A place where you will feel at home. Where you will see beautiful wild mountains, ancient monasteries, concrete brutalist monsters from the communist era, but also the nicest people and food like grandma's. Georgia is beautiful, it plays no games and it will grow on you.
For lovers of the urbex, industrialism and freedom. A little bit of everything, and a few extra sips of local moonshine to boot. I can promise you it won't be the last trip you make to these parts.
The program is not fixed, we can stop along the way wherever we like and have time (for example for some nice photos and scenery). The only fixed thing is the accommodation and the way there and back :)
What all can be done in one week?
We will see the capital Tbilisi, soak up the atmosphere of local hospitality and visit the most important sights.
We will look up into the mountains and admire the beautiful scenery below the five-thousand-foot Kazbeg.
We will experience a return to the past and the days of the Soviet boom in Gori and Chiatura.
We will explore underground caves and dinosaur footprints around Kutaisi.
We'll marvel at the bygone glory of the spa town of Cchaltubo, where nature is slowly taking over.
We'll relax by the Black Sea in Batumi.
On the first day we arrive in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where modern buildings, communism and times long gone come together in a special harmony that is unique and, if you are travelling to Georgia for the first time, will be etched in your memory.
On arrival, we head to the car rental shop and upstairs to our accommodation, where we leave our bags, freshen up a bit and head out into the whirlwind of the city.
The first stop will be a restaurant with typical Georgian delicacies. If we don't like this one, there are plenty of them scattered around the city and we can choose in peace. The holy trinity of dishes: Khachapuri, Khinkali, Kharcho (for those who like surprises, I leave without description, others can google :) Basically, you won't go wrong with anything you choose. Please note that vegetable salads are often spiced with lovage, which Georgians love. Sweet lovers will be in for a treat - from the most famous baklava to the churchkhela that hangs in just about every roadside stall.
Today we continue our sightseeing and take a tour of the city.
Have you seen the astronomical clock in Prague? Well, this is the astronomical clock after a few glasses of wine, you'll love it! There are also wine bars around it, which of course we can visit for research reasons.
The third largest orthodox cathedral in the world with a beautiful view, which we can not miss during our visit to the city. I recommend taking some decent clothing if you would like to enter any shrines. Ideally a scarf over your shoulders and long trousers/skirts.
After the cathedral, it's either free time, or we can take the local Metro 1 and approach another landmark - the Georgia Chronicle.
Metro 1 Avlabari -> მ/ს გურამიშვილი
Unfinished monumental monument (you get used to it in Georgia, they love monuments of huge size). It charts the history of the region and has a beautiful view of Lake Tbilisi. If the weather is nice we can jump down for a swim. And most importantly - sleep well tonight, tomorrow we have a trip to the mountains.
On the third day we will leave early in the morning for the high mountains of Kazbegi. The journey takes approximately three hours, but rewards us with beautiful views and many interesting stops. Snacks and drinks to go, there are restaurants in the village of Stepantsminda and along the way, but it is better to be prepared than caught off guard. And a swimsuit for the mountains will also come in handy, as unbelievable as that sounds!
Quick stop at Zhinvali Dam and Ananuri Castle and we're on our way.
Memorial of the Russian-Georgian friendship, which may not be so hot, but the views, oh, the views!
You've always wanted to visit Easter Island with its mysterious moai statues, but it's too far away? You don't have to! You can find similar statues by Merab Phiranishvili in Georgia. The artist has tried to capture the connection between man, mind and nature in his sculptures and we can only silently admire the beauty set in the monumental mountains.
When the weather is nice, we can refresh ourselves in the mineral springs pool with views that will make your eyes glaze over! Not far from the swimming pool is already the village of Stepantsminda, the starting point for climbers who want to scale Mount Kazbek, a fierce five-thousand-foot peak towering above us like a silent giant. But there are still volcanic processes going on somewhere underground, the last eruption some 600 years ago. The mountain is also intertwined with Greek mythology. Legend has it that Prometheus was chained to it as punishment for giving fire to mankind.
The icing on the cake is this church set on a small hill above the village of Stepantsminda. In good weather, the scenery overlooking the five-thousand-foot Kazbeg Mountain is almost a spiritual experience, and I believe the memory of it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Don't forget to wear decent clothes if you want to enter the church (scarf over shoulders, long sleeves). After a good night's rest, we will return to Tbilisi for the night.
After beautiful views, on the fourth day we will follow in the footsteps of the communist construction.
The city of Gori is not significant except for a small detail - Stalin was born here under the name of Dzhugashvili and there is a museum dedicated to his person. Although some Georgians almost despise Russia, the cult of Stalin is popular here, so this should not be missed as a stop on the way west. It's an otherwise uninteresting city, so we don't linger with the excursion around the area and move on.
Chiatura, city of miners. It's like coming to Pripyat, Ukraine. This city where time has truly stood still is home to one of the largest manganese deposits in the world. Until recently, the so-called Stalin cable cars used to run for free here, so rusty that you could see the valley below, making every ride an adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, since you can't stop modernization, new machines have replaced these "coffins on ropes". Still, I recommend the ride to the peaks and back.
