Once part of the Soviet Union, and the birthplace of Stalin, Georgia crams a lot into a small area.
Located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia ranges from the snow-capped mountains of the Caucasus, on the border with Russia, through the semi-tropical forests of its interior, to long expanses of beaches on the shores of the Black Sea.
Add the vibrant capital of Tbilisi and unique food and wines, and there’s no need to wonder why this country was once the favourite holiday destination of the former Soviet Union. Now independent, the country is blossoming.
Here’s my pick of things to see and do:
Tbilisi
The capital of Georgia, with a quarter of the population, gets its name from its many hot springs, (tbili means warm). The city spills down the hillsides on either side of the Mtkvari River, with the Nariqala fortress perched high above. The narrow winding lanes of the old town are home to a mosque, synagogue and Armenian, Georgian and Catholic churches. This is the place to wander, admiring the old carved wooden balconied houses and sample Georgian food in the many restaurants and cafes.
Mtskheta
20km north of Tbilisi, this was the capital until the 5th century and the town’s churches are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. King Mirian, after his conversion to Christianity, founded the first wooden church here in 327 and it was rebuilt in stone in the 5th century The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dates from the 11th century and, inside, the robe of Jesus is supposedly buried underneath a square pillar in the nave.
Standing on a hilltop, overlooking Mtskheta, is the Jvari Church, on the site where King Mirian erected a wooden cross. It was constructed in the late 5th century and is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for most Georgians. There’s not much to see inside, but there are spectacular views of Mtskheta and the valley where the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers converge.
Gori
Just 100km northwest of Tbilisi is the birthplace of Stalin, born Josef Djugashvili in 1879. His simple mud-brick house is preserved under a glass-roofed Doric temple and behind is a vast museum dedicated to his life. This was built in 1957 and the displays remain as they were in Soviet times, although recently they’ve added a small two-room section downstairs, to show the darker side of the dictator.
Mockups of an interrogation room and a prison cell have texts on the walls detailing repression and torture. Parked outside is Stalin’s train carriage, in which he travelled to the Yalta Conference in 1945. There’s no electric light inside, so you have to use a torch to get around. It’s slightly chilling to see his bed and his bathtub up close, knowing he was really here.
Kutaisi
Around 150 km west of Tbilisi. Kutaisi has been the capital of Georgia at various times in the 4000 years of its existence. It was the main city of the ancient kingdom of Colchis, around 2000BC, where, according to Greek legend, Jason and his Argonauts found the Golden Fleece.
There’s a factual basis for the story, as historically, sheepskins were used to dredge tiny nuggets of gold from mountain streams. The River Rioni runs through the city with the centre occupying the left bank. The land on the right banks rises up steeply and is topped by the Bagrati Cathedral.
Bagrati Cathedral
Since the 1st century, a fortress has occupied these heights, and there are remains of a palace from the 6th century as well as ruins of a small church. However, it’s the great dome of the Cathedral of the Assumption, started in 1003 by King Bagrat III, which dominates. Unfortunately, the Turks destroyed most of it in 1692 and it lay in ruins until 2008. It’s now being completely restored to its former glory and is a popular place for weddings.
Sataplia Nature Reserve
In the hills, just outside town, the star attraction here is 200 fossilised dinosaur footprints, 120 million years old. They’re displayed under a protective canopy along with full-sized dinosaur replicas. In the thick tropical forest, covering the reserve, are a number of deep karst caves, one of which is open to visitors. It’s 300m long, with a small underground river running inside and crammed with stalactites and stalagmites. Above the caves, panoramic viewpoints give vistas of the surrounding hills and the Caucasus.
Vani
40km southwest of Kutaisi, Vani was another important centre for the Colchis kingdom between the 8th and 1st centuries BC. Many graves have been found here and a brand new museum displays the finds. Nobles were buried with their jewellery and ceramics inside qvevri (clay vessels), which helped to preserve the contents. On the museum’s upper floor, there are beautiful gold ornaments, etched with fine animal designs. Outside the site is still waiting to be properly excavated, but you can make out ruins of city walls and temples.
Batumi
In Georgia’s far west, on the Black Sea, Batumi is booming. It’s been a resort since the 19th century when the Russian Tsar holidayed here, but in recent years crazy new skyscrapers have helped to create a Vegas on Sea. The climate here is semi-tropical, so it’s hot in the summer and warm in the winter. A 7km Boulevard runs along the edge of the sea and attractions include a Ferris wheel, a lighthouse built in 1882 and the 130m double helix Alphabet tower which displays the letters of the Georgian alphabet in neon. As well an attractive old town, there are vast botanic gardens and a massive Roman Fortress from the 1st century AD.
Fact File
FLY: Turkish Airlines flies from London Heathrow to Tbilisi and Batumi, via Istanbul.
INFO: Georgia has information about the country. – Go Batumi has information about city and the region.
TOUR: Check out a 5-day tour of Georgia from mountains to lakes, cities to churches, fortresses to museums from £441.16.
READ: The Bradt Guide to Georgia is indispensable.
STAY: Rooms Hotel Tbilisi is stylist industrial chic in a former print factory.
Hotel Magnolia in Kutaisi overlooks the river and breakfasts are huge.
Hotel Radisson Blu Batumi has sea views and an excellent Asian restaurant.
EAT:
Tbilisi:
Shavi Lomi Restaurant serves modern Georgian Cuisine
Rigi Restaurant bakes its own breads to go with its traditional cuisine.
Barbarestan is high quality fine dining restaurant.
Kutaisi: Café Argo is by the river and serves authentic Georgian fare.
Sazano Wine Cellar is outside the town and has excellent wines and food.
Batumi:
The Terrassa Askaneli is good for Khachapuri, traditional cheese pies.
Bern Restaurant has traditional Ajari Cuisine.
The Ajarian Wine House is outside the town and has live music.
Château Kvirike nestles among its own vineyards.
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