Where.ge #22 August-September Issue 2019 by Georgia Today Group

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Find us in Rike Park, right under The Bridge of Peace

More than a Hostel

Goderdzi Resort Goderdzi is hospitable, romantic resort, which hosts guests year-round and is being developed with the concept of high standards. The planned investment project will contribute to each segment of the Resort, be it accommodation, eateries or entertainment, arranged throughout the resort. The projects of GTEM Group for the winter season 2019-20 includes: Hotel Meteo on Goderdzi Pass, at the crossroad of the mountains of East and West. There are 15 rooms in the hotel, to accommodate up to 40 tourists. The hotel has direct access to the ski trails and is the nearest hotel to the Green Lake. A restaurant with perfect service is also located there. Goderdzi Villa offers six villas equipped with 48 perfect rooms. The villas are located 100 meters from the lower station of the main ropeway of the resort. In total, it is possible to accommodate up to 145 tourists in the villas. The restaurant nearby also serves the villas. Goderdzi Ski Lounge, designed for 600 tourists, is an ultra-modern lounge, which, at the same time, is decorated with traditional design elements and boasts open and closed spaces, fireplaces, good music, and ideal restaurant services. The ski school with high tech equipment will be launched at Goderdzi Ski Lounge,

where professional skiers will teach skiing to the guests. Our tourist facilities offer great service to individual tourists as well as tourist groups. The skiing potential of the resort allows all types of skiers or snowboarders to enjoy high-quality snow cover on prepared ski trails as well as off-piste. The best opportunities for off-piste skiing distinguish this resort from other resorts of Georgia. Once the snow is melted, spring makes the resort even more attractive. Visitors will be impressed by alpine, wild, flowering nature and the opportunities to hike nearby at the Green Lake and in the alpine botanical garden. In summer, the refreshing local climate with healing properties is especially pleasant. Clean, ionized air full of oxygen positively affects cardiovascular diseases, respiratory organs, bronchial asthma, anemia, and chronic diseases among children. And when it rains in Batumi, there is often sunny and bright weather at Goderdzi. As the autumn comes, the colors of nature, pleasant climate, photo and hiking tours in nature, collecting mushrooms or berries, and many other holiday opportunities attract tourist to Goderdzi. From wherever you choose to stay, travel agencies can arrange one-day tours to visit charming tourist attractions such as Zarzma Church, Rabat Complex, Vardzia, Borjomi, Green Lake, Alpine Botanical Garden, Skhalta Monastery, and Khikhani Fortress.

T: +995 598 886060 E: goderdziresorts@gmail.com

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#22 August-September 2019 Publisher: George Sharashidze Editor in Chief: Katie Ruth Davies Executive Editor: Maka Bibilashvili Contributors: Katie Ruth Davies Maka Bibilashvili Sofia Bochoidze Ketevan Kvaratskheliya Ana Dumbadze Nini Dakhundaridze Tony hanmer Samantha Guthrie Amy Jones Essa Alnoaimi Photographers: Irakli Dolidze Designer: Ani Loladze Logo & Design Concept: Kevin Loftus Sales: Sofia Bochoidze Maia Tsereteli Mano Kutchukhidze Sesili Tikaradze

As I wrote in my address to Russian President Vladimir Putin, published in our June-July issue of WHERE.ge, the answer to the question – where to go, stay, eat, drink and buy – has never been as clear as it is now, in the summer of 2019, when Putin decided to ban flights from Russia to Georgia. Of course, there is one and only one answer: Georgia! An ancient country where Georgians host travelers from around the globe openheartedly and with a sense of responsibility to the guest, who they perceive as a gift sent by God. George Sharashidze This unique culture of hospitability has the same Publisher, WHERE.ge history and age as Christianity here. While we all know that Georgia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world, we should also emphasize that Georgia is at the same time one of the oldest countries with hospitability in its DNA, as for almost seventeen centuries we, Georgians, have seen God in every guest… Moreover, as leading modern scientists have concluded, Georgia is the oldest country of winemaking and wine culture- with the first known signs of winemaking found on Georgian territory proving to be 8000 years old. This means, that more than 6000 years before Christianity was declared the state religion, in 337 A.D., Georgians were already producing wine. For whom? Of course, for the guest first of all, as the wine made in almost every Georgian family is made with guests in mind. So, if you, our respected reader, want to eat, drink and experience everything of superb quality, go to Georgia, stay in Georgia, eat in Georgia, drink in Georgia and buy in Georgia. You have the privilege to be our guest. Don’t miss this unique opportunity… #spendyoursummeringeorgia

