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Experience Batumi And Discover What Makes It Special

Ali and Nino Downtown Batumi

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; then it’s onto Turkey.

Batumi is known as the Las Vegas on the black sea; we hope for much more than that. Even though we are here in February, we hope to discover Batumi and the little things that make it special. Please continue to read on; we encourage you to experience Batumi, this seaside oasis in Georgia.

A Brief History Of Batumi

Batumi and the Adjara region dates back to the 8th-7th century BC, colonized by the Greeks, and then fell to the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. It is located along the Karolitskhali River and is centered on a hillock called Tamar’s Fortress after the medieval Georgian queen Tamar. Batumi had changed hands frequently until the 10th century when it became part of the Kingdom of Georgia. Batumi then came under the Ottoman rule in the 15th century; they did not hold the city long. The 16th century saw the Ottomans return – with a larger army – and Georgia’s rulers surrendered. During the 19th century, Batumi was a battlefield of Russian and Turkish interests. After the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, the defeat of the Turks brought Batumi and Georgia under the Russian Empire. Georgia became its own Country again in 1991 after the collapse of Russia.

Experience Batumi Boulevard And Discover All The Sights

Discover Batumi Boulevard and Experience all; this seaside park is located in the historic part of the city. Batumi Boulevard’s length is 7 km; there are many sights to see along this Boulevard. The Boulevard is a very comfortable walkway with a bike path parallel to it. In some locations, another walking path runs parallel to the bike path but is located in the shade of the green spaces dotted along this area.

Ali and Nino Batumi Boulevard

Batumi Boulevard is one of the most important areas of Batumi. Since 1987 Boulevard has been a national monument of Georgian garden-park art, and it is also a recreational area. The Boulevard is an integral part of Batumi history, urban life, and traditions. Batumi Boulevard is one of the main attractions for the town’s visitors. The wide Boulevard follows the seaside and is full of beach bars, café-lounges, restaurants, amusement rides for children, and various colors and dancing fountains. Batumi Boulevard has more than a century of history, constructed in 1881. It appears to be an ever-evolving Boulevard worth taking the time to stroll its length. 

First Love Batumi Boulevard

Statutes And Artwork Found Along Batumi Boulevard

Batumi Boulevard has many Scultures found along with its 7 km distance; most are closer to the harbor entrance.

Ali & Nino Statue

This piece of artwork is my favorite, as it is unique because its moving work of art that tells a love story. A moving statue of stacked metal giants continually trying (and failing) to find love. Ali and Nino, the doomed lovers that inspired the automated sculpture named after them.

The story, first told in 1937, is a familiar tale of lovers who end up in tragic circumstances that keep them apart. Unlike warring families, it was the first World War in Ali and Nino’s case. Ali, an Azerbaijani Muslim, falls in love with Georgian princess Nino, but sadly, after they are finally able to get together, the war hits home, and Ali is killed.

The whole performance takes about ten minutes and is lit at night with bright, changing colors that give the figures even more life than their stark metal bodies usually project. The best time to see is at night, but I think for the best photos, daytime works best.

A 1 minute video Ali & Nino

First Love Staue And More

First Love Statue represents one’s first love; it is part of the Batumi Boulevard walkway. Many tourists and locals can be seen taking photographs of this statue. Nearby you will find another piece of art that I assume is called the proposal, for apparent reasons.

Tea for two is located near the alphabet tower; at the tower, you can take an elevator to the top at the cost of 15 GEL each, the bar is open, but the restaurant is closed due to Covid, I assume. The view from up here is impressive, but picture taking is obstructed by the structure’s design. We enjoyed a drink and a piece of cheesecake while taking in the view.

Dancing Water Fountain

The Dancing Water Fountain show is a must-see, this nighttime performance with colors of the buildings matching the colors of the water fountain. The music is well coordinated to the dancing fountains. So take the time to visit you will not be disappointed in the performance. The performance runs from dusk until 2:00 am.

Gonio Castle (map)

The Gonio-Apsaros Fortress had unique strategic importance: it protected the entrances of the Chorokhi and Adjaristskali valleys, connecting the inner Fortress of southwestern Georgia with the Black Sea coast. Because of its location, Gonio Fortress became a pillar for the Roman Empire, the Byzantine, and lastly, the Ottoman. The Fortress has a rectangle shape. Its length is 228 meters, and its width is 195 meters. The walls have fortified towers. Many buildings have been discovered within the fortress walls: baths, barracks, sewage and water supply systems, wells, etc.

Gonio Fortress is located 12km south of Batumi, located along the road. Gonio is the only Fortress we have seen in Georgia that was not built on a mountain top of some sort. The off-season cost to visit the Fortress was 5 GEL each; there isn’t that much to see except the exterior walls and towers are extraordinary and in good condition. We walked the interior of the walls and were impressed with the excellent condition. There are many opportunities for some interesting photographs, and we took many. Cindy and I would recommend taking the time to visit as it only takes about an hour to go through the Fortress, and since you are here, you might as well experience Batumi.

Fish Market (map)

If you enjoy fish, then the fish market is the place to go. This small fish market is not close to the center of Batumi but 2.6 km away, located along the highway. The best way to get there is by bus or taxi. That said, we walked there and took a bus back to the center of town. There are many options for fish; pick a favorite or try something new. We choose some prawns, octopus, and sturgeon as we have never tasted this fish before. Cindy and I purchased a small jar of salmon caviar; this is something that we have never tasted before; we love to experience new and different foods and flavors.

After selecting our fish and having it cleaned, we were off to the restaurant to prepare it. The location was excellent, next to the sea; we enjoyed a nice cold beer after our long walk and waited for the fish to arrive. The fish was delicious; we found the prawns and octopus overcooked but ok. The experience in itself is worth the visit.

Europe Square (map)

Discover Batumi’s Europe square located on Memed Abashidze Avenue in Batumi. The square, surrounded by XIX-XX century architecture, is one of the city’s attractions. Here stands a statue of Medea, which holds a symbol of the glory and cultural development of old Colchis – the golden fleece. The large fountain and the beautiful buildings of past centuries make this place attractive. Hotels, restaurants, and cafes are located around the square, where you can have a pleasant rest and taste delicious dishes. Europe Square is one of the most beautiful places in Batumi for relaxation and people-watching.

Europe Square hotel building in Batumi

Europe Square (previously known as Era Square) is one of the central places you will inevitably see in Batumi. It’s the central get-together spot for any city celebration, be it Batumoba (Day of Batumi), Gandagana folk festival, or a Christmas market. Furthermore, this area has several Casinos incorporated with the hotels creating the Las Vegas atmosphere.

A large fountain in the center of the square is perfect for cooling off in hot summer. An astronomical clock is fixed onto the facade of the former National Bank building. The clock rings loudly, tells time, provides relative positions of the sun, moon, major planets, and shows the time of sunrise and sunset.

Argo Cable Car (map)

The Argo Cable car is located downtown; this 8,484 feet (2,586 meters) long journey takes you up to the top of Anuria Mountain at an elevation of 250 meters above sea level. The cost of the cable car is 15 GEL each; the ride up offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Batumi city. Once you are at the top, the views are stunning. At the top of the hill, you will find a cafe, some souvenirs, and wine shops.

It is an exciting ride as the views are incredible from the hillside itself to the city and beyond out to the Black Sea. We think that the experience is worth the cost if you have young children I would not take as they will not appreciate the view and the extra cost would not be worth it.

Holy Trinity Chruch (map)

Batumi Holy Trinity Cathedral is located about 8 kilometers from Batumi, on Mount Trinity. This is not an old Church built in the second half of the nineteenth century. Cindy and I used Bolt (taxi) to get to Trinity church; the road is winding and narrow. Once at the top, you still need to walk up a short distance to the Church itself. Ladies entering the Church need to wear a skirt; we had one provided for us. The views from the Church out over the valley are amazing.

The outside of the Church itself is beautiful, but the mosaics are absolutely stunning, the best we have ever seen stepping into the Church. Unfortunately, you can not take pictures, so you will have to take my word for it. Even better, take the trip and see for yourself; you will not be disappointed. The Bolt to and from the Church plus 30 minutes waiting time cost us 40 GEL, money well spent.

