If you would have asked us about Tbilisi or Georgia six months ago, I would have said: “what do you mean, Georgia the State”. Well, now I can’t get enough of this remarkable Country; Tbilisi, the capital, is a beautiful, complicated, layered city with a tremendous amount of history. So, be careful, for Tbilisi will grab you by your heart and not let you go. Our Guide To Tbilisi City, Experience All Its Hidden Secrets, will help you navigate this fascinating City. Come experience Tbilisi with us. We spent six weeks in this lovely City from December to Mid January. Enjoying and exploring this historic and fascinating city. Lots to see and do.
Georgia is located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a part of the Caucasus region, bounded to the west by the Black Sea, north and east by Russia, south by Turkey and Armenia, and southeast by Azerbaijan.
Some History About Tbilisi City
Tbilisi was founded in 458 (read the story below) when the capital was transferred from nearby Mtskheta. Tbilisi City had a strategic position on the silk road. Often captured and sacked, it had many masters. The Persians in the 6th century, the Byzantines, and the Arabs in the 7th. In 1122 Tbilisi was restored as the capital, but in 1234 it fell to the Mongols, and in 1386 it was sacked by Timur. The Turks captured Tbilisi on several occasions; in 1795, it was burned to the ground by the Persians. Additionally, in 1801, Tbilisi was captured by the Russians. In 1921 Georgia was again invaded by the Russians and ruled over for 70 years until it voted for independence on March 31, 1991.
The Tale Of Tbilisis And Its Name
According to legend, in the 5th century, the King of Kartli, Vakhtang, was hunting when his falcon caught a pheasant in mid-air but then disappeared. When they found the birds, they discovered they had fallen into a hot spring and died. The King was so impressed with the sulfur springs that he decided to build a city on the site. Tbilisi City stood on numerous sulphuric hot springs and was named after the old Georgian word “tbili,” which means warm.
Tbilisi City Old Town
Old Town is a must as many attractions can be found here. Most of the sights of Tbilisi are centered in Old Town. Therefore, it is the main center of tourist attractions. This district is distinguished by Abanotubani, with functioning sulfur baths, churches, museums, restaurants, open-air cafes, nightclubs, galleries, and more. Another main charm of old Tbilisi is the architecture – old streets, vendors, wooden carved houses balconies. You will find the Narikala Fortress, Mother of Georgia, and the National Botanical Garden on the hill. You can take the Aerial Tramway across the river to reach the top.
The Magic of Tbilisi City During Christmas
The thing you need to know is that the country of Georgia is mostly Orthodox. This means that Christmas is celebrated on January 7 as they follow the Julian Calendar. This in itself is a unique experience. The Christmas experience in Tbilisi City has been incredible; it has been a very long time since I’ve felt the spirit of Christmas. Several things make this possible. Firstly, the weather makes it easy and comfortable to wander the Christmas-decorated streets, enjoying the sights and listening to the best Christmas carols, in English, I might add.
The Christmas season starts around December 14 when the massive tree in front of the Parliament building is lit. Other must-see sites on this avenue include Freedom Square, where the statue of St. George is decorated, and then there is the avenue itself which is lit up; you can’t help but get into the festive feeling of Christmas.
Starting December 24, Christmas markets open; two markets can be found in and around Dedaena Park near the Dry Market Bridge. These markets sell food, body-warming Glint Wine (mulled), and homemade trinkets. These vary from jewelry to warming wool slippers and such. Christmas carols are listened to while experiencing the markets, there is something for everyone. Markets generally open at noonish and go into the night. The one around Grigol Orbeliani Garden seems to be more focused on young adults, later in the evening, crowds start to gather, where drinks may be purchased.
Another Christmas tradition is the tree; here in Georgia, they display a chichilaki. Chichilaki is made from dried hazelnut or walnut branches shaved to form a small coniferous tree. These white-colored ornaments differ in height from 20 cm (8 in) to 3 meters (10 feet). Chichilakis can be purchased at most markets and are very inexpensive.
