local culture, many homestays are available.
OMALO
Omalo is a principal village in the Tusheti province of Georgia. It lies between
the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the Pirikita Range of Tusheti. Due to Omalo's
high mountain location on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range
and the absence of well-maintained roads, it is largely isolated from the rest of
Georgia for most of the year. The only access road is through the Abano pass at 2,850
metres. Omalo is the highest populated settlement in Europe.
GORI
The original fortress, constructed on a hilltop was named Gori (meaning hill in English)
and was mentioned in Georgian annals as early as the 7th century. Some historians
believe that the fortress was built by Byzantine Caesar Heraclius to store ammunition
when he fought against Persians. However, it wasn’t until the 11th century that the
area became an active centre for trade which is why some historians believe that
David the Builder founded the town. Because of its geographical location, enemies
frequently targeted the fortress, as conquering it meant controlling the whole Shida
Kartli region. As such the fortress has been invaded many times and controlled by
Ossetians, Iranians and Persians, amongst others. The stronghold has been destroyed
and rebuilt many times. The fortress was built in 1774, during the reign of Erekle
II, but it was significantly damaged during an earthquake in 1920. The Stalin Museum
includes the memorial house where Joseph Stalin (1879-1953) was born, a museum building
with a tower and Stalin’s personal carriage he used to visit Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam.
There are many unique exhibits displayed here, including Stalin’s personal belongings
and collections of paintings, photos, films and other important historical works
and items.
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