Georgia Today Address:1 Melikishvili Ave. TEL 229 59 19 www.georgiatoday.ge

Finally, you can find my personal recommendations for the WHERE.ge August-September edition on where to go, stay, eat, drink and buy:

In partnership with the Georgian National Tourism Administration

Bakhmaro, Guria

Bridge Hostel

Porta Batumi

Royal Khvanchkara

ARTTENT

6 Itsik Moshe President The Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business, Chair – The Israeli House

50 Erdogan Sahin General Manager Mercure Tbilisi Old Town, IBIS Styles Tbilisi Center

82 Davit Tkemeladze Deputy Chairman National Wine Agency

102 Mikheil Avsajanishvili The Brand Chef 12 Georgian Restaurants, Jury member The culinary show “Kitchen Wars”

114

Ani Tsitskishvili Head of PR & Marketing Luca Polare

WE FLY TO MORE COUNTRIES THAN ANY OTHER AIRLINE

● AMERICA ATLANTA BOGOTÁ BOSTON BUENOS AIRES CARACAS CHICAGO HAVANA HOUSTON LOS ANGELES MIAMI MONTREAL NEW YORK PANAMA SAN FRANCISCO SÃO PAULO TORONTO WASHINGTON DC ● EUROPE AALBORG AMSTERDAM ASTRAKHAN ATHENS BADEN-BADEN BAKU BARCELONA BARI BASEL BATUMI BELGRADE BERLIN BILBAO BILLUND BIRMINGHAM BOLOGNA BORDEAUX BREMEN BRUSSELS BUCHAREST BUDAPEST CATANIA CHISINAU CLUJ COLOGNE CONSTANTA COPENHAGEN DNEPROPETROVSK DONETSK DUBLIN DUBROVNIK DUSSELDORF EDINBURG EKATERINBURG FRANKFURT FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GANJA GENEVA GENOA GOTHENBURG GRAZ HAMBURG HANOVER HELSINKI IVANO-FRANKIVSK KAZAN KHARKIV KHERSON KIEV KOŠICE KRASNODAR LEFKOSA LEIPZIG LISBON LJUBLJANA LONDON LUXEMBOURG LVIV LYON MADRID MALAGA MALTA MANCHESTER MARSEILLE MILAN MINSK MOSCOW MUNICH MUNSTER NAKHCHIVAN NAPLES NICE NOVOSIBIRSK NUREMBERG ODESSA OSLO PARIS PISA PODGORICA PORTO PRAGUE PRISTINA RIGA ROME ROSTOV ROTTERDAM SAINT PETERSBURG SALZBURG SAMARA SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA SARAJEVO SIMFEROPOL SKOPJE SOCHI SOFIA STAVROPOL STOCKHOLM STUTTGART TALLINN TBILISI THESSALONIKI TIRANA TOULOUSE TURIN UFA VALENCIA VARNA VENICE VIENNA VILNIUS VORONEZH WARSAW ZAGREB ZAPORIZHIA ZURICH ● AFRICA ABIDJAN ABUJA ACCRA ADDIS ABABA ALEXANDRIA ALGIERS ANTANANARIVO ASMARA BAMAKO BANJUL BATNA BENGHAZI CAIRO CAPE TOWN CASABLANCA CONAKRY CONSTANTINE COTONOU DAKAR DAR ES SALAAM DJIBOUTI DOUALA DURBAN ENTEBBE FREETOWN HURGHADA JOHANNESBURG JUBA KANO KHARTOUM KIGALI KILIMANJARO KINSHASA LAGOS LIBREVILLE LUSAKA MAURITIUS MAPUTO MARRAKECH MISURATA MOGADISHU MOMBASA MORONI N’DJAMENA NAIROBI NIAMEY NOUAKCHOTT ORAN OUAGADOUGOU SEBHA SEYCHELLES SHARM EL-SHEIKH TLEMCEN TRIPOLI TUNIS YAOUNDÉ ZANZIBAR ● ASIA ABU DHABI ADEN AHVAZ ALEPPO ALMATY AL-QASSIM AMMAN ASHGABAT ASTANA AQABA BAGHDAD BAHRAIN BANGKOK BASRA BEIJING BEIRUT BISHKEK COLOMBO DAMASCUS DAMMAM DHAKA DOHA DUBAI DUSHANBE ERBIL GUANGZHOU HANOI HO CHI MINH CITY HONG KONG ISFAHAN ISLAMABAD JAKARTA JEDDAH KABUL KARACHI KATHMANDU KERMANSHAH KHUJAND KUALA LUMPUR KUWAIT LAHORE MADINAH MALE MANILA MASHHAD MAZAR-I-SHARIF MOSUL MUMBAI MUSCAT NAJAF NEW DELHI OSAKA OSH PHUKET RIYADH SAMARKAND SANAA SEOUL SHANGHAI SHIRAZ SINGAPORE SULAYMANIYAH TABRIZ TA’IF TAIPEI TASHKENT TEHRAN TEL AVIV TOKYO ULAANBAATAR YANBU ● TURKEY ADANA ADIYAMAN AĞRI AMASYA/MERZİFON ANKARA ANTALYA BATMAN BİNGÖL BODRUM BURSA ÇANAKKALE ÇORLU DALAMAN DENİZLİ DİYARBAKIR EDREMİT ELAZIĞ ERZİNCAN ERZURUM ESKİŞEHİR GAZİANTEP HAKKARİ HATAY IĞDIR ISPARTA İSTANBUL İZMİR KAHRAMANMARAŞ KARS KASTAMONU KAYSERİ KOCAELİ KONYA KÜTAHYA MALATYA MARDİN MUŞ NEVŞEHİR ORDU GİRESUN SAMSUN SİİRT SİNOP SİVAS ŞANLIURFA ŞIRNAK TOKAT TRABZON UŞAK VAN