New Year’s Eve 2021
We had plans to go out and enjoy New Year’s Eve 2021 because we were in this magical City of Tbilisi. Everything so far about Tbilisi has been an amazing experience. This proved to be no exception; we planned to visit sulfur Bathhouse #5 to take the chill off of the winter evening. Then off to have an Indian dinner (Taj Mahal Restaurant); Tbilisi offers many delicious choices when you want to go and enjoy a tasty dinner. Lastly, we took the Aerial Tramway to Narikala Fortress to watch the New Year’s Fireworks. We got up top early and found a good spot to observe the incredible fireworks display.
By 11:30, all good spots were taken up by fellow spectators. The fireworks show started in earnest just before midnight. The best fireworks show that I have seen, simply awesome. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Tbilisi around New Year, make sure that you do. This is one show that you do not want to miss—a New Year’s Celebration to remember. Something to note is that the Fireworks themselves are put on by individuals, not by the City Of Tbilisi; this makes it that much more impressive.
Things To Do In Tbilisi City
Tbilisi City offers so much to see and do. First and foremost, you need to visit Old Town Tbilisi. This is where you can find the most touristy activities, plus so much history. From Old Town, you can head in any direction and find something interesting. Below is a list of destinations that most people might enjoy, so if you are looking for places to visit, give it a try; you will not be disappointed. This is by no means a complete list of activities but a place to start. We stayed in Tbilisi for six weeks and saw 20 of the listed destinations. Pick one and have fun. Let us know what you think.
| Sulfur Baths | Narikala Fortress | Mother Georgia | Mtatsminda Park |
| Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi | Rezo Gabriadze Theatre | Dry Bridge Flea Market | Dezerter Market |
| Holy Trinity Cathedral | Ride The Tbilisi Funicular | Visit Mtatsminda Park | Ferris Wheel Mtatsminda Park |
| National Botanical Garden | Mtatsminda Pantheon | Metekhi St. Virgin Church | Ride Aerial Tramway |
| Air Balloon Tbilisi | Chronicle of Georgia | Tbilisi Reservoir | Turtle Lake |
| Georgian Museum of Fine Arts | The National Gallery | Cha Cha Corner | Georgian National Museum |
| Double Decker Bus Tour | Walking Tour | Weekend Market | Tbilisi Central Mosque |
Narikala Fortress
Towering over the district of Abanotubani is Fortress Narikala. Narikala Fortress was built in the 4th century, around the time the City itself was founded. Later the Fortress was expanded several times. In 1827 the Fortress was destroyed by an earthquake, and the citadel has not been restored since. The Fortress contains St. Nicolas temple dating back to the 12th century. Inside the Temple are frescos showing scenes from both the Bible and the history of Georgia.
There are several ways to get to Narikala Fortress. You can walk up from the Abanotubani district near the sulfur bath area or take the Aerial Tramway (2 lari, I think). You need a Metromoney pass card to pay. The last is to climb up the stairs to Mother Georgia and walk over to the Fortress. We enjoyed our visit to the Fortress; there are nice views over the City. You must practice caution while climbing around the ruins of the Fortress, as there are no safeguards like railings. The Temple located within Narikala Fortress walls is incredibly beautiful inside.
Mother Georgia
The statue of Mother Georgia was erected on the top of Sololaki hill in 1958. The year Tbilisi celebrated its 1500th anniversary. Georgian sculptor Elguja Amashukeli designed the twenty-meter aluminum figure of a woman in a Georgian national dress. It’s said that the statue symbolizes the Georgian national character. In her left hand, she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends, and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies.
We walked up to see her, a bit of a climb with all the steps; you could take the Aerial Tramway. Mother Georgia stands tall, looking over Tbilisi. A worthwhile site, day or night, she shines.
Visit Mtatsminda Park Over Looking Tbilisi City
We visited Mtatsminda Park because we wanted to ride the Funicular. We got sidetracked before reaching the Lower Funicular station. Decided to visit Mtatsminda Pantheon because it looked interesting. So we had to check it out. Well, let me tell you that this was quite a walk uphill, a beautiful location. The final resting place of many legendary authors, dancers, national heroes, including scholars.
