Top Things To Do In Georgia

• Go to a concert. Davit Aghmashenebeli Prospekt in Tibili is the base for the Georgian State Philharmonic Orchestra and the internationally known Georgian National Dance Troupe.
• In October, commemorate the founding of Tbilisi during the Tbilisoba, the largest annual celebration in Georgia. For commemorations in other cities, consult the Embassy of Georgia (see Contact Addresses).
• Experiment with health-giving sulphur baths in a domed, oriental-style 19th-century bath house just north of the Metekhi Bridge in Tbilisi. Popular with visitors today, Georgian sulphur baths were also frequented by writers such as Pushkin and Tolstoy.
• The spa town of Borjomi, 150km (93 miles) west of Tbilisi in the Tori region, developed by Tsar Nicholas in the 19th century as a spa town, produces much acclaimed mineral water. It is possible to hike in the surrounding hills.
• Set inside the Lesser Caucasus around the Borjami-Kharagauli National Park, the former health resorts of Abastumani, Saime, Badgadi and Nunisiare are returning to life.
• A seaside resort and port in the southwest of the republic on the Black Sea Coast, Batumi is the capital of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic. Close to the Turkish border (20km/12.5 miles), the town has a decidedly Turkish character. Its charm lies less in any particular sights than in its lush, subtropical setting, among citrus groves and tea plantations, with mountains rising up from the edge of the sea.
• Other sea resorts include Sarpi, Kueriati, Gonia, Kobuleh, Grigoleti and Ureki.
• 40 per cent of the country remains covered by forests. There are five national parks open to visitors to enjoy the country's unique beauty. Trekking and mountain activities are popular in the Tusheti National Park which is a mountainous landscape reaching up to 4800m. Many of the endemic species can be seen here, the Caspian sea wolf, Caucasian Lynx and many bird species. Tourists can explore the park by foot, horse or vehicle. The Tusheti Villages are protected as historical sites, and are situated here.
• Vashlovani National Park and Nature Reserve is located in the innermost part of Georgia, where hyena, brown bear, wolf, lynx, griffin vulture and Egyptian vulture can be seen. This park can also be explored by foot or horse, but is open to scientific and educational tourism only.
• Lagodechi National Park and Nature Reserve gives tourists the opportunity to trek through the untouched natural ecosystems, beautiful lakes and waterfalls.
• Other national parks are Borjomi-Kharogauti and Kolcheti National Parks. Note: For visits to national parks and organised treks visit Georgia's Protected Areas Development Project (tel: 3225 1566; website: www.gpadc.org) or contact the Georgia Tourist Board (see Tourist Information). It should be noted that political unrest makes certain areas inaccessible and dangerous, notably the breakaway regions of Abkhazia (in the far northwest) and South Ossetia. Areas bordering these regions are also best avoided. The country's infrastructure can also present problems to those attempting to reach remote areas without their own transport. For these reasons, it is best to arrange trips through a specialist operator. A guide is usually necessary for visits to the mountains, and porters may be hired.
• The mountain regions of the Caucasus, which extend from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, offer numerous opportunities for hiking, skiing, ski touring, heli-skiing and snowboarding. Mount Shkora is the highest summit at 5068m and Mount Kazbegi or Mkinvartsveri, meaning 'ice top', (5033m) is the most attractive to mountain-climbers. Accommodation is available in two meteorological stations along the way, and special equipment is necessary to attempt the summit. Gudauri and Bakuriani used to be the Soviet Union's most popular ski resort. Both resorts are suitable for skiiers of all abilities. Snow cover is guaranteed from December to April.
• The Roshka Valley with its glaciers and the Chaukhi Mountains also offer strenuous wilderness treks and stark mountain scenery. Lowland walks are possible in both the north and the south of the country.
• The area around the ski resort of Gudauri (120km/75 miles north of Tbilisi) makes a good starting point for summer walks through mountain meadows full of flowers. Even in the lowland areas, eagles soar overhead and spectacular views can be had. The mountains in the south and east can offer more gentle walks.
• These regions are also suitable for horse riding and mountain biking, and there are numerous mountain roads and tracks. Special Caucasian horses bred for their endurance and beauty, such as the Kabardo and the Tusheti, are the traditional means of transport in this area. Trips can be started at the mountain resort of Bakuriani. Gentler rides can be done along the Black Sea coast. From horseriding to village stays, to camping in the Tushetian mountains to river rafting and multi-day sports activities, trips can be organised from one day to three weeks in length.
• Bird watching is another of Georgia's attractions. Approximately 360 species can be found, depending on the season, and the number of birds increases considerably during the spring and autumn migrations. Raptors including the bearded vulture, the long-legged buzzard and the white-tailed eagle can be seen in the Caucasus in summer. In the autumn, the wetlands and mountain steppes in the south near the Armenian border harbour white pelicans, white storks, cranes and Caspian snowcocks.
• Go wine tasting in the Kakheti province in the far east of the country, Georgia's wine-growing region. Apart from being an ancient tradition, drinking wine is also a social skill, with the traditional toast (or Tamada) being the prerogative of the most powerful male at the table. Other age-old rituals surround the harvesting, preparation and consumption of wine, which is usually of high quality.

Tourist Information
State Department of Tourism and Resorts
80 Chavchavadze Avenue
0162 Tbilisi
GeorgiaTel:
(32) 226 125.
Website: www.tourism.gov.ge or www.parliament.ge

Source: www.worldtravelguide.net

Have you more questions than ask Hans Heiner Buhr: www.kaukasus-reisen.de