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Where to Go for Summer Fun in Georgia . . . e c i o h C y M

Itsik Moshe President of the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business and Chair of the Israeli House Five Places Which I Recommend to Tourists The Israeli House has been implementing a Council of Europe certified Jewish Cultural Heritage Route in Georgia, curated by the Council of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association for Jewish Culture and Heritage Preservation (AEPJ), for the third year. The Israeli House created a special map, where Jewish monuments and settlements existing on Georgian territory are marked. Organized by the House of Israel, a number of Israeli and Jewish groups pass the route each year. They are provided with safe transportation, Kosher meals and other essential services.

Tbilisi The capital of Georgia with 1500 years of history, unique architecture, multinational culture, sights and cultural institutions, museums, theaters, operas ... Tourists in Tbilisi will taste traditional Georgian dishes and unique wines. In ancient Tbilisi, Jews have lived for centuries. There are several synagogues here, two of them still operating. There are several Kosher restaurants in Tbilisi. With the support of the House of Israel, a Kosher wine route has been established in Georgia, which is part of the European Kosher Wine Route. The high quality Kosher wine is produced by the wine company Badagoni.

MTskheTa An ancient city of Georgia, with unique architecture, landscapes and monuments. Here the Jews settled in ancient times. Jewish artefacts are preserved in the Mtskheta Historical Museum. The city is a few kilometers from Tbilisi. Here, you can taste traditional Georgian dishes and wines.

kakheTi A region of eastern Georgia famous for its unique grape varieties and wine production. The cities of Kakheti - Telavi, Sighnaghi, Kvareli, are distinguished by their architecture, sights and other attractions. In Kakheti, the famous company Badagoni produces Kosher wine.

lailash Is a mountainous village in western Georgia, in the Racha region. This place is distinguished by its nature. The village was historically inhabited by Jews. This is the place where a unique tenth-century Hebrew Bible was discovered. The synagogue is still preserved here.

ajara The western Georgia seaside region with a semi-tropical climate and resort towns. In Ajara, in particular in Batumi, small Jewish communities and synagogues are preserved. One of the synagogues, with unique paintings, is on the verge of collapse. The House of Israel, along with civil society, is involved in its restoration campaign.