Makhunceti Waterfall And The Stone Arch Bridge (map)

Our excursion to see the Makhunceti waterfall & bridge was offered to us by our guesthouse. It turned out to be an excellent way to spend several hours of the day away from the city. The waterfalls and bridge are about an hour out of town. From Batumi bus station to Makhuntseti one can use public transport. Shuttle buses depart from Old Batumi bus station every hour. Ask the driver to stop at Makhuntseti village. From here, the main road, you can see the stone-arched medieval bridge.

Makhunceti waterfalls are little ways off of the road, and these falls are the highest waterfalls in the Ajara region at the height of 48 meters, real pride of residents. On the road near the waterfall, you can purchase local honey and other local goods. Near the waterfall, there is a restaurant where the visitors can taste delicious Adjarian cuisine.

Makhuntseti Arch (King Tamar) Bridge dates back to the XII century, a stone-arched bridge crossing the Adjaristskali river. The bridge has been restored many times through the centuries, and most recently, 2018. The bridge is located next to the main road, and you should take the time to visit as it is fascinating to see.

Flavors Of Batumi

There are many restaurants to choose from in Batumi; most serve Georgian food, along with seafood, as Batumi is situated right on the coast. As mentioned above, the fish market is a good location to purchase fish to bring home or dine in as we did. We recommend a couple of places are Mukhambazi, Gourmand, and Ardagani Cafe Restaurant. On our anniversary we decided to go out to an East Indian place that was very good called Spice Garden, a little on the expensive side but very good.

Covid-19 Protocols

Here are some Covid-19 protocols we have run across in our stay in Batumi, for that matter, most of Georgia. You may need to prove that you have been double vaccinated, and Georgia uses a green passport system. In conclusion, you should have no problems if you prove that you are double vaccinated. We haven’t had any issues, and we have been in Georgia for two months at this point.

Our Final Thoughts “Experience Batumi And Discover What Makes It Special”

  • We did enjoy our stay in Batumi, the weather was good for us as I think we only lost two days because of bad weather. There are many things to see and do, the Boulevard is definitely a great place to spend time. We had two weeks here but I’m sure that one week would be more than enough time. There are a lot of different food options available, so take the time to enjoy the flavors of this area.

Our Positives

  • Batumi is a nice seaside city which offers beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
  • There are several sites to see from the Gonio fortress south of the city to the magnificent Botanical gardens located north of Batumi.
  • Natural beauty surrounds the city so feel free to go explore Batumi and discover what else this area has to offer
  • If you like nightlife we are told that there is lots of options available including trying your luck at the casinos (no cameras allowed)
  • For something different head to the fish market and have your purchased fish cooked for you in one of the many restaurants located there.

Would have, Could have, Should have

  • I do not think that there is anything we would change about our trip to Batumi. Maybe the time of year, but we are limited in what we can do about that.

Next Stop

Cindy and I are now off to discover Turkey; our first stop is Izmir. We have a whole itinerary planned for Turkey as we are spending two months here. Bouncing around the country, exploring what Turkey has to offer. We are excited and looking forward to this next leg of our trip as there is lots of history to dig into. Plus the Aegean coast, the sea, and many other delights and adventures, I’m sure. We look forward to seeing you there.

Other Travel Posts About Our Stays In Georgia

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is the Country we started our Georgian adventures here. We fell in love with the city and ended up staying six weeks here—a large post with lots of good information.

Signagi (also spelled Sighnaghi) is a beautiful town in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti. We decided to visit this much talked about town after being in Tbilisi for two weeks. Signagi is known as “the City of Love” and is a two-hour Marshrutka (van) ride from Tbilisi.

Gori is the first town we visited after leaving Tbilisi to travel toward Batumi and onward to Turkey. Please have a read, and I hope you enjoy it.

Akhaltsikhe, we have four days booked, where we intend to visit these unique sights. Akhaltsikhe has a vast and impressive Fortress situated atop a hill. In addition, you can see 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 so many years ago. If 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 can see dinosaur footprints and explore Karst cave. Good Georgian food is plenty, plus you can visit the fascinating Green Baazar.

Support Our Blog And It’s Unique Travel Content

You can support our site by using the links through our travel Essential. If you purchase items using our links, we will receive a small commission. There are no extra or hidden costs to you. These commissions assist us in our travel, so we can provide unique content to you through each blog post. If you enjoy our blog and find it interesting and informative please share it with friends. Subscriber, so you never miss a new post. Thank you.

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.

Accommodation Options While Traveling The World

  • Booking.com is one of our go to’s when we are 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, just medical or complete trip coverage. We use Heymondo as we find their costs reasonable. Remember, don’t travel, and without coverage, the savings are not worth the possible costs.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning if you buy a product using our link, we may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Disclaimer.

Why Visit Kutaisi, What Makes Kutaisi Interesting

We have been in Georgia now for a little over seven weeks. This is our first Visit To Kutaisi. So Why Visit Kutaisi, What makes Kutaisi Interesting enough to visit. Having heard and read many good things about Kutaisi, we decided to visit for seven days and see for ourselves. Besides, Kutaisi was on our way to Batumi. Batumi would be our last stop in Georgia before moving onward to Turkey for two months of touring and sightseeing.

Kutaisi is an old city, archaeological evidence indicates that this area has been inhabited since the 17th-century BC. Around Kutaisi, 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 plenty, plus you can visit the fascinating Green Baazar.

How To Get To Kutaisi

Kutaisi (pronounced koo-tahy-see) is the capital city of the Imereti region and the third-largest city in Georgia. Kutaisi is easy to get to; you can fly in using a low-cost carrier like Wizz Air. Take the train from Tbilisi or Batumi, inexpensive and enjoyable (not the fastest), hire a car (taxi), car rental, and lastly the marshrutka bus service. When tourists visit Georgia, most visit Tbilisi, the Capital of Georgia, 230 km east of Kutaisi. Or Batumi, 145 km southwest of Kutaisi, Georgia’s playground (Las Vegas) on the Black sea coast.

Train to Kutaisi from Khashuri
Train From Train to Khashuri To Kutaisi

Cindy and I caught the train from Khashuri to Kutaisi after taking a private taxi from Borjomi, wanting to experience the train one last time. We had the option of taking the marshrutka from Borjomi to Kutaisi but we were not a big fan of the minibus. We use the bus if we have to, but they are their own adventure and not that comfortable.

What Makes Kutaisi Interesting

Why visit Kutaisi, as it is so very different from Tbilisi. Tbilisi offered so much to do and saw that we were never at a loss for things to do. Now we find ourselves asking what makes Kutaisi interesting? It was a bit of a tricky question as we had some unpleasant weather conditions, making it difficult to explore our new surroundings. We did make the best of it and very much enjoyed our stay here and used the downtime to catch up on our blogging.

Central (Kutaisi) Park And City Hall

Walking the downtown core allowed us to see what was here for the tourist to experience. One location to visit is Kutaisi Park (Central City) which has many exciting monuments relevant to Kutaisi and Georgian history. Very interesting, and very picture-worthy. Not a big park, but nice and shady, lovely to sit, relax, observe locals doing their thing. The park is close to Colchis fountain, Meskhishvili Theatre, and all central attractions.

Next to Central City Park Kutaisi, you will find City hall, which has its own thought-provoking monuments. We found these very interesting; I wish I knew more about them. We believe that these monuments were built during the Soviet era. Called the Soviet Sculpture Complex

Soviet Sculpture Complex Kutaisi city hall

Prometheus Cave Natural Monument (see map)

Prometheus Cave is located in Tskaltubo municipality, approximately a half-hour drive from Kutaisi. Admittance to the cave is 23 GEL each. A boat ride on the river in the cave is a separate cost. The ticket needs to be purchased ahead of the tour starting, dependent on the river’s water level. The water level was too high during our visit, so the boat was not running. There are 22 halls that make up the cave system; just six galleries are open to the public. The walking length is an impressive 1420 meters at a maximum depth of 40 meters. Discover real masterpieces of nature – stalactites, and stalagmites. 

The Prometheus Cave is a beautiful natural monument, the cave is about 60-70 million years old. In the Prometheus Cave, you will see a lot of real genuine masterpieces. In the many beautiful forms, Stalactites and stalagmites leave the impression of a fantastic underworld. When walking in the cave, there are “petrification waterfalls” “hanging stone curtains,” all this demonstrates the enormous power of nature. Prometheus Cave is a definite place to visit if you are in the area of Kutaisi.

