Georgia

TRAVEL TIPS

Georgia– a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, is a former Soviet republic that’s home to Caucasus Mountain villages and Black Sea beaches. It’s famous for Vardzia, a sprawling cave monastery dating to the 12th century, and the ancient wine-growing region Kakheti. Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the “Mother of Georgia.”

Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options…and plenty to consider.

Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the country. Most nationalities who are holding UAE residence visa can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to the Georgian consulate website: www.embassyabudhabi.com/georgian/tourist-visa-for-georgia

Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options.

Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You’ll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.

Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette.

Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers…or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.

Packing Light: On your trip you’ll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.

Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture.

Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.

Sightseeing & Activities: Once you’re on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.

Things to see & do:

Tbilisi – is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the “Mother of Georgia.”

Batumi – a Black Sea resort and port city, is the capital of the Georgian republic of Adjara. Batumi Boulevard encompasses a waterfront promenade with a park and beach. The 130m-high Alphabetic Tower, adorned with Georgian script, has a seaside observation deck. The old town district is lined with renovated 19th-century buildings. North of the city, Batumi Botanical Garden showcases flora from around the world.

Kutaisi – is a city in west Georgia. It’s home to the centuries-old Bagrati Cathedral. On the city’s outskirts, the Gelati Monastery is a medieval cathedral with elaborate frescoes. The nearby hillside Motsameta Monastery has martyrs’ remains. Historical Georgian manuscripts, ceramics and textiles are on display at the Kutaisi State Historical Museum. To the northwest, Prometheus Cave features petrified waterfalls.

Rustavi – is a city in the southeast of Georgia, in the province of Kvemo Kartli, situated 25 km southeast of the capital Tbilisi. It has a population of 125,103 and is dominated by the Rustavi Metallurgical Plant.

Mtskheta – is a city in Mtskheta-Mtianeti province of Georgia. One of the oldest cities of Georgia and its former capital, it is located approximately 20 kilometres north of Tbilisi, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.

Gori – is a city in eastern Georgia, which serves as the regional capital of Shida Kartli and is located at the confluence of two rivers, the Mtkvari and the Liakhvi. The name comes from a Georgian word gora, meaning “heap”, or “hill”., or a mountain.

Poti – is a port city in Georgia, located on the eastern Black Sea coast in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti in the west of the country.

Ananuri– is a Historic riverside castle complex. Many battles took place at this historic castle complex with 2 churches & scenic river views.

Zugdidi – is a city in the western Georgian historical province of Samegrelo. It is situated in the north-west of that province. The city is located 318 kilometres west of Tbilisi, 30 km from the Black Sea coast and 30 km from the Egrisi Range, at an elevation of 100–110 metres above sea level.

Khashuri – is a town in the central part of Georgia and is the 9th largest settlement in Georgia. It is the administrative centre of Khashuri Municipality. It is located on the Shida Kartli plain, on the Suramula riverside, 700 metres above sea level. Khashuri is first mentioned in a 1693 document.

Telavi – is the main city and administrative center of Georgia’s eastern province of Kakheti. Its population consists of some 19,629 inhabitants. The city is located on the foothills of the Tsiv-Gombori Range at 500–800 m above sea level.

Borjomi – is a resort town in central Georgia. It’s known for its mineral waters, with springs in Borjomi Central Park. Defined by its striking exterior, the Romanov Palace contains ornate furniture and a billiards room. Nearby, trails wind through the vast wilderness of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. In the park, the centuries-old Mtsvane Monastery (Green Monastery) is made of green-tinged stones.

Ambrolauri – is a city in Georgia, located in the western part of the country, on both banks of the Rioni river, at the elevation of 550 m above sea level. It is a self-governing city.

Akhaltsikhe – is a small city in Georgia’s southwestern region of Samtskhe–Javakheti. It is situated on the both banks of a small river Potskhovi, which separates the city to the old city in the north and new in the south.

Ozurgeti – is the capital of the western Georgian province of Guria. It was formerly known as Macharadze or Makharadze. It is a regional center of tea and hazelnut processing. Ozurgeti is also administrative center of Ozurgeti District.

Signagi or Sighnaghi – is a town in Georgia’s easternmost region of Kakheti and the administrative center of the Signagi Municipality.

Ushguli – is a community of four villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia. Recognized as the Upper Svaneti UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe.

Bakuriani – is a daba and a skiing resort in the Borjomi district of Georgia. It is located on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range, at an elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level.

Senaki – is a town in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, western Georgia. It is located at around 42°16′8″N 42°4′45″E between the rivers Tekhura/i and Tsivi, at an elevation of 28–38 meters above sea level.

