Our first adventure in the Caucasus took us to Georgia over Christmas. In Tbilisi, the capital, the air was cool and misty, and visitors walked the streets in woollen mittens, scarves, long coats and thick boots.
Two cities facing each other
Tbilisi is often called one of the world's most bohemian cities. Old and new face each other: on one side of the road stands the Old Town, on the other the New Town. Its mix of cultures and architecture, its lively restaurants and its cultural life easily justify a longer stay.
The narrow, winding streets of the historic neighbourhoods, Sololaki, Mtatsminda and Vera, move from grand mansions to traditional Georgian brickwork. Churches, open-air markets, a wine factory and long drives through cool countryside make every day different.
What we saw
- the Old Town and the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Tsminda Sameba)
- the Narikala Fortress, the funicular and the Bridge of Peace
- the sulphur baths
- the Jinvali Water Reservoir
- the amusement park and its giant wheel, and the wax museum
- the wine factory, and gardens full of flowers everywhere
Our best memory is a person: Tariel, the taxi driver who became our guide. He took us everywhere and made sure we saw as much as possible during our stay.
Into the snow
From Tbilisi we drove up into the snow-covered mountains of Gudauri: our first time holding snow and ice in our hands. Cold wind, freezing air, white peaks and a setting sun that spread a bluish light over everything. None of it stopped us from building a snowman, walking in the snow and climbing to the paragliding slopes to throw snow everywhere.
We came back to Tbilisi under snowy, cloudy skies, and flew home with memories we still share today.
