Georgia travel tips route tourist attractions photo gallery

[toscanafoto]

I want to share with the community some tourist information and experience of my recent trip in Georgia

A fascinating trip of mainly cultural , landscape and archeology interest . The itinerary of about 1300 km has been covered in about 7 days ; crossing some of the most important places in Georgia to visit and learn more about this fascinating Country

To see the photo gallery of my trip click on the link below

https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcod...7708866017621/

Tbilisi : the city has a spectacular location on the banks of the river Mtkvari and it is surrounded by numerous hills on which it is enlarged ; for this reason there are always different landscapes depending on the hill or viewpoint from which the city is observed , you can reach these places with the funicular / cableway and also by road . The historic center is fascinating and full of many characteristic buildings and you breathe the atmosphere of an ancient Eurasian crossroads between tradition and modernity . Among the most interesting buildings we find the Church of Metekhi of XIII century , the beautiful Basilica of Anchiskhati of VI century , the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity , the fortress of Narikala of IV century , the Sioni Cathedral of VII century , the neighborhood of Abanotubani with sulphurous thermal baths , the Parliament , the beautiful theater Rustaveli , the modern Peace Bridge , the National Museum , the Synagogue , the puppet theater Rezo Gabriadze , the television tower . The city positively impresses with the huge number of good restaurants where to taste the excellent Georgian cuisine and the many very nice pubs where to spend time . It is a very lively and very interesting capital

Kutaisi : it is the administrative centre of Imereti and it is an ancient city , it was among the most important centers of ancient Colchis and famous for being the destination of Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece . Among the most interesting monuments there are : the Gelati Monastery which is located on a hill 10 km from the city , where in the Church of St. Nicholas , in the Church of St. George and in the Church of Nativity there are beautiful frescoes ; the Bagrati Cathedral is located on the hill of Ukimerioni and it is of XI century . Don't miss the lively and colorful central market

Kumistavi : it is a town 20 km from Kutaisi , where there are the beautiful Prometheus Caves ; 16 caves with a very colorful lighting that enhances the beauty of stalactites and stalagmites . Breathtaking views with the possibility of sailing a small stretch of an underground river . The tourist route on foot is about 1 km long

Uplistsikhe : it is an ancient rocky city dug into the rock located 10 km from the city of Gori . The settlement dates back to 1000 a.C.n and it is very fascinating

Gori : it is the administrative centre of the Shida Kartli and is famous for being the city where was born Joseph Stalin ; to visit the Museum Iosif Stalin , the fortress , the City Hall

Gudauri - Ukhati - Stepantsminda or Kazbegi : they are 3 mountain locations between 1700 and 2400 meters of altitude connected by “ Great Georgian Military Road ” with beautiful surrounding views of some mountains of the Greater Caucasus that reach up to 5000 meters of altitude , along the road to see the impressive Monument to the friendship of the peoples of Russia and Georgia . A few km from the Russian border immersed in a breathtaking landscape there is the Church of the Trinity of Gergeti on a mountain at 2170 meters above sea level near Kazbegi

Mtskheta : it is the ancient Religious capital and represents the spiritual heart of Georgia . The beautiful Monastery of Jvari also called the Monastery of the Cross it is located on the top of a hill in the immediate vicinity of the city . The most interesting monument is certainly the Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli of XI century and is located in the center of Mtskheta

Telavi : it is the administrative centre of Kakheti . Among the most interesting buildings there are : the fortress of the Master Batonis Tsikhe , the Church of Saint Mary of XVI century , the Church of Holy Trinity of VI century . Nearby is the Monastery of Ikalto which is one of the most famous medieval Georgian academies , the building is of VI century

Ananuri : it is a beautiful fortified architectural complex located on the banks of the river Aragvi which is of XVIII century ; among the main buildings of the fortress there are : the Church of the Assumption , the Church of the Virgin , the square tower , the bell tower

Gremi : it is a fortified architectural complex consisting of the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and from a very beautiful imposing tower-building

Akhmeta : the beautiful Monastery of Alaverdi is located about 25 km . The Cathedral and the Monastery are surrounded from an imposing city wall ; the bell tower is high 55 meters . The oldest part of the Monastery is of VI century while the Cathedral is of XI century

Signagi or Sighnaghi : it is known as the city of love . This small town located on top of a cliff overlooking the valley of Alazani . Along the walls ( of XIII century ) there are about 20 towers . Among the most interesting buildings there are the Churches of St. George and of Saint Stephen . A few kilometers away there is the Convent of Bodbe with the tomb of Santa Nino ( the young woman who converted the Georgian people to Christianity )

Tsinandali : it is a village famous mainly for the villa / museum that once belonged to the poet Alexander Chavchavadze and for its historic cellar

Ubisi : it is a small village known mainly for the fortified Basilica of Ubisi which is of 9th century ; the frescoes of this church are very beautiful

Tsqaltubo : it is a place renowned for its thermal waters

Kvareli : it is famous for its cellars and for its centuries-old wine tradition

Under my daily itinerary of the places I have visited ( may be useful to better plan a trip )

Day 1 : arrival in Tbilisi

Day 2 : ( 20 km ) Tbilisi

Day 3 ( 260 km ) : Signagi - Tsinandali - Kvareli - Telavi

Day 4 ( 200 km ) : Akhmeta - Gremi - Tbilisi

Day 5 ( 270 km ) : Mtskheta - Gori - Argveta - Tsqaltubo

Day 6 ( 40 km ) : Kumistavi - Kutaisi

Day 7 ( 330 km ) : Zestaponi - Ubisi - Uplistsikhe - Meneso - Gudauri

Day 8 ( 200 km ) : Ukhati - Stepantsminda - Ananuri - Tbilisi

Day 9 : return trip

If you have more days , I recommend visiting : Batumi - Vardzia - Ushguli - Davit Gareja - Akhaltsikhe - Mestia - villages of the Tusheti

P.s. to know the location where the photographs were taken , enlarge them individually clicking on it and read under the picture