According to inveterate travelers, a vacation in Tbilisi is an unforgettable adventure that only a city inhabited by people with a generous and loving heart can give. Today, tours to the CIS countries are becoming increasingly popular, and all thanks to their obvious cheapness and the opportunity to spend time no less qualitatively than in Cairo or Ankara.
History of the city
Tbilisi, like other ancient settlements, has its own legend that tells about the origin of the settlement. It is said that King Vakhtang Gorgasal was hunting in these places and wounded a pheasant, which plunged into a healing spring and mysteriously healed. By order of the king, a city was built near him, which was called Tiflis.
It was back in the 5th century AD, when the first fortress appeared near the sulfuric hot springs. The city began to grow, becoming the residence of the Georgian kings. The Metekhi fortress, built on the banks of the Kura, became their home for many centuries.
For the entire history of its existence, it was under the rule of the Persians,it was ravaged by the soldiers of the Khorezm Sultan Jalaliddin Manguberdi, it was raided by the troops of Genghis Khan, was subdued by the army of Tamerlane, survived the Great Plague and the invasion of the Turks.
Only in 1800, after the signing of the manifesto on joining Russia, the long-awaited peace came to Georgia, and the city began a new stage of development. Today, a vacation in Tbilisi (reviews from tourists confirm this) is a journey both into the distant past (when examining the old part of the city) and into the present (in its modern areas with new cafes, discos and hotels).
Gourmet getaway
For many travelers, visiting Georgia is associated with its healing springs, for example, Borjomi or Abanotubani - a complex of baths built back in the 17th century and today are a landmark of the country's capital. Experienced tourists note that rest in Tbilisi can be perfectly combined with he alth care. These baths were admired by Pushkin, at one time they were visited by many famous poets, writers, artists and musicians, when trips to the waters became fashionable.
Local cuisine is no less popular, and in Tbilisi there are entire streets dedicated to gastronomic establishments. For those who dream of trying khinkali in a relaxed atmosphere, the Shemoikhede restaurant chain is suitable. Fans of khachapuri are expected at Machakhela, where they are prepared for every taste - from classic ones with meat and cheese to vegetarian ones with vegetables.
Foreign guests associate holidays in Tbilisi with the Taglaura restaurant chain, which have their own breweries, where they also cookkvass and lemonade. Those with a sweet tooth will surely enjoy selling Georgian sweets directly from the windows of houses or in private courtyards on Oniashvili Street, well known for small private cafes offering national dishes to everyone.
According to the guests of Georgia, holidays in Tbilisi (reviews from guests of the city are full of such comments) is a combination of gourmet and aesthetic pleasures that have left their mark on the soul for many years.
Traditions of Georgia
Tbilisi was able to maintain its traditions, even becoming a modern metropolis. Here, as before, all joyful events are accompanied by dances and songs. Music for Georgians is another way to express their love for the world.
Many travelers combine their holidays in Tbilisi with the search for original handmade souvenirs. Surprisingly, but in the old part of the city, numerous handicraft industries have been preserved, where you can buy amazingly beautiful chasing, decorative daggers and handmade carpets.
Tbilisi has preserved pottery workshops that still produce pottery, which foreign tourists love to buy so much. Leather products are no less popular, but all this can be of interest only to a real traveler. They are the ones who look for and find masters of their craft in order to take away with them not a souvenir with a price tag bought in the nearest shop, but a work of art worthy of decorating any collection.
Interesting places in Tbilisi
Each guest of the capital of Georgia begins the tour with its historicalparts. The old city will surprise travelers with its baths, the construction of which began in the 16th and was completed in the 19th century. Despite their old age, they are quite comfortable, and the quality of services does not differ from that at the best balneological resorts in Europe.
After visiting the baths, you should definitely go to Mount Mtsatminda, which is sacred to Georgians. Here is the ancient Narikala fortress, built in the 4th century. Today, ruins remain of it, but observation platforms were built near them, from which a magnificent view of Tbilisi opens.
Also, "experienced" travelers recommend visiting the former residence of Georgian kings - the Metekhi temple. It was built in the 12th century on the burial site of St. Martyr Queen Shushanika of Ranskaya, who died in the 5th century. In the Old City, there is another attraction that Georgians are proud of - this is the Zion Cathedral, which began to be built back in the 5th century, but was completed only two centuries later. This is the most ancient monument of architecture preserved on the territory of Tbilisi, in which today many relics are presented.
No less popular with tourists is Shota Rustaveli Avenue, where the main museums of the city and numerous cafes are concentrated, where you can relax after sightseeing.
Beaches of the city
Who happened to visit the capital of Georgia in the summer, he could not help but come to the famous Turtle Lake - a favorite vacation spot for the local population.
Tressel beds and umbrellas await guests, and innumerous cafes you can taste dishes of national cuisine and taste local wine. It is here that beach holidays in Tbilisi are concentrated. There is a playground for children on the shore of the lake, and adults can rent a boat and take a walk on the water.
Lake Lisi is no less popular, where part of the shore was taken away for recreation. Renting a sun lounger will cost 5 GEL, and when it gets too hot, all vacationers move to the forest, which is located just ten meters from the reservoir. Here are excellent places for a picnic, and lovers of he alth centers can visit the sulfur baths located here.
Where to stay in Tbilisi
Travelers in this city expect numerous hotels - from fashionable and expensive to numerous hostels for the most picky. Experienced tourists say that by renting accommodation in the Old Town, you can not only get to know the local life, so to speak, from the inside, but also save a lot. Are you interested in an inexpensive vacation in Tbilisi? The private sector provides a large selection of rooms and offers to experience the famous Georgian hospitality for only 20 GEL per person.
To get to know the city better, you need to communicate with its inhabitants. Renting a room from one of the locals, after a couple of hours you feel as if you have known these people all your life, they are so open and generous.
Popular resorts of Georgia
An increasing number of tourists from the CIS countries believe that you can have a good vacation by choosingvacation in Georgia. Tbilisi, Batumi are the most popular destinations. In fact, there are many such places, some of them are real "pearls". For example, Kobuleti is a paradise for divers and surfers. No less popular, especially for family holidays, is the resort of Ureki with its best beaches in Georgia.
Anaklia resort has become popular due to the healing magnetic sand on its beaches, lying on which you can treat your joints and heart.
