Georgian Chronicles
Stories from Sakartvelo
Journey through the land where legends come alive. Discover insider stories about Georgia's ancient traditions, hidden gems, and transformative experiences.
Stories - Page 6
Food & Culture6 min readChristmas and New Year in Georgia: Dates and Traditions
Georgia celebrates New Year on 31 December and 1 January, Orthodox Christmas on 7 January with the Alilo processions, and Old New Year on 14 January. The traditions, the public holidays, and what it means for travelling then.
Travel Tips6 min readTbilisi to Kutaisi and Batumi: Train, Bus or Car?
Tbilisi to Batumi takes about 4 hours on the double-decker train, which also stops at Kutaisi airport (about 2.5 hours). Marshrutkas to Kutaisi take 3–3.5 hours; by car the new Rikoti highway makes it about 3 hours. Options compared, plus stops worth making.
Mountains6 min readGergeti Trinity Church Hike: Trail, Time and Tips
The walk from Stepantsminda up to Gergeti Trinity Church (2,170 m) is about 7 km return with roughly 430 m of climbing: 60–75 minutes up for a fit walker and about 90 minutes down. The trail, the drive-up option, dress code and weather.
Travel Tips6 min readTbilisi to Kazbegi: Marshrutka, Taxi or Private Driver
The cheapest way from Tbilisi to Kazbegi is a marshrutka from Didube (about 3–3.5 hours, 20 GEL in 2026). A shared taxi, hire car or private driver-guide costs more but lets you stop at Ananuri, Gudauri and the Jvari Pass. Pros, cons and winter notes.
Wine Tours7 min readTelavi, Alaverdi and Gremi: Kakheti's Other Side
Telavi is the base for inner Kakheti, about 2 hours from Tbilisi over the Gombori pass. Around it: Alaverdi Cathedral and its monastery cellar, the royal citadel of Gremi, Ikalto academy and the Tsinandali estate. What to see and how to plan it.
Travel Tips7 min readGeorgia in November: Weather, Prices and What's Open
November is low season in Georgia: cool, mostly dry days in Tbilisi (highs around 13 °C), lower hotel prices and new wine in Kakheti's cellars. The mountains turn wintry, so give Kazbegi a spare day. What's open, what closes and where to go.
Travel Tips8 min readBest Time to Visit Georgia: A Month-by-Month Guide
The best time to visit Georgia is mid-May to June or September to mid-October. A month-by-month guide to the weather by region, when the mountain roads to Tusheti and Svaneti open, the ski season, the grape harvest and festivals.
Winter6 min readGudauri or Bakuriani: Which Georgian Ski Resort?
Gudauri is higher, bigger and 2 hours from Tbilisi, with open slopes and freeride, but its road and upper lifts depend on the weather. Bakuriani is lower, forested, cheaper and gentler: the easier choice for families and beginners.
Winter6 min readGeorgia in Winter: Is It Worth It, and Where to Go
Yes, if you pick the right places. Tbilisi, its sulphur baths and Kakheti's wine cellars work all winter, Gudauri and Bakuriani have snow from late December, and Christmas falls on 7 January. What closes, and how to plan around the Jvari Pass.