Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan.
Most Georgians aspire to be Europeans, the culture of Georgia leans towards Asia with the Central Asian and Middle Eastern influences on cuisine, music, architecture and traditions. While 90% of Georgians are Orthodox Christian which swings the equilibrium towards Europe, there is a lot of overlapping of culture and values.
The old city sections of Kutaisi and Tbilisi resemble Italian in appearance: Mediterranean-looking buildings painted in warm colors, with cobblestone streets lanes, and monasteries with elaborate medieval frescoes. However, you also find some definitively Middle-Eastern influences to the architecture, for example, wooden arched patios, elaborate stonework, and internal courtyards.
Discover the capital of Georgia -Tbilisi
Spread out on both the banks of River Mtkvari, the capital of Georgia- Tbilisi is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Strategic location on the ancient trade route between Europe and Asia brought many invaders along with the fortunes. Romans, Parthians, Persians, Arabs, Byzantine and Turks fought to establish stronghold on Tbilisi and control the trade route. The influence of various empires is evident in Tbilisi’s architectural and cultural heritage. Read more about Things to do in Tbilisi.
Trekking in Mestia
Located Northwest from Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, Mestia is the ‘capital’ of Upper Svaneti. The region inhabited by the Svans is made up of around 10 villages. The snow capped mountains create an idyllic backdrop for the villages scattered across pristine Alpine meadows. Despite of being Georgians, the Svans are known for their distinct language and cuisine. The highest inhabited area in the Caucasus, Mestia serves as a base for hikes and treks into the surrounding mountains. From the center of Mestia it is possible to hike up the glaciers at the foot of Mount Ushba. Read more about Trekking in Mestia.
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