Motsameta Monastery (see map)

Motsameta Monastery is located 6 kilometers from Kutaisi on a rocky mountain road. From here, you have a beautiful view of the river valley. Motsameta Monastery dates back to the 11th century, but historical records show that a church was constructed in this spot as early as the 8th century. Motsameta Monastery is one of the most important monuments of Georgian culture. Located in the gorge of the Tskaltsitela river, surrounded by mountains. The name Motsameta means the place of martyrs.

During the invasion of Georgia in the 8th-century Arab ruler Marwan, captured David and Constantine in their defeat. Both men were tortured and killed, their bodies were thrown into the Tskaltsitela River. The river carried the martyrs’ remains to the shore at the exact place where the Monastery is located today. Brothers David and Constantine are buried at the Church of the Annunciation, Motsameta monastery was later rebuilt and named after the Mkheidze brothers.

This being our second stop of the day for us, we had hired our guesthouse’s son to drive us around, looking at sights outside of Kutaisi. This Monastery is magnificent that still functions today, as there was a service in progress while we were visiting. We recommend making the time and visiting this Monastery as it is not too far out of town. The views of the Monastery, gorge, and river make it a must-see destination.

Bagrati Cathedral (see map)

Bagrati Cathedral is located in Kutaisi, on Ukimerioni hill. Built-in 1003, during the reign of Bagrat III. It is a symbol of the unity and strength of Georgia. In 1692, the Ottomans entered from Akhaltsikhe, captured the Kutaisi fortress, and blew up the Bagrati temple during the battle. They also seized the wealth of the church. In 1770, King Solomon I of Imereti recaptured the fortress and liberated the Bagrati Temple from the Ottomans. Bagrati church is wholly restored but has been removed from the UNESCO list after its restoration.

Bagrati Cathedral sits on top of a hill and can be easily seen from pretty much anywhere in Kutaisi. Getting there is relatively easy; you can walk from downtown or take a taxi. We decided to walk as it was not that far, two kilometers maybe, some uphill but not a challenging walk.

Bagrati is a beautiful Cathedral; when we arrived, a couple was having their wedding pictures taken, unique location to take photographs. Not sure if they got married here. Bagrati Cathedral is like many that we have seen in Georgia, large, beautiful, and old. We never tire of these visits; the building’s beauty and the interiors are incredible, with paintings and icons of years gone by. I suppose a window into the past, a life so much different than we know today, especially in the west. We recommend visiting as it is effortless to get to and would be a shame to miss, being so close.

Green Baazar (see map)

The Green Baazar is a large market in Kutaisi that sells pretty much everything. It is a great place to pick up fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish. In addition, other items can be found such as cooking ware, clothing and any number of useful things around the home. Cindy and I love the market as the selections are vast and all organic, plus the flavors can’t be beaten.

These markets are also a great place to taste local foods; they may be similar to what you have seen or tasted before. Or, more often than not, they are unique to the country or region, and sometimes even the city may put its own unique spin on it. We love to try different foods, so this is another reason to seek out such grand places.

Colchis Artwork

In walking around the outside of the market, we ran across a fantastic piece of artwork that has to be seen to appreciate. So if the market is not your thing, you need to come down here to see this fascinating piece of art. This piece of artwork is referred to as Colchis, and Colchis is viewed as the origins of the nation of Georgia. The artwork was created by Georgian artist Bernard Nebieridzeby between 1980 and 1985.

Gelati Monastery (see map)

Unfortunately, we missed visiting this Monastery, not knowing about it. Gelati Monastery is located 11 km westwards of Kutaisi. This Monastery was built between the 12th and 17th centuries. Gelati was an important religious, cultural and educational center of Georgia. The monastery is included in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List, and its architecture is well known for its beautiful mosaics and frescos. King David the Builder, the most celebrated King of Georgia, is buried in the yard at the Monastery.

Chiatura Trams, Mgvimevi Convent and Katskhi Column

Unfortunately, we missed these three locations as they are a bit of a drive from Kutaisi, and we had just recently received snow. We had talked to a fellow blogger and were told that the tram system located in Chiatura was not that exciting since everything had been upgraded recently.

Mgvimevi Convent, small, less known in Georgia cave nunnery named by Holy mother Nativity and located in Chiatura region right next to Chiatura city. The Mgvimevi Monastery is a rare case of a cave monastery and looks like Vardzia. 

Katskhi Column, I’m sorry that we missed it, and I think this would have been something extraordinary to see. Katskhi Pillar is a natural limestone monolith located at the village of Katskhi in the western Georgian region of Imereti, near the town of Chiatura. It is approximately 40 meters tall and has a small church sitting on top of the column.

We Had Our Reason To Visit Kutaisi (Covid Booster)

One reason for our visit to Kutaisi was the opportunity to get our Covid -19 Booster shot. Let me explain; we have been in Georgia for nearly two months. Georgia’s policy is it will give the vaccine booster shot to tourists that have been in Georgia for three months.

Many countries are moving toward a six or nine-month window after your original Covid Vaccine to get the booster. Receiving a booster within this time frame, you are then considered vaccinated. When traveling, this should make life a little less complicated. I was already past this nine-month window.

Cindy and I hoped we could visit the Kutaisi hospital and see if we could get our boosters done here. Thinking Kutaisi hospital might be a little more lenient on the time frame requirements. We made our way to the hospital and approached the front desk with google translate in hand. We requested a booster shot and said to them that we were tourists.

I must say that I was not very optimistic about our prospects. Well, within a half-hour of entering the hospital, we had both received our boosters with documentation to prove it. We are very grateful and sincerely appreciate what Georgia gave us, and this will make our travel possible going forward.

Covid-19 Protocols

Here are some of the Covid-19 protocols that we have run across in our stay in Kutaisi and, for that matter, in most of Georgia as well. You may need to prove that you have been double vaccinated if requested. Georgia uses a green passport system; being a tourist, this passport is hard to activate using the app. In conclusion, you should have no problems as long as you can prove that you are double vaccinated. We haven’t had any issues, and we have been in Georgia for two months at this point.

Our Final Thoughts “Why Visit Kutaisi, What Makes Kutaisi Interesting”

  • Our first impression of Kutaisi was not overly favorable. Kutaisi is a little more layed back then what we were used to since spending so much time in Tbilisi. The winter weather that we were experiencing didn’t help the situation either. We picked Kutaisi to visit because it was on the way to Batumi and we wanted to receive our Covid booster shot. It took a little while to feel out Kutaisi and find out what it offered it’s visitors. In the end we did appreciate the slower pace and if you get out of town there are some amazing destinations to experience this region of Georgia.

Our Positives

  • People are so friendly and welcoming
  • Enjoyed walking around town and trying many of the restaurants located in the downtown area.
  • We felt safe at all times
  • Prometheus Cave we very much enjoyed as it was very large and extremely interesting to visit
  • The Monasteries we visited were beautiful with the amazing history surrounding them.

Would have, Could have, Should have

  • We should have made the effort to visit Mgvimevi Monastery and Katskhi Column as I think these could have been the highlights to Kutaisi. Even though one does research and tries to lay out a plan in what to visit things sometimes do not work out. Well if ever back these two items will be front and center to visit.

Next Stop

We are off to Batumi to spend our last two weeks in Georgia. Looking back on it all, it has been an incredible experience. Georgia, the country, has been a fantastic experience for us both. The people are great, the food has been interesting, and the wine has been exceptional. We recommend that everyone take the opportunity to visit; you will not regret it. We sure haven’t. Try to avoid the winter months; I think Georgia in full color would be inspiring.

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is the country where we started our Georgian adventures. We fell in love with the city and ended up staying six weeks here. A large post with lots of good information.

Signagi (also spelled Sighnaghi) is a beautiful town in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti. We decided to visit this much talked about town after being in Tbilisi for two weeks. Signagi is known as “the City of Love”, is a two-hour Marshrutka (van) ride from Tbilisi.

Gori the first town we visited after leaving Tbilisi in our travels toward Batumi and onward to Turkey. Please have a read, and I hope you enjoy it.

Akhaltsikhe, we have four days booked, where we intend to visit these 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 so many years ago. If looking for something completely different, then visit the Cave Monastery of Vardzia. Known as the home of Queen Tamar.

