Georgia has a lot to offer to travelers. Historical and architectural monuments, unique masterpieces of fine arts, ancient cultural and traditions still preserved in remote and inaccessible villages and mountainous provinces, majestic Caucasian Mountains, spectacular resorts and national parks, delicious Georgian cuisine and wine, friendly and hospitable people.
Gelati & Bagrati Temples Kutaisi, dated back to the Argonauts times (13th - 12th cc BC), was the capital of old Colchida and later of Western Georgia. Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi was founded in the 12th century by the most famous Georgian King David the Builder (1073 - 1125). The unique murals of saints and Georgian monarchs are inside the main Virgin Cathedral.
Kakheti Province is situated east from Tbilisi and is a land known for its old churches and pleasant wine growing countryside. The province has a rich history and hundreds of historical and architectural monuments. among which Alaverdi Cathedral (11th c), Ikalto Academy (4th - 13th cc), Shuamta Monastery (7th c), Gremi Church (16th c) and many other sites are some of the highlights of Georgia.
Georgian Military Highway & Mount Kazbek. Georgian Military Highway is called the road leading north from Tbilisi via a nice Aragvi River Valley. Ananuri Fortress and then over the Jvari Pass on the Main Range of the Caucasian Mountains, where fro the road goes down to Kazbeki town (1700m). Kazbegi is a small settlement, surrounded by high mountains, the most magnificent of which is Mount Kazbek, 5047m, one of the six 5000 meter peaks in the Caucasus. Gergeti Sameba Church is beautifully situated on the hill, overlooking the area and providing splendid views of Mt. Kazbek. The region with its valleys and Chaukhi Mountains is one of the popular walking and climbing destinations in the country. Gudauri ski resort located on the south slopes of the Main Caucasian Range is probably the best skiing (and heli-skiing) resort in the entire Caucasus.
Vardzia Cave Town, Sapara Church and South Georgia. Vardzia ii Meskheti province, southern part of Georgia is the grandiose cave town built between 1186-89 by Georgian Queen Tamar is a unique example of Georgian Renaissance. There are many medieval architectural and historical sites around town Akhaltsikhe, among which Sapara Church and Khertvisi Fortress are worth visiting.
David Gareji Monastery is situated in Gareji semi-desert in Kakheti province 75 km south-east from Tbilisi. Founded in the 6th century by Christian Father St. David the monasteries of Lavra, Udabno, Dodo and Bertubani are famous fro their original cave architecture and frescos of 8 - 13th centuries.
Svaneti Province & Central Caucasus. Svaneti, one of the inaccessible provinces of Georgia is situated on the southern slopes of the Central Caucasus. Dozens of 5000 meter peaks with huge glaciers tower over this mysterious land, where people have preserved their ancient cultures and traditions. Unique icons and manuscripts are kept in Mestia Museum. The villages with medieval Svanetian towers and the stunning environment are second to none for adventure travel. Village Ushguli, the "Roof of Europe", provides amazing views of Mt. Shkhara (5201m) the highest summit of Georgia. Architectural monuments of Upper Svaneti are included in World's Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO. Racha is a mountainous province, neighbouring Svaneti to the east. There are marvelous forested and snow-capped mountains surrounding beautiful villages and impressive medieval churched.
Uplistsikhe Cave-town & Ateni Church. Uplistsikhe (The Lord's citadel) is situated 8 km south-east from Gori. Uplistsikhe dates back at least to the 7th century BC. This cave town was a strategic point on the trade roads in the ancient times till 14000 AD. Here one finds a big hall for pagan rituals and some living rooms as well as a church of the 9th century. Atani Church (7th c.) in the neighborhood of town Gori has remarkable architecture and impressive mural painting.
Tusheti Province. Situated in the eastern part of the great Caucasus, Tusheti province with its forested and snow-capped mountains and remote medieval villages with original architecture is some of the top destinations for adventurers. Very few tourists have visited such villages as Dartlo and Parsma, where people still keep strong links with virgin nature and ancient traditions.
Ajara Region: Batumi, the Black Sea Coast, Gonio Fortress. Situated on the south-western part of Georgia at the eastern coast of the Black Sea. Ajara is one of the beautiful regions of the country. The landscapes change from high forested mountains to nice subtropical nature on the Black Sea coast. Batumi, the capital of Ajara region is one of the major sea ports and resorts in Georgia. Batumi has beautiful surroundings: Botanical Garden rich with subtropical vegetation, tea and citrus plantations. Known also as Asparunt, Gonio was an ancient town built in the 2nd century BC on the Black Sea shore. The town played an important role as a strategic point on the crossroads from west to the entire Caucasus. Archeological expeditions still take place in Gonio.
Village Shatili & Khevsureti Province deep and narrow river gorges, severe snow-capped peaks, virgin nature and traditional villages with mountain architecture make Khevsureti very attractive. Shatili village-citadel with its mighty towers stands proudly in Arguni river valley since the 9th - 11th centuries and is a kind of symbol of Georgian heroism and history.
The Minor Caucasus & Bakuriani. The Minor Caucasus is situated on the southern part of Georgia and include Meskheti and Javakheti provinces. The area is characterized for its diversity of terrain and nature as well as for hundreds of churches and inaccessible fortresses. There are the biggest lakes in Georgia on the high volcanic plateaus. Borjomi and Bakuriani are some of the most popular resorts in Georgia. Bakuriani ski resort and its surroundings provide opportunity for walking in summer and skiing in winter.
Bolnisi Sioni Church is situated south from Tbilisi in town Bolnisi. The Basilica Church of Bolnisi was built in 478 AD and it is one of the significant monuments of early Middle Ages in Georgia.
Imereti, Guria & Samegrelo Provinces. These regions in the western part of the country have picturesque landscapes from the lowlands of the Black Sea coast to forested mountains. There are many medieval churches and monuments in these provinces as well as some of the popular resorts in the country. Kutaisi, Poti and Zugdidi are some of the largest cities in Georgia around which there are many interesting historic and nature destinations. In Town Vani (dated back to the 8th - 3rd cc BC) there is an interesting museum, where some unique pieces of the ancient Colchis are exhibited.