After this, we decided to continue up the hill as we were already halfway there. The climb almost killed us. After reaching the top, we stopped for a well-deserved bottle of water. Walking around, we saw this would be a fascinating place to take kids. There are rides and other interactive games and such. Cindy and I decided to take a ride on the 262-foot Ferris wheel. We enjoyed the views that this vantage point provided. After riding the Ferris wheel, we caught our Funicular back down the hill, which was so much easier than walking up the mountain.
Visiting the Sulfur Baths Abanotubani, A Must
Visting Sulphur baths in Tbilisi is a must, one of the most pleasant, relaxing, and memorable experiences you can have; we loved it. The name “Tbilisi” comes from the word “warm place,” and the widely taught myth of the City’s founding involves these natural hot springs.
Abanotubani neighborhood in Old Tbilisi is said to have less than a dozen different sulfur bathhouses in one location. Some are below ground level, and some have semi-circular domed ceilings that allow natural light to stream in. You can easily see these dooms that rise above the ground as you walk the area. The ceilings also function like little chimneys for sulfur steam and fresh air circulation in the baths. The sulfuric water is warm (38-40 degrees Celsius); it is said to have therapeutic properties to help with various skin ailments and digestion, insomnia, and arthritis. The best part is they are a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Visitors can choose between public baths (communal sex-segregated pools where everyone bathes together) or private rooms. Everything is charged by the hour. Prices range from 5 GEL to the public baths, up to 200 gel or more for a luxury room with a private sauna and room for changing, plus a bathroom. These private rooms depending on size can accommodate two persons up to as many as ten.
What To Know Before You Go For Your Bath
Do you want to rent a private room or go to the public bath? We would recommend renting a private room your first time. You probably should book ahead, but this being winter months and Covid, we found that you could book in person and maybe wait a short time for a room to open. If you rent a private room, you can go nude, as no one else has access to your space unless you have requested a kisi scrub. I would recommend renting a towel from the bathhouse at the cost of 2 gels. Inexpensive; our room had a hairdryer and slippers to use. This way you do not need to bring anything with you when you come. Bring cash, as they do not all take credit cards.
Our Experience In The Bathhouse
We headed toward the bathhouse district with a bag with our swimwear in it. After arriving, we choose the Royal bathhouse for no particular reason. Entering, we talked to the receptionist; we wanted the least expensive room at 80 gel, but the bath was booked, so we had to take the room for 100 gel. We ordered a kisi scrub for us both and some tea when finished. I went to pay using a credit card; they do not accept cards, so I had to go back to our place and grab some cash. Thankfully only ten minutes walk away. We left a deposit for the next hour, the 80-gel room would be available at that time. After this, we always carried cash as we had this same issue at some restaurants.
Getting back, we paid for our bath, scrub, and tea at the cost of 134 gel. Waited in the lounge area for several minutes, then we were shown to our room and told to lock the door and that the Mekise would arrive in 15-20 minutes to start the scrub. At this point, we changed and wondered about nude or bathing suits. Went nude as we could put on our suits when the Mekise arrived. Knock on the door, and a woman comes to give Cindy her kisi scrub. In the nude, no time to change worked out for the best.
The scrub consists of a mitt used to scrub the whole body, starting face-down, then a wash with several buckets of sulfur water thrown on at different stages of rinsing off. Then time to turn over and repeat the process. After the woman was finished with Cindy, she indicated that someone else would come to do me. Shortly after, a gentleman came in, and it was my turn; I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. It felt good with no awkward moments. Highly recommend.
After our kisi scrubs, we went back into the changing area and enjoyed our tea and canned fruit, which was delicious. I can’t say enough about the experience, loved it. Now we can say with confidence that the next visit will go smoother.
After your bath, there are several eating places in this part of the town. Could there be a better way to finish your day off than an excellent Georgian meal and some wine?
