Georgia is a place that first captured my heart in 2016’s and has been on my planning list ever since then. And what better than spending a Georgian winter in the Caucasus mountains. A country that offers everything that most European cities do, at a fraction of cost.
I had read about its rugged mountains, ancient towns, and rich culture, but it wasn’t until I stepped off the plane in Tbilisi that I truly understood the magic of this incredible country. Georgia is a place where adventure, history, and nature blend in a way that feels refreshingly different from the typical European experience.
We started our Georgian trip with landing into the city and heading straight to the new and fairly spoken about Kassland. The drive from Tbilisi to Dashbashi Canyon takes about two hours, but the weather made it completely worthwhile.
When your drive looks like this, you can drive for hours right?
Read more: Oh Georgia. Where do I begin?Imagine viewing a diamond structure suspended right in middle of the canyon that too with soft snowfall welcoming you!
The famous Diamond Bridge
And then walking on a bridge so transparent it feels like you’re floating in mid-air amongst the snow. That’s exactly the thrill of Georgia’s new Diamond Glass Bridge, a marvel that feels like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie.
And sipping by hot coffee right in middle of this view is just something you couldn’t ask for more!
After spending an adventures day we headed back straight to the city to call it a night!
Next day we set off for Ananuri Fortress, a beautiful ancient site by the Aragvi River, about 70 km from Tbilisi.
Zhinvali Water Reservoir
On route we first made a stop at picturesque artificial Zhinvali Water Reservoir lake, that was created primarily for hydroelectric power, as well as water supply for Tbilisi and flood control. The color of the water is just unreal and photos don’t do justice!
Then came the fortress which overlooks the reservoir.It was stunning, with its 13th-century architecture and rich history. The best view comes from top of the tower. But climbing up to the top is not for the faint-hearted. The staircase is so steep and narrow that you literally have to crawl all the way to top!
The steep way to the top!
Taking a quick pitstop at the fort, came the most awaited drive to our ultimate snow destination, Gudauri Ski Resort which is set high in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains at 3,000 meters..
If you pick the right week to visit, it is not at all crowded on the slopes. February and March usually have great snow coverage and less people. There were no wait times for any of the lifts when we visited in March.
If you’re a beginner skier or snow lover like me, Gudauri is a fine place to test the waters and experiment. There are plenty of gentle slopes where you can just mess around and have fun, and even some of the intermediate runs are suitable for novices.
If skiing is not on your list, and you still want to soak up Gudauri’s incredible mountain landscapes, then your best bet is to go for a joyride on the ski lifts. But snowmobile ride is something you just cannot miss to explore these mountains.
I set aside the remaining day to try out all the different lifts and gondolas – each one offers a different view and several take you to different ‘levels’ of the resort where you will find restaurants, cafes and bars.
And just like that reaching the top most point at this resort the feeling was magical! Imagine standing at the edge of a vast expanse of snow-covered peaks, where every breath feels crisp and invigorating.
As the day ended, the mountain light softened, casting a golden radiance over the peaks. We returned to our mountain resort, exhausted but happy. The mountains had truly worked their magic – challenging and inspiring us. After such an exciting day, we settled in for the night at the Mountain Resort, dreaming of more adventures to come.
View from our Mountain resort!
Next day was to explore the Gudaurian town. Just like every Georgian city/town/village needs a church – even ski resorts like Gudauri. The main church here is Amaglebis Eklesia or Ascension Church, located in Old Gudauri across the valley from our Hotel Roshe!
I had seen photos of this pretty orange-crested church online, but had no idea where to search for it. Turns out it was right across the valley from our hotel. The walk to this pretty little church itself was like walking a cloud of snow because it had snowed over 3m previous night. Captured some of the best views from here!
Some of these scenes truly looked like paintings! Did we pull over every few minutes? Hell yeah 😍
We also tried our luck to make it to George Trinity church however the closest we could get was to the Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument (or Panorama Gudauri Viewpoint).
A colourful Soviet-era mosaic raised on a platform that commands incredible views of the mountains and valleys around Gudauri. Even this beautiful monument was submerged in thick snow and this is all we could view.
Not being very disappointed since something awaited us to warm our hearts, literally! The Georgian khachapuri – Turns out warm, doughy bread stuffed with high-calorie melted cheese is just the thing you need after a few hours traipsing through the snow! In Gudauri, u’ll craved it.
Gudauri is not just a ski resort; it’s an experience that captures the essence of winter wonder.
Since we headed to the city early and had time on hand we made a quick stop to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta town. A beautiful little town a much more magnificent church.
