Georgia Travel Guide - Original Travel

Georgia at a glance

The time to go to Georgia is now, before the country becomes a mainstream destination, and our Georgia travel guide will help you make the most of what will be a truly memorable country. Georgia’s chaotic and complex history is in part responsible for the sluggish development of tourism, but from the selfish point of view of those who do venture here now will be richly rewarded, not least by the very appreciative and welcoming locals. First, let's explore the capital Tbilisi, where Brutalist architectures contrasts with the soft orange brickwork of the old city, and the shell-like metal curves of the Bridge of Peace straddle the Kura River. In a traditional restaurant, dine on a dish of khinkali, the traditional ravioli of Georgia, then change things up and go for a drink at Fabrika, one of the hipster haunts in the capital.

Then learn to pronounce Mtskheta (‘m-skyta’), the name of the ancient capital located a stone's throw away from Tblisi. Don’t miss its cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in the country, a category where the competition is seriously tough. Then it’s time for a road trip in Georgia, heading first towards the Black Sea, stopping at Batumi, one of the chic seaside resorts of the Soviet era. The communist apparatchiks might be gone, but the climate remains the same: mild, with beautiful blue sea. There’s a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere here, with Russian, Turkish, Armenian and Azerbaijani holidaymakers mingling with Georgians to the sound of DJs on the long sandy beach. Compare and contrast that beachfront vibe with time in the mountains of Tusheti, home to villages full of stone houses with wooden balconies where time seems to have stopped. Pass by Gori, Stalin's hometown, on the way to Uplistsikhe, a mysterious rock-hewn city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's yet another highlight in this Georgia travel guide, and of any trip you make.