Travel Georgia with UncrushedLeaves
There is an old Georgian proverb that says, “A guest is a gift from God.” When you find yourself in this small, proud country, nestled between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, you will realize that this isn’t just a saying – it is a way of life. Georgia is a territory at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, where empires have collided. But despite the troubled history, the culture of Georgia has retained its proud and friendly character, enveloping the visitor in an unforgettable experience of ancient tradition.
Here are the top 5 places you absolutely must visit when traveling to Georgia, each offering a completely different side of the country’s landscape and history:
1. Tbilisi (The City Born of Hot Springs)
Every great city has a great legend about its foundation, and Tbilisi is no exception. It is said that King Vakhtang Gorgasali was hunting in the dense thickets of the local valley in the 5th century when his favorite falcon brought him a pheasant. The bird and the falcon both flew into the hot spring and suffocated in the superheated waters. The surprised king was fascinated by the warm and sulfurous stream and decided to build a city there. Thus, the capital of Georgia was named Tbili, which means warm in the language of the locals.
Every great city has a great legend about its foundation, and Tbilisi is no exception. It is said that King Vakhtang Gorgasali went hunting in the thickets of the local valley, and one of his favorite falcons brought him a pheasant. The bird and the falcon flew straight into the hot spring and suffocated there. The surprised king, taking this for a good omen, decided to build a city in this place to mark the find. This is how the capital of Georgia was called Tbili, which means warm in the local language.
2. Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
If you want that iconic, breathtaking view of the Caucasus Mountains, head north to Kazbegi along the scenic Georgian Military Highway.
The absolute highlight here is the Gergeti Trinity Church, a 14th-century stone church perched on a steep ridge, dwarfed by the massive, snow-capped peak of Mount Kazbek (over 5,000 meters high). It’s a paradise for hikers and nature photographers.
3. Svaneti (Ushguli & Mestia)
Leave the bosom of the city, turn your back on the capital and head north towards the great Caucasus Mountains and you will enter the region called Svaneti. This area was so inaccessible and remote that it has managed to keep itself separated from the world for centuries.
The locals, also known as the Svans, have their own unofficial language and an air of independence about them. Dotting the landscape of verdant valleys and rising up to meet the snow-capped peaks are hundreds of ancient watchtowers . The most impressive cluster of which can be found in the village of Ushguli, Georgia, which is also one of the highest permanently inhabited places in Europe.
4. Kakheti (The Wine Region)
Georgia claims to be the birthplace of wine, and Kakheti is its premier wine-producing region. The landscape is defined by vast vineyards, ancient monasteries, and the Alazani Valley.
The crown jewel of the area is Sighnaghi, often called the “City of Love”. It is a romantic, walled town with red-tiled roofs that offers sweeping views of the valley and the Caucasus Mountains in the distance.
5. Vardzia (The Cave City)
Hidden away in southern Georgia, Vardzia is a spectacular ancient cave monastery carved directly into the side of the Erusheti Mountain in the 12th century.
Commissioned by Queen Tamar to protect against Mongol invasions, this underground fortress once housed thousands of people and included churches, living quarters, wine cellars, and a complex irrigation system. Exploring the remaining tunnels and chambers is an unforgettable archaeological experience.
In a world where everyone is always rushing somewhere, Georgia makes you slow down. It makes you sit down and have dinner at a filled restaurant and make connections with the people that you are with. And when you finally pack your things to leave, you will think to yourself, “the old saying was right, I was just a stranger here, and I’m leaving as family.”
As you look back at the mountains one last time, you won’t be sad to leave, you will just be excited to figure out when you will be able to return.
