The world has discovered little Georgia and is learning more by the day, thanks not least to the number of articles written about it appearing in various international publications. 8000 years of wine-producing, its own alphabet, polyphonic singing, dance, East-meets-West cuisine and stunning nature- from mountains to deserts to sea…We take a look at why people are falling in love with Georgia through some of our favorite articles so far.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: GEORGIA SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
Photo by Katie Ruth Davies
National Geographic released eleven stunning photos "that Prove Georgia Should be your Next Adventure."
Starting with the heights and magic of mountainous Tusheti in north-eastern Georgia ("one of the most ecologically unspoiled parts of the country"), the author takes readers on a breath-taking visual adventure through the small Caucasus country.
Among said adventures are a number of suggested activities: "Ride the Batumi Funicular," one section proclaims; "Raft the Rioni River!" says another. And of course, the fabulous Georgian cuisine gets a special mention, among the dishes the renowned Ajaruli Khachapuri and Sulguni cheese, along with Georgian wine, the making of which boasts an 8000-year history in this small but very creative country.
Hikes and mineral water baths are recommended and the traditions of dance and song are highlighted. Of course, NatGeo wouldn't be NatGeo if it didn't mention the wildlife, in this case with a spotlight on the snow-loving Chamois.
"From traditional ballet to unspoiled night skies, let Georgia’s rich variety inspire you," the author claims.
See the full article here.
THE GUARDIAN PUTS GEORGIA'S MOUNTAINS IN EUROPE'S TOP 20
Photo by Tony Hanmer
The Guardian's Gemma Bowes has picked out her Top 20 spots around Europe for breath-taking views and deep-diving into nature.
In the article, Georgia's mountainous Svaneti region is positioned among such well-known greats as the Italian Dolomites and the highlands of Basque Country, Spain, as well as other lesser-known destinations like Montenegro, where she recommends canoeing, and the thermal pools in Slovakia.
Bowes writes about everything a holiday-maker might be looking for in nature, from hard hikes for intrepid thrill-seekers, to softer activities for family getaways.
In a sections titled 'An Alternative to the Alps, Georgia,' Bowes states that "Hiking from village to village in the breathtaking Svaneti region of the Caucasus will make you wonder why you ever bothered with the Alps."
She goes on to claim that the food there is both "delicious and cheap, the people incredibly welcoming (plying visitors with chacha, the local hooch), and the ice-topped peaks tower above many in the Alps, exceeding 4,000 meters."
Read The Guardian's full list of mountain and lake recommendations here.
EVENING STANDARD: WHY WINE LOVERS SHOULD VISIT GEORGIA
Photo by Katie Ruth Davies
In an article published by The Evening Standard, Georgia is named as the top destination and “a wine-lovers’ heaven” worth a visit in 2018. The author of the article, Disha Daswaney, notes that travel experts at Lonely Planet have recently ranked Tbilisi the number one destination for wine in their latest publication, The Cities Book, and suggests a visit Georgia’s capital.
“The Georgian capital is known for its fashion, architecture, rich cuisine and scenic views. Stroll around and you'll quickly start to understand its complicated history - medieval, classical and Soviet structures all stand side by side,” she writes.
“In 2003, the Rose Revolution booted out the post-Soviet Shevardnadze government and Tbilisi has been revolutionizing ever since with a flourishing arts scene and 21st century cafe culture. Winemaking in Georgia stretches back an impressive 8000 years and is a key part of their identity,” the author of the article says, going on to point out that, “the fertile environment of the lower Caucasus is what makes the wine extraordinary: it is one of the oldest viticulture regions in the world after all,” and that “unsurprisingly, all Georgian wine is very drinkable whether it's red, dry or sweet.”
Disha Daswaney then recommends a visit to gVino Underground, gVino wine bar, and 800 Vintages, to “truly understand the history of winemaking;” and Wine Room to taste natural wines from different regions of Georgia. She then goes on to suggest a visit to Kakheti region, where “there’ll be plenty of bespoke Georgian wines to try, including Saperavi and Mukhuzani,” naming the region, and Georgia, “the ideal getaway for autumn.”