Thai Massage
Yet another way to pamper yourself here in Tbilisi City is to partake in a Thai Massage. There are many in and around the old town and the outlying area. The massages offered vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour plus the type of massage offered. It’s an excellent way to pamper yourself, they are very inexpensive. We went every week in Tbilisi and very much enjoyed the Thai Massage experience.
Visit The Chronicle Of Georgia Monument
We had heard about the Chronicle Of Georgia through reading other blogs, it was recommended to visit as it was a fantastic monument. So nearing the end of our stay in Tbilisi City, we decided to do just that, visit the Monument. Looking at google maps and using Moovit, we felt it should be easy to get to. We had the choice of either bus or the Metro, we chose the Metro as it was quicker, and we enjoyed taking the Metro so much easier and quicker
After catching the Metro at Liberty Square, we rode the Metro until Guramishvili station. From here, it was a 3-km walk, or should I say hike, as most of this was an uphill climb to reach the Chronicle Of Georgia monument. We stayed and visited for about one hour, Enjoying the view over the City and the reservoir, but the Monument took the show. Incredible, we highly recommend visiting this spectacular Monument to Georgia’s History.
The Chronicle of Georgia (or History Memorial of Georgia) is a monument near the Tbilisi reservoir. It was created by Zurab Tsereteli in 1985 but was never fully finished. The Monument chronicles the history of Georgia. The Monument sits at the top of a large set of stairs. Sixteen pillars are between 30–35 meters tall, and the top half features kings, queens, and heroes, while the bottom part depicts stories from the life of Christ.
Walking the Streets Of Tbilisi Things To See
When walking the main streets of Tbilisi, you may notice that there are no crosswalks available to cross the busy streets. Tbilisi uses underground passageways to move people from one side of the street to the other. In most of these underground passageways, you will find businesses trying to sell their wares. The underground passageway signs are hard to spot initially, but you will pick up on them after a while.
When going for a walk, cross the river to the other side and leave the old town behind. Take the pedestrian bridge of peace, a modern-looking walkway. Once in Rite park, you will see Air Balloon Tbilisi ride that takes you up into the sky and gives you a birds-eye view over the City. In this area, you will find the Aerial Tramway that you can catch for a small fee using your metromoney card and ride up to the top of the hill to the Fortress.
You have to walk the streets of this Tbilisi City. There are so many hidden secrets/surprises around every corner you turn, and we turned a lot of corners. One day we walked over twenty Km just taking in the different scenery from historic buildings and apartments that I’m sure are from the Soviets era. There are stunning churches and Monasteries all-around Tbilisi City to be seen. Let’s not forget the many markets and landmarks from Mother Georgia to the sulfur bathhouses and Freedom Square, which can be found on the main Avenue of Shota Rustaveli.
Hikes That Will Give You Amazing Views Of Tbilisi
If your looking for a good workout hike, here are two that will get your heart pumping. First, walk up to Mtatsminda Pantheon, which is a Landmark cemetery & final resting place of legendary authors, dancers, national heroes & scholars of Georgian fame. After viewing this incredible resting place, continue upward to Mtatsminda View Point. This hike is a heart-throbbing 330-meter increase; at the top is a fabulous view of the City. While you are up here, take a ride on the 262-foot Ferris wheel. Don’t forget to take the Funicular back down. It’s a treat and a lot easier way to get back down the hill.
The second hike is to walk up and see Betlemi Lower Church and take a look inside, then continue your way up the hill and visit Mother Georgia, who stands tall with a wine bowl in her hand to welcome the friendly, but in the other, she has a sword to defend Georgia from any and all aggressors. After reaching the top, you can make your way to Narikala Fortress and then back down to the sulfur bathhouses of Abanotubani.
Alternate Methods of Getting Around Tbilisi
As I said earlier, walking is a great way to get around Tbilisi, to a point. If you need to travel a great distance, then several methods of transportation are at your disposal. There are buses, Metro, and taxis. To use either the buses or Metro, you will need a passcard called a Metromoney card. This card you swipe when entering the bus or at the entry to the Subway. The metromoney card is easy to purchase and top up. Each time the card is used, it will cost you .5 lari, which is an excellent deal. When using the bus system, we suggest using the app Moovit as this App tells you which buses to catch to get to a requested destination. We found that it worked great.