An old abandoned building from the 1960s is listed as a cultural heritage site, but it is gradually falling apart and attracting urbex lovers.
A place very similar to Meteora in Greece. A small monastery on top of a 40 meter high stone pillar. Access to it is limited to the monks, and with any luck, to the people the monks invite to the top.
After an excursion into the past, we will move to Kutaisi where we will spend the night and the next day go sightseeing. In the evening free program. I recommend the Botanical Garden, the Colchis Fountain (again monumental), or a cable car ride over the city.
Fifth day, halfway through our trip and still a busy schedule. You thought you'd seen everything? Wrong! Dinosaurs await us today!
The Sataplia Nature Reserve offers a beautiful walk in nature, with dinosaur footprints to boot. We will go to see prehistoric impressions in stone, admire the beautiful glass lookout over the landscape and, if you want, you can also see the karst caves in the area.
In the afternoon we will visit Gelati Monastery - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 12th-century building will captivate you with its beauty and interior decoration.
If there is time, we can also go to the mountain monastery of Motsameta near Gelati.
The penultimate day will be spent in the seaside city of Batumi, where we will have a free program, time for souvenir shopping, swimming and admiring the mix of new buildings a la Dubai and old buildings. Below are tips that are definitely worth a visit.
Built during the reign of Emperor Nero, the 1st century fortress is located in the town of Gonio at the confluence of the Chorokhi River and the Black Sea, 12 km south of Batumi.
It was intended to protect the entrances to the Chorokhi and Adjaristskali valleys, which connected the interior regions of southwest Georgia with the Black Sea coast. Due to its location, the Gonio fortress became one of the pillars of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Opening hours 10-18:00.
The moving statues of a loving couple right by the sea have become perhaps the most famous symbol of Batumi. Every ten minutes, the statues come close to each other, merge for a short while and then move away again. The statues are named after the Azerbaijani novel Ali and Nino, which tells the tragic love story between a Muslim woman and a Christian man.
After this sad spectacle, we can go to the nearby beach to improve our mood.
The last tower is an interesting structure near the colonnade, which is meant to resemble a DNA helix on which letters from the Georgian alphabet are inscribed, expressing the fundamental connection between language and people.
One of the oldest archaeological museums in the country offers collections from the Stone Age to the late Middle Ages from excavations mostly in southwest Georgia.
Opening Hours 10am-6pm
An obscure skyscraper with a Ferris wheel on top, you probably won't find that anywhere else. It could be a nice ride, but unfortunately the attraction doesn't work. The entire skyscraper has been empty for a long time. Originally it was supposed to house a technical university, but that idea was abandoned and now they are trying to figure out what to do with it. The most likely option is to convert the premises into a hotel.
The Square of Europe is one of the attractions in Batumi. The statue of Medea holding the symbol of the glory and cultural prosperity of ancient Colchis - the golden fleece - stands guard over the square. The buildings are reminiscent of Paris in style and the restaurants have delicious dishes to choose from.
The Chacha Tower is a copy of the Turkish tower from Izmir. It has a total of 4 fountains with "healing water", which means that the fountains flow on certain days and times with local chacha liquor for free. Maybe we will be lucky and today the tower will cure us of all our ailments. But be careful with the chacha, it's really strong.
The Argo cable car takes you directly from Batumi from Gogebashvili Street to the top of Mount Anuria (256 m above sea level). The buildings and the cable car refer to the expedition of the Argonauts who sailed to Kochida on the Black Sea. From here we can see the sea, the harbour and the city. In the summer, in good weather, from about 20:00, cultural evenings with demonstrations of traditional Georgian dances are held at the top of the mountain. We can either take the cable car down again (the fare is 30 lari round trip) or walk back down to the town (it is less than 5 km to the hotel, about an hour walk).
We'll end the last night in Las Vegas style with a dancing fountain. The water glows with colored lights, music plays, lasers shine into the sky and we can admire the coordinated water show. The program starts at 9 p.m. and continues until 2 a.m., so we have plenty of time to eat a good dinner and drink beforehand and then retire to our couches.
On the last day we will move back to the surroundings of Kutaisi, where we will walk around the former spa town, which attracts lovers of Urbex. If you want, you can drive to Prometheus Cave, where you will experience a karst spectacle and an underground boat ride. Then we will return the rental car, enjoy some more Georgian hospitality and head back to our homeland. Don't forget souvenirs for your loved ones :)
The former spa town is for Urbex connoisseurs. Incredibly many abandoned buildings tempt you to take photos and get your imagination going. What might this have been like in its heyday?
An illuminated karst spectacle, stalagmites, stalactites and almost two kilometres of trail like a fairy tale (the total length of the cave is 11 km!). You can also pay extra for a 17,25 GEL boat ride. Opening hours 10-17 except Mondays.