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.

Support Our Blog And It’s Unique Travel Content

You can support our site by using the links through our travel Essential. If you purchase items using our links, we will receive a small commission. There are no extra or hidden costs to you. These commissions assist us in our travel, so we can provide unique content to you through each blog post. If you enjoy our blog and find it interesting and informative please share it with friends. Subscriber, so you never miss a new post. Thank you.

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.

Accommodation Options While Traveling The World

  • Booking.com is one of our go to’s when we are 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 resaonable, give them a try as well

Travel Insurance

We always travel with travel Insurance, be it just medical or complete trip coverage. We use Heymondo as we find their costs reasonable. Remember, don’t travel, and without coverage, the savings are not worth the possible costs.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning if you buy a product using our link, we may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Disclaimer.

Visit Akhaltsikhe, Our Guide To These Unique Sights

Akhaltsikhe Fortress

Off to visit Akhaltsikhe after spending two days full days in Gori. We have four days booked in to visit Akhaltsikhe, where we intend to visit these unique sights. Akhaltsikhe has a vast and impressive Fortress situated atop a hill. In addition, 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 so many years ago. If looking for something completely different, then visit the Cave Monastery of Vardzia. Known as the home of Queen Tamar. Furthermore, our post, a “Visit to Akhaltsikhe, Our Guide To These Unique Sights”, intended to inform you about what sights are in and around Akhaltsikhe, Georgia.

Akhaltsikhe at night with lights
Akhaltsikhe Fortress at night with lights

Arriving in town at the bus station, we caught a taxi to our apartment. Dropping off our bags and headed off to discover the Castle. It turned out that our booking was just below the Castle, a five-minute walk. The taxi driver we would use several times more during our stay here in town, and I’ll tell you more about that later.

Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress History

First established in the 9th century, the Fortress (Castle) itself was built in the 12th century. Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress had been captured or destroyed several times throughout its history. Firstly in 1393 by the Tamerlane army then again in 1486 by the Mongols. Akhaltsikhe’s strategic importance and convenient trading routes helped the town to revive.

In 1578 Akhaltsikhe was occupied by the army of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman rebuilt and fortified the Fortress, and Rabati came into being. In 1828 combined forces of the Russian and Georgian military could take back Akhaltsikhe Fortress from the Ottomans.

An extensive restoration project taken on in 2011 saw the buildings, walls, and many other details repaired. Reopened in 2012 to the public. Akhaltsikhe Fortress is divided into two levels, a lower portion with shops, cafes, restaurants, and a hotel. The upper part includes the Akhmediye mosque (18th century), an Orthodox church (19th century), Djakeli palace, and the new History Museum. The museum exhibition presents the ancient history of Southern Georgia. Stone items of the Neolithic Age, bronze axes found in these lands, items related to primitive society, and many other artifacts.

Visting Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress

Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress was where we headed when we settled into our new home—located just above where we were staying. Looking at the Fortress from afar, this place is vast. Entrance into the Fortress was 20 GEL for both, and we hired a guide, which was another 20 GEL. Admittance to the museum is 6 GEL you pay at the museum.

Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress is an incredible, massive complex in excellent condition, after being renovated. We enjoyed this Fortress, and having a guide explain that explained the history associated with this place made it that much better. The weather cooperated and wasn’t too cold or windy. Lots of exciting structures and locations to take some fantastic pictures. Including atop a tower that gives you incredible views across the entire city. This Fortress is a must-visit. There is just so much to see, highly recommended by us.

Amaghleba Church (Queen Tamar)

Amaghleba Church is located in between streets at the beginning of Akhaltsikhe after crossing the bridge from old town. Constructed in 2009 – 2010 so it is not that old, dedicated to Queen (King) Tamar. The church is very beautiful both inside and out, so take a peek inside and look around.

The Object that got my attention was the statue of Queen Tamar in the front of the church sitting on her throne and holding a symbol of power in her hands. Tamaroba holiday is celebrated by locals on 14 May.

Queen Tamar in front of Amaghleba Church in Akhaltsikhe
Queen Tamar in front of Amaghleba Church in Akhaltsikhe

Tamaroba is one of the most important national holidays in Georgia. The main celebration takes place in Akhaltsikhe, where there is a monument in her honor. King Tamar’s 29-year reign (1184–1213), the first female ruler, was considered the most successful in Georgian history. Queen Tamar was given the title “king of kings”. She succeeded in neutralizing opposition and embarked on an energetic foreign policy. Backed by a powerful military force, King Tamar managed to consolidate the Georgian state.

Zaza Our Driver

Zaza was the taxi driver that picked us up from the bus station in town and delivered us to our stay in Akhaltsikhe. We used his taxi service a total of four times. Would highly recommend his services to anyone visiting Akhaltsikhe and looking to get out of town on some excursions. Even needing a ride transfer to another town his prices are reasonable. His driving ability leans toward slower and safer travel, which my wife was grateful for. ZAZA TAXI 995 551-51-11-53 or 995 593-67-27-73

ZAZA our driver to misc sites
ZAZA our driver that we hired several times to takes to some out of town sites

The Once Resort Town, Abastumani

Abastumani is a small resort town about a half an hour drive from Akhaltsikhe. We used Zaza’s taxi to drive us and soon realized that there was not much to do there. This was due to the recent snow that has accumulated. With so much snow this made it so that we were unable to visit the Observatory. Visiting the Observatory was something that I had read about through a fellow blogger.

We did wander down the main street looking at older houses and the incredible fretwork associated with the exteriors of the buildings. It looks like most of the older houses are in some sort of disrepair. There are several that look amazing and shine with the craftsmanship of the wood and the new paint that makes everything stand out.

One thing that we were able to do was to visit one of the spas in town. In saying that the first one we checked in at was not open because of some kind of breakdown. On our second try, we had success, the cost for both Cindy and I was 20 GEL and we had the whole place to ourselves. We spent 40 minutes relaxing and enjoying the water and the time we had in the pool.

Khertvisi Fortress

Not far from the cave city of Vardzia on top of a mountain stands Khertvisi Fortress. You drive by this fortress on your way to Vardzia. We stopped at the side of the road to take pictures. We would stop and visit on our way back if time permitted, our first priority today was to visit the Monastery caves of Vardzia.

Khertvisi is one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, dating back centuries. Even though the exact date of its construction date is unknown, there is proof of its standing on the Silk Road. The mountain, on which the fortress is standing, wonderfully combines history and the present. At the foot of the mountain, there stands a small rural village of locals, and hundreds of meters above them the impregnable walled fortress is still towering.

Vardzia Cave Monastery History

Giorgi III started construction of the fortress but his daughter Queen Tamar was the one who saw its completion. Queen Tamar changed the designation as a fortress into a massive, fortified monastery. The Cave Monastery was constructed between 1156-1203, it was blessed on the 15th of August, 1185, in the name of Assumption of Mary.

Vardzia cave Monastery complex, carved in a rock, 12th – 13th Century Georgian picturesque monument. Located in Javakheti, Aspindza region (60km from Akhaltsikhe), on the bank of the river Mtkvari, at 1300 meters above sea level. Vardzia Monastery when completed this underground fortress extended 13 levels and contained 6000 apartments, a throne room, and a large church with an external bell tower.

In 1283, only a century after its construction, a devastating earthquake literally ripped the place apart. The quake shattered the mountain slope and destroyed more than two-thirds of the city, exposing the hidden innards.

Despite the damage caused by the earthquake, the monastery continued until 1551 when it was raided and destroyed by the Shah of Iran. Sacked again in 1578, by the Turks, many monks were killed. Those who survived scattered in different directions and the monastery became uninhabited.

Visting Vardzia Cave Monastery From Akhaltsikhe

We hired Zaza to drive us out to the Monastery caves of Vardzia, picked up at 11:30, it is a beautiful sunny day with temperatures hovering around 0 C. Stopped several times along the way to take photos, Zaza was very accommodating in this regard and goes out of his way to find a location to photograph. We stopped at Khertvisi Fortress and Tsunda Church for some pics.