The other option to get around town is a taxi; we used Bolt as this was recommended by a fellow blogger, wander-lush, and we found that it worked very well for our needs. There is another service out there that we have heard of but have not used: Yandex.
Flavors Of Tbilisi
When in Tbilisi City, you must try some of the many unique dishes associated with Georgia. From Khinkali (Georgian Dumplings) stuffed with meats and spices, then served boiled. There is a method to eating khinkali without making a mess or spilling the hot broth all over yourself. To eat khinkali, grab the dumpling by the handle and turn it upside down. Take a small bite from the side, suck the broth out, and finish eating, leaving the hardtop on the plate.
Lobio (Bean Soup) is a very flavourful dish served with deep-fried cornbread, sometimes accompanied by pickled vegetables. Bread is a big part of meals, either by itself or part of a meal. Some of the bread have fillings baked into them, such as khachapuri gooey cheese-stuffed bread, then you have Lobiani, it is stuffed with bean paste. Another favorite is khachapuri Adjaruli a bread-shaped boat filled with sulguni cheese in the center. Moments after the bread is pulled from the toné, a baker parts the cheese to make way for a hunk of butter and a cracked raw egg. To eat this dish, mix the egg and cheese thoroughly, break off some bread from the end, and start dipping into a glorious feast. Enjoy.
Next on your list to try is Churchkhela (known as Georgian Snickers), which can be found at most markets or local shops. Making Churchkhela takes patience and practice; concentrated grape juice (leftover from the wine harvest) must be poured repeatedly over strands of walnuts or hazelnuts. Each layer is left to dry until a chewy, waxy exterior envelops the nuts.
Last but not least is Georgian wine; you will find this sold everywhere. You can go to sample places, such as vintage 8000 stores that offer sampling plus meat and cheese trays, an enjoyable experience. Prices for Georgian wines are very reasonable. We tried many while we were in Tbilisi. Georgia is said to be the birthplace of winemaking, as this tradition dates back over 8000 years. Most citizens of Georgia make their own wine using a qvevri which is buried in the ground for a period of approx. Six months.
Other Ethnic Flavors And Foods Found In Tbilisi
Tbilisi City is a melting pot of all sorts of fascinating flavors inherited by some of the great empires that conquered this country. These invaders left not only ancient buildings here but also left many unique flavors. Tbilisi and Georgia, for that matter, are still influenced by their location between Europe and Asia.
Not only can you experience excellent Georgian food here in Tbilisi, but there are many more flavors. If you are a foodie, then this City offers the opportunity to taste many different cultures while never having to leave this beautiful city. Here are a few foods we enjoyed: Thai, Indian, Turkish, Palestine, Egyptian, Iranian, and Chinese.
Tbilisi, With Its Many Open Air Markets
Tbilisi is known for its markets, not sure we saw them all, but we did visit several in and around the old town area and across the river. The must-see markets are the Dry Bridge Market, Weekend Street Market, Dezerter Bazaar, and, let’s not forget, the Christmas markets that operate during the season.
Dry Bridge Flea Market
The Dry Bridge Flea Market is located on the overpass near Dedaena Park. You will find a bit of everything in this market, some useful, others maybe not so much. This Flea Market sells every imaginable souvenir and is a must-see for people who love street shopping.
Here you will find vintage collectibles like handmade jewelry, old military medals, money, tools, and old cameras. You name it; it’s probably here. This place is a paradise for those who love shopping for items with a story.
Dry Bridge Flea Market is a place for bargaining. Open daily, if the weather is good, from 10:00 – 17:00. On weekends, there are usually more sellers as well as buyers.
Dezerter Market
One of the best and most prominent is the Dezerter Bazaar market. It got its name in the 1920s after the deserting soldiers from the Russo-Georgian War sold their gear and weapons here. The Dezerter Bazaar is located near the Station Square Metro. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the layout of this market, I guess that’s part of the adventure.