Sukhumi or Sokhumi – is a city on the Black Sea coast. It is the capital of the unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia, which has controlled it since the 1992–93 war in Abkhazia, although most of the international community considers it legally part of Georgia.

Akhalkalaki – is a town in Georgia’s southern region of Samtskhe–Javakheti and the administrative centre of the Akhalkalaki Municipality. Akhalkalaki lies on the edge of the Javakheti Plateau. The city is located about 30 kilometres from the border with Turkey. The town’s recorded history goes back to the 11th century.

Stepantsminda – is a townlet in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of north-eastern Georgia. Historically and ethnographically, the town is part of the Khevi province. It is the center of the Kazbegi Municipality.

Tskaltubo – is a spa resort in west-central Georgia. It is located at around 42°20′23″N 42°35′57″E. It is the main town of the Tsqaltubo Municipality of the Imereti province.

Mestia – is a highland townlet in northwest Georgia, at an elevation of 1,500 metres in the Caucasus Mountains.

Tskhinvali – is the capital of the disputed de facto independent Republic of South Ossetia, internationally considered part of Shida Kartli, Georgia, and previously the capital of the erstwhile Soviet Georgian South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast.

Gudauta District – is a district of Abkhazia, Georgia’s breakaway republic. It corresponds to the eponymous Georgian district. Its capital is Gudauta, the town by the same name. The population of the district was 34,869 at the time of the 2003 census, down from 57,334 in 1989.

Bolnisi – is a city in the country of Georgia, located in the Kvemo Kartli region and capital of the Bolnisi district. It currently has an estimated 13,800 inhabitants. In 1818 the colony Katharinenfeld was founded in Bolnisi by 95 German colonist families from Swabia.

Dedoplistskaro or Dedoplistsqaro – is a town in Kakheti, Georgia with the population of 5,940. The town is located in the Shiraki Plain, eastern Georgia, and functions as a municipality of the eponymous district.

Chiatura – is a city in the Imereti region of Western Georgia. In 1989, it had a population of about 30,000.

Vani – is a town in Imereti region of western Georgia, at the Sulori river, 41 km southwest from the regional capital Kutaisi. The town with the population of 3,744 is an administrative center of the Municipality of Vani comprising also 40 neighbouring villages.

Lagodekhi – is a town, located at the foot of the Greater Caucasus mountains between the rivers Lagodekhiskhevi and Shromiskhevi, in the historical region of Hereti.

Lanchkhuti -is a district of Georgia, in the region of Guria. Its main town is Lanchkhuti. Lanchkhuti municipality is located in western Georgia, northwest of the Guria Mountains, bordered on the west by an 18 km Black Sea coast.

Gudauri – is a ski resort located on the south-facing plateau of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia.

Vake – is a neighbourhood in southwestern part of Tbilisi, Georgia, on the right bank of the river Mtkvari; it is part of Vake-Saburtalo District. The name originated in the 19th century, meaning a lowland or low place. Vake is a settlement that originated on the territory of Old Vera.

Martvili -is a small town in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti province of Western Georgia. Its monastery was Samegrelo’s clerical centre in the Middle Ages. Under Soviet rule, from 1936 to 1990, it was named Gegechkori after Sasha Gegechkori, an Old Bolshevik.

Sagarejo – is a town in Kakheti, Georgia. It is situated 58 kilometres east of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, and has the population of 10,871. It serves as an administrative center of the Sagarejo district. The town is traditionally considered a chief settlement of the Gare-Kakheti area.

Marneuli – is a small city in the Kvemo Kartli region of southern Georgia and administrative center of Marneuli Municipality that borders neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Zestafoni or Zestaponi – is the administrative center of Zestafoni District in Western Georgia. Zestafoni is the center of an ancient, historical part of Georgia – Margveti, which is a part of Imereti province. Zestafoni is the center of Margveti’s Eparchy of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Ninotsminda – is a town and a center of the eponymous municipality located in Georgia’s southern district of Samtskhe-Javakheti. The vast majority of the population are Armenians.

Akhmeta – is a town in Kakheti and is the administrative centre of Akhmeta Municipality. It’s situated on the left side of Alazani, close to the Pankisi Gorge. The town is situated at 567m. In 1966, it received the status of Kalaki.

Kobuleti – is a town in Adjara, western Georgia, situated on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. It is the seat of Kobuleti Municipality and a seaside resort, visited annually by Georgians and many former Soviet Union residents. It is especially popular with Armenian tourists.

Dusheti – is a town in Georgia, the administrative center of Dusheti Municipality, situated in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, 54 km northeast of the nation’s capital of Tbilisi.

