Joseph Anthony Boccuzzi, Managing Partner at Georgian Support Services and Tbilisi InterNations Ambassador reveals where he likes to stay in Georgia...
TBILISI FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
From the middle of December to the middle of January, Rustaveli Avenue is decked out in fantastic holiday lights that are just a joy to pass through. The illuminated stars, gift
packages, and umbrellas are strung over the roadway and hang down to create a low ceiling of celestial celebration. Traveling down the avenue under the holiday lights, you are
greeted in Freedom Square to the spectacle of the statue of St. George covered in a sting of colored lights to form a giant Christmas tree as the center attraction.
The Marriott Courtyard hotel and surrounding shops glow upon all visitors in the square facing St. George, dressed for Christmas. Be sure to visit my favorite church, Svetitskoveli in Mtsketa to meet Christmas at midnight. Of course there are other magnificent churches all thoughout the city that are also very special, too.
GUDAURI FOR PARAGLIDING
A few years ago I drove up for a day and took a tandem paragliding ride there. It was amazing! The pilot and I strapped in to a harness and paraglide parachute and made a running leap off the edge of a mountain. We instantly began to float upwards, above our launch site on the mountain, buoyed by rising currents of air, known as thermals and updrafts. Remarkably, we stayed aloft for almost one hour without a motor, soaring with an eagle, sharing our thermals. We made a rather dramatic, steep, spiraling decent into a canyon as an alternative landing site next to a river. Apparently, the original planned landing site became unsuitable due to a shift in the wind. We were meet by a car with the ground support assistant, who was in constant radio contact with the pilot and following our progress. An exciting and impressive adventure beyond the usual fantastic skiing and snowboarding, also available there in winter.
BORJOMI & BAKURIANI FOR RELAXING
A great way to have the best of all worlds is to begin in Borjomi and book a stay at a resort hotel with a spa to relax from city life. Then take the the special train that links Borjomi and Bakuriani, known as the “Kukushka”. The journey takes you through a snow-covered spruce forest, and you’ll cross over the bridge that the well-known French engineer, Gustave Eiffel, constructed. It was commissioned by the Romanov Russian royal family in days gone by. Once in Bakuriani, rent skis and enjoy the slopes. It’s often crowded and Accommodation can be hard come by without advance planning. However, you can eliminate that problem by returning to Borjomi by the same train and relax in the spa for a second time. That’s the life!
WESTERN GEORGIA
For a small country, Georgia can seem much different in scenery and culture by just traveling to different corners within. Fly to Mestia from Natakhtari airfield with Vanilla Sky airways. There is a ski resort there and of course stunning scenery all around. Heavy snow storms can sometimes prohibit traveling to and around Svaneti, so a backup plan might be to visit Batumi. It too, is very different from Tbilisi. There is a new 5 star resort hotel in Shekvetili, Paragraph Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection. That is a great destination stay, especially in February when the room rates are at the lowest and you can more easily afford the 5 star treat.
KAZBEGI
Easily reached from Tbilisi, weather permitting, Kazbegi is beautiful all year round. The town of Stepantsminda is charming and below the peak of the famous mountain, Kazbegi, which is actually a dormant volcano. I highly recommend a visit to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church. Of course, be sure to dress warmly in the mountains as it can be cold and windy at times. You can reach the church up the steep, mountain road by hired car, on foot, or hired horse and guide. Consider renting a strong SUV in Tbilisi from gsservices.ge to get you there and back safely. I also like to stay at Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi because of the high level of luxury offered by the brand.