A place where you will feel at home. Where you will see beautiful wild mountains, ancient monasteries, concrete brutalist monsters from the communist era, but also the nicest people and food like grandma's. Georgia is beautiful, it plays no games and it will grow on you.
For lovers of the urbex, industrialism and freedom. A little bit of everything, and a few extra sips of local moonshine to boot. I can promise you it won't be the last trip you make to these parts.
The program is not fixed, we can stop along the way wherever we like and have time (for example for some nice photos and scenery). The only fixed thing is the accommodation and the way there and back :)
What all can be done in one week?
We will see the capital Tbilisi, soak up the atmosphere of local hospitality and visit the most important sights.
We will look up into the mountains and admire the beautiful scenery below the five-thousand-foot Kazbeg.
We will experience a return to the past and the days of the Soviet boom in Gori and Chiatura.
We will explore underground caves and dinosaur footprints around Kutaisi.
We'll marvel at the bygone glory of the spa town of Cchaltubo, where nature is slowly taking over.
We'll relax by the Black Sea in Batumi.
On the first day we arrive in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where modern buildings, communism and times long gone come together in a special harmony that is unique and, if you are travelling to Georgia for the first time, will be etched in your memory.
On arrival, we head to the car rental shop and upstairs to our accommodation, where we leave our bags, freshen up a bit and head out into the whirlwind of the city.
The first stop will be a restaurant with typical Georgian delicacies. If we don't like this one, there are plenty of them scattered around the city and we can choose in peace. The holy trinity of dishes: Khachapuri, Khinkali, Kharcho (for those who like surprises, I leave without description, others can google :) Basically, you won't go wrong with anything you choose. Please note that vegetable salads are often spiced with lovage, which Georgians love. Sweet lovers will be in for a treat - from the most famous baklava to the churchkhela that hangs in just about every roadside stall.
Today we continue our sightseeing and take a tour of the city.
Have you seen the astronomical clock in Prague? Well, this is the astronomical clock after a few glasses of wine, you'll love it! There are also wine bars around it, which of course we can visit for research reasons.
The third largest orthodox cathedral in the world with a beautiful view, which we can not miss during our visit to the city. I recommend taking some decent clothing if you would like to enter any shrines. Ideally a scarf over your shoulders and long trousers/skirts.
After the cathedral, it's either free time, or we can take the local Metro 1 and approach another landmark - the Georgia Chronicle.
Metro 1 Avlabari -> მ/ს გურამიშვილი
Unfinished monumental monument (you get used to it in Georgia, they love monuments of huge size). It charts the history of the region and has a beautiful view of Lake Tbilisi. If the weather is nice we can jump down for a swim. And most importantly - sleep well tonight, tomorrow we have a trip to the mountains.
On the third day we will leave early in the morning for the high mountains of Kazbegi. The journey takes approximately three hours, but rewards us with beautiful views and many interesting stops. Snacks and drinks to go, there are restaurants in the village of Stepantsminda and along the way, but it is better to be prepared than caught off guard. And a swimsuit for the mountains will also come in handy, as unbelievable as that sounds!
Quick stop at Zhinvali Dam and Ananuri Castle and we're on our way.
Memorial of the Russian-Georgian friendship, which may not be so hot, but the views, oh, the views!
You've always wanted to visit Easter Island with its mysterious moai statues, but it's too far away? You don't have to! You can find similar statues by Merab Phiranishvili in Georgia. The artist has tried to capture the connection between man, mind and nature in his sculptures and we can only silently admire the beauty set in the monumental mountains.
When the weather is nice, we can refresh ourselves in the mineral springs pool with views that will make your eyes glaze over! Not far from the swimming pool is already the village of Stepantsminda, the starting point for climbers who want to scale Mount Kazbek, a fierce five-thousand-foot peak towering above us like a silent giant. But there are still volcanic processes going on somewhere underground, the last eruption some 600 years ago. The mountain is also intertwined with Greek mythology. Legend has it that Prometheus was chained to it as punishment for giving fire to mankind.
The icing on the cake is this church set on a small hill above the village of Stepantsminda. In good weather, the scenery overlooking the five-thousand-foot Kazbeg Mountain is almost a spiritual experience, and I believe the memory of it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Don't forget to wear decent clothes if you want to enter the church (scarf over shoulders, long sleeves). After a good night's rest, we will return to Tbilisi for the night.
After beautiful views, on the fourth day we will follow in the footsteps of the communist construction.
The city of Gori is not significant except for a small detail - Stalin was born here under the name of Dzhugashvili and there is a museum dedicated to his person. Although some Georgians almost despise Russia, the cult of Stalin is popular here, so this should not be missed as a stop on the way west. It's an otherwise uninteresting city, so we don't linger with the excursion around the area and move on.
Chiatura, city of miners. It's like coming to Pripyat, Ukraine. This city where time has truly stood still is home to one of the largest manganese deposits in the world. Until recently, the so-called Stalin cable cars used to run for free here, so rusty that you could see the valley below, making every ride an adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, since you can't stop modernization, new machines have replaced these "coffins on ropes". Still, I recommend the ride to the peaks and back.
