Georgia is full of surprises: you can find better wine than France, higher mountains than Switzerland and, it turns out, older monasteries than those found on the rock pillars of Greece. The Katskhi pillar, Georgia’s Meteora is found not far from Chiatura, but seems a world away from the town’s mining history […]
Continue ReadingCategory: Caucasian Challenge
Do You Dare Take a Ride on Chiatura’s Ancient Cable Cars?
Chiatura’s ancient cable cars are one of the most interesting sites in the Caucusus. If you like cable cars, you’ll love the Caucasus. Treat yourself to a trip on modern tramways which take you up to Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi, rise up from Batumi’s harbour, and cross the magnificent valleys leading you to Tatev monastery […]
Continue Reading
Drive the Georgian Military Highway
The Georgian Military Highway is the fastest route from Tbilisi to Russia, but there are plenty reasons to drive it even if you don’t want to leave Georgia! The Georgian Military Highway is the fastest route from Tbilisi to Russia, but it’s no ordinary motorway. It can be a challenging drive (thanks to […]
Continue Reading
The Mysterious Mountain Church of Stepantsminda
Stepantsminda’s mysterious mountain church is an essential sight on any visit to Georgia. Georgia has more than its share of remote villages, impressive mountains, and beautiful churches, but when all three are combined in one place it’s still something special: Stepantsminda is just that. Found in the North of Georgia, on […]
Continue Reading
The Armenian Alphabet Monument
Ever gazed at an Armenian-language road sign and gave three silent cheers for GPS? Or wondered how something so utterly either un-ciryllic or non-latin-like could have materialized in this nook of the world, as if by magic? If so, wonder no more, but fold yourself into your favourite shape and absorb the story of the […]
Continue Reading
In Praise of Georgian Food: Khinkali
If you want to eat Georgian food, khinkali are an excellent place to start. These tasty dumplings are popular throughout the country. Be sure to try them if you visit, just make sure you eat them correctly! While there are many delicious dishes to try in Georgia and the Southern Caucasus, when it comes to Georgian […]
Continue Reading
Sighnaghi: Georgia’s City of Love
Sighnaghi, in the eastern province of Kakheti, has a reputation as Georgia’s city of love (and wine…) Sighnaghi, only 100km’s drive east of the capital Tbilisi, is known as Georgia’s city of love, and for good reason. Locals often compare the hilltop town to Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet, and it has everything you might need to […]
Continue Reading
Essential Georgian Phrases
Georgia is a wonderful country to visit, and don’t be put off by the complicated language and mysterious alphabet. With these essential Georgian phrases you’ll have no trouble getting by! Wherever you go it’s worth learning a little bit of the language, but that’s especially true in Georgia. Though younger people often speak English, older […]
Continue Reading
Garni Gorge, Armenia: A Geological Wonder, Topped with a Temple
Just to the southeast of Yerevan lies a piece of geological oddity, a place at once puzzling and awe-inspiring, like some giant celestial sculptor’s discarded toy that he made for his own entertainment.
Continue Reading
The Controversial Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori
The Joseph Stalin Museum is found in his hometown of Gori, where it’s famous for having a controversially uncritical view about the former Soviet leader. You might assume the citizens of Gori, the small Georgian city where Joseph Stalin was born, would be ashamed of their most famous son. However, the locals have a […]
Continue Reading