Adjara
Adjara is officially knowns as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. It is located in Southwestern part of Georgia. Adjara lies on the coast of the Black Sea. Turkey is our neighbour by the north. Its capital is Batumi, which is second largest city in Georgia.
Adjara is subdivided into 6 municipalities: Batumi, Keda, Kobuleti,Khelvachauri, Shuakhevi, Khulo.
Adjara is famous for its beaches. You can spend unforgettable summer in this region.
Batumi is the city of beauty, joy, pleasure. It’s modern city with many attractions, hotels, restaurants, boulevard, botanical garden. Batumi is full of visitors in any season.
Sarpi is coastline town, too. There is custom service, you can cross the border and go to Turkey.
Kobuleti beach is an attracvive for tourists, too.
What about its mountainous villages, winter in Adjara region is very strict.
In Adjara region you can see Mtirala National Park, Kintrishi National Park, Mtsvane Kontskhi, Ispani Reserve.
Guria
Guria – the word was first mentioned in historical resources in 8th century during Murvan deafs campaign. As a chronicler wrote:” Murvan deaf passed the way through Guria”. It is located in the Western part of Georgia. Guria includes: Lanchkhuti, Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri. Its main city is Ozurgeti. Guria is famous for its nature, pholiphonic music and humorous people.
Guria is rich for its traditions, for ex: in Guria New Year is called Calandoba. The people in Guria are amazingly hospitable. People eat tasty food and listen pleasant folk music.
Bakhmaro is famous mountain resort in Guria. There are lots of visitors in every season. There is especially beautiful nature during the sun rising in the early morning. It is nationally famous for long mountain walks and for the traditional horse races, which takes place every year on 19 August. There is famous game called “Lelo Burti”. There is mineral water “bakhmaro”, too.
Ureki is famous coastline resort. Located within Ozurgeti district in the region of Guria. In Ureki beaches are sandy which is classified as black sand and has magnetic properties, which some believe that it treats a number of health problems, including cardiovascular diseases.
Tusheti
The Tusheti National Park in East Georgia is one of the eight new Protected Areas approved by Parliament of Georgia on 22 April 2003. Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the World Bank were part of this approval process under the “Georgia – Protected Areas Development Project.” Plants conserved in the park are pine groves (Pinus sosnovkji) and birch groves (Betula litvinovii, Betula raddeana). The key faunal species in the park are Anatolian leopard (Panthera pardus ambornii), bear, chamois, falcon, Golden Eagle, lammergeier, lynx, mountain goat, wild goat, and wolf.The park was named one of the “12 best places you’ve never heard of” by BudgetTravel in 2011 not only for its rich biodiversity but also for its aesthetic terrain, hamlets, old defense towers, cuisine, and folk culture.
The park is set in the Tusheti Mountainous region in the north-eastern part of the country. It is 205 kilometres (127 mi) away from Tbilisi with the en route Alvani lying 120 kilometres (75 mi) away. Omalo-Alvani highway of 85 kilometres (53 mi) length is in a hilly terrain and is difficult to drive. The visitor center to the parks and reserves of Tusheti is located along the 85 kilometres (53 mi) of the main watershed ridge of Caucasus in lower Omalo.
Tusheti Protected Areas visitor center is located along 85 km of Caucasus main watershed ridge, in lower Omalo.
Distance:
- From Tbilisi to village lower Alvani – 120 km (1 hr and 30 min)
- From Alvani to Omalo – 85 km (3 hr and 30 min)
It is remarkable that the Omalo-Alvani highway is one of the most difficult driving sections in Georgia, which goes along ground path to high mountains. This path was recorded in the list of the most extreme highways of BBC in 2013
Travel by public transport:
Transportation to Tusheti Protected Areas is not done from capital city, but visitors have to arrive in village lower Alvani.
- There is no regular transport from Alvani to Omalo, transportation is possible by hiring a private transport (4×4)
- You can hire a private transport in the center of lower Alvani all day long
Imereti
Imereti is a region in western Georgia. Its capital is Kutaisi. It includes 12 regions: Kutaisi, Baghdati, Vani, Zestaphoni, Terjola, Samtredia, Sachkhere, Tkibuli, Chiatura, Tskaltubo, Kharagauli, Khoni.