Before reaching the entrance to Vardzia caves we stopped at a pullout to take some pictures that show the sheer size of this incredible complex. It is amazing to see sights such as these bring into perspective what humans can do when the need arises. We arrived at Vardzia Cave Monastery at around 13:00 and the weather is perfect still lovely sunshine. The entrance fee is 15 GEL each, unfortunately, the bus going up the hill to the starting point is not running. Needless to say, this was quite the walk up the roadway to the starting point.

Cindy and I start our tour with no guide or audio even though I think audio was available, we were not offered. Vardzia is simply amazing, an experience that would be hard to find anywhere in this world of ours. We acted like little children exploring the tunnels, not knowing where we might come out. Oh to be young again!

At the church of Assumption of Mary, there is a tunnel to the left of the church which we highly recommend taking as to leads to a natural spring hidden deep within the tunnels. Where you’ll find a pool seemingly filled with water pouring — or crying — from the rocks above it. Queen Tamar’s tears are said to weep from these cave walls filling the pool.

Additionally, when touring the caves you start at one point (start) and exit in a completely different location, the place is set up that all traffic goes in one direction toward the exit with no backtracking allowed. Making your way around this cave complex is safe as there are handrails everywhere, staircases when needed and hard surfaces to walk on, being winter there was a little ice, not much you can do about that except to be careful. Little kids you should keep an eye on as a fall from anywhere would be hazardous.

We can’t say enough good about this visit, it was an awesome experience, we have been to Uplistsikhe near Gori, but this place is different. We spent about 3 hours here. Cindy and I highly recommend visiting Vardzia Cave Monastery it’s extraordinary!

Our Akhaltsikhe Accommodation ART-Rabat

ART-Rabat was located just below Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress in the old town area of the city. Easy walking distance to the Fortress and for that matter easy walking distance to anywhere. Close distance to some very good restaurants, Restaurant Mimino just down the walk a couple of hundred meters. The host was very good and assisted us several times with requests.

Getting to Akhaltsikhe From Gori

From Gori, we took the Mtskheta (local minivans) to get to Akhaltsikhe at a cost of 7 GEL each. The trip took two hours in a very cold van, oh the hardships of travel. In addition, when visiting the outlying towns English is not widely spoken or understood. Google maps or Google translate can be your friend. We arrive at the bus station in Akhaltsikhe no worse for wear.

Leaving Akhaltsikhe To Borjomi

When it was time to leave Akhalsikhe we used Zaza one last time to take us to Borjomi. We would spend one night in Borjomi before heading onto Kutaisi for a stay on one week. On our way to Borjomi, Zaza took us to one more beautiful Monastery called the Green Monastery dating back to the 12th century. I must admit that the door-to-door service was a nice change.

Covid-19 Protocols

Here are some of the Covid-19 protocols that we have run across in our stay in Akhaltsikhe and, for that matter, in the rest of Georgia as well. Consequently, you may need to prove that you have been double vaccinated. Proof of vaccine could be requested when entering stores, restaurants, Museums, and such. Georgia uses a green passport system, being a tourist this passport is hard to activate using the app. To summarize as long as you can prove that you are double vaccinated you should have no problems. We haven’t and we have been in Georgia for 2 months at this point.

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. Covid-19 protocols are not followed strictly enforced compared to the larger cities.

Our Final Thoughts “Visit Akhaltsikhe, Our Guide To These Unique Sights”

  • We very much enjoyed our visit to Akhaltsikhe. We spent four nights here and felt that was a good amount of time to see the sites in and around Akhaltsikhe. Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress is to date the best fortress we have seen, because of the restorations it is complete and beautiful site to visit. We are very fortunate to have found a good driver in Zaza as this gave us the oppurtuinity to get out of town and explore some of the out lying areas around Akhaltsikhe. Highly recommend visiting Akhaltsikhe, three to four nights would be suffient amount of time to spend here.

Our Positives

  • People are so friendly and welcoming
  • Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) Fortress was amazing
  • Enjoyed walking around town and trying many of the returaunts located in the downtown area.
  • Our trip to Vardzia Cave Monastery was an everything one could have hoped for, the caves themseves were stunning, our weather for the day was sunny and tempuratures were just hovering around zero C, Perfect day and fantastic memories.

Our Negatives

  • Not being able to see this area in a different season rather than winter, you never know we might make it back some day

Would have, Could have, Should have

  • I do not think that there is anything we would change about our trip to Akhaltsikhe. Maybe time of year, but we are limited what we can do about that. In saying that when visiting the fortress or the caves we pretty much had the place to ourselves. This was great for pictures, and just better overall experience.

Next Stop

We are off to spend a night in Borjomi, then off to Kutaisi. In Kutaisi, we have a week to sit back and enjoy the city. We hope to get our booster shots here as the world seems to be heading in that direction. Without a booster, it’s getting harder to travel. Where and when will this end?

Other Travel Posts About Our Stays In Georgia

Tbilisi the capital of Georgia the Country we started our Georgian adventures here. We fell in love with the city and ended up staying six weeks here. A large post with lots of good information.

Signagi (also spelled Sighnaghi) is a beautiful town in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti. We decided to visit this much talked about town after being in Tbilisi for just two weeks. Signagi is known as “the City of Love” and is located a two-hour Marshrutka (van) ride from Tbilisi.

Gori is the first town we visited after leaving Tbilisi in our travels toward Batumi and onward to Turkey have a read and hope you enjoy it.

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 plenty, 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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Two Days In Gori Georgia Making The Best Of It

Gori Fortress

Gori, Georgia, is probably most famous for being the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, the dictator of Russia from 1922 to 1953. There is so much more to this city than Stalin. Cindy and I only have Two Days In Gori, Georgia, and going to Make The Best Of It. Gori is 90 km west of Tbilisi, so it is relatively easy to get to. We arrived in Gori after taking the train from Tbilisi where we had spent the last six weeks, loved Tbilisi.

We were excited to discover this city as it has a Fortress built atop a hill that overlooks the city. Looking forward to trying more Georgian dishes from the area along with any local delights found at markets or bazaars. We love to walk, so we hope to find other hidden gems unique to Gori. We will take a side trip out to see Uplistsikhe the cave city.

Overview of Gori from atop of the gori fortress
Overview of Gori from atop of the Gori fortress

Little History About Gori

Gori is a city in eastern Georgia, which serves as the regional capital of Shida Kartli. Its located at the junction of two rivers, the Mtkvari and the Liakhvi. Gori is the fifth-most populated (55,000) city in Georgia. The name Gori comes from the Georgian word Gora, meaning “heap”, “hill”, or a mountain. Gori hill is believed to have been populated since early 300 – 200 BC. Gori Fortress was built in the 7th century. Like most Eastern Georgian towns, foreign invaders frequently targeted Gori, knowing many different masters. Gori was destroyed by an earthquake in 1920 but rebuilt by its Russian over-seers.

Gori Fortress in Gori large view
Gori Fortress

Two Days In Gori Georgia Making The Best Of It

With Two Days In Gori, we want to Make The Best Of It. See as much of this city as possible. We are here near the end of January and are unsure how much the weather will affect our plans. On the list of sites to visit in Gori is the Fortress, Stalin Museum, Virgin Mary Cathedral, and Uplistsikhe. I’m sure that we will find many other distractions that will catch our attention. As always the flavors of this destination will be part of the experience of Gori.

Uplistsikhe City Caves

Uplistsikhe – meaning “The Fortress of God sits 10km east of Gori north of the Mtkvari River. Between the 6th century BC and 1st century AD, Uplistsikhe was the main center of paganism. Uplistsikhe represents a complex of halls, caves, theatres, altars, pagan temples, secret tunnels, prisons, pharmacies, passages-streets all carved out of stone over an area of 4 hectares. After Christianity was accepted throughout Georgia in the 4th century, Uplistsikhe standing as a major city started to diminish. When the Arabs occupied Tbilisi in AD 645. Uplistsikhe became the residence of the Christian kings of Kartli and again an important trade center on the main caravan road (known as the silk road) from Asia to Europe.

At its peak, Uplistsikhe housed 20,000 people. Its importance declined after King David the Builder retook Tbilisi in 1122. Later Christian churches were built. In 9th -10th cc AD, a three-nave basilica was added to the complex. In the 13th century, Uplistsike was destroyed due to the devastating invasion of Genghis – khan to Georgia.

