Georgia

Situated in the mountains of western Asia, Georgia is a country that is famous both for the beauty of its natural scenery and for its excellent cuisine. To see as much of the country as we can, while minimising travel, we fly to Tbilisi in the east of Georgia and return from Batumi in the west of the country. 

The culture of Georgia has been uniquely shaped by its surrounding nations, as well as by the products and ideas traded through this gateway from Asia to Europe. In the fourth century, Georgia became one of the first countries in the world to proclaim itself a Christian nation.

The scenery of Georgia is unusually varied, comprising spectacular mountain scenery, narrow canyons, thick green forests and sandy beaches within its relatively small borders. As we attempt to grasp the essence of this intriguing country, we will discover some of its natural wonders in the form of snow-covered mountains, deep caves and green valleys.

Our tour starts with four nights in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. Throughout the tour, we meet each evening to hear a helpful Bible talk. 

Tbilisi is a modern, vibrant city with a rich history. A cable car ride takes us up to the top of the old town for a fantastic view over this city, which spreads out across the hills on either side of the Kura river. 

A gentle walk down through the old city, shows us the diverse architecture, which tells of both eastern and western influences. Art Nouveau masterpieces are next to Ottoman arches and the traditional, colourful wooden balconies. The busy streets of the city centre are lined with outdoor cafés and restaurants, which come alive in the evenings as the city is lit up in various colours.

As we travel further west, we will be travelling back in time, tracing the steps of ancient traders of the Silk Road as we journey on to Upliststikhe. This town was a centre for both religion and trade some two and a half thousand years ago, but its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is completely hewn out of the rock. With its display of rock cutting techniques spanning over a millennium, it is potentially in line to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.