Imereti region has rich historical background, especially about Kutaisi. Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis. Archaeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of the kingdom of Colchis in the sixth to fifth centuries BC. Historians believe that, in Argonautica, a Greek epic poem about Jason and the Argonauts and their journey to Colchis, author Apollonius Rhodius considered Kutaisi their final destination as well as the residence of King Aeetes. From 978 to 1122 CE, Kutaisi was the capital of the united Kingdom of Georgia. From the 15th century until 1810, it was the capital of the Imeretian Kingdom.
Bagrati Cathedral is the eye of Kutaisi. A few years ago this church was updated and today it is more graceful than before. Bagrati Cathedral was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat 3rd.
Gelati Monastery is a medieval monastic complex near Kutaisi. Gelati was founded in 1106 by King David The Builder. Historically, Gelati was one of the main cultural and intellectual centres in Georgia. It had an academy which employed some of the most celebrated Georgian scientists, theologians and philosophers. The academy is active today.
Bagrati Cathedras and Gelati Monastery are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Imereti Region.
Parlament of Georgia is located in Kutaisi since 2012.
Vani is an archeological town at the Sulori river, 41 km Southwest from Kutaisi. It’s neighbouring 43 villages. There is sulfur water, too.
Tskaltubo is well known of its climate, sanatoriums, healing waters.
Katskhi Sveti is located in Chiatura. It’s an attractive monument.
Imereti is well known of its hospitality, its cuisine, its farms. Rural tourism is rapidly growing trend there. Imeruli Khatchapuri is very delicious. Imeretian people are full of humor.
Kakheti
Kakheti is located in Eastern Georgia. Its capital is Telavi. There are eight administrative districts: Telavi, Gurjaani, Kvareli, Akhmeta, Lagodekhi, Sagarejo, Dedoplistskaro. Tusheti is an important and exceptionally beautiful village. The small city of Sighnaghi is Kakheti’s cultural capital, and its gateway is always open to any visit. Sighnaghi is well known as “city of love”. Kakheti is bordered by the Russian Federation to the Northeast, Azerbaijan to the Southeast and the Georgian regions of Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Kvemo Kartli to the West. The Georgian David Gareja Monastery Complex is located in this province, too.
Tourists visit do not stop in Tsinandali, which is graceful place. The most important for Kakheti is Alaverdi Monastery, Bodbe, Ikalto, Shua mta, Nekresi, Vashlovani and Lagodekhi Protected Areas and so on.
Kakheti is the most important Georgian wine region. The Georgian wine experience is like no other. The story of wine here is so old, so real, Georgia is widely recognised as the land where man first learned to tame the wild grapevine, around 6000BC. Grapes are still harvested by hand, and foot-pressed in the hollowed-out trunks of ancient trees. The juice flows into underground clay amphoras, where it ferments and matures without additives or manipulation.
Kakheti is cradle of wine. There are lots of wine cellar, such as: Teliani valley, Tsinandali Old Cellar, Badagoni, Shato Nekresi, etc.
The travel infrastructure in Kakheti is fast developing, since it became the most visited region of Georgia. One can choose to stay in a guest house, in a small and comfortable hotel, or a beautiful boutique-style hotel while traveling in this region.
Mtskheta-Mtianeti
Mtskheta-Mtianeti is a region in Eastern Georgia. The region includes five municipalities: Akhalgori, Dusheti, Tianeti, Mtskheta, Kazbegi.
Mtskheta is very old city, it was founded in the 5th century BC. It was capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. Due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments the “Historical Monuments of Mtsketa”(Svetitskhoveli Church and Jvari Monastery) became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. As the birthplace and one of the most vibrant centres of Christianity in Georgia, Mtskheta was declared as the “Holy City” by the Georgian Orthodox Curch in 2014.
