Georgia
Qvevri Wine, Supra Feasts, Caucasus Mountains, Svaneti Towers, Tbilisi Old Town, Sulphur Baths, Black Sea Coast, Skiing
Georgia sits where Europe meets Asia, between the Greater Caucasus and the Black Sea. In a country roughly the size of Ireland you can move from subtropical beaches to glaciers, and from semi-desert to vineyards, in a single day's drive.
Tbilisi, the capital, is a city of carved wooden balconies, domed sulphur baths and hilltop churches, watched over by the Narikala Fortress. Its old town mixes centuries-old courtyards with natural wine bars, design hotels and a creative restaurant scene. A short drive away, Mtskheta's Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral form one of the country's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Wine is central to Georgian identity. Archaeologists have found evidence of winemaking here dating back around 8,000 years, and the traditional method of fermenting wine in buried clay vessels called qvevri is recognised by UNESCO. More than 500 native grape varieties grow across the country, with Kakheti in the east its best-known wine region. Wine is shared at the supra, a traditional feast led by a toastmaster, or tamada.
The mountains are just as compelling. Kazbegi offers the classic view of Gergeti Trinity Church below Mount Kazbek, while Svaneti's medieval defensive towers stand in villages such as Mestia and Ushguli. In winter, Gudauri and Bakuriani become ski resorts, and in summer Batumi draws crowds to the Black Sea coast.
Best Time to Visit Georgia
May to June and September to October are best for city breaks, hiking and wine country, with the grape harvest, known as Rtveli, in autumn. July and August suit the Black Sea coast and high mountain treks. December to March is ski season.
Top Reasons to Visit Georgia
1. The Cradle of Wine
Georgia's winemaking tradition is thought to stretch back 8,000 years. Tour family cellars and estates in Kakheti, taste amber wines made in qvevri, and visit the hilltop town of Sighnaghi with its views across the Alazani Valley.
2. Tbilisi's Old Town
Wander the lanes of Old Tbilisi, soak in the brick-domed sulphur baths of Abanotubani and ride the cable car up to Narikala Fortress. The city's food, wine and nightlife scene has made it one of the most exciting short breaks in the region.
3. Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church
The Georgian Military Road leads north to Stepantsminda, where the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church stands on a ridge beneath Mount Kazbek. It is the starting point for some of the best day hikes in the Caucasus.
4. Svaneti's Mountain Villages
High in the Greater Caucasus, Upper Svaneti is known for its medieval stone towers and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Base yourself in Mestia and travel on to Ushguli, one of the highest permanently inhabited settlements in Europe.
5. The Georgian Table
Georgian cuisine is reason enough to visit. Try cheese-filled khachapuri, khinkali dumplings, walnut-rich pkhali and grilled mtsvadi, ideally at a supra where the toasts flow as freely as the wine.
6. Canyons, Caves and the Black Sea
Around Kutaisi you can walk the cliffside path at Okatse Canyon, take a boat through Martvili Canyon and explore Prometheus Cave. In the south-west, Batumi offers a lively seafront on the Black Sea.
