Once a grand and thriving spa resort catering to the rich, the town of Tskaltubo was largely abandoned…
Times visited: 1 (15 days in 2021)
Cities visited: Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Zugdidi
Towns and villages visited: Stepantsminda, Gergeti, Motsameta, Tskaltubo, Kumistavi, Mestia, Zhabeshi, Adishi, Iprari and Mtskheta
UNESCO sites visited: Gelati Monastery, Historical Monuments of Mtskheta and Upper Svaneti
I’d been dreaming about Georgia for a long time when I spontaneously decided to travel there during my six-month break from work in 2021. I had fifteen days available and figured it would be enough to see both Georgia and Armenia. It wasn’t!
Sure, I could’ve skipped over a few places in Georgia and had a whirlwind of a trip through Armenia, but upon arrival in Tbilisi, I soon realized I would barely scratch the surface of each country if I did that. So I saved Armenia for another time, except for a quick visit to Yerevan for my flight home, and instead spent the full fifteen days exploring Georgia. I didn’t regret my decision one bit.
Two days into my trip, I met a bunch of fun travellers on the terrace of Envoy Hostel, one of whom later became my boyfriend! We travelled around the country together, visiting places like Kazbegi National Park, the city of Kutaisi and the beautiful mountainous region of Svaneti.
We explored Tbilisi in depth, hiked above the famous Gergeti Trinity Church, wandered through the streets of Kutaisi, visited two beautiful monasteries in the hills beyond Kutaisi, spent an evening in a natural sulphur pool, explored an abandoned Soviet sanatorium, visited a limestone cave, undertook a crazy journey to Mestia in Svaneti, hiked four days in the mountains of Upper Svaneti, and discovered the ancient monuments of Mtskheta. Georgia is so beautiful that it gives even Kyrgyzstan a run for its money. I hope to be back soon!
