Georgia is a generous country. She is always ready to share warmth, wine, delicious food, and a good mood. Just what you need in the cold season! An ancient Georgian proverb says: a guest is a messenger of God. Therefore, do not be surprised that in Georgia you will be accepted as a VIP. The best food is for you, the best wine is for you again, the best views are for you all the time. Soon you get used to it and you don’t want to leave here at all. Moreover, in Georgia, there are so many places where you want to visit, so many things to see and try!
Get lost in old Tbilisi
Yes, yes, without maps and a plan! Just walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Residential buildings are located on the steep rocky banks of the Kura. There is even a waterfall here. Downtown! Ever seen this?! Everything wants to be considered indefinitely: streets, balconies, decorated with carvings. Cozy patios also attract like a magnet. After sunset, people pour out into the streets – walk, communicate. Shops are open, restaurants are open, the funicular that connects Old Tbilisi and the modern part is working tirelessly.
Do not miss it! The lopsided building of the Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theatre. Every day at 12.00 and 19.00, a mini-puppet show is played on the tower. To watch the big show inside, tickets must be booked in advance.
Take a steam bath
A great rest for strained muscles after excursions! Abanotubani is an area of sulfur baths in Tbilisi with photographic roofs. For more than a thousand years of its existence, sulfur baths have become a real hallmark of Tbilisi. According to legend, it was thanks to them that the city got its name because in translation “table” means “warm”. Here you can see celebrities, foreign tourists and ordinary sellers from the local market.
Go to Mtskheta
Approximately 20 km from Tbilisi, and here it is – the holy of holies. Once the first capital of the country, and today it is its spiritual center. There are more important and ancient churches here than anywhere else in Georgia. And in the Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, even one of the main shrines of Christianity is kept – the chiton of Jesus Christ. In the same temple, all Georgian kings were crowned.
How to get to? Buses, minibusses, trains, and electric trains run from Tbilisi to Mtskheta. You can also take a taxi.
Stay in Borjomi
Here are the sources of the famous mineral water. The most famous climatic and balneological resort in Georgia has located 160 km from Tbilisi. Healing mineral water directly from the source (there are two of them in Borjomi – Golovinsky, and Ekaterininsky), sulfur baths, thermal pools, mild climate, fresh mountain air, picturesque landscapes – everything here contributes to relaxation and healing. The main local attraction is the cable car, built back in the 60s. XX century. Interestingly, the booths plying along the route resemble the famous label on the Borjomi bottle in appearance.
What to watch? Nearby If possible, it is worth visiting the residence of the Romanovs in the village of Likani, the fortress in Akhaltsikhe, the mountain lake Tabatskuri.
Fall in love with Sighnaghi
Perhaps this is the most romantic city in Georgia. It was built on top of a hill overlooking the Caucasus Mountains and the Alazani Valley. Small, with tiled roofs, winding streets, pretty houses, Singnaghi makes an amazing impression. A powerful fortress wall with 23 towers has survived to this day – each bears the name of a nearby village.
For lovers In the city of love, you can get married without unnecessary hassle and documents. Registry offices here work around the clock.
Prepare for excess baggage
There are a lot of things I want to bring home to relatives and friends. The road to Sighnaghi winds through the Alazani Valley – the birthplace of the most famous Georgian wines. Of course, it’s impossible to be here and not buy a bottle or two. And do not forget to stock up on delicious churchkhela, nuts, and spices. And by the way, you will not find such fragrant lemons and tangerines as in Georgia anywhere else (the beginning of winter is just the time for picking citrus fruits). Do you love jewelry? Pay attention to the Georgian cloisonne enamel – minakari. The local masters adopted this technique from the Byzantines.
Churchkhela Real (read – the most delicious) is made from Saperavi grapes. The rest is for tourists.
To ski
From the beginning of December to the end of April, the ski resorts of Georgia are waiting for tourists!
Gudauri is located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range at an altitude of 2196 m. The resort has 14 lifts, including 6 chairlifts, the total length of the slopes is more than 70 km.
Bakuriani is located at an altitude of about 1700 m in the Borjomi Gorge. There are 12 lifts, 4 equipped tracks with a length of 18 km. Excellent conditions for both professionals and amateurs.
Note to the tourist
- Currency lari (1 lari = approx. 10 UAH).
- Visa is not needed.
- flight from Kyiv to Tbilisi takes approx. 2.5 hours.
- Find detailed information about Georgia on the georgia.travel website.
Gratitude for assistance in preparing the material of the National Tourism Administration of Georgia
