5 Reasons To Visit Georgia Right Now

Georgia's unique fusion of history and modernity, from cafes and wine regions to heritage monuments and sites, makes it an attractive addition to your travel bucket list
The historic centre of Tbilisi has several outdoor restaurants
The historic centre of Tbilisi has several outdoor restaurants Radio kafka / Shutterstock
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Georgia has a rich and diverse natural terrain that is home to many geographical beauties. Consider a land that is uniformly green, with blue skies, and snow-capped summits and beach resorts. The country is also reasonably priced, incredibly tourist-friendly (Indians may obtain easy e-visas), and not too far from India.

Here are five great reasons to add Georgia to your travel bucket list.

Experience A Melting Pot Of Cultures

Where Europe and Asia converge, Georgia has been the site of centuries-long cultural exchanges between European, Far Eastern, and other cultures. A diversified and distinctive culture has been created due to the juxtaposition of their distinguishing features with Georgian inventiveness.

Explore The Great Outdoors

Georgia has much to offer outdoor enthusiast. Climb, hike and mountain bike through Georgia, or enjoy a relaxing day fishing or picnicking near tranquil lakes and rivers. The Vashlovani Protected Area, Javakheti plateau, and Kolkheti National Park provide unmatched possibilities for birdwatchers to observe some of the region's most uncommon species. The bright lakes of Abudelauri are one of Georgia's most aesthetically stunning natural attractions. This is also a fantastic trekking destination, so if you're visiting Georgia in the summer, add this untamed bit of beauty to your itinerary. The Imereti region of Georgia is noted for its lush flora, stunning limestone cliffs, and plenty of water—rivers, streams, and lakes. 

Amazing views in Mestia in the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, Upper Svaneti, Georgia
Amazing views in Mestia in the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, Upper Svaneti, GeorgiaChristopher Moswitzer / Shutterstock

Do The Vineyard Trail

Georgian wine varieties are popular worldwide, and the country's winemaking heritage dates back millennia. The secret is using high-quality local grape varieties, and the traditional Georgian qvevri winemaking processes passed down through centuries.

Spend some time in Kakheti's wine-growing eastern area, possibly in Sighnaghi, a little hill town with Italianate architecture and stunning vistas of a sun-drenched sea of vines stretching across a vast valley to the hazy blue of the Caucasian mountains in the distance. There are dozens of vineyards and a fantastic museum, including many paintings by Niko Pirosmani, Georgia's most famous artist.

Spend lazy afternoons on the vineyard trail In the Alazani valley in Kakheti
Spend lazy afternoons on the vineyard trail In the Alazani valley in KakhetiAnastassiya_s / Shutterstock

Climb The Katskhi Pillar

Pilgrims have long referred to the pillar as the "staircase to heaven" due to its remote location and difficulty of access. This stunning 40-metre-high limestone pillar juts out of a woodland landscape in Georgia's Katskhi town, around 200 km from Tbilisi. To gain your first glimpse of this monument to early Christian worship, you must finish the final portion of the trek on foot with a 20-minute ascent.

The orthodox church and the abbot cell on the stunning Katskhi Pillar
The orthodox church and the abbot cell on the stunning Katskhi PillarAndrei Bortnikau/ Shutterstock

Spend Time In The Cities And Towns

Georgia's cities are a dynamic blend of traditional culture and contemporary design. Tbilisi, the capital city, is surrounded by hills and mountains and is located on the banks of the Mtkvari (or Kura) river. The Great Silk Road once ran through Tbilisi, making it a significant location for many centuries. It is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, with several ancient churches, cobblestone roads, a magnificent fortress, and charming cafes and eateries. Then there's Kutaisi, the cultural hub of western Georgia and currently the Georgian parliament's seat. Batumi is a lovely Black Sea resort that is locked in a time warp from Soviet times but is rapidly reinventing itself.

Getting There

Georgia provides Indian citizens with an e-visa valid for 30 to 90 days from the issue date. The visa allows you to stay for up to 30 days.

From India, several domestic and international airlines operate direct and indirect flights to Georgia.

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