Georgia has been making wine for 8,000 years. Georgians, even their brutal dictators, love wine and any visitor will likely be regaled with stories about how Georgians, or their ancestors, invented wine. We on the Caucasian Challenge, despite loving the hospitality we receive there each year, always took those claims with a pinch of […]
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The Cascade: the Symbol of Yerevan
Why we love Yerevan’s Cascade. It’s hard to describe exactly what it is, but the Cascade is certainly one of the most memorable sights Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, the final city of Caucasian Challenge minimal assistance adventure rally. For a place to socialise on hot summer nights, for views over the city and all […]
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Georgia Chosen for “Best in Travel” 2018
Inclusion in Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel” list is highly sought after. Every year Lonely Planet, the publishers of the world’s most popular travel guidebooks, release a new “Best in Travel” guide. Comprised of top 10 selections of the best countries, cities, regions, and “best value” destinations, budding travelers across the world take […]
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The Best Book on the History of the Caucasus
Learn about the Caucasus before you visit. The Caucasian Challenge can be a whirlwind, as incredible roads, breathtaking scenery, and welcoming hospitality all compete for your attention. We only visit the South Caucasus, but even this small region is home to many languages, diverse cultures, and rich histories. So, it can be a good idea […]
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Are The Caucasus in Europe?
We love them, but we still don’t know for sure whether the Caucasus are in Europe or Asia. The Caucasian Challenge departs from Istanbul (in Europe, not in the Caucasus), before heading west across Northern Turkey (not in Europe, not in the Caucasus), reaching Georgia (maybe in Europe, definitely in the Caucasus) and Armenia […]
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Stalin’s Favourite Wine
Stalin had good taste in wine, it seems. Georgia claims to have invented wine, and artifacts do show evidence of wine production for at least 8,000 years. As we travel through the country on the Caucasian Challenge, though, you may notice that when marketing wine Georgians often rely on somewhat more recent history. […]
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The Amazing History of Georgia… On Film
Watch Salt for Svanetia, and learn a little more about this amazing country. Each year on the Caucasian Challenge minimal assistance rally, one of the most beautiful locations we visit is Ushguli, the highest village in Georgia. In the mountains of the picturesque Svaneti region, and cut-off from the rest of civilization for many months […]
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Why We Love Churchkhela
Is there a more delicious Georgian treat than churchkhela? When first time visitors to Georgia travel with us on the Caucasian Challenge, we are often asked about brightly coloured “sausages”, seen on roadsides all over the country. They are churchkhela, one of Georgia’s many hidden culinary gems. And they taste even better than […]
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The Importance of Mount Ararat
Explaining Mount Ararat, at the heart of Armenian culture. On the final day of the Caucasian Challenge, as teams make the drive from Tatev Monastery to the rally’s final destination Yerevan, participants are treated to one of the most spectacular views of the trip. To the West appears a spectacular two-peaked mountain, Ararat. […]
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The Essential Places to Go in Georgia
Introducing the essential places to go in Georgia. The Caucasian Challenge will reach Georgia on the 17th of August, and we’re already excited. There’s so much to explore, from the seaside sun of Batumi to the bustling energy of Tbilisi. Our list of essential places to go in Georgia includes the most famous […]
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