Experience Your Own Race Across The World — Georgia Edition
The new season of Race Across The World has us all excited as contestants journey from Europe to Asia, over to some of our favourite regions in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Starting in Italy, they will make their way across to Hatgal in Northern Mongolia.
If you’re wondering what there is to do in Georgia, which the contestants will be racing through, we have created this mini-guide so you don’t have to look any further! Georgia is a fascinating country and — along with Armenia — is often called the birthplace of wine. The food here is mouthwatering, your stomach won’t easily forget the cuisine from the cheesy breads called khachapuri, to the dumplings, khinkali.
It’s so easy to fall in love with not only the country but with the delicious food, gorgeous landscapes, and some of the most hospitable people in the world. I was lucky enough to live there for just a year, and years later, it still holds a special place in my heart and is one of my favourite destinations.
Best Tours That Visit Georgia
Our tour of Georgia: Land of Myths and Mountains starts with the capital, Tbilisi, then moves to the country’s wine region of Kakheti, up into the Great Caucasus Mountains, before looping back through Gori, Akhaltsikhe, Vardzia, and back to Tbilisi. This tour is a great taster to experience not only the highlights of Georgia but also the hidden gems the country has to offer.
To explore more of the Caucasus region, our Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia: Across the Caucasus tour could be the perfect tour for you. The Caucasus is surrounded by mountains, which made it an isolated region for many years. On this tour, you can learn about the similarities of the three countries, but also the vast differences, despite their proximity to each other.
If walking in extraordinary natural beauty is more your thing, Georgia: Walking in Tusheti is the tour for you. One of the highlights of this tour is Tusheti National Park that is a recognised protected area and managed by the Tushetian people. They are an ethnic Georgian community, living a semi-nomadic life with distinctive pagan-Christian blended rituals. During this tour you’ll be able to explore their home and also learn more about their unique culture.
For those wanting to experience more of Georgia and what it has to offer, the Georgia Explorer tour is the best bet. 15 days of discovery starting with Tbilisi and all the way to the coast of the Black Sea in Batumi. One of the highlights of the trip is visiting Kutaisi, which was the ancient capital of Colchis and the setting where Jason and his Argonauts came to look for the golden fleece.
Five Best Places to Visit in Georgia
TBILISI
You can’t come to Tbilisi without exploring the Old Town and the Sulphur Baths. All the important landmarks are within close walking distance of each other and are a perfect introduction to the country. In the upcoming episode, you will see contestants running over the Bridge of Peace, a pedestrian bridge over the Kura River, that connects the Old Town to the new districts and opened in 2010. Standing here, you have unobstructed views of the Narikala Fortress, the Tbilisi Tower, and the Presidential Palace. Crossing into the Old Town, you’ll most likely pass Erekle II Street,a lively street lined with cafes with outdoor seating. During warm evenings, this is one of the best places to be.
GORI
Gori is the birthplace of the infamous Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. With a population of just over 40,000 people, the atmosphere is quieter, and there is an air of slower living. The most well-known landmark of Gori is the Stalin Museum, where you can see the house his family rented a room in, and where Stalin spent the first four years of his life in. Another feature of the museum is Stalin’s private train carriage that he used from 1941 onwards. This 83-tonne, armour-plated carriage was used to take Stalin to the Tehran Conference and the Yalta Conference in 1943 and 1945 respectively.
TELAVI IN KAKHETI REGION
The capital of the wine region in Georgia is Telavi. It’s impossible to come to this region — or more accurately, the country — without doing a wine tasting and learn about the winemaking traditions.
A relatively small city, Telavi was at one point the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti and the Kingdom of Kakheti-Hereti. Situated in the heart of Alazani Valley, the area produces nearly three-quarters of the country’s wine. Not far from Telavi, in the Tsinandali Estate, is where European-style bottling techniques were introduced to Georgia by Alexander Chavchavadze. The first bottle of wine in the country is also housed in the estate’s impressive oenotheque.