Making way to the city, we had to make a detour to view the magnificent Chronicles of Georgia. Once you have made way through the final steps to the top, this humongous construction will leave you in awe.
Work on the Chronicles commenced in 1985 and lasted until 2003. But the monument was never completed. Almost 40 years later, it is finally nearing the end. Most of the scaffolding that previously covered parts of the sculpture has now been removed.
The main part of the Chronicles is the 16 columns that reach 35 metres high. It’s amazing to think that this obscure, unfinished sculpture created during the Soviet era has suddenly skyrocketed to the top of every Instagrammer’s hit list.
After checking in at the city hotel, I was eager to see what the city offered. The city tour felt like observing a beautiful painting, with each street corner telling its story.
A typical walking itinerary begins by taking the aerial tramway from Rike Park to the Narikala Fortress visiting the Mother of Georgia statue atop, and walking the steps down to land in Old Town. There, you can visit the Sulphur Bath Area, go to The Bridge of Love, and admire the old historical buildings with ornate wooden balconies, cross way through the Meidan Bazaar, ending at Freedom Square. The views of this city is just something else.
I loved the quirky, eclectic nature of this city and could have spent the entire trip exploring the historic streets of the Old Town day in and night.
As the day turned into night, Tbilisi came alive. The city lights twinkled, traditional music filled the air, and the delicious aroma of fresh Khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) drifted through the streets and not to miss the Chimney cake rolls for sure.
Our journey started in Tbilisi, a city that felt like walking through a living storybook.
Next day we took an easy drive route to Georgia’s former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The impressive 6th century Jvari Monastery is located here, whose clifftop setting offers impressive views of the valley, the town of Mtskheta, and the confluence of two rivers: Mtkvari & Aragvi.
Heading straight to Uplistsiche Cave Town city from there. Uplistsikhe is somewhere around four or five thousand years old and carved into the limestone mountainside.
I was kind of expecting something quite primitive, rough-hewn caves that look like they were carved with sledgehammers but even today, but Uplistsikhe is an archaeological marvel that invites visitors to return to ancient times even today. With its labyrinthine streets and intricate rock-cut structures, this cave city is a place where history comes alive, with each cave and tunnel telling stories of past civilizations. At first glance, it may appear as a peculiar moonscape of oddly shaped rocks and rounded openings.
But when Uplistsikhe was founded, it was the big city. This wasn’t remote, this was the heart of civilisation. Half of Uplistsikhe’s history happened before Tbilisi was ever founded. And what more it also had a secret tunnel. Those swirling smooth sides is something you would want to marvel heading downstairs.
Overall this place with its rock-carved architecture and rich history offer a fascinating glimpse into Georgia’s past, set against a backdrop of stunning scenery.
Last day in the city we definitely wanted to experience the so talked about funicular ride to Mtatsminda top. On the highest point of Tbilisi there is a huge amusement park full of fresh air and awesome panoramas over the whole city.
It is located on Mount Mtatsminda and is a fantastic place to spend some free time, have fun, relax, have some nice food and enjoy life. Floating above the city, I could see the mix of artistic buildings, winding streets, and modern life.
But what we enjoyed the best were some surreal structures and constructions.
On the very last day before heading back to the airport with few hours in hand wanted to make the most of a sight which we missed in Azerbaijan due to weather conditions. Yes part of this majestic mountains lie in Georgia too.
The Rainbow Mountains— The landscape unfolded like a canvas painted by the hands of nature itself, with layers of vibrant hues that seemed to dance in the sunlight.
The mountains get their color from different layers of minerals stacked in the soil and are a sight to behold, and the clear skies that morning after a night of light rain made the colors even more resplendent…!
Leaving the Rainbow Mountains behind, we ventured towards the David Gareja Monastery Complex, a site that holds a special place in the heart of Georgia’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Nestled into the cliffs of the semi-desert, the monastery seemed to emerge from the rock itself, a testament to the devotion and resilience of those who built it centuries ago.
Even though I had heard that Georgia was a country full of beauty, nothing prepared me for the bounty that would unfold before my eyes. Georgia is a magical destination that feels like a postcard.
Cannot Miss:
- Guduari for snow activities, especially snowmobiling.
- Trying the The Georgian khachapuri and Chimney cake
- Walking the old streets at night
- Visiting the Diamond bridge
- Exploring Chronicles of Georgia & Uplistsikhe Cave city
- Last but not the least Rainbow mountain range if you missed them in Azerbaijan
GlobeTrotting365Days: Baku 23 March 2025.
