Europe Tour Consultant Cecilia Ban recently travelled to Georgia and discovered a vibrant, art-loving country with a diverse and fascinating history and culture, and little evidence of the recent conflict.
As I was preparing for my visit to Georgia I heard that some additional peacekeepers had landed in South Ossetia just two days before my arrival. I expected to see Georgian or EU military trucks and at least a number of soldiers. However, when I arrived at Tbilisi there was no sign of the recent military conflict. None of the houses or the roads have been effected and the locals were sitting at the squares sipping Turkish coffee and smoking cigarettes. One of the first things I learned about Georgian people is that they like to enjoy life and never stop smiling.
Georgia has always fascinated me as a country as it has a very distinct and unique cultural identity within the region. For example the Georgian language (called kartuli) has no connection to any other languages linguistically and it has its own alphabet. Georgians even have their own brand of orthodox chrisitianity, which does not belong to the Slavic or to any of the main Orthodox Churches. Still, the cultural richness of the country is felt and represented by the various buildings of foreign influence in Tbilisi: along the Georgian you will see Armenian and Russian churches and even a mosque. Tbilisi used to be the end of the Silk Road, Arab spa houses and spices from Asia have all contributed to the full taste of Georgian life.
I spent my first day in and around Tbilisi. Surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains, the capital of Georgia is a compact city of 1,000,000 inhabitants. You can get to most places within 5 minutes by car and it takes less than 30 minutes to reach any sights on foot. Fortunately, it is one of the relatively few former Soviet cities in which the old town remains intact. There is a distinct district of cobbled streets and medieval houses with wooden balconies, contrasting with buildings from the seventies in other parts of the town. 
On my second and third day I visited some of the sights of Stephantsminda and the Kakheti area. The highlight of my tour was definitely Signagi in Kakheti, a town of traditional houses from the 18th century and with views overlooking the Alazani Valley at least one thousand feet below. Signagi is best known for its wine and carpets, but it also has a local museum. It is a town to stroll around, to have dinner perhaps on a balcony while enjoying the view of the valley and the magnificient mountains in the far distance.I have always been fascinated by Georgia, and visiting it for the first time was not a letdown. People go to coffee houses and value art, and there is a vibrant theatre life in Georgia, it has also a Mediterranean and European feeling to it. On my last evening I was invited to an opening of a museum which was hosted in an old chateau in Tsinandali. It turned out that I was invited to a classical concert given by some of the most famous musicians of the country. Guests included ambassadors, members of the royal family and the President of Georgia. The atmosphere made me feel like royalty myself and the concert was fantastic, it was an invaluable way to understand how Georgians feel and experience life. It is one of the very few countries I know I will have to go back to, the warmth and hospitality of the Georgians was fantastic.
Visit Georgia on the 8-night Wonders of Armenia & Georgia tour, which starts from £1895 per person, or call 020 7873 5006 to discuss tailor-made options to Georgia.
