Georgia: Wine Traditions, Cave Cities and Nature

Vardzia is a 900-metre-long fortified city carved into a cliff face. Several levels are connected by tunnels; at the centre of the complex is the Dormition of the Virgin Church, painted with frescoes. Georgia offers a striking starting point for a trip that can focus just as readily on history, wine or nature.

History among cliffs and monasteries

Uplistsikhe also combines historical significance with an easy-to-imagine visitor experience: you can walk through streets and squares and see public spaces carved into the rock. These include temples, a theatre, pharmacies, wine presses and wine cellars. Uplistsikhe was already an important spiritual centre in the 4th century BC. If you are planning a visit, it is advisable to check the current access conditions.

The Historical Monuments of Mtskheta comprise Jvari Monastery, Svetitstkhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro Monastery. From the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, Mtskheta was the ancient capital of Kartli, the eastern Georgian kingdom. The town is also closely connected to religious history: Christianity was declared the state religion of Georgia in Mtskheta in 337. The three monuments and this historical context offer culture enthusiasts several ways to explore the country’s past.

Qvevri wine and regional experiences

Georgian Qvevri winemaking began 8,000 years ago and is still practised today. In 2013, the tradition was granted UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. At Iago Winery, visitors can walk through organic vineyards, visit the Qvevri cellar, taste wines and seasonal local produce, and learn about the winemaking process. As the availability of these visits may vary, it is advisable to check what is currently on offer in advance.

Kakheti, Georgia’s leading wine-growing region, also offers opportunities for active exploration: the Kakheti Wine Route includes cycling routes for different fitness and skill levels. The best time to visit for this is considered to be between April and October. If you are planning a trip centred on wine, you can weigh a cultural tradition against a seasonally limited activity as different focal points.

Rainforests, trails and wildlife

The Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands comprise ancient, deciduous Colchic rainforests and wetlands, including percolation mires and other types of peatland. The area is home to 19 threatened animal species and serves as a stopover for globally threatened migratory birds. For nature enthusiasts, the diversity of habitats here goes hand in hand with their importance to wildlife and migratory birds.

The national parks offer a variety of experiences. Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park has marked trails, overnight shelters, and picnic and camping sites suitable for multi-day treks. Activities include hiking, horse riding, cycling, snowshoeing, and cultural and educational tours. Rare animals such as Caucasian black grouse and lynx also live there; the park is also home to relict yew populations.

Mtirala National Park features mist-shrouded Colchic forests, a lake and Tsablnari Waterfall, which visitors can explore on foot or on horseback. Marked trails allow for hikes lasting one or two days, with picnic and camping sites along the way. There is tourist accommodation on the two-day trail. The different hike durations can help you decide how much time to set aside for this part of your trip. Facilities and specific visitor conditions may change; check them before planning your visit.

In Kazbegi National Park, forests and alpine meadows meet snow-covered peaks and inaccessible cliffs that provide habitat for rare animals and birds. The Truso Valley includes a fortress complex, abandoned villages with some monasteries still in operation, mineral springs, travertine formations and Abano Mineral Lake. In Kazbegi National Park, landscapes and historical sites are equally part of the experience.

Winter activities and culture at the museum

Gudauri offers snowboarding, freestyle skiing and heli-skiing as well as skiing. In heli-skiing, skiers are taken by helicopter to mountain peaks and ski down off-piste. The resort has twenty ski runs, classified according to the four European difficulty levels. The drive from Tbilisi to Gudauri usually takes about 2 to 2.5 hours; weather and traffic can affect journey time. For specific winter plans, check the current offerings and conditions.

If you would rather focus on a collection than a landscape or activity, the Svaneti Museum houses a Christian treasury featuring manuscripts, Gospels, Georgian translations and the Lahili Gospel. An ethnographic exhibition explores the everyday life of the people of Svaneti. The different travel interests—from cultural heritage and wine to hiking trails and winter sports—can help guide your choice of where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Tbilisi, Mingrelia and Upper Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Adjara, Guria, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Adjara, Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti, Imereti, Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli, Abkhazia, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli.

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