An old abandoned building from the 1960s is listed as a cultural heritage site, but it is gradually falling apart and attracting urbex lovers.
A place very similar to Meteora in Greece. A small monastery on top of a 40 meter high stone pillar. Access to it is limited to the monks, and with any luck, to the people the monks invite to the top.
After an excursion into the past, we will move to Kutaisi where we will spend the night and the next day go sightseeing. In the evening free program. I recommend the Botanical Garden, the Colchis Fountain (again monumental), or a cable car ride over the city.
Fifth day, halfway through our trip and still a busy schedule. You thought you'd seen everything? Wrong! Dinosaurs await us today!
The Sataplia Nature Reserve offers a beautiful walk in nature, with dinosaur footprints to boot. We will go to see prehistoric impressions in stone, admire the beautiful glass lookout over the landscape and, if you want, you can also see the karst caves in the area.
In the afternoon we will visit Gelati Monastery - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 12th-century building will captivate you with its beauty and interior decoration.
If there is time, we can also go to the mountain monastery of Motsameta near Gelati.
The penultimate day will be spent in the seaside city of Batumi, where we will have a free program, time for souvenir shopping, swimming and admiring the mix of new buildings a la Dubai and old buildings. Below are tips that are definitely worth a visit.
Built during the reign of Emperor Nero, the 1st century fortress is located in the town of Gonio at the confluence of the Chorokhi River and the Black Sea, 12 km south of Batumi.
It was intended to protect the entrances to the Chorokhi and Adjaristskali valleys, which connected the interior regions of southwest Georgia with the Black Sea coast. Due to its location, the Gonio fortress became one of the pillars of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Opening hours 10-18:00.
The moving statues of a loving couple right by the sea have become perhaps the most famous symbol of Batumi. Every ten minutes, the statues come close to each other, merge for a short while and then move away again. The statues are named after the Azerbaijani novel Ali and Nino, which tells the tragic love story between a Muslim woman and a Christian man.
After this sad spectacle, we can go to the nearby beach to improve our mood.
The last tower is an interesting structure near the colonnade, which is meant to resemble a DNA helix on which letters from the Georgian alphabet are inscribed, expressing the fundamental connection between language and people.
One of the oldest archaeological museums in the country offers collections from the Stone Age to the late Middle Ages from excavations mostly in southwest Georgia.
Opening Hours 10am-6pm
An obscure skyscraper with a Ferris wheel on top, you probably won't find that anywhere else. It could be a nice ride, but unfortunately the attraction doesn't work. The entire skyscraper has been empty for a long time. Originally it was supposed to house a technical university, but that idea was abandoned and now they are trying to figure out what to do with it. The most likely option is to convert the premises into a hotel.
The Square of Europe is one of the attractions in Batumi. The statue of Medea holding the symbol of the glory and cultural prosperity of ancient Colchis - the golden fleece - stands guard over the square. The buildings are reminiscent of Paris in style and the restaurants have delicious dishes to choose from.
The Chacha Tower is a copy of the Turkish tower from Izmir. It has a total of 4 fountains with "healing water", which means that the fountains flow on certain days and times with local chacha liquor for free. Maybe we will be lucky and today the tower will cure us of all our ailments. But be careful with the chacha, it's really strong.
The Argo cable car takes you directly from Batumi from Gogebashvili Street to the top of Mount Anuria (256 m above sea level). The buildings and the cable car refer to the expedition of the Argonauts who sailed to Kochida on the Black Sea. From here we can see the sea, the harbour and the city. In the summer, in good weather, from about 20:00, cultural evenings with demonstrations of traditional Georgian dances are held at the top of the mountain. We can either take the cable car down again (the fare is 30 lari round trip) or walk back down to the town (it is less than 5 km to the hotel, about an hour walk).
We'll end the last night in Las Vegas style with a dancing fountain. The water glows with colored lights, music plays, lasers shine into the sky and we can admire the coordinated water show. The program starts at 9 p.m. and continues until 2 a.m., so we have plenty of time to eat a good dinner and drink beforehand and then retire to our couches.
On the last day we will move back to the surroundings of Kutaisi, where we will walk around the former spa town, which attracts lovers of Urbex. If you want, you can drive to Prometheus Cave, where you will experience a karst spectacle and an underground boat ride. Then we will return the rental car, enjoy some more Georgian hospitality and head back to our homeland. Don't forget souvenirs for your loved ones :)
The former spa town is for Urbex connoisseurs. Incredibly many abandoned buildings tempt you to take photos and get your imagination going. What might this have been like in its heyday?
An illuminated karst spectacle, stalagmites, stalactites and almost two kilometres of trail like a fairy tale (the total length of the cave is 11 km!). You can also pay extra for a 17,25 GEL boat ride. Opening hours 10-17 except Mondays.
itinerary by Hana Assi
A place where you will feel at home. Where you will see beautiful wild mountains, ancient monasteries, concrete brutalist monsters from the communist era, but also the nicest people and food like grandma's. Georgia is beautiful, it plays no games and it will grow on you.