KAZBEGI (OFFICIALLY STEPANTSMINDA)
Officially named Stepantsminda after a name change in 2006, but still commonly referred to as Kazbegi, this town is surrounded by magnificent mountains. Kazbegi is an outdoor lover’s paradise and offers some incredible hikes. One of our favourite hikes in Georgia is through the valleys to Gergeti Trinity Church, also known as Holy Trinity Church. Built in the 14th century, the church was used as a treasury whenever Georgia was attacked, as the road was a difficult one for enemies to take on. The church was built in the traditional style, but the views it offers are unparalleled.
BATUMI
Moving over to the west of Georgia, on the coast of the Black Sea, is a subtropical haven, Batumi. Meander through the 19th century Old Town of Batumi with its cobbled streets and colourful buildings, or experience the more modern Batumi. While here, make sure to find the Ali & Nino statue which is based on a book of the same name about a tragic love story. The sculpture is also known as the Statue of Love, consisting of two figures that, at 7pm each night, move towards each other for a short embrace, before separating again.
Whilst in the capital of the Adjara region, you must try the Adjarian khachapuri. A personal favourite dish, the Adjarian khachapuri differs from other cheese-filled bread. This boat-shaped dough is cooked with local cheese in the middle, after cooking a raw egg is dropped on top of the cheese. The boat shape is important since they become the bread you tear at and use to mix the egg and cheese, cooking it all together into a perfect dish.
Five Best Experiences in Georgia
FELT MAKING
One of the oldest textile traditions in Georgia is felt-making, called Teka. This art is deeply rooted in the culture, and is the way the papakha hat is made that is worn by men throughout the Caucasus, as well as clothing, carpets, and accessories. The art has had a modern revival with artisans combining this traditional technique with modern designs. In Kazbegi, you can visit a local master who will tell you all about the importance of Teka and his work.
CHURCHKHELA COOKING CLASS
Churchkhela is a delicious, sweet treat made traditionally from walnuts and grape juice. Starting off with the chosen nuts being deshelled and left in water in order to soften them, they will be added onto a string. This is then dipped in grape juice that has been thickened with flour. Usually dried in the sun for five to six days, the consistency of the grape juice becomes gummy-like.
EXPLORE THE CAVE TOWN, VARDZIA
Vardzia is a less visited cave town in Georgia compared to the more well-known Uplistsikhe, mostly due to the fact that Uplistsikhe is easier to get to, but Vardzia deserves its own spot on our mini-guide.
This cave system is carved into the Erusheti mountain on the bank of the Kura River. Dating back to the 12th century, the complex spans 500m across the cliffs and goes up to 19 tiers. The main monastery is the Church of the Dormition, but there are an additional 14 churches. The murals you find here hold a significant importance and were the starting point of the development of Georgian medieval mural painting.
ENJOY THE MOST SERENE LUNCH SPOT IN BORJOMI
During your meals in Georgia, you may notice one specific brand of water on every table, which is Borjomi. Borjomi is a town in Georgia that used to be a popular area for sanatoriums. The volcanic springs in the area produce a natural sparkling water that is high in minerals and is said to be highly beneficial.
One of the largest national parks in Georgia is here, Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. As soon as you arrive in Borjomi, the fresh air restores any ailments. It’s one of my favourite places in Georgia, and is a great stop for lunch to enjoy the fresh air and try Borjomi water straight from the source, but be warned, the water is sulphurous, which gives it a smell of slightly rotten eggs. But, it’s for health, right?
EXPERIENCE A FARMER’S MARKET WITH LOCALS
Wild Frontiers is all about making genuine connections with the local people we meet and learning from them. One of our favourite experiences in Georgia is exploring a local farmer’s market in Tbilisi with the help of our culinary friends. A bazaar or market is usually the heart of a city or town, where you can see all of the local delicacies as well as enjoy the clamour of everyday life. After learning from your hosts, you will join them in their home for a lesson in traditional cooking traditions and prepare a true Georgian meal together.
Best Time to Visit Georgia
Georgia is a great destination for year-round adventures. For fewer crowds, visit the country in the shoulder months in April / May and September / October. This season offers milder weather and lower rainfall, with average temperatures ranging from 12 °C to 25 °C. For hiking and walking trips, June to August are the best times. During winter, December and January are the best times to experience Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
