Follow My Route to See the Snowy Mountains and Old Towns of Georgia 《Pixel Edition》
Day 1 Tbilisi: Sulfur Mist and the Heartbeat of the Old Town
🛬 At 3 PM, finally landed at Tbilisi International Airport! The first impression of this city is so striking—the glass skyscrapers and Soviet-era buildings blend in a fascinating way, stepping into the old town feels like traveling through time~
♨️ Headed straight to the Abanotubani Sulfur Baths (Address: Abanotubani District, Tbilisi), where white steam rises gently from the domes, and the air is filled with a unique mineral scent. Booked a 1-hour private bath, and the moment the hot spring water slid over my skin, all the fatigue from the flight vanished! Promise me, you must experience this when you come to Georgia!
🌇 In the evening, climbed up to Narikala Fortress (Open all day), the entire old town looked unbelievably beautiful under the sunset: colorful old houses with wooden balconies, the golden dome of the Holy Trinity Cathedral beginning to glow, and the Kura River flowing slowly like a blue-gray silk ribbon...
🍽 Dinner was at Shavi Lomi (Address: 14 Lermontov St), recommended by a local friend. It was my first time tasting authentic Khinkali dumplings! The owner was super enthusiastic, teaching us how to eat them: "Bite a small hole first, suck out the broth, or it will splash all over you~" The beef and black pepper filling was piping hot and delicious, paired with local dry red wine, while the old town lights outside gradually lit up... At that moment, I fell in love with Tbilisi💕
Day 3 Kazbegi: The Military Highway to Heaven
🚗 Today we traveled the legendary Georgian Military Highway! We rode in a vintage Soviet Lada (so atmospheric!), and on the winding mountain road, the twin-towered church of Ananuri Castle (Address: Georgia Military Highway) reflected in the reservoir, looking just like a postcard~
🏔 Suddenly! Near the Russian border checkpoint, the sharp peak of Mount Kazbek appeared in sight! This is the legendary place where Prometheus was imprisoned!
🥾 In the afternoon, we hiked to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (altitude 2170m), every step left me breathless... but when the 14th-century ancient church appeared beneath the snowy mountain, with prayer flags fluttering fiercely in the wind, all the hardship was worth it! A shepherd we met offered us chacha, a strong spirit that burns like fire going down, but he smiled and said, "This drink warms the body and the heart."
🌌 Stayed overnight at the trendy Rooms Hotel (Address: Stepantsminda), watching the snow-capped mountains change from orange to dark purple and finally blend into the starry sky from the terrace... In the distance, Gergeti Church lit up faintly, like a candle lit by the mountain god✨
Day 5 Sighnaghi: Time in a Clay Pot
🏡 Today we arrived at the "City of Love," Sighnaghi! This hilltop town surrounded by walls has red roofs that look like LEGO blocks under the sun~ (Address: Sighnaghi, Kakheti)
🍷 At Kindzmarauli Winery (Open 10:00-18:00), I finally saw the legendary Qvevri clay pots! The winemaker opened a 2018 Saperavi: "Our family has been making wine in the same clay pot for 200 years..." The deep red wine has aromas of wild berries and earth, with a rougher vitality than oak barrel aging~
🌅 Strolling along the ancient city walls at dusk was super romantic! Couples kissed at corners, elders sat quietly watching the clouds... Suddenly I understood why this place is called the "City of Love"—time moves slow enough here for love to grow💑
Day 7 Return: Farewell to the Caucasus
🛍 Before leaving, I went to the Dry Bridge Market in Tbilisi again. The pair of silver wine vessels engraved with grapevine patterns I didn’t buy last time were still there, and the old lady vendor recognized me: "Here, chacha!" This time I could drink it calmly, feeling a familiar warmth rise in my stomach~
✈️ As the plane took off, I opened my notebook, which held: sulfur bath tickets, a Kazbegi maple leaf, winery corks... Outside the window, the deep blue of the Black Sea and the snowy white of the Caucasus intertwined, and I suddenly remembered the shepherd’s words—some places, you leave more whole than when you arrived.
💫 Travel Notes:
The most touching moments in Georgia are the "non-touristy" ones—the accordion music in Tbilisi’s alleys, the shepherd’s bells, the winery owner’s eyes when talking about his grandfather... The beauty here lies in becoming part of the scenery, feeling small before the snowy mountains, finding peace in the churches, and tasting millennia in a glass of wine✨
🌟 Recommended Highlights Route (7 days):
Tbilisi (2 days) → Kazbegi (2 days) → Sighnaghi (1 day) → Batumi or return
Every corner is a new world, just like the locals say: "Gaumarjos!" (To victory!)—Here, every day lived earnestly is a victory🎉