Aspindza – is a daba in southern Georgia’s region of Samtskhe-Javakheti with a population of 2,793, mostly ethnic Georgians.

Kaspi – is a town in central Georgia on the Mtkvari River. It is a center of Kaspi district, one of the four districts in Shida Kartli region. Founded in the early Middle Ages, the town turned into possession of the Amilakhvari noble family in the 15th century.

Gurjaani – is a town in Kakheti, a region in eastern Georgia, and the seat of the Gurjaani Municipality. It is located in the Alazani River Plain, at an elevation of 415 m above sea level. Gurjaani is first recorded as a village in a historical document of the early 16th century.

Anaklia – is a town and seaside resort in western Georgia. It is located in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, at the place where the Enguri River flows into the Black Sea, near the border with Abkhazia.

Georgia -It is the municipal center of Tetritsqaro Municipality. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway which opened in 2017, runs along the rail line through the town.

Oni -is a town in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, Georgia. Historically and ethnographically, it is part of Racha, a historic highland province in western Georgia. The town also serves as an administrative center of the Oni district.

Gardabani – is a town in the Georgian region of Kvemo Kartli and the centre of the Gardabani Municipality, located 39 km south of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi. Formerly known as Karayazi it was renamed in Gardabani in 1947 and was given the status of a city in 1969.

Tsnori – is a town in Georgia’s Kakheti region. It is located in the Alazani Valley near the town Sighnaghi and has a population of 4,815. Archaeological digs at Tsnori have revealed clusters of kurgans which contain the most elaborate burial mounds among the Early Bronze Age kurgan cultures of South Caucasia.

Samtredia – is a town in Imereti, Georgia, lying in a lowland between the rivers Rioni and Tskhenis-Tsqali, 244 km west of the capital Tbilisi, and 27 km west of Georgia’s second largest city Kutaisi. Georgia’s most important roads and railways converge there, making Samtredia the country’s vital transport hub.

Kazbegi – is the closest mountain getaway from the capital Tbilisi; it only takes 3 hours by minivan to reach the principal municipality of this elevated region, Stepantsminda. Upon arrival, you’ll notice Mount Kazbek which is the lonely giant west of the town. At over 5000 metres Mount Kazbek is Kazbegi’s highest mountain and almost a pilgrimage destination for adventurous travellers. Its extensive glaciers and hiking trails draws active people to this legendary peak.

Mount Kazbegi – is a dormant stratovolcano and one of the major mountains of the Caucasus located on the border of Georgia’s Kazbegi District It is the third-highest peak in Georgia and the seventh-highest summit in the Caucasus Mountains.

Kazbegi National Park-is located on the northern slopes of the mighty Caucasus range, and its protected area covers a total of over 8,700 hectares. At 5,047 metres above sea level, Kazbegi Mountain (or Mkinvartsveri) is the third highest mountain in Georgia, and is surrounded by myths and religious tradition. According to Greek mythology, as punishment for teaching mankind how to make fire, the Titan Prometheus was chained to a mountainside in the Caucasus for all eternity.

Kakheti – is a region formed in the 1990s in eastern Georgia from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti. Telavi is its capital. The region comprises eight administrative districts: Telavi, Gurjaani, Qvareli, Sagarejo, Dedoplistsqaro, Signagi, Lagodekhi and Akhmeta.

David Gareja Monastery – Georgia has several monasteries and churches carved into mountains or rock formations, and David Gareja Monastery is one of the most breathtaking. The monastery dates back to the 6th century, and some of the original frescoes are still visible. David Gareja is a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja on the edge of Iori Plateau, some 60–70 km southeast of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

Tusheti National Park – in eastern Georgia is one of the eight new protected areas approved by Parliament of Georgia on 22 April 2003. The Global Environment Facility and the World Bank were part of this approval process under the “Georgia – Protected Areas Development Project”.

Gori – is located in central Georgia and is mainly known for the fact that Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was born here in 1878. The town currently has a museum dedicated to Stalin, which provides visitors with a rather one-sided image of the Soviet leader. Here his kindness and great leadership take centre stage in the exhibitions. Just outside Gori, you’ll find Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock city sculpted into a mountain at around 1000 BC. It functioned as an important religious and political centre in pre-Christian Georgia, and even up to today, you can wander through the former wine cellars, houses, and carved out temples.