We hired a taxi outside the Stalin Museum to visit the caves. After agreeing on a price of 40GEL for the return ride. Which included a one-hour waiting time, while we discovered the caves. After arriving at Uplistsikhe we purchased our tickets that included wine tasting after the tour. Cost of 20 GEL each, without wine tasting, the cost is 15 GEL each. We hired a guide at the cost of another 20 GEL. Very inexpensive for the knowledge that you get in return. As a side note, it had snowed here the day before which added to the beauty of the site. As well as the hazard of slipping or stepping somewhere that you shouldn’t.

This was the first time Cindy and I have experienced a place like this, where the town was made up of caves. The snow-covered landscape made for some interesting and captivating pictures. We intend to visit Vardzia when we visit Akhaltsikhe if weather permits. In hindsight, we should have visited David Gareji Lavra when we were in Tbilisi or Signagi. Then we could have seen some caves without snow.

These caves are an incredible feat when considering the sheer size of the area. We highly recommend visiting Uplistsikhe if, given the opportunity, it’s something unique. We were happy that it was not windy, which would have created a very cold windchill. It took us one and a half hours to tour the caves. We paid the driver 50 GEL, he appreciated our honesty and generosity.

Gori Fortress

This partially reconstructed oval Fortress stands on the hill at the heart of Gori. It dates mostly from the Middle Ages. There is archaeological evidence that shows that the area had already been fortified in the final centuries BCE. Gori Fortress was an important strategic fortress. It’s clear that control of the fort was critical for maintaining domination of the entire region. Consequently, the Georgians, Ottomans, and Persians continually vied for control of the Gori Fortress during the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, Gori Fortress has been repeatedly renovated and rebuilt. Gori Fortress was severely damaged during the earthquake of 1920.

After getting back from visiting Uplistsikhe and the weather still co-operating we decided to visit Gori Fortress. You can’t really miss it as the location is in the center of town on top of a hill. After stopping for a quick bite, we were off to find the entrance. Walking around the bottom of the hill we finally found a pathway that looked like it would take us to the entrance.

There is no entrance fee to visit Gori Fortress. You walk up a staircase that leads you up to the gate where you enter. I’ll be honest there is not that much to see. The only visible signs of the fort are the walls, which are impressive. No buildings are within the walls of the Fortress, making it difficult to imagine what it may have looked like in its glory. The views from atop of the hill are truly incredible. You can see out over the city and far into the surrounding countryside.

Memorial of Georgian War Heroes

Memorial of Georgian War Heroes sits at the foot of the hill and depicts inured soldiers. A moving arrangement created by a local sculptor in the 1980s. Located at its northeast foot, a circle of eight mutilated metal warriors forms an eerie memorial to those lost in the 2008 war with Russia over South Ossetia.

Virgin Marys Cathedral

The temple was built as a Catholic church between 1806 and 1810. In 1920, it was heavily damaged by the earthquake. During Soviet times, Gori’s Music School was situated in the church. We visited Virgin Mary Cathedral located across the street from Gori Fortress. A beautiful church is well worth looking inside at the fresco painted on the walls.

An Evening To Remember (Or Not)

One of our greatest experiences no matter where we are is experiencing local foods. We found that eating out in Georgia especially once away from Tbilisi is very inexpensive. After looking online, we found a restaurant (loosely Translated Family Friendly). Which was very close to our stay and had excellent reviews. Our host highly recommended this place for its very good Georgian food.

We ordered what to us was Georgian cutlets (highly Recommended) with a tomato and cucumber salad and a couple of beers. Being a genuinely Georgian eatery, the staff did not speak or understand English. Even with Google translate we were having some difficulties. The waitress entered one of the private dining rooms reserved by patrons to enjoy a private dining experience. This is where our evening started to go off the rails in a good way.

Our waitress comes out with ZaZa, a fine young gentleman in his mid-thirties. Who would be our interpreter as he spoke and understand English very well. After finding out that we were tourists traveling Georgia who really loved his country. ZaZa offered us a jug (just under 750 ml) of their homemade wine. We had experienced and rather enjoyed homemade wine while in Signagi as our guesthouse host invited us to try his, so we quickly said yes and thanked him for his generosity. ZaZa told us to taste the wine before drinking the beer as the beer would ruin the flavors of the wine.

Wine from our new friends in Gori
Homemade Wine Offered To Us

After drinking our wine with our dinner, our new friend saw that we had finished the wine. Well, this wouldn’t do. After some talking, we found out that ZaZa had served in the Georgian service in Afghanistan and Iraq. Before he leaves to join his friend’s party he brings to our table yet another jug of this very good homemade wine. We are really enjoying the wine by now. Nearing the end our delicious Georgian cutlets ZaZa comes out with others from the room and we say our hellos and before they re-enter their room our jug is again re-filled. Well, wine has never tasted so good with new friends.

Our new friend Zaza in Gori
Our new friend Zaza in Gori

After finishing our third jug of wine I return from the facilities to find that Cindy is nowhere to be found. I’m directed to the private room of our new friends. They are celebrating one of the other gentleman’s granddaughters’ 4th birthday. Before we know it we have full glasses of wine toasting to the health of the granddaughter. More toasting to new friends, Georgia, Canada. Not sure how many toasts we had that night. It was one of the best nights that Cindy and I have experienced in Georgia. When it was finally time to leave. We stand outside the restaurant saying goodbye to our new friends with handshakes and hugs. We left with fond, if not foggy, memories of the special night we just enjoyed.

It was a pleasure to be invited into a circle of friends and then become one of them. If only for a short period of time. We are so grateful for this experience. The morning after, maybe not so much. That night we had made plans to return for dinner the following night. The experience was not the same and we missed our new friends.

We hope that life treats them well. If you ever have the opportunity to make new friends on the road and experience new cultures we highly recommend the experience. Life is too short not to live it to its fullest with new friends, if only for a night.

Joseph Stalin Mueseum

The Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori, Georgia is dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori in 1878. The Museum reflects Soviet-era features. This Museum has three sections, all located in the town’s central square. The Museum itself, Stalin’s Gori home, and the railcar Stalin used when traveling. Stalin museum is a popular tourist destination in Gori.

Museum exhibits are divided into six parts in chronological order. They contain many items owned by Stalin, including some of his office furniture, personal effects, and gifts given to him. There are many illustrations by way of documentation, photographs, paintings, and newspaper articles. One display is a copy of the death mask of Stalin taken shortly after his death.

Stalin death mask Gori Museum
Stalin death mask Located in Gori Stalin Museum.

To one side of the Museum is Stalin’s personal railway carriage. The green Pullman, which is an armor-plated carriage that weighed 83 tons, was used by Stalin from 1941 onwards. It was gifted to the Museum after being recovered from the railway yards at Rostov-on-Don.

We found the Stalin museum interesting. I would not have gone out of my way to travel there to visit. Since we were in Gori anyway it was a must-visit. There is an English tour that takes you through the whole exhibit. Cost of entry includes the English tour is 15 GEL, opens at 10:00, and closes at 17:00 or 18:00 depending on the season.

Our Accomadition Anna’s Guest House

Anna’s Guest House is located several blocks from the Stalin Museum and is centrally located to access most attractions in Gori. Anna is very pleasant and an accommodating host. Anna helped Cindy with the Maxim App because it was in Georgian every time Cindy downloaded the app, and Cindy couldn’t figure out how to get it to show English. We enjoyed our stay of a couple of nights here.

Getting to Gori

For us, we took the train from Tbilisi at a cost of 7 GEL each, leaving from Station Square. We left at 8:20 in the morning and arrived in Gori at 10:10, a very comfortable form of transportation. Getting off at the station in Gori and getting to our guesthouses wasn’t that easy. Tried to wave down a taxi to no avail. Bolt app did not work here either. Fortunately, we asked the bus driver that was parked here about getting to the Stalin museum as our guesthouse was very near here. He let us on without paying as we did not have one of those bus passes to use. Very nice of him, people can be very helpful if given the opportunity. We found out that the app Maxim is a very good way to get a taxi.

Leaving Gori Onward

For us, we were to use the Mtskheta (local minivans) to get to Akhaltsikhe at a cost of 7 GEL each. The trip would take two hours in a very cold van, oh the hardships of travel. One thing when visiting the outlying towns is that English is not widely spoken or understood. Google maps or Google translate can be your friend. Everyone that we asked for some form of assistance would do their best to help.

