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Best in Travel: We’re not the only ones in love with the Republic of Georgia

 

The view from Signagi in eastern Georgia. Photo credit: James Carnehan
The view from Signagi in eastern Georgia. Photo credit: James Carnehan

 

Georgia is one of our favorite countries – and we’re not the only ones who feel that way, it seems.

Travel experts agree it’s a gorgeous place, boasting fabulous food, music, and mountains. Its warm Mediterranean climate, deep black soil, saw-toothed mountains, and Black Sea coast combine to make Georgia a Garden of Eden, overflowing with wine and rich in culinary flair – everything you could wish for in a destination. Travel and LeisureAfar, and T (The New York Times style magazine) have shared their enthusiastic recommendations for travel to Georgia.  

 

Ananuri Fortress is famous for its stunning views, featured in many Georgian movies. Photo credit: Peter Guttman
Georgian script on display at a Signagi, Georgia market. Photo credit: Jake Smith
Georgian polyphonic singers pose for a photo after an outdoor concert. Photo: Peter Guttman
Georgian table dinners are famous for their food and festive atmosphere. Photo: Douglas Grimes
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Georgian wines are starting to get worldwide attention. Photo: Marianna Noble
  • Ananuri Fortress is famous for its stunning views, featured in many Georgian movies. Photo credit: Peter Guttman Ananuri Fortress is famous for its stunning views, featured in many Georgian movies. Peter Guttman
  • Georgian script on display at a Signagi, Georgia market. Photo credit: Jake Smith Georgian script on display at a Signagi, Georgia market. Photo credit: Jake Smith
  • Georgian polyphonic singers pose for a photo after an outdoor concert. Photo: Peter Guttman Georgian polyphonic singers pose for a photo after an outdoor concert. Photo: Peter Guttman
  • Georgian table dinners are famous for their food and festive atmosphere. Photo: Douglas Grimes Georgian table dinners are famous for their food and festive atmosphere. Photo: Douglas Grimes
  • Georgian wines are starting to get worldwide attention. Photo: Marianna Noble Georgian wines are starting to get worldwide attention. Photo: Marianna Noble
  • Local merchant at the market in Georgia. Photo: Michel Behar Local merchant at the market in Georgia. Photo: Michel Behar

 

(click image to view larger photo)

 

1. Travel and Leisure magazine


Pamela Mccourt Francescone describes Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and how it exceeded expectations.

“Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, turned out to be everything I did not expect. Instead of a drab post-Soviet outpost, I found a dynamic and friendly city steeped in history with 5-star hotels, Byzantine churches, striking modern architecture, a throbbing nightlife and deliciously addictive food and wines.”

Francescone continues to describe Georgia’s beautiful architecture, delicious food and wine, and so much more.

Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo credit: Peter Guttman
Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo credit: Peter Guttman

2. Afar Magazine


“’Welcome to our Republic of Georgia,’ the passport stamper had exclaimed, apparently genuinely delighted to see us. We’ve arrived in the world’s most compulsively hospitable country. Here, a visitor is considered a gift from God.” (read more)

This Georgia-centric article lauds several of the people and places featured in MIR’s small group tour, A Taste of Georgia, including vigneron (winemaker) and restaurateur John Wurdeman. A polyphonic singer, artist, and owner of the now famous Pheasant’s Tears Winery and Restaurant, Wurdeman leads MIR travelers through vineyards and restaurants, singing along with traditional performers and playing the thoroughly Georgian role of tamada, or toastmaster at feasts.

 

Evening at Pheasant's Tears winery. Photo credit: John Wurdeman
Learning to make kinkhali at Pheasant's Tears Winery. Photo: Mariana Noble
Celebrating life in a Georgian vineyard. Photo: John Wurdeman
  • Evening at Pheasant's Tears winery. Photo credit: John Wurdeman Evening at Pheasant’s Tears winery. John Wurdeman
  • Learning to make kinkhali at Pheasant's Tears Winery. Photo: Mariana Noble Learning to make kinkhali at Pheasant’s Tears Winery. Photo: Mariana Noble
  • Celebrating life in a Georgian vineyard. Photo: John Wurdeman Celebrating life in a Georgian vineyard. Photo: John Wurdeman

 

(click image to view larger photo)

 

Von Bremzen talks about Iago Bitarishvili and the revival of the 8,000-year-old method of making wine in Georgia, recently added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“Iago outlines his startlingly artisanal vinification method. Pick grapes at a bacchanalian harvest. Stomp them with your feet in a wooden trough. Dump them into a qvevri along with the “mother” (the skin and the seeds)—then wait.”

You can sample the food, wine, song, culture, and scenery of Georgia on MIR’s A Taste of Georgia: Wine, Cuisine & Culture.

 

It's not hard to see why many travelers to Georgia are quick to fall in love with their version of pizza - Adjaran khachapuri. Photo: John Wurdeman
The bounty of a Georgian Table. Photo credit: la Tabagari
A variety of appetizers to begin a feast. Photo: Jake Smith
  • It's not hard to see why many travelers to Georgia are quick to fall in love with their version of pizza - Adjaran khachapuri. Photo: John Wurdeman It’s not hard to see why many travelers to Georgia are quick to fall in love with their version of pizza – Adjaran khachapuri. Photo: John Wurdeman
  • The bounty of a Georgian Table. Photo credit: la Tabagari The bounty of a Georgian Table. Photo credit: la Tabagari
  • A variety of appetizers to begin a feast. Photo: Jake Smith A variety of appetizers to begin a feast. Photo: Jake Smith

 

(click image to view larger photo)

 

3. New York Times Style Magazine, T


New York Times style magazine, T, Gisela Williams called Georgia the California of the Caucasus.

“Back when Georgia — a country bordered by the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains — was behind the Iron Curtain, it was fancied the California of the U.S.S.R. Slightly smaller in size than South Carolina, but with impressively diverse terrain, this fertile country had a reputation for producing exceptional fruits and vegetables, superb wines and talented filmmakers.” (read more)

She writes about the country’s wonderful cuisine, saying, “You can taste the world in the local dishes.”

 

 

Learn More About Georgia


Want to know more about travel to Georgia? You might enjoy these blog posts:

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Travel to Georgia with MIR

 

 

MIR has more than 30 years of unmatched destination expertise and travel planning experience, hand-crafting tours to Georgia and the South Caucasus since 1986. You can sample the food, wine, song, culture, and scenery of Georgia on MIR’s A Taste of Georgia: Wine, Cuisine & Culture.

 

Or, travel and tour around Georgia and the other South Caucasus countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan, on the Treasures of the South Caucasus or the Village Traditions of the South Caucasus small group tour. Visit destinations such as Istanbul and Signagi in the Eastern Turkey and Georgia: Crossroads of Ancient Civilizations tour.

You can also opt to travel on your dates and at your pace on one of MIR’s private independent trips or on a private journey of Georgia, customized to your desired dates and style.

Mountainous Georgia is studded with villages, and rich in history. Photo credit: Martin Klimenta

 

Chat with one of our destination specialists today!

 

PUBLISHED: October 6, 2021


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