Must visited National Parks in September kolkheTi NaTioNal Park Kolkheti National Park Visitors Center is located in Poti. Districts of the national park are located on 5 administrative regions – Zugdidi, Khobi, Senaki, Abasha and Lanchkuti and are part of two historic sides of Georgia – Samegrelo and Guria. Kolkheti National Park has been protected by Ramsar Convention since 1997, which aims to protect the area for migratory and water-birds. Kolkheti National Park is the first protected area, which is nominated on UNESCO World Heritage. Kolkheti National Park is especially beautiful during autumn when nature has golden colors. You can plan boat, kayak and pontoon tours on river Churia and Pichori. As well as you can visit Colchic forests and unique wetlands. There are arranged bird-watching towers, where you can observe more than 100 species of birds.

javakheTi NaTioNal Park It is possible to see unique species of flora and fauna at Javakheti National Park. Nearby the lakes it is possible to plan 7 various types of hiking, bicycle and horse riding tours, as well as you can enjoy the tour by car. There are presented 140 species of nesting and migratory birds. Javakheti National Park is the only place in Georgia, while during walking you might see a flamingo. On Javakheti Plateau are many lakes, including one of the biggest lakes – Paravani Lake. Javakheti Plateau is one of the cold places in Georgia. During winter the lakes are frozen for a while. There are arranged 7 hiking, horse riding and biking trails on a place. There are possible to observe 140 species of nesting and migratory birds by birdwatching towers. The lakes rich with various types of fish is the best place for fly fishing lovers.

We Create Memories

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News CoNfereNCe oN TourisM seCTor ChalleNges iN baTuMi By ketevan kvaratskheliya

Small and medium entrepreneurs had a chance to listen to and familiarize themselves with the incentives of the government and private sector on tourism development and to hear the experiences of professionals operating in the field:

Tinatin Zoidze, head of the Department of Tourism and resorts of ajara Ajara as a four-season resort. Strategies for the development and promotion of tourism in the region

sulkhan glonti, Deputy finance and economy Minister of ajara Tourism industry as a major factor for the economic growth in the region of Ajara. New Vision of the tourism policy. Challenges and potential.

Daria kholodilina, founder of Trails and Wines, Blogger, DARIKO Why arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tourists visiting you? Analysis of typical mistakes

Maia Tsereteli, executive Director at kMs georgia Importance of personnel qualification as the defining factor of customer satisfaction. What should small family type hotels take into account? On July 24, with the support of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara, the Hilton Batumi Hotel hosted a large-scale conference on the challenges of the tourism sector, bringing together the representatives and the experts of the hospitality industry and SMEs from Ajara, Tbilisi and other regions of Georgia. Prior to the conference, the launch of the of a special issue of Where.ge/Ajara and the July issue of Entrepreneur Magazine Georgia took place, where the assessment of the tourism potential of Ajara and the city of Batumi is outlined as the main topic. Both of the magazines were published with the support of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara.

konstantin Megrelishvili, Managing Partner at brainstorm.ge Brand and non-brand hotels? What are the superiorities of the brand? How can the local player compete with international giants? Torsten Well, general Manager at hilton batumi The success of the Hilton brand. What can small and medium players learn from the leader of the industry? Nikoloz gogochuri, Nika rostomashvili, founders of vreX Virtual reality as an effective technological tool for tourist products sales

Nini Mchedlishvili, Co-founder of #spendYoursummeringeorgia A social campaign which brings changes irakli lomidze, founder and Director at kohi.ge Quality and cheap wooden cottages for the quick development of tourism in the regions of Georgia The theme of tourism has been at the top of the agenda in Georgia for the past few years, but gained special popularity amid the recent developments in the country and the decision of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to temporarily ban direct flights from Russia to Georgia. The government and private sector are sparing no efforts to minimize the economic impact due to the loss of travelers from Russia by launching various social campaigns that show off Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural, cultural and historic treasures in the very best way and call on foreigners to spend their summer in Georgia.

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CNN: To sPiTe PuTiN, CoMe visiT georgia By katie ruth Davies CNN has published an article by Tbilisi-based journalist Will Cathcart on the recent travel ban issued by President Putin and the protests that led to it. “Dear travelers, wine drinkers, hikers and beachgoers,” Cathcart begins. “Dear epicureans, romantics and historians— Dear anybody looking for an adventure or wanting to spite Russian President Vladimir Putin. The country of Georgia needs you. If you’ve ever considered visiting this small Black Sea nation nestled between Russia and Turkey, now is the time. For those of you who have already been, it is time to return.” He goes on to talk about the protests that were seen in Tbilisi last week, emphasizing that they were against the visit of a Russian politician, “NOT against the Russian people, and I cannot emphasize that enough [he says],” after which, the Russian President issued a ban (starting July 8) on Russian airlines flying to Georgia, while “alluding to canceling visas [...] and restricting imports of Georgian wine, a major Georgian export to Russia.” “In reaction to these #TbilisiProtests, Putin is trying to punish, subdue, and bankrupt the Georgian people for speaking truth to power, for exercising their right to assemble and for ultimately sacking their speaker of Parliament, who resigned after protesters demanded it,” Cathcart writes. “If Putin has his way, the Georgian economy will lose up to $300 million, according to one estimate cited by Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.” “Why is Putin doing this?” Cathcart asks in his CNN article. “For two reasons: First, he is terrified that the Russian people will see protests in Georgia and do the same.Second, Putin wants to twist the narrative to make the Russian people think that the protest this weekend was a Russophobic demonstration (pro-Kremlin media outlets, according to the Georgian site civil.ge, portrayed the protests as undermining Russian-Georgian relations).”