You can find a selection of fruits & vegetables brought in by local farmers. These are harvested in different regions of Georgia; all the goods are fresh and well-flavored. The size and selection of goods at this market are overwhelming, so wade in and blend in just like a local. Truly a great experience; make sure to stock up as you can never get enough.
Weekend Street Market
You will find the Weekend Street Market on Rustaveli Ave just past the Galleria Mall, where they have booths set up selling all kinds of wares. A place where you can find quality Georgian products and discover something new. It’s a community of Georgian entrepreneurs who produce unique and quality products. As the name suggests, this market is open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, weather permitting.
Day Excursions From Tbilisi City
Tbilisi is a hub for excursions; you can hire a car, join a tour, rent a car, or grab a bus or train to a nearby destination. There are many to choose from. Walk around the old town near the I Love Tbilisi sign, and you can find many vendors that will offer different tours that leave from Tbilisi. Another location is around Freedom Square near the information center and the meeting place for the Tbilisi Walking Tours. There are always people selling some tours here as well. WST is a tour service that offers many such tours within the surrounding area of Tbilisi. Another option you may find is people have signs dropped over their vehicle door stating that they provide sightseeing tours; you can inquire with them about the cost, etc.
Half-Day Trip To Mtskheta
When you find yourself in Tbilisi, you must take a side trip and visit Mtskheta, which is only half an hour away. We took the Metro north, then grabbed a Bolt (Uber) the rest of the way to Jvari Monastery.
Visit Jvari Monastery
At Jvari Monastery, where we started our day, the Monastery is perched atop a hill overlooking Mtskheta; there is no fee to visit. It takes less than an hour to tour this monastery, with a beautiful view overlooking the valley below and the snow-capped mountains in the far distance. After our visit, we called a Bolt to pick us up and take us to Samtavro’s Convent in Mtskheta.
Visit Samtavro’s Convent
Samtavro’s Convent is situated in Mtskheta; after arriving, we walked the grounds and visited a small Museum 1 (lari). A small chapel on the grounds is worth peeking inside as it has some beautiful frescoes painted on the walls. There is no fee to visit this Convent. After viewing, we walked toward the Center of town. Passing by a bakery, here we purchased a Lobiani (Georgian Bean-Stuffed Bread) for 1.80 lari, a tasty and filling snack.
Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is a gorgeous and fascinating piece of Georgian history, located in the center of Mtskheta and surrounded by a stone wall. To enter is free, we hired a guide for 20 lari who explained to us the history of this amazing Cathedral, which was well worth the small investment. This is a remarkable place and should be at the top of your things to do when visiting Mtskheta. We spent about an hour here.
Visit Wine Country Signagi
We wanted to visit Signagi in the wine region of Kakheti, so we headed to Samgori Railway Station and caught a Marshrutka bus at the cost of 8 lari each, and in two hours, we were there. Once here, we walked the town and visited St. Nino’s Monastery. We hired our guesthouse provider to take us on a wine tour which we very much enjoyed.
Georgian Sim Card
If you spend any time in Georgia, purchasing and installing a Georgian Sim card would be wise. We got the Magticom (Magti) recommended by wander-lush, and it has worked very well for us. It’s inexpensive; our plan was 5 lari a week, unlimited internet, then add money for international calling (we call Canada). You are best to go in and talk to them, excellent customer service.
Our Tbilisi Home
We stayed in Tbilisi using Airbnb, located below Mother Georgia, which for us worked very well. Situated in Old Town, we were close to most attractions that we visited. We also had a useable kitchen available for our morning meals and used to make dinners from time to time from ingredients we purchased at local markets. We had a very good stay here and would highly recommend this stay.
Covid-19 Protocols
Here are some of the Covid-19 protocols we have run across during our stay in Tbilisi and, for that matter, in the rest of Georgia. You need to prove that you have been double vaccinated, and the last shot needs to be 14 days or longer from the current date. When flying, and entering some stores, restaurants, and Museums, this proof will be requested
The requirement is to wear masks when entering any building, purchasing tickets at a wicket, entering restaurants, and in crowded locations such as riding buses or the Metro.