Covid-19 Protocols

Here are some of the Covid-19 protocols that we have run across in our stay in Gori and, for that matter, in the rest of Georgia as well. 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, this proof will be requested, entering some stores, restaurants, and Museums.

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.

I’ll be honest it appears that most Covid-19 Protocols are not followed in the smaller communities.

Our Final Thoughts Two Days In Gori Georgia Making The Best Of It

  • We enjoyed Gori, got to meet some locals and had a good evening with them. Getting out to Uplistsikhe and being able to enjoy this historical sight even in the snow was great. Gori fortress along with the Stalin museum are both worth the time to visit. It is always nice to be able to outlying towns as life is so different then the big cities.

Our Positives

  • We really enjoyed visiting Uplistsikhe, the cave city
  • The Gori Fortress was interesting to see
  • Stalin museum was interesting and we would recommend
  • Our evening out with our new found friends was an incredible experience

Our Negatives

  • We wish that we wouldn’t have gotten snow while in this area but that is life.
  • A liitle to much vino with our friends

Would have, Could have, Should have

  • There isn’t anything that I would change about our visit to Gori. We enjoyed the experience of seeing Gori and being able to see Uplistsikhe even if it was in the snow.

Next Stop

We are headed south to Akhaltsikhe for four days and some excursions from there. Looking forward to seeing Vardzia and hoping our weather co-operates. Then off to Kutaisi for a week or two, we have not made up our mind yet. We are actually thinking of staying in Georgia for 3 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.

Other Travel Posts About Our Stays In Georgia

Tbilisi the capital of Georgia the Country we started our Georgian adventures here. We fell in love with the city and ended up staying six weeks here. A large post with lots of good information

Signagi (also spelled Sighnaghi) is a beautiful town in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti. We decided to visit this much talked about town after being in Tbilisi for just two weeks. Signagi is sometimes called “the City of Love” and is located a two-hour Marshrutka (van) ride from Tbilisi.

Akhaltsikhe we have four days booked, where we intend to visit these 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 so many years ago. If 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 plenty, 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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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.

Accommodation Options While Traveling The World

  • Booking.com is one of our go to’s when we are 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. We use Heymondo as we find their costs reasonable. Remember, don’t travel, and without coverage, the savings are not worth the possible costs.

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Guide To Tbilisi City, Experience All Its Hidden Secrets

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.

Falcon and Pheasant discovery of the Sulphur spring
Falcon and Pheasant discovery of the Sulphur spring

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.

Tbilisi clock on main street

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.

Chichilaki a Georgian Christmas tree
Chichilaki found at the dezerters market

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.

Tbilisi New Year’s Fireworks 2021, Truly amazing

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 TbilisiRezo Gabriadze TheatreDry Bridge Flea MarketDezerter Market
Holy Trinity CathedralRide The Tbilisi FunicularVisit Mtatsminda ParkFerris Wheel Mtatsminda Park
National Botanical GardenMtatsminda PantheonMetekhi St. Virgin ChurchRide Aerial Tramway
Air Balloon TbilisiChronicle of GeorgiaTbilisi ReservoirTurtle Lake
Georgian Museum of Fine ArtsThe National GalleryCha Cha CornerGeorgian National Museum
Double Decker Bus TourWalking TourWeekend MarketTbilisi Central Mosque
Tbilisi Things to Do And See

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.

Mother Georgia
Mother Georgia

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.

Night picture of the sulfur baths T
Night picture of the sulfur baths area

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.

Royal bathhouse Tbilisi

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.

Cindys kisi scrub

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.

Gregs kisi scrub

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.

Tea and canned fruit after our bath and kisi scrub

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.

Chronicle Of Georgia Monument

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.

Underground passage sign Tbilisi

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.

Metromoney card
Metromoney card

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

Khinkali Georgian Dumpling

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.

Fruit stand with Churchkhela in Tbilisi
Churchkhela is found at our favorite fruit stand.

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.

Weekend Market main street Tbilisi
Weekend Market located Rustaveli Avenue

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.
Thats What Gorgia Is

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.

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.

Support Our Blog, And Its Unique Travel Content

You can support our site by using the links through our travel Essential. We will receive a small commission if you purchase items using our links. There are no extra or hidden costs to you. These commissions assist us in our travel, so we can provide unique content to you through each blog post. If you enjoy our blog and find it interesting and informative, please share it with friends. Subscriber, so you never miss a new post. Thank you.

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.

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.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you buy a product using our link. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Disclaimer.

Visitors Guide Signagi Amazing Things To See And Do

Over looking the wall and part of city Signagi

Signagi (also spelled Sighnaghi) is a beautiful town in the Georgian wine region of Kakheti. We decided to visit this much-talked-about town after being in Tbilisi for just two weeks. Signagi is sometimes called “the City of Love” and is a two-hour Marshrutka (van) ride from Tbilisi. Thinking that this would be a nice change of scenery, if only for a few days. Continuing to read, you will find our Visitors Guide, Signagi Amazing Things to See And Do.

A View overlooking Signagi

Signagi serves as a popular tourist destination due to its location in the heart of Georgia’s wine-growing region. Additionally, the towns surrounding scenic landscapes and pastel-colored buildings, complete with narrow cobblestone streets, make a lovely backdrop for just about anything. Signagi is perched on a steep hill overlooking the Alazani Valley, with the beautiful Caucasus Mountains far in the distance.

Signagi with the Caucasus Mountains far in the distance
Entering Signagi view looking east with the Caucasus Mountains far in the distance.

Visitors Guide Signagi

Visitors guide, Signagi is in the eastern region of Kakheti. One can use a town as a base to see some local sights and experience some wine tasting at the many wineries throughout the area. You can visit as a day trip, but we recommend two nights as this gives you a more relaxed visit. Plus, the opportunity to enjoy some of the many restaurants serving excellent locally sourced Georgian food and wines.

How To Get to Signagi From Tbilisi

Getting to Signagi is relatively easy; most people visit from Tbilisi. Either by day trip tour, hired driver, or, as we did, using the marshrutka bus system. Walking in the old town area, you will find many people selling tours or drivers that you can hire, depending on your budget and comfort level.

To catch the Marshrutka bus, you will need to find your way to Samgori Railway Station. There are many ways to achieve this, Bolt car service, a taxi, or a city bus. We recommend using the Bolt car service (same as uber but no uber in Georgia). I believe the Marshrutka bus service starts at 9 am to Signagi and runs every two hours until 1700. The Marshrutka is very affordable at 8 lari per person one-way and a 1 1/2 – 2 hour trip, depending on misc factors.

We found the Marshrutka comfortable enough, but this depends on your definition of comfort. Also, driving in Georgia may not be what you are used to. At times you need to close your eyes and put your faith in the drivers’ abilities or St Nino.

Signagi Tbilisi bus schedule
Sighnaghi to Tbilisi bus schedule

What To See And Do In See In Visitors Guide Signagi

  1. Bodbe’s St. Nino’s Convent is a must-see, just 3kms from Signagi, a very doable walk
  2. Visit the Wall, which encases parts of Signagi, built in the 1750s
  3. Walk the beautiful cobblestone streets of Signagi and explore its mysteries
  4. Zipline from a roadside pull-out all the way into downtown (for the adventurist)
  5. Visit the local winery Pheasant’s Tears Winery, there was another Cradle of Wine Marani, but it appeared to be closed at the time we visited.
  6. Hire a guide/driver (Guest House Eka & Gio) and tour other wineries in the area, we visited Kvareli Wine Cave and Duruji Valley.

Bodbe’s St. Nino’s Convent

The St. George’s Monastery of St. Nino, sometimes called the Bodbe Monastery, is one of Georgia’s most important religious sites. According to legend, St. Nino died at 60 in Bodbe in 335 CE. After having witnessed the conversion of Georgians to the Christian faith. She crossed the entire country during her lifetime, healing people and preaching Christianity. St. Nino has been credited with bringing Christianity to Georgia. She asked to be buried in Georgia, where she had spent her life. At the direction of King Mirian III, a small monastery was built at the place where Nino was buried. In 850, the newer Cathedral that stands today was built on the spot of the older temple.