For lovers of the urbex, industrialism and freedom. A little bit of everything, and a few extra sips of local moonshine to boot. I can promise you it won't be the last trip you make to these parts.
The program is not fixed, we can stop along the way wherever we like and have time (for example for some nice photos and scenery). The only fixed thing is the accommodation and the way there and back :)
What all can be done in one week?
We will see the capital Tbilisi, soak up the atmosphere of local hospitality and visit the most important sights.
We will look up into the mountains and admire the beautiful scenery below the five-thousand-foot Kazbeg.
We will experience a return to the past and the days of the Soviet boom in Gori and Chiatura.
We will explore underground caves and dinosaur footprints around Kutaisi.
We'll marvel at the bygone glory of the spa town of Cchaltubo, where nature is slowly taking over.
We'll relax by the Black Sea in Batumi.
On the first day we arrive in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where modern buildings, communism and times long gone come together in a special harmony that is unique and, if you are travelling to Georgia for the first time, will be etched in your memory.
On arrival, we head to the car rental shop and upstairs to our accommodation, where we leave our bags, freshen up a bit and head out into the whirlwind of the city.
The first stop will be a restaurant with typical Georgian delicacies. If we don't like this one, there are plenty of them scattered around the city and we can choose in peace. The holy trinity of dishes: Khachapuri, Khinkali, Kharcho (for those who like surprises, I leave without description, others can google :) Basically, you won't go wrong with anything you choose. Please note that vegetable salads are often spiced with lovage, which Georgians love. Sweet lovers will be in for a treat - from the most famous baklava to the churchkhela that hangs in just about every roadside stall.
Today we continue our sightseeing and take a tour of the city.
Have you seen the astronomical clock in Prague? Well, this is the astronomical clock after a few glasses of wine, you'll love it! There are also wine bars around it, which of course we can visit for research reasons.
The third largest orthodox cathedral in the world with a beautiful view, which we can not miss during our visit to the city. I recommend taking some decent clothing if you would like to enter any shrines. Ideally a scarf over your shoulders and long trousers/skirts.
After the cathedral, it's either free time, or we can take the local Metro 1 and approach another landmark - the Georgia Chronicle.
Metro 1 Avlabari -> მ/ს გურამიშვილი
Unfinished monumental monument (you get used to it in Georgia, they love monuments of huge size). It charts the history of the region and has a beautiful view of Lake Tbilisi. If the weather is nice we can jump down for a swim. And most importantly - sleep well tonight, tomorrow we have a trip to the mountains.
On the third day we will leave early in the morning for the high mountains of Kazbegi. The journey takes approximately three hours, but rewards us with beautiful views and many interesting stops. Snacks and drinks to go, there are restaurants in the village of Stepantsminda and along the way, but it is better to be prepared than caught off guard. And a swimsuit for the mountains will also come in handy, as unbelievable as that sounds!
Quick stop at Zhinvali Dam and Ananuri Castle and we're on our way.
Memorial of the Russian-Georgian friendship, which may not be so hot, but the views, oh, the views!
You've always wanted to visit Easter Island with its mysterious moai statues, but it's too far away? You don't have to! You can find similar statues by Merab Phiranishvili in Georgia. The artist has tried to capture the connection between man, mind and nature in his sculptures and we can only silently admire the beauty set in the monumental mountains.
When the weather is nice, we can refresh ourselves in the mineral springs pool with views that will make your eyes glaze over! Not far from the swimming pool is already the village of Stepantsminda, the starting point for climbers who want to scale Mount Kazbek, a fierce five-thousand-foot peak towering above us like a silent giant. But there are still volcanic processes going on somewhere underground, the last eruption some 600 years ago. The mountain is also intertwined with Greek mythology. Legend has it that Prometheus was chained to it as punishment for giving fire to mankind.
The icing on the cake is this church set on a small hill above the village of Stepantsminda. In good weather, the scenery overlooking the five-thousand-foot Kazbeg Mountain is almost a spiritual experience, and I believe the memory of it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Don't forget to wear decent clothes if you want to enter the church (scarf over shoulders, long sleeves). After a good night's rest, we will return to Tbilisi for the night.
After beautiful views, on the fourth day we will follow in the footsteps of the communist construction.
The city of Gori is not significant except for a small detail - Stalin was born here under the name of Dzhugashvili and there is a museum dedicated to his person. Although some Georgians almost despise Russia, the cult of Stalin is popular here, so this should not be missed as a stop on the way west. It's an otherwise uninteresting city, so we don't linger with the excursion around the area and move on.
Chiatura, city of miners. It's like coming to Pripyat, Ukraine. This city where time has truly stood still is home to one of the largest manganese deposits in the world. Until recently, the so-called Stalin cable cars used to run for free here, so rusty that you could see the valley below, making every ride an adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, since you can't stop modernization, new machines have replaced these "coffins on ropes". Still, I recommend the ride to the peaks and back.