Borjomi – is a resort town in central Georgia. It’s known for its mineral waters, with springs in Borjomi Central Park. Defined by its striking exterior, the Romanov Palace contains ornate furniture and a billiards room. Nearby, trails wind through the vast wilderness of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. In the park, the centuries-old Mtsvane Monastery (Green Monastery) is made of green-tinged stones. The West-Georgian town of Borjomi is world-famous for its fizzy mineral water, but it also has brilliant architecture and nature. Pay a visit to the Mineral Water Park, where you can sample the Borjomi water at its source. For interesting architecture, head over to the lovely Firuza house and Romanovs’ Palace, a colourful mansion that houses some historical exhibitions. Borjomi is famous for its mineral water industry (which is the number one export of Georgia). Archaeological excavations have revealed the existence of stone baths in the area, proving that these mineral waters have been utilized by people for thousands of years.

Svaneti – can easily be considered as the outdoor capital of Georgia; the peaks of the Caucasus are at their highest here, and many hiking routes will show the epic scenery this region possesses. The most popular destinations here are Mestia and Ushguli, with the latter being favoured thanks to its stone towers and dramatic location between the mountains. Serious mountaineers can climb their hearts out on giants like Mount Ushba (4710 metres), Mount Tetnuldi (4858 metres), and Mount Shkhara (5193 metres), while lesser trained travellers can choose from countless more straightforward treks.

Abudelauri Lakes – The green, blue and white basins lie east of Kazbegi and are encircled by the most dazzling summits of the Georgian Caucasus. Inexperienced hikers can start their journey to the lakes from the village Roshka, while seasoned trekkers might opt for the full-day hike from Juta. Sharp mountain peaks and the Abudelauri glacier are just a couple of rewards you get when travelling to these alpine lagoons.

Narikala – is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Mtkvari River. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulfur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. On the lower court there is the recently restored St Nicholas church.

Sameba Cathedral- One of the most conspicuous Tbilisi attractions you can see from Narikala is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, known colloquially as Sameba. The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, commonly known as Sameba, is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church located in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Sameba is the world’s third-largest Eastern Orthodox church as of 2018, and is one of the largest religious structure on the planet in general.

Stepantsminda – is a townlet in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of north-eastern Georgia. Historically and ethnographically, the town is part of the Khevi province. It is the center of the Kazbegi Municipality. the nearest settlement to the church, it’s about 90-minutes on foot at a brisk pace on a relatively steep incline.

David Gareja – is a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja on the edge of Iori Plateau, some 60–70 km southeast of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi. Davit Gareja, a massive monastery complex a couple of hours from the city that’s literally carved into a mountainside. Tour buses to Davit Gareja, which dates back to the 6th century, leave from Tbilisi’s Freedom Square every morning.

Batumi’s Black Sea Coast – Georgia’s Black Sea coast is idyllic, and the city of Batumi has some lovely beaches to visit. One of the things many visitors to Georgia love about the city beach in Batumi is the fact that it’s made of rocks, not sand. This means not only that the water is clearer, but that you won’t get sand everywhere when you sunbathe!

Kakheti’s Wineries- The country’s long-secret wine scene (the Caucasus region is arguably where the modern wine tradition was born) is gaining more and more positive press, from the honey-sweet white wine Tvishi to fruity Aguna rosé. Popular wineries in the Kakheti region southeast of Tbilisi include Pheasant’s Tears and Shumi Winery Khaketi.

Signagi or Sighnaghi – is a town in Georgia’s easternmost region of Kakheti and the administrative center of the Signagi Municipality. Like Narikala in Tbilisi, much of the town of Sighnaghi significantly re-built. Notable Sighnaghi attractions include the Bobde Monastery, which sits just outside the town center, and eighth-century Kvelatsminda Church. A day or two in Sighnaghi town pairs perfectly with a trip to one or more of the Georgia wineries.

Stalin – was born in the Georgian town of Gori, then part of the Tiflis Governorate of the Russian Empire and home to a mix of Georgian, Armenian, Russian, and Jewish communities. He was born on 18 December [O.S. 6 December] 1878, and baptised on 29 December. The massive Stalin Statue and extensive Stalin Museum that sits in the center of Gori Town, you can visit the ancient Gori Fortress or Uplistsikhe, an architectural site that dates back to the Iron Age.

Bakuriani – is a daba and a skiing resort in the Borjomi district of Georgia. It is located on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range, at an elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level.

Rustaveli Avenue, formerly known as Golovin Street – is the central avenue in Tbilisi named after the medieval Georgian poet, Shota Rustaveli. The avenue starts at Freedom Square and extends for about 1.5 km in length, before it turns into an extension of Kostava Street.

Telavi – The capital of the Eastern province of Kakheti, is home to several of the region’s world-famous wineries, art museums, castles and a theater highlighting folk singing and dancing.

Alphabetic Tower – located in Batumi. It expresses the uniqueness of the Georgian alphabet and people. The 130-meter-tall (426.5 feet) building combines the design of a DNA strand holding 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet, with each aluminum letter being four meters (13.1 feet) tall. The elevator shaft leads to the very top of the structure, which provides panoramic views.