The religious complex at Bodbe has been repeatedly repaired and restored. In the 16th through 17th centuries, Bodbe was an important educational center. But in 1837, the monastery was closed, then opened again in 1889 under the support of Alexander III. Again closed in 1924 under the Soviet Union, when it was used as a hospital. Additionally, in 1991, Bodbe opened as a convent for nuns.

Visiting St. Nino’s Convent is about a 3km walk from Signagi, with beautiful views. There is a spot along the road where you can take a zipline back into the center of town. We met another local vendor selling homemade wines and other products such as dried fruit, walnuts, and salsa, all very tasty. Always a good idea to support locals when you can.

Walking up to St. Nino’s convent, you can see the convent on the left. To the right is the bell tower hidden behind branches and a gate that leads onto the grounds, with no entrance fee. Just outside the grounds, there are washrooms and an area you can purchase something to eat if I remember correctly. The grounds and buildings themselves are magnificent, a very tranquil spot. The view eastward toward the Caucasus Mountains in the distance is gorgeous. The experience of visiting this church and convent is unforgettable, a must if you are in the area. If time and weather permit, you can venture down to the holy spring as these waters are said to have healing powers.

Signagi City Wall

Sighnaghi Fortress was built in 1762 by King Erekle. It occupies an area of ​​over 40 hectares. The length of the fence is nearly 5 kilometers, with 23 towers and six arched gates. The Towers bore the names according to the villages that helped build and defend them. During the enemy invasion, the whole population of the fortress-building villages took refuge within the walls. Sighnaghi fortress-wall was built of cobblestones and is two-tiered. The wall thickness of the lower tier is 1.5 meters, the thickness of the upper level is 70-80 cm.
Today the wall is almost restored to its original form, and visitors can climb the two-story walls and look at the glorious Alazani Valley from the arches.

Seeing the walls and towers are awesome, an amazing feat considering the terrain it was built on. There is a section in Signagi where you can walk the wall and explore inside one of the towers, a fascinating experience.

Visitors Guide Signagi Taking A Walk Tour

Visitors guide to Signadi, walking is the best way to see and experience this quaint small town. After arriving in Signagi, we were able to drop off our bag at our homestay. With our bags taken care of, it was off to explore our new surroundings. First on the list was St. Nino’s Convent, a 3-kilometer walk along the road that we just came in on. The walk was comfortable enough, and the weather cooperated. Views along the way were amazing, especially with the Caucasus Mountains in the background.

After visiting St. Nino’s, it was off in an easterly direction, the other side of town to find St Georges’s Church. Try as we may, we had no luck in this endeavor, so it was back to town. Similarly, the views were just as beautiful, with mountains and the Alazani Valley. While walking along the roadway, we were able to see the wall as it crossed a small valley. We crossed under its archways and walked past several of the towers in several locations.

Once back into town, we ventured down another road that took us to Signagi St. George basilica. Down this way, you will have an opportunity to walk upon the wall and explore one of the towers found in that section of the wall. A great location to wander and enjoy the sights of days gone by. You will also find several restaurants in the area to replenish your body with tasty Georgian food and wines.

All in all, Signagi is a very walkable town with cobblestone streets. So if you are up to a walk, we recommend exploring Signagi using your feet. You will find a mix of buildings from very old to just dated and slowly crumbling.

Kvareli Wine Cave

This unique wine cellar and tourist complex is built on the edge of Alazani Valley. A place that attracts Georgian and foreign tourists alike. The cave, carved into the Caucasus rock, was opened in 1962 specifically for the World Congress of Vine and Wine. Throughout the year, the cave temperature ranges between 12-16 ° C. This creates an ideal environment for wine storage and aging. The wine bottles in the cave are positioned horizontally to ensure that the cork is constantly wet during the aging period.

The total length of the Wine Tunnel is 7.7 km, which consists of two main and 13 connecting tunnels. One of the entrances to the cave is used for tourism. The other entrance is used for the care and aging of wines stored in metal and oak containers. The guest can see where up to 26,000 bottles of high-quality wine are stored in this tunnel. The oldest collectible wine is 17 years old.

There are different tour packages that you can purchase when you visit the Wine Cave. From the standard package up to a Premium package, all with varying forms of involvement. We visited the cave itself and tasted several wines accompanied by Georgian cheese and bread. While tasting the wines, it was explained to us the differences in the wines, and she also explained the different processes that the wines went through. As this was the off-season, we were the only people touring and tasting in the cave. Kind of nice as the experience was more one-on-one.

Duruji Valley Wines

Our second wine tour stop was Duruji Valley Wines. We needed to wait for a tour guide that could speak English. Duruji Valley winery is located in the village of Kvarell in the wine-growing region of Kakheti, open from 9-7. Once our tour guide arrived, a young woman, we were taken around the winery. After talking to our guide we found out this was her first job, and she informed us that she enjoyed the work. Saying she got to meet many people from different countries, with that an opportunity to learn different languages at the same time

We found the tour to be interesting and informative; this winery dates back to the 16th century. Duruji winery uses the old techniques of winemaking, the Qvevri, and modern techniques used worldwide. We visited several rooms and then stopped in the room with a dozen or so sealed Qvevri’s buried in the floor. Each Qvevri is 3 meters tall, I can’t remember how many liters each one held, but it was a large number.

Next, we were off to a storage area where this winery stores wines for individuals, countries, or whomever as long as you have the monies for this service (one can only wish). We then visited the underground cellars full of wine barrels laying there aging. All-in-all a very interesting tour, next, it was off to taste some of these incredible wines. We tried 4 different wines two that were dry and made using the Qvevri method and two that were semi-sweet. Wines made using the Qvevri method are always dry as no chemicals or sweeteners are used, it is an all-natural process. They say it is always a surprise as to how the wines will taste using the Qvevri method because there is no interaction, just mother nature at work. The tasting costs 8 lari, a small price to pay for some excellent wine tasting. We ended up purchasing several bottles of white semi-sweet wines. If you are going to stop, allow yourself 2-3 hours to visit this winery.

Visitors Guide Signagi Foods

While in Signagi, we had several meals at local restaurants and thoroughly enjoyed the flavors. We found the flavors more intense than some of the meals we tried in Tbilisi. There are many restaurants to choose from all along the main street. You need to choose what you are looking for and the budget you have in mind.

Covid-19 Protocols

Here are some of the Covid-19 protocols that we have run across during our stay in Sagnagi and, for that matter in the rest of Georgia as well. 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. This proof will be requested when flying and entering some stores, restaurants, and Museums. Georgia has a passport system that the locals can use, but we tried to get this QR passport but failed. Long story short if you can prove with documentation and a piece of picture ID your good.

The requirement to wear masks when entering any building, purchasing tickets at a wicket, entering restaurants, and in crowded locations.

Our Thoughts On Visitors Guide Signagi Amazing Things To See And Do

We enjoyed our short visit to Signagi, it is always nice to get out into the country and see different aspects of life rather than just the city. There are enough things to see and do in Signagi to make this a worthwhile destination. We found food and lodging costs lower here and a little more laid-back atmosphere. So if you are looking for a destination in Georgia, please consider Signagi I don’t think that you will regret it.

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, where we started our Georgian adventures. We fell in love with the city and ended up staying here for six weeks here. A large post with lots of good information.

Gori is the first down we visited after leaving Tbilisi in our travels toward Batumi and onward to Turkey have a read, and I hope you enjoy it.

Akhaltsikhe, we have four days booked where we intend to visit these 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 plenty, 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.

Support Our Blog And Its Unique Travel Content

You can support our site by using the links through our travel Essential. We will receive a small commission if you purchase items using our links. There are no extra or hidden costs to you. These commissions assist us in our travel, so we can provide unique content to you through each blog post. If you enjoy our blog and find it interesting and informative, please share it with friends. Subscriber, so you never miss a new post. Thank you.

Cindy and I call ourselves nomadic. With this lifestyle, we use certain essentials to make this way of life easier and more comfortable. With this in mind, we have composed a list of what we feel is essential. Some tips you might use to plan or take your next travel adventure.

Accommodation Options While Traveling The World

  • Booking.com is one of our go to’s when we are 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 some travel Insurance, be it just medical or complete trip coverage. Remember, don’t travel without coverage, the savings are not worth the possible costs.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you buy a product using our link. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Disclaimer.