An old abandoned building from the 1960s is listed as a cultural heritage site, but it is gradually falling apart and attracting urbex lovers.
A place very similar to Meteora in Greece. A small monastery on top of a 40 meter high stone pillar. Access to it is limited to the monks, and with any luck, to the people the monks invite to the top.
After an excursion into the past, we will move to Kutaisi where we will spend the night and the next day go sightseeing. In the evening free program. I recommend the Botanical Garden, the Colchis Fountain (again monumental), or a cable car ride over the city.
Fifth day, halfway through our trip and still a busy schedule. You thought you'd seen everything? Wrong! Dinosaurs await us today!
The Sataplia Nature Reserve offers a beautiful walk in nature, with dinosaur footprints to boot. We will go to see prehistoric impressions in stone, admire the beautiful glass lookout over the landscape and, if you want, you can also see the karst caves in the area.
In the afternoon we will visit Gelati Monastery - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 12th-century building will captivate you with its beauty and interior decoration.
If there is time, we can also go to the mountain monastery of Motsameta near Gelati.
The penultimate day will be spent in the seaside city of Batumi, where we will have a free program, time for souvenir shopping, swimming and admiring the mix of new buildings a la Dubai and old buildings. Below are tips that are definitely worth a visit.
Built during the reign of Emperor Nero, the 1st century fortress is located in the town of Gonio at the confluence of the Chorokhi River and the Black Sea, 12 km south of Batumi.
It was intended to protect the entrances to the Chorokhi and Adjaristskali valleys, which connected the interior regions of southwest Georgia with the Black Sea coast. Due to its location, the Gonio fortress became one of the pillars of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Opening hours 10-18:00.
The moving statues of a loving couple right by the sea have become perhaps the most famous symbol of Batumi. Every ten minutes, the statues come close to each other, merge for a short while and then move away again. The statues are named after the Azerbaijani novel Ali and Nino, which tells the tragic love story between a Muslim woman and a Christian man.
After this sad spectacle, we can go to the nearby beach to improve our mood.
The last tower is an interesting structure near the colonnade, which is meant to resemble a DNA helix on which letters from the Georgian alphabet are inscribed, expressing the fundamental connection between language and people.
One of the oldest archaeological museums in the country offers collections from the Stone Age to the late Middle Ages from excavations mostly in southwest Georgia.
Opening Hours 10am-6pm
An obscure skyscraper with a Ferris wheel on top, you probably won't find that anywhere else. It could be a nice ride, but unfortunately the attraction doesn't work. The entire skyscraper has been empty for a long time. Originally it was supposed to house a technical university, but that idea was abandoned and now they are trying to figure out what to do with it. The most likely option is to convert the premises into a hotel.
The Square of Europe is one of the attractions in Batumi. The statue of Medea holding the symbol of the glory and cultural prosperity of ancient Colchis - the golden fleece - stands guard over the square. The buildings are reminiscent of Paris in style and the restaurants have delicious dishes to choose from.
The Chacha Tower is a copy of the Turkish tower from Izmir. It has a total of 4 fountains with "healing water", which means that the fountains flow on certain days and times with local chacha liquor for free. Maybe we will be lucky and today the tower will cure us of all our ailments. But be careful with the chacha, it's really strong.
The Argo cable car takes you directly from Batumi from Gogebashvili Street to the top of Mount Anuria (256 m above sea level). The buildings and the cable car refer to the expedition of the Argonauts who sailed to Kochida on the Black Sea. From here we can see the sea, the harbour and the city. In the summer, in good weather, from about 20:00, cultural evenings with demonstrations of traditional Georgian dances are held at the top of the mountain. We can either take the cable car down again (the fare is 30 lari round trip) or walk back down to the town (it is less than 5 km to the hotel, about an hour walk).
We'll end the last night in Las Vegas style with a dancing fountain. The water glows with colored lights, music plays, lasers shine into the sky and we can admire the coordinated water show. The program starts at 9 p.m. and continues until 2 a.m., so we have plenty of time to eat a good dinner and drink beforehand and then retire to our couches.
On the last day we will move back to the surroundings of Kutaisi, where we will walk around the former spa town, which attracts lovers of Urbex. If you want, you can drive to Prometheus Cave, where you will experience a karst spectacle and an underground boat ride. Then we will return the rental car, enjoy some more Georgian hospitality and head back to our homeland. Don't forget souvenirs for your loved ones :)
The former spa town is for Urbex connoisseurs. Incredibly many abandoned buildings tempt you to take photos and get your imagination going. What might this have been like in its heyday?
An illuminated karst spectacle, stalagmites, stalactites and almost two kilometres of trail like a fairy tale (the total length of the cave is 11 km!). You can also pay extra for a 17,25 GEL boat ride. Opening hours 10-17 except Mondays.