MTv: Tbilisi, PossiblY The CoolesT CiTY iN The WorlD By ketevan kvaratskheliya Through its diversity and multiplicity of attractions, the Georgian capital has caught the eye of yet another international media platformMTV. Rosie Needham recently published a thorough article about Tbilisi, introducing the best spots of the city and reasons to visit the historic capital of Georgia. “When it comes to Tbilisi, it’s safe to say the secret’s out,” she starts. “The capital of Georgia has been charming worldwide travelers with its alternative arts scene, world-class clubs and unforgettable cuisine for a while now - and it’s undoubtedly becoming one of the trendiest cities in Europe.”

Needham goes on to outline the most popular go-to destinations for youngsters, as well as representatives of the older generations, and compares the Eastern European city with Berlin. “Like Berlin, raving is central to younger Georgians’ identity, with techno music being the soundtrack to those seeking social liberty and cultural freedom. The underground club Bassiani is a concrete Mecca for techno; the main dance floor is a disused swimming pool and at weekends it’s flooded with smokey, Chacha fuelled clubbers dancing to promising Georgian DJs. Bassiani has sparked the question - could Tbilisi be the new Berlin?” Finally, the author presents a must-do list to help travelers discover Tbilisi in the very best way.

euroNeWs: baTuMi - “CeNTer of YouTh CulTure” By ana Dumbadze Euronews published an article about Georgia’s charming seaside city of Batumi, the capital of the Ajara region, which recently won the 2019 title of “Europe’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination” at the prestigious World Travel Awards. Titled “Summer in Batumi”, the accompanying video shows off the best landscapes of the Black Sea and all the fun activities tourists can enjoy while holidaying in Ajara. As Euronews reports, in recent years, the region has attracted significant investment and the results are clearly visible. “The summer season has just begun, but already tourist figures are breaking records. Dozens of new hotels have appeared along the coast and the number of international visitors in Batumi has almost doubled since the beginning of this year,” reads the article. According to the publication, Batumi is also gaining a reputation as a center of youth culture. “In Georgia, new cultural trends are closely intertwined with the country’s rich traditions and history. It’s no surprise that Georgian polyphonic singing was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Add to this the region’s beautiful and diverse landscapes and you get a fuller picture of Ajara and its tourism potential”, reports Euronews. According to the article, one can head straight from the beach to the mountains and picturesque valleys thanks to Ajara’s unique ecosystem.

Tornike Rijvadze, Chairman of the Government of Ajara said, “Ecotourism is actually one of the greatest opportunities we’ve got here. Our agencies work very hard to find new directions. We expect to have quite a successful season this year.” The article also highlights the oldest winemaking traditions of the region. Local winemaker Rostom Beridze told Euronews that there are almost 500 types of grape varieties in Georgia and about 50 of them grow in Ajara. “Such diversity gives us an advantage in creating wines that are very different from what you can find elsewhere,” he said.

