Georgia Travel Guide

Georgia OVERVIEW

Ill-famed due to the recent conflict with Russia and through being Stalin's birthplace (the former being none of our business; the latter proving more of a tourist incentive), Georgia is not an instant pick at the moment. But if you pluck up a backpack full of courage blended with a dose of vagabond curiosity, you'll certainly not regret listening to that daredevil side of your disposition. And although the country is indeed recovering from the separatist turmoil, it is generally safe to travel and offers a broad array of amenities for every budget to suffice, from a rich hotel base through excellent dining to decent transportation means.

Just wait to see the major cities. Tbilisi almost casts a spell with its strong sense of the past spiced up with exquisite modernity as befits the capital. Seated on the hillsides along the banks of Mtkvari River, it is a traveler magnet for those in need of something more than trite alleys, crowded streets and posh boutiques. Located strategically at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, the city has often been the bone of contention between various rivaling powers, the competition being reflected primarily in its architecture, where the 1.5 km Rustaveli Avenue lies parallel to the narrow streets of medieval Narikala, and the beehive domes of the Bath District are juxtaposed with weirdos such as Roads Ministry Building. The fabulous towns of Svaneti and Kazbegi, set against the Caucasus mountains, will leave you dumbstruck with their serene beauty and otherworldly character. They are those type of places where you first take a deep breath of disbelief before you try to make a comment only to realize you're actually at a loss for words. On the other hand, there's coastal Batumi, once a tourist dream come true, now a peaceful harbor where you stop over with sentiment to find the scent of tea that used to float on the lazy afternoon breeze is getting weaker and weaker.

Need more incentives? Georgian joy of life, streaming wine and unrivaled hospitality will do their job. Just let yourself go in this realm of sensations and you'll forever chant "Georgia on my mind". Ehm...he meant this one, didn't he?