A place where you will feel at home. Where you will see beautiful wild mountains, ancient monasteries, concrete brutalist monsters from the communist era, but also the nicest people and food like grandma's. Georgia is beautiful, it plays no games and it will grow on you.
For lovers of the urbex, industrialism and freedom. A little bit of everything, and a few extra sips of local moonshine to boot. I can promise you it won't be the last trip you make to these parts.
The program is not fixed, we can stop along the way wherever we like and have time (for example for some nice photos and scenery). The only fixed thing is the accommodation and the way there and back :)
What all can be done in one week?
We will see the capital Tbilisi, soak up the atmosphere of local hospitality and visit the most important sights.
We will look up into the mountains and admire the beautiful scenery below the five-thousand-foot Kazbeg.
We will experience a return to the past and the days of the Soviet boom in Gori and Chiatura.
We will explore underground caves and dinosaur footprints around Kutaisi.
We'll marvel at the bygone glory of the spa town of Cchaltubo, where nature is slowly taking over.
We'll relax by the Black Sea in Batumi.
On the first day we arrive in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where modern buildings, communism and times long gone come together in a special harmony that is unique and, if you are travelling to Georgia for the first time, will be etched in your memory.
On arrival, we head to the car rental shop and upstairs to our accommodation, where we leave our bags, freshen up a bit and head out into the whirlwind of the city.
The first stop will be a restaurant with typical Georgian delicacies. If we don't like this one, there are plenty of them scattered around the city and we can choose in peace. The holy trinity of dishes: Khachapuri, Khinkali, Kharcho (for those who like surprises, I leave without description, others can google :) Basically, you won't go wrong with anything you choose. Please note that vegetable salads are often spiced with lovage, which Georgians love. Sweet lovers will be in for a treat - from the most famous baklava to the churchkhela that hangs in just about every roadside stall.
Today we continue our sightseeing and take a tour of the city.
Have you seen the astronomical clock in Prague? Well, this is the astronomical clock after a few glasses of wine, you'll love it! There are also wine bars around it, which of course we can visit for research reasons.
The third largest orthodox cathedral in the world with a beautiful view, which we can not miss during our visit to the city. I recommend taking some decent clothing if you would like to enter any shrines. Ideally a scarf over your shoulders and long trousers/skirts.
After the cathedral, it's either free time, or we can take the local Metro 1 and approach another landmark - the Georgia Chronicle.
Metro 1 Avlabari -> მ/ს გურამიშვილი
Unfinished monumental monument (you get used to it in Georgia, they love monuments of huge size). It charts the history of the region and has a beautiful view of Lake Tbilisi. If the weather is nice we can jump down for a swim. And most importantly - sleep well tonight, tomorrow we have a trip to the mountains.
On the third day we will leave early in the morning for the high mountains of Kazbegi. The journey takes approximately three hours, but rewards us with beautiful views and many interesting stops. Snacks and drinks to go, there are restaurants in the village of Stepantsminda and along the way, but it is better to be prepared than caught off guard. And a swimsuit for the mountains will also come in handy, as unbelievable as that sounds!
Quick stop at Zhinvali Dam and Ananuri Castle and we're on our way.
Memorial of the Russian-Georgian friendship, which may not be so hot, but the views, oh, the views!
You've always wanted to visit Easter Island with its mysterious moai statues, but it's too far away? You don't have to! You can find similar statues by Merab Phiranishvili in Georgia. The artist has tried to capture the connection between man, mind and nature in his sculptures and we can only silently admire the beauty set in the monumental mountains.
When the weather is nice, we can refresh ourselves in the mineral springs pool with views that will make your eyes glaze over! Not far from the swimming pool is already the village of Stepantsminda, the starting point for climbers who want to scale Mount Kazbek, a fierce five-thousand-foot peak towering above us like a silent giant. But there are still volcanic processes going on somewhere underground, the last eruption some 600 years ago. The mountain is also intertwined with Greek mythology. Legend has it that Prometheus was chained to it as punishment for giving fire to mankind.
The icing on the cake is this church set on a small hill above the village of Stepantsminda. In good weather, the scenery overlooking the five-thousand-foot Kazbeg Mountain is almost a spiritual experience, and I believe the memory of it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Don't forget to wear decent clothes if you want to enter the church (scarf over shoulders, long sleeves). After a good night's rest, we will return to Tbilisi for the night.
After beautiful views, on the fourth day we will follow in the footsteps of the communist construction.
The city of Gori is not significant except for a small detail - Stalin was born here under the name of Dzhugashvili and there is a museum dedicated to his person. Although some Georgians almost despise Russia, the cult of Stalin is popular here, so this should not be missed as a stop on the way west. It's an otherwise uninteresting city, so we don't linger with the excursion around the area and move on.
Chiatura, city of miners. It's like coming to Pripyat, Ukraine. This city where time has truly stood still is home to one of the largest manganese deposits in the world. Until recently, the so-called Stalin cable cars used to run for free here, so rusty that you could see the valley below, making every ride an adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, since you can't stop modernization, new machines have replaced these "coffins on ropes". Still, I recommend the ride to the peaks and back.
