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Castle of Khertvisi, Georgia
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Historically at the crossroad between early Christian and Islamic traditions, the period during which the country known today as Georgia experienced its real renaissance was around the 12 th and 13 th centuries, until then having been a battlefield between the rival powers of Persia and the Byzantine Empire. This Golden Age has left a great legacy of glorious architecture which can be seen in the form of splendid cathedrals, monasteries and castles as well as romantic-chivalric literature which tells the story of some of its wonderful legends. Geographically, this is a beautiful, mainly mountainous country divided in to two halves by the Likhi Range which separates the western portion, Colchis, from the eastern Iberia. Its northern region is Svaneti, and it is dominated by the Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountains. As well as stunning volcanic landscapes, regions famous for their mineral water and hot springs, Georgia is home to the Voronta Cave, the deepest known cave in the world, located in the Gagra range of Abkhazia.
The fall of the Soviet Union and the subsequent unrest in South Ossetia truly in the past, the now peaceful borders of Georgia welcome travellers to sample the diversity of landscapes and experiences it has to offer within towns and regions that have been famous throughout the 20 th century as holiday destinations: the Caucasus mountains around Kazbegi with the iconic Tsminda Sameba Church the superb hiking region of Svaneti with more mountains and 175 tall, mysterious defensive towers the gorgeous Black Sea Riviera highlighted by the charming resort of Batumi, and the delightful wine regions of Kakheti which are brimming with historical treats such as the famous Davit Gareja cave monastery. The nation's capital Tbilisi is stylishly gritty, and has a stunning location set within the valley of the Mtkvari River, featuring some vibrant shopping malls, leisure facilities, good accommodation as well as a fascinating old town saturated with history and well worth exploring. You will discover stone houses built around courtyards shaded with vines, winding streets and a lively Mediterranean atmosphere.
Further afield, just 25km from Tbilisi is the ancient capital of Mtskheta, where visitors can see the impessive cathedral of Sveti-Tskhoveli. Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia in the far north west of Georgia was once famous for its palm-fringed beaches, eucalyptus trees and cosmopolitan cafe culture and is enjoying a recent revival. Telavi and the picturesque Sighnaghi are two of the major resorts in Kakheti, where September and October bring the grape harvest, celebrated with annual festivities, musical events and many parties to which guests are warmly invited to sample the local wine and join in the popular drinking songs.
After the political changes, English has supplanted Russian as the next generation's second language of choice, as the country slowly becomes an attractive destination even for the less adventurous traveller.
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Castle of Khertvisi, Georgia
|
Historically at the crossroad between early Christian and Islamic traditions, the period during which the country known today as Georgia experienced its real renaissance was around the 12 th and 13 th centuries, until then having been a battlefield between the rival powers of Persia and the Byzantine Empire. This Golden Age has left a great legacy of glorious architecture which can be seen in the form of splendid cathedrals, monasteries and castles as well as romantic-chivalric literature which tells the story of some of its wonderful legends. Geographically, this is a beautiful, mainly mountainous country divided in to two halves by the Likhi Range which separates the western portion, Colchis, from the eastern Iberia. Its northern region is Svaneti, and it is dominated by the Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountains. As well as stunning volcanic landscapes, regions famous for their mineral water and hot springs, Georgia is home to the Voronta Cave, the deepest known cave in the world, located in the Gagra range of Abkhazia.
The fall of the Soviet Union and the subsequent unrest in South Ossetia truly in the past, the now peaceful borders of Georgia welcome travellers to sample the diversity of landscapes and experiences it has to offer within towns and regions that have been famous throughout the 20 th century as holiday destinations: the Caucasus mountains around Kazbegi with the iconic Tsminda Sameba Church the superb hiking region of Svaneti with more mountains and 175 tall, mysterious defensive towers the gorgeous Black Sea Riviera highlighted by the charming resort of Batumi, and the delightful wine regions of Kakheti which are brimming with historical treats such as the famous Davit Gareja cave monastery. The nation's capital Tbilisi is stylishly gritty, and has a stunning location set within the valley of the Mtkvari River, featuring some vibrant shopping malls, leisure facilities, good accommodation as well as a fascinating old town saturated with history and well worth exploring. You will discover stone houses built around courtyards shaded with vines, winding streets and a lively Mediterranean atmosphere.
Further afield, just 25km from Tbilisi is the ancient capital of Mtskheta, where visitors can see the impessive cathedral of Sveti-Tskhoveli. Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia in the far north west of Georgia was once famous for its palm-fringed beaches, eucalyptus trees and cosmopolitan cafe culture and is enjoying a recent revival. Telavi and the picturesque Sighnaghi are two of the major resorts in Kakheti, where September and October bring the grape harvest, celebrated with annual festivities, musical events and many parties to which guests are warmly invited to sample the local wine and join in the popular drinking songs.
After the political changes, English has supplanted Russian as the next generation's second language of choice, as the country slowly becomes an attractive destination even for the less adventurous traveller.