Our Final Thoughts On Tbilisi City, Experience All Its Hidden Secrets
- We enjoyed Tbilisi very much, our time spent here was six weeks, from the beginning of December to the middle of January. The city was very inviting as there were many things to see and do. The weather considering that it was winter, was very mild, I think that we only had one rainy day and never did see any snow. A relaxing, laid-back life that worked well for us. We were fortunate enough to be here for Christmas and New Year’s. The Christmas lights and carols were excellent, and the New Year’s Eve Fireworks were incredible, we have never seen anything like it. We would highly recommend visiting Tbilisi, hopefully, someday, we will come back.
Our Positives
- People are so friendly.
- Inexpensive to live, the cost of living for us was good
- the weather was very nice compared to what western Canada would be like during the winter
- lot of history to see
- Always something to do, the city is very comfortable, and I must add, very safe
- The food was great, Georgian, plus all the other ethnic dishes that can be found here in Tbilisi
- The wine is very good and affordable.
- you can stay for 365 days with a tourist visa which you get when you arrive
Next Stop
After spending six weeks in Tbilisi, it’s time to move on. We are headed west to Gori for a couple of days, then over to Akhaltsikhe for four days and some excursions from there. Then off to Kutaisi for a week or two, we have not made up our minds yet. We are actually thinking of staying in Georgia for three months that way, we can get our Covid booster shot. Countries are re-classifying fully vaccinated to mean anywhere from six to nine months after your first two shots. This isn’t easy when you are traveling.
Posts Related To Our Travels In Georgia
Signagi (also spelled Sighnaghi) is a beautiful town in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti. After being in Tbilisi for just two weeks, we decided to visit this much-talked-about town. Signagi is sometimes called “the City of Love” and is a two-hour Marshrutka (van) ride from Tbilisi.
Gori is the first town we visited after leaving Tbilisi on our travels toward Batumi and onward to Turkey.
Akhaltsikhe, we have four days booked where we intend to visit unique sights. Akhaltsikhe has a vast and impressive Fortress situated atop a hill. In addition, you can visit the Resort Town of Abastumani, which is a short drive away. Here you can soak your weary bones in sulfur bath pools as the Russian nobles did many years ago. If you are looking for something completely different, then visit the Cave Monastery of Vardzia. Known as the home of Queen Tamar.
Why Visit Kutaisi, What Makes Kutaisi Interesting you can find many historical icons from Monasteries to Fortresses. Extraordinary underground caves such as Prometheus Cave and Sataplia, where you can see dinosaur footprints and explore Karst cave. Good Georgian food is plentyful, plus you can visit the fascinating Green Baazar.
Batumi is a seaside Georgian City located on the black sea just 12 kilometers north of the Turkish Georgian border. Cindy and I are happy to be here, the last stop of our Georgian travels, and we are excited to Experience Batumi and Discover What Makes It Special. We have set aside two weeks to explore Batumi.
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Recommended Travel Essential
Cindy and I call ourselves nomadic, so we use certain essentials to make this way of life easier and more comfortable with our lifestyle. With this in mind, we have composed a list of what we feel are essentials and some tips you might use to plan or take your next travel adventure.
- Travel Packing Essentials to help organize and make this task less stressful.
- Travel Safety Essentials to make your life on the road a little safer, giving you peace of mind
- Living essentials to make life a little more comfortable, be this resting, working, or playing.
Accommodation Options While Traveling The World
- Booking.com is one of our go to’s when looking for a place to stay for a couple of days or longer.
- Agoda.com we find, is best to use when in Southeast Asia, but hey, you never know what you might find.
- Airbnb.com used to be our go-to, but some of their cancelation policies are reasonable, give them a try as well.
Travel Insurance
We always travel with travel Insurance, be it just medical or complete trip coverage. Remember, don’t travel; without coverage, the savings are not worth the possible costs.
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