A land of endless wonders at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
A land of endless wonders, unspoilt by modern tourism and still retaining its authentic character — Georgia. Once experienced, it will stay with you forever. Exploring Georgia is a constant pleasure. For walkers and hikers the country is sheer heaven, while botanists and bird-watchers will be simply enthralled, and archaeologists can't decide which of the numerous ancient findings to visit first.
With the towering Caucasus Mountains forming the border between Europe and Asia, Georgia has long been an important contact zone. In this mystical land you will be captivated by a thrilling blend of eastern enigma and western elegance. The traditions of the East and West meet in Georgia to form a culture unlike any other in the world.
The following legend adequately describes Georgia's great natural beauty: when God apportioned the Earth to all the peoples of the world, the Georgians arrived late. The Lord asked them why they were tardy. The Georgians replied that they had stopped on the way to drink and raise their glasses in praise of Him. God was so pleased with their response that He gave the Georgians the part of the Earth that He had been reserving for himself. A visit to Georgia will confirm that this legend is indeed true: Georgia is a natural paradise.
Stunning landscapes, fortified mountain villages, ancient churches, unclimbed peaks, wild nature and famously hospitable people — Georgia is one of the most ancient and fascinating countries in the world.
Stretching about 1,200 km between the Black and Caspian seas, the Caucasus mountain system is considered a natural boundary between Europe and Asia. Here you find summits over 5,000 m, including Mt. Elbrus (5,642 m), the highest in Europe. Georgia has three peaks over 5,000 m — Mt. Shkhara (5,068 m), Mt. Janga (5,059 m) and Mt. Kazbegi (5,047 m), where, according to the Greek myth, Prometheus was chained.
At 2,200 m, Ushguli is the highest permanently inhabited settlement in Europe. Home to about 200 people, it lies in the Upper Svaneti region at the foot of Mt. Shkhara (5,068 m). Dotted with medieval Svanetian watchtowers, Ushguli is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
With its favourable geographic location, Georgia has always been a connecting link between Europe and Asia, traversed by many routes including the famous Silk Road. This most important pre-modern trade road linking China with the West diverged into northern and southern routes — the northern one passing through Georgia. The traces of ancient caravans are still visible near the Uplistsikhe cave town.
When it comes to wine-making, Georgia is blessed. Grapevine has been cultivated in its fertile valleys for about 8,000 years. With over 500 endemic grape varieties and the world's first cultivated grapevines, viticulture is entwined with national identity — it is even believed the word "wine" is of Georgian origin ("gvino").
Scientists have discovered the world's oldest wine, produced 8,000 years ago, pushing back the history of wine by several hundred years. Although no liquid survived, residues were found and tested on the inner surfaces of 8,000-year-old ceramic jars unearthed in Shulaveri. — The Independent, 2003
The fabulous kingdom of Colchis, mighty King Aeetes, enchanting Medea, legendary Jason and the Argonauts, and the invaluable Golden Fleece — an ancient Greek myth set in Georgia. Numerous gold artifacts found in the area, and Tim Severin's recreated voyage of 1984, suggest the story could easily be true, especially given Georgia's centuries-old tradition of collecting gold particles from mountain rivers with a fleece.
Jason and the Argonauts sailed from Iolcus on the ship "Argo" to take the fleece from Colchis. The king's daughter Medea, who had magical powers (the word "medicine" comes from her name), fell in love with Jason and helped him complete the assigned tasks and steal the Golden Fleece — a symbol of the advanced metalworking of ancient Georgian tribes.
Georgians received the Message of God in the first century, when the Holy Apostles Andrew the First-Called, Simon the Canaanite and Matthata preached the Gospel here. Georgia was officially converted to Christianity in 337 through the evangelism of St. Nino of Cappadocia. As one of the world's most ancient Christian countries, it also preserves the Robe of Christ.
Georgia has one of the world's richest and oldest histories. Archaeological excavations show that Georgian tribes formed their statehood as early as the second millennium BC. The remains of the flourishing states of Colchis and Iberia can be seen while travelling through the ancient cities of Vani, Kutaisi and Mtskheta.
Georgia's original, highly developed culture is reflected in its unique language and script. Spoken by about 5 million people, Georgian has an ancient literary tradition. Its alphabet — created in the 3rd century BC — is one of only 14 scripts in use in the world. The earliest Georgian inscriptions are found in a church near Bethlehem (AD 430) and in Bolnisi Sioni church (AD 495), and the earliest Georgian novel dates to the 5th century AD.
A 1.7-million-year-old skull found during the Dmanisi excavations is the oldest evidence of human habitation in Europe, making Georgia the homeland of the FIRST European. Found beneath a medieval town in Georgia, this pioneer had a tiny brain and large, apelike canine teeth — reopening so many questions about our ancestry that one scientist muttered, "they ought to put it back in the ground." — National Geographic Magazine
From the Caucasus peaks to the vineyards of Kakheti and the Black Sea coast — discover it all by car. Pick up your keys in Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi.
