Traveling Solo in Georgia: Rediscovering a Hidden Gem

Travelling solo and living abroad this summer has been one of the most life changing experience for me. As with all good things, my time in Kazakhstan came to an end. This opened up a new opportunity for me: returning to Georgia, a country I had visited two years prior with G Adventures. This time, however, I’d be exploring it solo.

Arrival in Tbilisi

My journey to Tbilisi began with my flight being delayed out of Almaty Airport and landing in Georgia in the early morning hours. Although it was a tiring and tedious trip, the next morning promised a fresh start. The next morning I ate breakfast and kickstarted my journey with a traditional Georgian sulfur spa, a high reward and much needed treatment after living a month in Almaty.

Note: There are many different sulfer thermal spas. Most of the spas you can show up and pay upfront, though during high season it can be busy so I recommend making a reservation in advance. I visited Golu Thermal Spa and had a one-hour session.

Similar to a Turkish hammam bath, the sulfur bath features a spa with hot and cold baths and having a body scrub with soap, foam, and both hot & cold water.

***Inside the spa at Golu sulfer bath in Old Tbilisi. A staple of Georgian culture, this was a much needed treat after arriving in the early morning hours.***

Exploring Old Tbilisi

I wandered around the medieval vibes of Old Tbilisi before dining on a traditional Georgian dinner at In The Shadow of Metekhi restaurant overlooking the Mtkvari River and enjoying traditional Georgian music before heading back to the hotel to prepare for a big adventure to Kazbegi the next day.

***Views of Tbilisi over Mktavke River from* *In The Shadow of Metekhi Restaurant.***

A Journey to the Caucasus Mountains

Booking a trip with Get Your Guide took me towards the Caucasus Mountains in northern Georgia. The tour took us from the serene waters of Zhinvali Reservoir to the breathtaking Gudauri Viewpoint. We proceeded to reach Kazbegi, a stunning mountainous region, where I hopped in a minivan up to Gergeti Trinity Church, atop the mountain. The sunny weather made for some incredible photo opportunities, but no picture can capture the awe-inspiring beauty of the landscape I saw with my own eyes.

***Standing on the ledge with the mountain views of Kazbegi.***

Georgian Hospitality in Tbilisi

Upon returning to Tbilisi, I decided to check out of the Hotel Zerta and stay in at 5 Hotel Rooms, a cozy spot in a quiet neighborhood. My host, a lovely Georgian grandmother, welcomed me with open arms and a glass of local red wine—a true taste of Georgian hospitality. I took a walk to Freedom Square, where I was pulled aside by the police for a random check, got cleared and relived the site of the 2003 Rose Revolution, which overthrew the then-Soviet era Georgian government leading to the rise of Mikheil Saakashvili as president of Georgia.

***Freedom Square in Tbilisi, signifying Independence from the Soviet Union and home to the Rose Revolution in 2003.***

Onward to Batumi

The next morning, a private driver from Day Trip picked me up for the journey west to Kutaisi before battling hectic traffic on the way to the Black Sea coastal town of Batumi, the capital of the Adjaria province of Georgia. Known for its famous Adjarian khachapuri, I visited Retro Restaurant to try this cheese-filled bread masterpiece. There, I shared a round of Georgian chacha with a friendly local family. Their son, a professional basketball player in Lithuania, was an avid fan of the Toronto Raptors—my hometown team!

***A breathtaking sunset view over the Black Sea in the costal town of Batumi. Never could have imagined this part of the world would provide some of the most stunning sunsets.***

Batumi’s nightlife buzzes with modern hotel buildings, restaurants and casinos reminiscent of Las Vegas and Dubai. I spent the evening enjoying the city’s vibrant atmosphere before swimming in the refreshing waters of the Black Sea the following morning. After spending the day walking around Batumi, I packed up for the journey back to Tbilisi and enjoyed my final evening observing the skyline views from the top of Mtatsminda (Mta meaning “mountain” and tsminda meaning “saint”) until it was time to go home.

***Meeting up with a Georgian family in Batumi at Retro Restaurant. They were generous enough to buy me a complimentary Georgian chacha shot.***

Why Georgia Will Always Be Special

Returning to Georgia was truly a blessing and a country I always enjoy visiting for it’s hospitality, stunning landscapes, and world class cuisines make it a place I will forever cherish. For anyone considering a trip to Georgia, I highly recommend exploring with private guides like Natalia and tour companies such as Gamajoba Tours, which offer exceptional excursions across the country.