Khevsureti is beautiful side in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, you can see incredible nature in Juta, Khada, Shatili, Roshki, Fshavi.
Gudauri is an attractive ski resort in this region, you can spend your summer holiday there and you will spend unforgottable time, because there is everythig: cilame, mountains, high cliffs, lots of snow, cableway, skating infrastructure, skating equipment, high adrenalin and fabulous environment.
Kazbegi is the most attractive village in Mtsketa-Mtianeti region. It has an old historical background. Sameba Trinity Church has enchanting beauty. It located at the top of the mountain and proudly overlooks to tourists or residents.
Mkinvartsveri is highest mountain there.
Racha-Lechkhumi And Kvemo Svaneti
Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti ratcha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti is a region in Northwestern Georgia which includes the historical province of Ratcha, Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti. It covers an area of 4,954 km² and has a population about 31,927. The capital is Ambrolauri. The region consists four municipalities: Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Lentekhi.
Ratcha is especially beautiful in autumn. Everything is colourful like a wonderland.
There are small cottages on Shaori Lake and you can stay there if you are interesdet in fishing or sailing by boats.
Nikortsminda Church is a Georgian Orthodox Church, located in Nikortsminda, Ratcha region of Georgia. The Cathedral is on the Tentative List for status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Barakoni Curch of the Mother of God is an Orthodox Church near the town of Ambrolauri, in the village of Tsesi of mountainous western province of Ratcha. It’s perfect in all season, it’s a church with full of history.
Tskhra Jvari starts from Tkibuli centre. It’s about 3km walk up to the tiny St.Georges chapel on the peak of the mountain. According the legend, one family’s nine son went to the war. Father prayed every day for his sons. He decided to make a sacrifice and erected nine crosses on Tkibuli mountain. After the war his sons returned healthy. Today people not only from Tkibuli, but different parts of Georgia visit Tskhra Jvari. They climb up 1565 metre above the sea level and discover the legend about nine iron crosses at the top of Tskhra Jvari Mountain. They enjoy an unforgottable view over Tkibuli reservoir and green flatlands of Imereti.
Ratcha is well known because of its excellent wine. After Kakheti, Ratcha has different kinds of wine, too. Such as: Khvanchkara, Tsitska, Saperavi, etc.
Lechkhumi is a historic province in Northwestern Georgia which comprises the area along the middle basin of the Rioni and Tskhenistskhali and also the Lajanuri river valley. Now part of the Ratcha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti region, it corresponds roughly to the present day Tsageri district as well as parts of districts of Tskaltubo and Ambrolauri. It is bordered by Mingeria to the West, Svaneti to the North,Ratcha to the East, and Imereti to the South.
Khvamli mountain is the most important in Lechkhumi. There are lots of tourists at any seasons. It stands at 2,002 metres. About the legend there are lots of treasure under the Khvamli Mountain.
Alpana is a village in Lechkhumi and there is very clear air and beautiful nature.
Lower Svaneti on the upper Tskhenistskali river. Administratively part of Ratcha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti. The main town is Lentekhi.
They are separated by the Svaneti Range which is almost as high as the main Caucasus range. Historical Svaneti also included the Kodori Gorge in the adjoining rebel province of Abkhazia.
Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti
Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti is a region in Western Georgia and includes historical provinces of Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti. Its capital is Zugdidi. Samegrelo_Upper Svaneti region comprises one city Poti and eight municipalities: Abasha, Zugdidi, Martvili, Mestia, Senaki, Chkhorotsku, Tsalenjixa, Khobi.
Samegrelo is known as Odishi, too. In ancient time, Samegrelo was a main part of Colchis and its successor Egrisi. Samegrelo was under the rules of the House of Dadiani.
The first president of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia was Megrelian.
Megrelian people speak the Megrelian language and are mostly bilingual also in Georgia. Both these languages belong to Kartvelian Language Family.
Megrelian cuisine is very tasty. Elarji and Gebjalia are their famous food.
Martvili Canyon is breathtaking place. You can give unforgettable pleasure when you see such kind of beauty.
