Georgia is a magnificent example of the evolution experienced in recent years by many of the former Soviet republics. After gaining independence from the Moscow regime, these territories first experienced a period of unbridled joy, only to soon come face to face with the reality that they had to build a new country.
Less than 30 years ago, and since then progress has been slow but steady. So much so that the time has come to showcase the country to make it an attractive tourist destination. And experts predict a stupendous future in this sense, since Georgia has a wide variety of attractions (beach, monumental cities, mountains, heritage,…). With the added bonus that today it is a very economical destination, and above all little exploited to enjoy it without overcrowding or stress.
House Museum of Alexander Chavchavadze in the city of Tsinandali
Between Europe and Asia
Located on the shores of the Black Sea to the west and with the peaks of the Caucasus mountain range to the north, this republic straddles European and Asian lands. Depending on who writes about Georgia, it may belong to one continent or the other. We will not go into this matter, but we will say that it usually happens that the most interesting things emerge from the merger. So that mixture between east and west, with Russian, Turkish or Persian influences create an amalgam of flavors, traditions and cultures of the most suggestive.
The religious complex of Mtskheta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And then there is the religious factor. Something that has defined much of Georgian history. One of the most curious facts is that this was one of the first kingdoms to adopt Christianity as its official religion, at the beginning of the 4th century. Since then, the Orthodox religion has shaped the character of this people, as well as has bequeathed countless churches, monasteries and cathedrals that are part of its tourist charm.
The monumental heritage of Georgia
Places like the monastery of Gelati in the vicinity of the city of Kutaisi, or the set of temples in Mtskheta, are recurrent visits for travelers in Georgia. Especially this last place that keeps the churches of Javri and Samtavro, as well as the cathedral of Svetiskhoveli. A complex that is considered the spiritual capital of the country, as Saint Nino was born there and is still venerated as the great responsible for the establishment of the Orthodox religion.
Tbilisi is the capital of the country and a symbol of its constant development.
However, the real capital is Tbilisi, a must-see on a trip to Georgia. To begin with, it has the country’s main airport. But it also has an old town worth knowing on the banks of the Mtkavari River and under the protection of the impressive Narikala Fortress. A fascinating monument since in it you can trace the traces of cultures as different as the Arabs or the Mongols.
Swimming in the Black Sea
Another common destination on a trip to Georgia is the Black Sea coastal area. There are numerous beaches to visit, almost all of them pebble beaches. As is the case in other developing countries, it is the coastal areas that are first revived by tourism, a trend that is also seen here. For example in cities like Batumi in the far south, or Anaklia with its seaside resort in the north, both with some tourist infrastructure.
Beaches in the Black Sea are usually made of stone.
Georgia for mountain lovers
Sea and mountains, both are present in the Georgian territory. And as for the mountain, it is spectacular to contemplate and enjoy a large part of the southern slopes of the Caucasus. If you love wide and wild landscapes, you will find a paradise here. Especially in regions like Svaneti, as beautiful as it is remote, with its medieval villages lost among snow-capped peaks.
Imposing landscapes in the Caucasus mountain range as it passes through Georgia
More accessible may be the Kazbegi route, which will also reveal a still remote country, and where there are memorable stops such as the one proposed by the fortress of Ananuri, overlooking the plain of the wide valley of the Aragvi River.
The essence of Georgia
But traveling is much more than contemplating grandiose landscapes or unique monuments, above all it is about soaking up the essence of the territory and the people you are visiting. And that in Georgia has to be done in a special area, in the Kakhetia region, in the southeast of the country. An area where a historical emblem is produced: its wines. There, around the cultivation of the vine and the production of wine, the essence of this unique people with a past full of splendorous moments is preserved.
The white wines of the Kakhetia region are one of the treasures of a trip to Georgia.
It is therefore not surprising that Kajetia, and more specifically the monumental city of Tsinandali, was the place chosen by the Radisson hotel group to create the Tsinandali Estate, which will open its doors next fall.
The Tsinandali Estate of the Radisson Collection
Among the establishments of this hotel group, those that are part of the Radisson Collection are always high class hotels, located in spectacular places. These parameters are met at the Tsinandali Estate. Here the surrounding vineyard landscape and traditional architecture harmonize with modernity in its services, and also in its aesthetics in which the German designer Ingo Maurer and the Georgian sculptor Tamara Kvesitadze have participated.
This is what Tsinandali Estate, A Radisson Collection Hotel will look like.
A hotel next to the palace and gardens built by the nineteenth-century aristocrat Alexander Chavchavadze, who also created the first large winery in the country. And the fact is that this whole area is a historical producer of wines. There, wines are produced in the most traditional way with large barrels buried in the ground. But other techniques have also been incorporated to improve their wines, especially the whites. Wines that, like this new Tsinandali Estate Hotel, tell us about a country that is moving forward based on its traditions and history, and that has a lot to offer its visitors.
