Read This If You Want To Take a 4-day Budget Trip to Food & Wine Heaven
Georgia — the Country
It had been 100 days since our return from Switzerland. Dopamine was at an all-time low. Weekend shopping, and eating out were not helping anymore. Not that we stopped it, but still, we knew it was not enough.
We saw a small window in the form of a long weekend and we booked for Georgia. The country.
It is a 3-hour flight from Dubai and has no visa formalities hence there wasn’t any complexity in terms of pre-planning.
Since we were still dealing with the financial aftermath of visiting Switzerland, we did not go overboard this time.
Our adventure began at the airport when we were directed to buy travel insurance from the kiosk. After spending good 15 minutes explaining to the airport wall that our current policy is valid in Georgia, we decided to just give up and buy.
I have come to realize that once you have a little bit of money, and if you do not try to hold it tight, the situation becomes stress-free. Earning money is ok, but holding on to it is stressful. “Let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore, let it go”.
Naturally, no one checked our additional insurance while immigrating. The next situation where we were asked to let go of our money came soon. Since we were 5 people, we booked a 7-seater taxi. The app showed 25 Georgian Lari, driver’s mathematics demanded 70 Lari. We spontaneously let it go and boarded the 1970s Mercedes Van which is often the murder vehicle in many movies.
Unmurdered, we reached our Airbnb which was on top of a mini hilltop, in the middle of Tbilisi. The van, carrying the 5 of us and the driver, and the luggage, almost gave up in the middle of the incline, but a couple of curses from the driver motivated the van not to give up.
The thing with taxi drivers in foreign countries is that they know English while you take the taxi. However, when you reach your destination, a virus deadlier than Ebola attacks them and they forget all the English.
Our murder van driver, said something, showed incline by hand and asked for 80 Lari instead of the agreed 70. As has been the theme of the trip, we let it go.
Our Airbnb was absolutely gorgeous. Wooden, full of indoor plants, cozy, built on 3 floors. Since it was on a height, the balcony opened up to a splendid view of Tbilisi. The roof had an arrangement for building a fire for a barbeque on cold nights.
Balance of the day just went into idly walking around the cobblestone streets of the old town of Tbilisi. It was cold, wet, and windy. It was a welcome change from Dubai.
Day 2:
We started our day by heading to Jvari. It is an old church nestled on a hilltop. Across the church, there is a splendid view of the confluence of 2 rivers with a backdrop of Mtskheta town. This is an extremely beautiful, lush green, windy place to spend some lazy time.
From there we headed to Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia. This is an hour-long stop. Small shops on both sides of the old city roads are the real charm. Eat, drink, walk up to the old church and return. We had wine ice cream, which was delicious, and churchkhela (local walnut sweet). Tip: Do not get suspicious by the shape of the churchkhela.
While heading back to Tbilisi we stopped over for a late lunch. It took us quite some time to comprehend the food on the menu, the waiters were not helpful, but by god’s grace and sheer luck ordered some unique and sumptuous stuff. Meat Khinkali are dumplings on steroids. Their sheer size will amaze you. Cut, drink juice, and then eat is the way for consuming these mega dumplings. Lobiani (Georgian bean bread) was another good find.
Also, try the Natakhatri Georgian Soda flavours. They are absolutely yummy! Filled with sugar, but yum!
Day 3:
Day 2 was Green day, as it was cloudy and green around. Day 3 was all about white. We headed towards Mount Kazbegi while pit-stopping at Jinavali water reservoir. This spot was the start of snow. On the way to Kazbegi, all the trees were laden with snow, with heaps of snow covering the roadsides.
It started snowing as we progressed onwards and upwards. Gudauri's landscape was pristine white. Had a fun time hiking in freezing cold snow for some time.
We could not reach Mt Kazbegi as it was getting dangerous because of excess snow.
The best way to offset disappointment is to have a hearty meal. Our local driver stopped us at one of the famous local joints. Again, the meal and the dishes were a revelation. We had Shkmeruli (Garlic butter-soaked chicken) and Pkhali which are local dips.
Yes, even I wonder sometimes whether I write travel stories or food stories. :D
The evening was spent relaxing at our Airbnb and enjoying super cheap but amazing local wine.
Day 4:
From Green day, to White day to Orange day. It was sunny and hot today! We ventured towards Sighnagi, which is a small quaint touristy town built in the wine-famous region of Kakheti. Stopped over at Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino, which was huge and beautiful. While going back, stopped for a wine tour and wine shopping.
2nd half of the day went into town to see Tbilisi (Peace bridge, Narikala Fortress et cetera). Went to one of the famous sulfur baths of Tbilisi, Orbeliani Baths. No link because have not started affiliating yet. :)
Day 5 we flew back to Dubai without any adventure and enough dopamine to last another 100 days.
Since the places and names are unique, listing down information & keywords.
Places to visit
- Jvari
- Mtskheta
- Kakheti (Sighnaghi, Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino)
- Gudauri (Jinvali water reservoir, ananuri castle, Guduari viewpoint, Kazbegi)
- Tbilisi
- Batumi- We did not go to Batumi as it is far from Tbilisi, but it is very popular for its wine scenes.
Must eat food items
- Khinkali
- Lobiani
- Wine Icecream
- Churchkhela
- Mtsvadi
- Pkhali
- Khachapuri
- Shkmeruli
- Natakhatri Soda
Must Download Apps
- Wolt
- Bolt
- Yandex
Must buy stuff
- Georgian Wine
- Chacha
- Churchkhela
- Georgian Honey (Try buying outside Tbilisi)