Tobavarchkhili lake is the most attractive place in Samegrelo which is located in Egrisi Mountain. You can see Shkhara mountain from that lake. You don’t miss that fabulous place.
Upper Svaneti is located on the upper Enguri River. The main town is Mestia. Upper Svaneti is called as “Masterless Svaneti” (უბატონო სვანეთი). Because there were no enemy in any time.
This region is full of beauty nature. There is no doubt that every sides of Georgia is perfect, but Upper Svaneti is really Paradise. It has all the resources to be an unforgettable party for every guest. Svanian people have lots of traditions. Svanian cuisine is featured. Their well known food is Kubdari.
There are three main mountains in Upper Svaneti: Ushba, Tetnuldi, Shkhara. There is ski resort in Tetnuldi mountain. You can also go in Zuruldi mountain at Hatsvali resort and landed from the ski-tracks.
The most visiting village in Upper Svaneti is Ushguli. Which is listed at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Shkhara mountain is in Ushguli where you can have jeeping tours and see the beginning of Enguri River. There are four constituent village in Ushguli: Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi, Murqmeli. There is summer residence of Queen Tamar.
Lamaria monastery is beauty of Ushguli. Background the Shkhara mountain watching Lamaria is great pleasure. It’s dated from the 11th-12th centuries.
In Kala village you can see Church of St Kvirike and Ivlita, which is open only one day in a year on the 28th of July.
There is a very old church in Latali. It’s dated 10th century.
Every village in Upper Svaneti is especially beautiful, because there is featured nature.
Samtskhe-Javakheti
Samtskhe-Javakheti is a historical region in Southern Georgia. It’s located historical provinces of Meskheti, Javakheti and Tori (Borjomi Gorje). Its capital is Akhaltsikhe. Samtskhe-Javakheti region comprises six administrative districts: Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni, Aspindza, Borjomi, Akhalkalaki , Ninotsminda.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil pipeline, the South Caucasus natural Gas pipeline, the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway pass through the region.
Vardzia is a cave monastery. The church is dating to the 1180 during the Golden Age of Queen Tamar and Rustaveli. It has an important series of wall paintings.
Rabati Castle is a medieval castle complex in Akhaltsikhe. Built in the 13th century.
Borjomi is a resort town. The town is famous for its mineral water industry named “Borjomi”.
Bakuriani is skiing resort 1700m above the sea level. The region around Bakuriani is covered by coniferous forests, that’s good for healthy. There is mineral water named “Bakuriani” in Georgia.
Likani is a townlet in Samtskhe-Javakheti region, located in the Borjomi Gorge. Likani is adjacent to the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and is a popular mountain spa.
Mitarbi is located in Borjomi Gorge, too. It’s a skiing resort with beautiful nature. There is “Mitarbi” mineral water in Georgia, too.
Samtskhe-Javakheti regions is full of monuments and history, it’s well known for its potatoes, too.
Kartli
Lower Kartli is located in Southeastern Georgia. It shares a border with Trialeti, Javakheti and Erevani mountain ranges. Its geographic location is the key of its name: Kvemo Kartli, which in Georgian means Lower Kartli. Its capital is Rustavi.
There are five administrative districts: Bolnisi, Gardabani, Marneuli, Tetritskaro, Tsalka.
According to historical sources, the town of Dmanisi was the summer residence of Queen Tamar. A medieval tower and citadel, cellars, baths, halls, jails and ruins of households and other buildings still exist. A tunnel dating back to the 12th century is very important. There is also a three-church basilica, which was built in the 6th century. The fortress contains a citadel that was built in the 11th century but was later destroyed during an invasion of Turks.
Lower Kartli is well known of its archeologycal background. Archaeological excavations are being carried out in Dmanisi. The Dmanisi settlement dates back to the medieval ages but was internationally unknown until ancient human remains were discovered there a few years ago, capturing the world’s attention. Specialists believe that the human bone fragments that found in Dmanisi belonged to a people which lived here about 1.7 million years ago. the skulls found in Dmanisi are currently kept in the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia.