Georgia

An Israeli traveler recently contacted me and asked could I give an advice on traveling to Yerevan (Armenia) from Telaviv (Israel). As this is a pretty broad topic to answer in one single reply I decided to wrap up longer answer in this blog post. Hopefully other Israeli / Armenian travelers will find some helpful thought in this article as well. Now, I must inform that I have never traveled directly route Telaviv - Yerevan, Thus I have done route Istanbul - Telaviv (once), Istanbul - Tbilisi…

I had never been to this area of Georgia before, the lucky day come and I negotiated with our driver to visit town of Tianeti. It was from Tianeti driver suggested us to visit Sioni lake, or more precisely Sioni water reservoir. In short - another spectacular place to see and visit while in Georgia. I didn't find much background of this place, thus I'm guessing this is an artificial water lake, built during soviet era, probably in 1950-ties.The dam is built on Iori river . Anyhow I was here…

Kuzh park is located in the town of Tianeti, Georgia. We first discovered it at the end of October 2016, and ever since we have been returning here once in a while, especially now with our baby girl.  I didn't find much info about this park on the internet, thus at the end of October I visited it, made some photographs, and decided to extend my Georgia travel app, by adding this place on map. There is a lovely cafeteria - Vanessa located just before the entrance to this park. Children's…

I love roadside cafeterias, in most cases they are better or in same level as fancy restaurants. I wouldn't call Cafe Vanessa in Tianeti a roadside cafeteria, as I believe we can call it the only one in this small Georgian town. Located next to the Kuzh park in Tianetie, at Vanesa cafe you can have tasty and cheap baked goods (stuffed pies, khachapuri), have a really huge cup of Turkish coffee and plenty of Georgian lemonades. They serve ludi (beer) and of course khinkali also. Simple and…

Right here comes another interesting Georgian Wine House, with a super cool name - JSP Kindzmarauli Corporation Wine House, located in the Kakheti, town of Kvareli. I must admit -  I had never heard of tis winery before, on the other hand I don't call myself a wine expert. Thus I can at least tell which is mine favorite Georgian wine - Khvanchkara.  We arrived here from another winery, located just a few kilometers from Kindzmarauli corporation, see Wine Tunnel Near Kvareli in Georgia (Winery…

Gergeti Trinity Church is a must have to visit destination in Georgia. The church is located at an elevation of 2170 meters, under Mount Kazbegi some 160 km North from nations capital Tbilisi. I have visited Gergeti church for some 3 times during my stay in Georgia, and always have hired either Jeep (Lada Niva) or Delica cars to get to the final destination. Let me explain - the road until the Gergeti village is pretty fair, but from the village there is a really bad road heading up to the…

In fact I had to open a Wikipedia to learn the name of this place, as I mistakenly thought this is just some cool viewing platform located high in the Caucasus mountains, built by Soviets. Turns out it's not only built by Soviets, but bears the name of The Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument Located on the Georgian Military Highway between the ski resort town of Gudauri and the Jvari pass, the monument is a large round stone and concrete structure overlooking the Devil's Valley in the Caucasus…

Zhinvali, also Jinvali, is an artificial water reservoir located on the river Aragvi in Georgia. The building of the hydroelectric dam formed the Zhinvali Reservoir. The dam has been built in 1986. You have probably noticed this perfect blue surface lake, if traveled to Gudauri or mount Kazbegi (Gergeti church) via Georgian military road. If not, and you are still planing your trip to this area, the chances are you will make a stop at Ananuri castle complex (which is located near Zhinvali…

Tbilisoba or Tbilisi City Festival is an annual October festival which celebrates the diversity and history of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. If you are planing your first trip to Georgia - consider your trip here during city festival and try local cuisine and that awesome Georgian wine.  Tbilisoba 2016 were held on October 15-16 in the streets of ..you are right - Tbilisi. As usual I took my camera and went for a photo walk, starting Rike Park, ending at the right embankment of Mtkvari. My…

Green Monastery (The Chitakhevi St. George's Monastery) is located in a picturesque place in the Borjomi valley. People called it lovingly “The Green Monastery”, because all the trees in the valley are of a special green color. The stones, with which the church is built, are also green, but some are dark and some are light. I have visited Green monastery few times, and always have messed up with good photography - last time I visited it (October, 2016) - I was too lazy to switch lenses and…