An old abandoned building from the 1960s is listed as a cultural heritage site, but it is gradually falling apart and attracting urbex lovers.
A place very similar to Meteora in Greece. A small monastery on top of a 40 meter high stone pillar. Access to it is limited to the monks, and with any luck, to the people the monks invite to the top.
After an excursion into the past, we will move to Kutaisi where we will spend the night and the next day go sightseeing. In the evening free program. I recommend the Botanical Garden, the Colchis Fountain (again monumental), or a cable car ride over the city.
Fifth day, halfway through our trip and still a busy schedule. You thought you'd seen everything? Wrong! Dinosaurs await us today!
The Sataplia Nature Reserve offers a beautiful walk in nature, with dinosaur footprints to boot. We will go to see prehistoric impressions in stone, admire the beautiful glass lookout over the landscape and, if you want, you can also see the karst caves in the area.
In the afternoon we will visit Gelati Monastery - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 12th-century building will captivate you with its beauty and interior decoration.
If there is time, we can also go to the mountain monastery of Motsameta near Gelati.
The penultimate day will be spent in the seaside city of Batumi, where we will have a free program, time for souvenir shopping, swimming and admiring the mix of new buildings a la Dubai and old buildings. Below are tips that are definitely worth a visit.
Built during the reign of Emperor Nero, the 1st century fortress is located in the town of Gonio at the confluence of the Chorokhi River and the Black Sea, 12 km south of Batumi.
It was intended to protect the entrances to the Chorokhi and Adjaristskali valleys, which connected the interior regions of southwest Georgia with the Black Sea coast. Due to its location, the Gonio fortress became one of the pillars of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Opening hours 10-18:00.
The moving statues of a loving couple right by the sea have become perhaps the most famous symbol of Batumi. Every ten minutes, the statues come close to each other, merge for a short while and then move away again. The statues are named after the Azerbaijani novel Ali and Nino, which tells the tragic love story between a Muslim woman and a Christian man.
After this sad spectacle, we can go to the nearby beach to improve our mood.
The last tower is an interesting structure near the colonnade, which is meant to resemble a DNA helix on which letters from the Georgian alphabet are inscribed, expressing the fundamental connection between language and people.
One of the oldest archaeological museums in the country offers collections from the Stone Age to the late Middle Ages from excavations mostly in southwest Georgia.
Opening Hours 10am-6pm
An obscure skyscraper with a Ferris wheel on top, you probably won't find that anywhere else. It could be a nice ride, but unfortunately the attraction doesn't work. The entire skyscraper has been empty for a long time. Originally it was supposed to house a technical university, but that idea was abandoned and now they are trying to figure out what to do with it. The most likely option is to convert the premises into a hotel.
The Square of Europe is one of the attractions in Batumi. The statue of Medea holding the symbol of the glory and cultural prosperity of ancient Colchis - the golden fleece - stands guard over the square. The buildings are reminiscent of Paris in style and the restaurants have delicious dishes to choose from.
The Chacha Tower is a copy of the Turkish tower from Izmir. It has a total of 4 fountains with "healing water", which means that the fountains flow on certain days and times with local chacha liquor for free. Maybe we will be lucky and today the tower will cure us of all our ailments. But be careful with the chacha, it's really strong.
The Argo cable car takes you directly from Batumi from Gogebashvili Street to the top of Mount Anuria (256 m above sea level). The buildings and the cable car refer to the expedition of the Argonauts who sailed to Kochida on the Black Sea. From here we can see the sea, the harbour and the city. In the summer, in good weather, from about 20:00, cultural evenings with demonstrations of traditional Georgian dances are held at the top of the mountain. We can either take the cable car down again (the fare is 30 lari round trip) or walk back down to the town (it is less than 5 km to the hotel, about an hour walk).
We'll end the last night in Las Vegas style with a dancing fountain. The water glows with colored lights, music plays, lasers shine into the sky and we can admire the coordinated water show. The program starts at 9 p.m. and continues until 2 a.m., so we have plenty of time to eat a good dinner and drink beforehand and then retire to our couches.
On the last day we will move back to the surroundings of Kutaisi, where we will walk around the former spa town, which attracts lovers of Urbex. If you want, you can drive to Prometheus Cave, where you will experience a karst spectacle and an underground boat ride. Then we will return the rental car, enjoy some more Georgian hospitality and head back to our homeland. Don't forget souvenirs for your loved ones :)
The former spa town is for Urbex connoisseurs. Incredibly many abandoned buildings tempt you to take photos and get your imagination going. What might this have been like in its heyday?
An illuminated karst spectacle, stalagmites, stalactites and almost two kilometres of trail like a fairy tale (the total length of the cave is 11 km!). You can also pay extra for a 17,25 GEL boat ride. Opening hours 10-17 except Mondays.
