← All Destinations
🍷
Georgia
Ancient monasteries, Caucasus mountain passes, and wine older than anywhere else on earth.
We use cookies to enhance your journey. Privacy Policy
Ancient monasteries, Caucasus mountain passes, and wine older than anywhere else on earth.
Georgia (the country) is one of Europe's most underrated travel destinations — a place where ancient cave monasteries cling to mountain cliffs, where wine has been made in clay qvevri vessels for 8,000 years, where the Caucasus mountains provide some of the continent's most dramatic scenery, and where the hospitality is almost overwhelming in its generosity. Tbilisi's old town is one of the most photogenic cities in Europe. It's very cheap, very safe, and very welcoming.
Georgia invented wine 8,000 years ago and it still makes it differently to anyone else — amber wines fermented in clay qvevri buried in the earth. The Kakheti region is world-class.
The Caucasus Mountains offer some of Europe's most spectacular and least-crowded trekking. The Svaneti region, Kazbegi and the Tusheti plateau are all outstanding.
Cave cities like Vardzia, ancient monasteries clinging to cliffsides, and Tbilisi's extraordinary old town give Georgia a historical depth that constantly surprises.
Six distinct areas — each with a different character, price point and experience.
The Abanotubani sulphur bath district and the old city above it — boutique hotels in restored 19th century townhouses with carved wooden balconies. This is the most atmospheric place to stay in the city. Rooms start from £30/night.
The main boulevard — upmarket hotels, the National Theatre and Opera House, and easy walking distance to everything. More business hotel than boutique but well-located. The Rooms Hotel here is a Tbilisi institution.
The leafy residential area west of the centre — popular with long-stay visitors and expats. Independent cafés, good restaurants and a slower pace. Slightly further from the main sights but walkable. More affordable than the old town.
The mountain town at the foot of Mount Kazbek — guesthouses from £15/night with extraordinary views. Book the Rooms Hotel Kazbegi well in advance (it sells out months ahead). The town itself is small but perfectly placed for the Gergeti Trinity Church hike.
The most beautiful town in the wine region — a small walled hilltop village overlooking the Alazani valley. Boutique guesthouses from £25/night, most with wine from their own vineyard. The 24-hour marriage registry makes it popular with Georgian couples.
The main base for the Svaneti region and the Peaks of the Caucasus trekking — several small guesthouses and lodges. Accessible by domestic flight from Tbilisi (40 min) or a very long drive. Book well ahead in summer trekking season.
Georgian hospitality means you will be invited for food and wine constantly — accepting is the respectful thing to do, and the homemade chacha (grape spirit) is significantly stronger than it looks
The Tbilisi Metro runs until midnight and costs 1 GEL (around 25p) — there's no reason to take a taxi within the ring road for daytime trips
Georgian wine is mostly sold in unlabelled bottles from family cellars — ask your guesthouse host for their own wine rather than buying in tourist shops
The currency (GEL) is not available outside Georgia — bring euros, dollars or pounds and exchange at official exchange offices (not hotels, which give poor rates)
In the mountains, weather can change from clear to storms in 30 minutes — always check the Windy.com forecast for Kazbegi and Mestia before setting out on any ridge walk
Tell us your dates, budget and travel style — we'll handle every detail.
From £12/day — SE Asia, South America, Europe, Africa and beyond.