Autumn in Georgia
Sometimes it is hard to plan a vacation in Georgia, knowing how many interesting places are waiting for you there. I decided to help you a bit by choosing our five favorite autumn destinations - of course, except Tbilisi, which is always attractive, and Batumi, with its Indian summer glory. Autumn is the time of harvest, the time of conceiving new wine and the time of stunning beauty of the landscapes around. So, where should you go to feel magic of this season?
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Our number one is town Kvareli in Kakheti region, which is the home to two largest wine producers, "Kindzmarauli" and "Khareba". Therefore, it is an important point for any wine route. The secrets of wine-making can be disclosed in Kvareli, as you watch the wine being produced according to Georgian tradition, or to European technology as well.
Also there are several wonderful lakes in Kvareli Municipality , where you can have a relaxing pleasant time, and visit significant cultural and historical monuments - Gremi monastery and Nekresi monastery. This place is rich in both nature and culture - why not to go there?
It is impossible to get rid of romantic mood in fall: Even many poets and artists were pretty vulnerable to this seasonal charm! In Sighnaghi you won’t hide from love: it is that beautiful toy town, where one just wants to hold hands, share fantastic moments with the special one, and then immediately go to the 24/7 registry office and make the feelings a bit more formal.
Joking aside, you can really see a lot of beauty. For example, Alazani Valley panorama from long old city walls or Pirosmani paintings in national museum. Enjoy the glare of the sun in a glass of young Kakhetian wine. What kind of a beauty do you prefer?
After wine stories it would be reasonable to talk about Borjomi. Or, "Borjomi", if you mean that famous water. But in general, this resort is more than just a birthplace of miraculous mineral water! Strolling through Central Park, visiting the outdoor sulfur water pools, hiking in the National Park of Borjomi-Kharagauli, relaxing in a spa in one of the upscale hotels or uniting with nature in a small guest house – you can find different options for recreation, and all of them will improve your health!
It is still possible to drink Magical Borjomi water straight from the spring. Even from two, in the Central Park. Be sure to prepare an empty bottle or two to share this healthy drink with your family and friends!
Akhaltsikhe is relatively close to Borjomi. On the way you can visit several old fortresses - Khertvisi and Tmogvi, for example. And a huge well-renovated fortress complex Rabati in the town, which includes a museum inside the palace, a synagogue, a mosque, a church, a registry office, several hotels and cafes.
Wow, what a combination, you may say. Yes, Rabati is an amazing place: multicultural, multi-ethnic, like our country itself, and, of course, very beautiful! More and more couples come there to have a pre-wedding or wedding photo shooting: everyone wants to feel royal on such an important day.
Traces of one of the most important royal figures in the history of Georgia, Queen Tamar, can be found in the cave town Vardzia, which is also located nearby Akhaltsikhe. There lived more than ten thousand people during its Golden Age in medieval times!
It is impossible to describe how majestic the Kazbegi mountain peak is, when the clouds disperse in front of it. It is even more difficult to describe the autumn air in mountains, so clear, so transparent! Stepantsminda village, located at the bottom of Kazbegi mount, is one of the most easily accessible mountainous places in autumn. Treat you with such a pleasure to admire the autumn colours of mountains, to go up to Gergeti church on the hilltop, to sit above the clouds, and to warm up with hot tea or "chacha" after turning back to village.
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6. Racha Region
This remote region is full of untouched beauty of nature and culture. As the infrastructure has been developed last few years, it iis still unexplored by tourists and travelers but the fall in this amazing region is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Shaori lake and surrounding villages are the most picturesque. Racha is famous for its' food and viticulture, especially for its' AOC wine Khvanchkara, which is possible to be produced only in Khvanchkara village from Alexandrouli & Mujuretuli grape varieties cultivated in the village.
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7. Mestia
Mestia, the regional center of Zemo (Upper) Svaneti, is situated 456 km from Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, and is 1,500 meters above sea level. It is the starting point for most trips to Svaneti, with a range of hotels, guesthouses and local travel services. It makes a convenient base for exploring the area. From the center of Mestia it is possible to hike up to the glaciers at the bottom of mount Ushba, or ride horses into the pristine alpine meadows.
If you are interested in religion history, then you'll will find plenty of examples of wall paintings, frescoes and icons from the Middle Ages in churches around Mestia. Within Mestia, the Church of Saint George contains well-preserved crosses and icons from XII century. Horse riding or trekking in this area during the fall is unforgettable, as far as colorful fall meets white peaks and creates unreal scenes. The other part is to experience local food and beverage in local guesthouses, with friendly atmosphere and rich culture.
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