“You should go here if you’re looking for a mixture of mountain views and a city vibe. Let’s not forget the vineyards and wine tastings mixed in with cultural heritage and buzzing nightlife,” Daswaney writes.
HUFFINGTON POST PUBLISHES ODE TO GEORGIAN FOOD & WINE
Source: Shavi Lomi
The US' Huffington Post have published yet another article on Georgia. The article, entitled "Georgia, A Travel Gem Even The Jaded Will Love" is somewhat of an ode to Georgian food and wine, which is up and coming in US restaurants.
"Here’s a secret to finding that place like no other, instead of following the crowd, follow your stomach. Churchkhela anyone? Pass the Khachapuri. If you’ve never heard of either then you don’t know Georgia, not the Peach State, but the Caucasus country at the intersection of Europe and Asia.
Here delicious Khachapuri, the original personal pizza, is devoured daily, the fruity confection Churchkhela is a national obsession and hundreds of indigenous grapes produce wines served at some of the best restaurants in the world" the article reads.
The article goes on to mention Georgian wine, the oldest in the world, and how top chefs in London and New York have it on their wine list, as part of their top wines to choose from.
"Georgian cuisine, hard to find outside of New York City, is completely different from any other partly due to its position on the Silk Road. There’s Russia to the north, Turkey to the West, Azerbaijan to the East, Armenia and Iran to the South. All of these influences have made Georgia the multicultural hub it is today and are reflected in its food, architecture and arts.
One of the biggest restaurants to make the impact on culinary scene is Barbarestanwhich recently opened and is fast becoming a destination restaurant. Chef Levan Kobiashvili found his inspiration for Barbarestan’s menu in a 19th century cookbook written by the revered chef Barbara Jorjadze. Many of Jorjadze’s recipes draw on Silk Road influences which Kobiashvili updated with modern twists" says the author.
The article goes on to talk about Georgia's other treasures, such as it's sights and locations, towns and cities- "Modern day Tbilisi is an emerging fashion capital with an edgy, experimental fashion scene that’s produced Demna Gvasalia, creative director of Balenciaga and Vetements, Irakli Rusadze of the label Situationist and George Keburia who was recently greeted backstage by Vogue Editor Anna Wintour during Milan Fashion Week"
The article truly is an ode to Georgia, and yet more of an indication of how our beautiful land is finally receiving the international recognition it deserves.
Read the full article here.
FORBES: TBILISI BEATS BERLIN AS "MOST EXCITING CITY"
Source: NINE club
Forbes travel contributor Breanna Wilson has written the latest love note to Tbilisi, published online yesterday. The article opens with a favorite line of those who have recently discovered Georgia, Georgian wine, or the capital city – “Tbilisi is having a moment.”
Wilson proclaims “Berlin is out, Tbilisi is in.” She is excited about Georgia’s western outlook, noting that the country is a member of the UN (along with every other non-disputed state in the world), and devotes significant time to the recent court decision legalizing marijuana consumption.
Tbilisi, she writes, is “a city with no shortage of character and depth, grace and style, ambition and perseverance.” Well-deserved recognition is given to the new kid on the block Stamba, which was just named among the World’s 100 Greatest Places by Time magazine, as well as a nod to the “more relaxed” Rooms Hotel. Surprisingly, Fabrika and the New Tiflis/Aghmashenebeli area was left out of the article, generally a favorite among international visitors looking for the city’s trendy underbelly.
Wilson recognizes “Georgia’s progressive attitude is what makes it such an exciting place to be right now.” The “young locals are very passionate about moving the country forward and they aren’t afraid to make it known – demonstrations and rallies are acts of defiance that the city’s youth are taking on without looking back,” she asserts. The article focuses on marijuana legalization, but also briefly notes the major political changes ushered in by what some have called Georgia’s “rave revolution.” It misses, however, the inevitable counter-protests that have pushed back against progressive young urbanites. Georgia has not escaped the alt-right wave sweeping Europe, and many of the recent protests were met with neo-Nazi demonstrations across the street. From this summer’s Bassiani and Café Gallery raids that were allegedly drug busts to the Constitutional Court’s decision on marijuana, the highly influential Georgian Orthodox Church has also taken a strict stance against liberalizing the country’s drug policy. Young club-goers may be the most vocal group, but do not represent the majority of the country’s population – or even the city’s. Most people have more moderate views, with significantly more conservative voices making themselves heard as well.
