Georgia is a country I wasn’t expecting ever to visit – but once I did to took my heart by storm. I purposefully didn’t do too much research before arriving. I wanted to be surprised and surprised I was, in the best way! From the moment I got off the plane in Tbilisi I was walking past smiling faces, even though it was the middle of the night. Despite the hour, the country’s capital city was bustling with life. People were coming and going, walking down well-lit streets, chatting with friends, enjoying life. That was the moment I felt it, the warmth that radiates from Georgia.
Having left war and other conflicts behind them in the past, Georgia is now an incredibly safe country to travel. The people are inviting, friendly and want nothing more than to show you around. The love Georgians feel for their country is tangible and infectious. Before I knew it, I was in love too. Plus, if the gorgeous scenery and welcoming locals aren’t enough to sway you, the mouthwatering food will have you returning time and again.
Below are five reasons why you must visit Georgia, as it is a country you need to experience to believe.
1) The Scenery
Georgia feels undiscovered, a quality not many countries still have. The mountains are rugged, the rivers are pristine, and the fields are vibrantly green. Vast areas of the country remain untouched and wild, something we are growing to appreciate more and more during these hyper-technological times!
Picking one must-see destination is difficult, but I will say you simply cannot miss Kazbegi in the Greater Caucasus Mountains. Take a road trip from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Highway and be treated to stunning views every minute of the way. You’ll arrive in Kazbegi, a tiny town home to the famous Gergeti Trinity Church, which is perched on a mountain 2,170 meters above sea level. Reaching the church is certainly a feat! Your options include a strenuous uphill hike, which takes an hour or hours depending on your fitness level at such altitudes, or electing for a bumpy ride in a four-wheel drive vehicle. No matter what you do though, get there, because the vistas are beyond worth it!
For the best views of the Caucasus while still lying in bed, I highly recommend staying at the .
2) The Food and the Wine
Georgian food is warm, rich and always served in large quantities. I don’t believe I’ve ever eaten so well in my entire life. From the khinkali – dumplings filled with spiced meat and delicious juices – to the Mtsvadi – almost like a kebab but tastier – you will never go hungry. One thing that cannot be missed is khachapuri. This dish varies by region, which makes it even more fun to travel around and try every style! It is Georgian bread filled with cheese or egg or various other Georgian concoctions and is quite simply delicious.
Now, about the wine. Georgians love their wine, and with good cause. Georgia is thought by many historians to be the very birthplace of wine! This country grows over 500 grape varieties within its borders, an impressive feat. A wine tour through Kvareli or Telavi is essential during any visit to Georgia. There you’ll learn about the ancient winemaking process, which involves fermenting wine in clay pots buried in the earth. The results are delicious and you’ll surely be more than happy to join the locals in glass after glass.
If you’re in the Telavi region, produces award-winning wines and offers excellent tours in English, all set against a beautiful backdrop.
3) The History and the Architecture
If you’re searching for a great book to read, look no further than the history of Georgia. Throughout the centuries Georgia has been conquered, occupied and reborn so many times it has the honor of calling itself one of the most invaded nations in history. Everyone from the Greeks to the Russians have come through at one time or another to try to control it. Georgia was also the second country in the world to adopt Christianity as the state religion, an influence that has remained very strong to this day.
The country is littered with ancient architecture like Akhaltsikhe castle, the rock city of Vardzia and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. My personal favorite is the Bodbe Monastery, which was founded in the 4th century and still houses the tomb of St. Nino, the very woman who brought Christianity to Georgia.
Today the country is developing, especially in the larger cities like Tbilisi and Batumi. Modern day architecture like the Peace Bridge in Tbilisi and the Technological University Tower in Batumi are popping up, creating interesting juxtapositions between the ancient and the cutting edge. I never knew exactly what I’d stumble across while taking a simple stroll through Georgia’s city streets.
4) It’s possible to travel on a budget
For budget travelers, Georgia is a dream! The country uses the Lari (GEL) which has a very favorable conversion rate against the US Dollar, the Euro and the British pound. Those interested in traveling on the cheap will be thrilled with their price options on places to stay, food to eat and transportation between cities. Homestays are a common housing option, while hostels are growing in number and popularity throughout the major cities of Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi.
If you’re willing to bump up your price bracket a bit then say hello to a lot of luxury at an affordable price. Adorable hotels, charming restaurants and lovely spas are dotted throughout the country.
5) The People
Meeting and befriending Georgian people was the highlight of this country for me. They are passionate, kind and hospitable. Georgians love Georgia, and they can’t wait to tell you all the reasons why! They’ll go on about the food, the wine, the night life, the scenery, the culture and you’ll find yourself enthusiastically nodding along with them because how can you not when they’re so excited to share their wonderful home with you?
Meeting new people and making new friends, I mean actual friends, is an inevitable part of your trip to Georgia. I found myself wrapped up in long conversations about life, love and friendship while surrounded by people who a few hours ago had been strangers. One thing is certain, you will leave Georgia with more friends than when you came.
Georgia is a country that surprises and delights. I constantly daydream about the day I can return to my newfound friends, eat cheese-filled khachapuri with a glass of Georgian wine, and gaze upon another gloriously scenic corner of the country. I hope you can manage to visit before this hidden gem is completely discovered!
This is a guest post by Alecia Weaver.
Alecia became addicted to travel at the age of 14 and has since lived and traveled abroad extensively. Now residing in Los Angeles, she works on the “Breaking Bad” spinoff series titled “Better Call Saul.” Whenever she is not working on a television series, Alecia is traipsing around the globe, contorting herself into funky yoga poses and drinking wine, occasionally simultaneou