Statue of Ali and Nino – Located at Batumi Bay, this statue of eternal love is an iconic landmark in Batumi. Made by Georgian artist Tamara Kvesitadze, the figures move towards each other, merge into one piece and then move away from each other every 10 minutes. The idea to create this magnificent statue came from the book of the same name by Kurban Said. The book is about a romantic relationship between Azerbaijani Muslim Ali and a Georgian Christian daughter of a nobleman in Baku in 1918.

Chacha Tower – In the vicinity of Alphabetic Tower and Ali and Nino, there’s an impressive landmark called the Chacha Tower, originally built to have a chacha fountain, the Georgian national spirit, instead of a water one.

Argo Cable Car – Built in 2012, the Argo Cable Car has become a must-do activity once in Batumi. It will take you on a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) ride at a maximum elevation of 252 meters (826.7 feet). At the end of the journey, there’s a viewing platform for sweeping views over the city.

Piazza Square – which features boutique hotels, cafés, and unique architecture, is a go-to destination for many locals to grab a drink or something to eat. Designed by Georgian architect Vazha Orbeladze, the Piazza perfectly mixes different styles and trends.

The Monastery of the Cross Jvari – is a 6th Century Monastery that is, coincidentally, in the shape of a cross. It is located on a mountaintop with a great view of the meeting between the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers as well as the entire city of Mtkskheta. Jvari Monastery is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with other historic structures in Mtshketa.

Svetitskhoveli – is also one of the biggest in the country. Harsh conditions throughout Georgia’s history couldn’t stop the 10-century old building from retaining its beauty. The temple is on another UNESCO World Heritage listing because of its glorious architecture. Svetitskhoveli was the religious centre for all Christians for many centuries. Further proving its importance to Christianity, there is a legend that a seamless robe of Jesus Christ is buried within the temple. Another legend states that King Giorgi ordered the hand of amputated Svetitskhoveli’s architect, so that he could never recreate something so beautiful ever again.

Gvinis Palata -provides a wide range of activities involving wine that you can engage in that makes the Gvinis Palata a true gem of Mtskheta. Building consists of four floors, each containing different things you can do. Ground floor you can listen to the stories about rare Georgian grapes and wines, while on the second floor you can taste a variety of wines, as well as learn the process of baking the traditional Georgian bread the Shotis Puri, all while enjoying Georgian folk dancing and songs. Be sure to check out the third floor, from which you can sip on delicious Georgian wine while experiencing a breathtaking view of Mtsketa and its Jvari Monastery.

Bebris Tsikhe – is located on a mountaintop in northern Mtskheta, a castle taking up an area of 1,500 square meters. Although parts of the castle are damaged, it is still a wonderful ancient sight. Be sure to look down from Bebris Tsikhe once you get up there, we can guarantee the view will take your breath away.

Gujari – is a restaurant that provides an elegant atmosphere for its clients. The word Gujari originates from the 11th century and translates to a “royal missive” usually received from the king. Its intriguing name, as well as the soothing, live performances of enchanting Georgian songs will guarantee to set the mood for an extravagant night out in Mtskheta.

Samtavisi – A magnificent sample of Georgian medieval architecture dating back to the 11th century. Samtavisi has since been damaged several times by earthquakes, and was reconstructed both in the 15th and 19th centuries. Check out the eastern wall of the cathedral, since it is the only part has not been redone. It contains some of the original designs that were installed during the original construction of Samtavisi a thousand years ago.

Shio Mgvime – About 13km from Mtskheta is a limestone canyon in which you will find a beautiful medieval monastic complex. In the 6th Century, it was a vibrant religious community, populated by around 2,000 monks. St. John the Baptist’s Monastery was the first to be built with the rest of the Shio Mgvime complex built over time. However, the most intriguing part of this monastery is the various unmistakable caves around the mountain. It is in one of these caves that Shio, the missionary and founder of Shio Mgvime, one of the original 13 Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia to spread Christianity lived. It is because of Shio that the monastery gets its name: “The Cave of Shio.”

Armazi – is an old chapel to Mary, the mother of Jesus. From the chapel and up into the hills is a trail that leads to an ancient fortress dating back to 2nd-8th Centuries CE. The fortress includes an ancient bath, several tombs, and a tower. The buildings are almost ruined, but the tower is still well preserved. It stand high on the hill and the route is not easy for the amateur hiker. However, the view from there is magnificent. The picturesque nature surrounding the fortress, with its mountains, high hills, and a waterfall is definitely worth your time.