Interestingly, Wilson claims that “locals can’t go a night without consuming [chacha]. And it’s practically a way of life in the city. Locals drink it like water, making their tolerance for the stuff pretty impressive.” Putting aside the potentially offensive suggestion that the entire population of Tbilisi has an alcohol dependency, wine is vastly more popular than chacha. One weekend nights, at dark, strobe-lit, electronic clubs, liquor is definitely preferred, but even then tequila, vodka, and rum certainly hold their own in cocktails and for shots. Chacha is gaining popularity as creative bartenders create specialty cocktails – such as Chacha Room, Lolita, and Batumi’s Chacha Time.
“Everything resolves around chacha,” Wilson insists; I wonder if she just isn’t a wine drinker. The only cure for her chacha-induced hangover, Wilson says, was a heavy brunch of khinkali khachapuri (which she mistakenly calls a “bread boat of cheese and butter” – only one variety, acharuli, has the distinctive boat shape). Hopefully, she managed to try more than those two dishes while in the city – especially in the late summer, when markets overflow with ripe fruit from peaches and figs to a dozen varieties of plums. Another cure for chacha’s effects, favored by old Georgian men in leather jackets, is khashi – a soup made of entrails and calf foot.
While Wilson’s assertion that Tbilisi is the new Berlin isn’t new, her love for the city isn’t wrong. Although her oversight of some of Georgia’s most treasured features and deeper culture stings, no one can blame a visitor for being swept up in Tbilisi’s spell. It really is “one of the most exciting cities to visit this year” – and the next, and the next...
BLOOMBERG: TBILISI, GUDAURI AMONG 5 GREAT EU DESTINATIONS FOR CULTURE & SKIING
Chadner Navarro, in an article published on Bloomberg Pursuit’s luxury travel section, lists Tbilisi and Gudauri, Georgia, among the five combo destinations where you are able to experience history, culture and skiing.
“Pairing the delights of experiencing a culture capital or historical site with the adrenaline of a few glorious days on the slopes is a total travel twofer. Here are five such combos you might never have considered,” the author of the article writes, starting with Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. “Is there currently a buzzier capital in Europe than Georgia’s Tbilisi? Travelers from around the globe have recently been captivated by its head-turning mix of old-world sights (like the fourth century fortress that lords over the city), unique culinary traditions, and Soviet-era architecture. While you’re there, check out Fabrika, an old sewing factory that now houses bars and artists’ studios—it’s a great example of Tbilisi’s booming art scene. Or find out why this is Eastern Europe’s hottest party city, with late-night jaunts to Bassiani (abandoned pool turned techno hub) and Didi Gallery, a smallish club that attracts global house DJs,” he writes, moving on to Gudauri ski resort, pointing it out as “one of Europe’s most exciting new ski areas”.
“With only 30 miles of skiable terrain and seven lifts, it’s not the sprawling winter wonderland of your dreams, but it is Georgia’s highest and largest resort, with excellent cat skiing, heli-skiing, and night skiing options. And it’s still growing. This year, an almost 5-mile-long cable car route will connect Gudauri to neighboring Kobi, creating a unified ski area”, Chadner Navarro writes in his recent piece, recommending to stay at one of the Rooms Hotels, either in Tbilisi or in Kazbegi.
“Rooms Hotels is a Georgian hospitality company that specializes in cool, hipster-approved accommodations with mix-and-match design, up-and-coming art, and internationally inspired, sustainable dining (the one in the capital is new American, and serves a fabulous Georgian steak fillet). Conveniently, it has great hotels in both Tbilisi and the mountain town of Kazbegi. But if all you want is one great powder day, spring for a helicopter transfer from the capital to the slopes. It’s only a 30-minute ride, so you can hit first chair and get back to town in time for a pre-dinner massage,” the author of the article says.
The other recommended destinations to combine culture and skiing include Turkey’s Cappadocia, and Mount Erciyes, Switzerland’s Lucerne and Klewenalp, Oslo, Norway and Slovenia’s Ljubljiana and Vogel.
Read the full article here.
By Katie Ruth Davies