The NeW York TiMes oN sTaliN’s MuseuM iN gori By Nini Dakhundaridze Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, where the Parliament is located, was for some weeks from June 20 occupied by a large group of Georgians protesting Russia’s occupation of 20% of the country. In turn, Putin banned Russia-Georgia flights from July 8. Considering these recent events, Georgia has found itself once again in the writing spotlight for international media. Many articles serve as a commercial, tourist-call to the country that is known as the Pearl of Caucasus and “Putin’s Most Hated Country”. Keeping up with that theme, The New York Times went for something more creative, their chosen headline being ‘A Monster to History, Stalin Is a Tourist Magnet in His Hometown.’ Even now, 66 years after his death, most know Joseph Stalin as one of humanity’s greatest criminals. Few, however, are aware that Stalin came from Georgia – a little town called Gori being the place of his birth and childhood – or that his actual name was Ioseb Jughashvili. Many of the elderly living in his hometown Gori, still think of Stalin as their beloved leader. The NY Times article digs into that concept, giving the comments of senior Gorians as an example: “He was a simple man who grew up and became the leader of a great country,” said Mera Bachatadze, a 70-year-old retired construction worker, who was sitting on a park bench adjacent to the Stalin Museum. “He was a genius,” added a friend, Givi Lursmanashivi. The Stalin Museum in Gori opened in 1957. Ever since the fall of the USSR, the Georgian government has been dealing with the controversial issue of the Stalin Museum still welcoming visitors. The troubling fact is that Georgia aims to be part of the West but still has a functioning museum honoring Stalin, a Russian dictator. The moral principle here is clear. However, the museum is a big attraction for tourists in the country, especially the Chinese and Russians. Last year, roughly 162,000 tourists visited the museum, and as the article claims, that’s more than any other functioning museum in the country. It would be no surprise to hear that the sentiments for Stalin that the museum and many of the senior Gorians spread, is troubling for most of the Georgian youth. To them, Stalin is nothing more than an anti-Georgian who victimized his own country throughout his rule

– the deportation and shooting of over 400,000 Georgians is on Stalin’s hands. Yet, the museum continues to be one of the many attractions in Georgia. With it, the museum keeps the belief that Stalin, deep down, was a Georgian nationalist. The NY article stresses this point with a few words from Nutsa Batiashvili, an associate professor at the Free University of Tbilisi. “A lot of people we talk to say that he kept a cross in his apartment, which meant that he was a Christian,” said Batiashvili, who has written about the role of Stalin in Georgian memory. “They say he made Georgian cuisine very important in the Kremlin, and made Georgian toasting part of the etiquette there,” she added. “I know how weird all this sounds because no one can pinpoint anything that Stalin did which actually benefited Georgia.”

Mir CorPoraTioN aND NaTioNal geograPhiC To offer Tours iN georgia By ketevan kvaratskheliya Development of the tourism industry represents a major priority for the current government, which has launched various programs and initiatives in this direction over the past few years, sparing no effort to make Georgia the regional hub, as well as introduce it to the rest of the world. This has gained special importance as a result of the recent decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to ban direct flights from Russia to Georgia, and the activation of social campaigns supporting tourism in Georgia- within the country, as well as beyond its borders. Natia Turnava, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, met with the employees of major American tour operators earlier today to discuss the potential of Georgia in terms of attracting travelers from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, as well as other English-speaking countries. The representatives of the MIR Corporation, one of the largest American tour companies, with 30 years’ experience operating on the Georgian market, were present at the meeting, where it was stated that Ia Tabagari, President of Georgian Incoming Tour Operators Association (GITOA), along with its parnter company MIR Corporation, headed by Douglas Grimes, is to launch a joint project with world-renowned National Geographic and offer tour packages to travel enthusiasts from North America, New Zealand and other English-speaking countries, totally suited to their demands. Minister Turnava positively assessed the initiative, noting that it is of paramount importance to launch such activities now, when the tourism industry of the country is facing such a serious challenge. “We welcome the implementation of such projects which will be able to increase the tourist inflow from the USA, Canada, New Zealand and other English-speaking countries to Georgia,” she stated, adding that such projects will contribute to boosting awareness of Georgia as a safe go-to destination with unique nature, culture, and wine routes.

CiNeMaTograPher giorgi shveliDZe beCoMes MeMber of aMeriCaN MoTioN PiCTure aCaDeMY Georgian cinematographer Giorgi Shvelidze has been selected as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy invited 842 new members this year. Renowned singer and actress Lady Gaga is also to join Shvelidze. Giorgi Shvelidze is not the only Georgian chosen for the title as before him directors Nana Jorjadze and Zaza Urushadze were also selected as members of the Academy. Shvelidze was nominated for the Spotlight Award at the 100th anniversary of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). He was representing the Georgian film “Namme” directed by Zaza Khalvashi. Competing with Frank van den Eeden (Girl by Lukas Dhont) and Joshua James Richards (The Rider by Chloé Zhao) for the honor, Shvelidze was named winner.

kakhaber abashiDZe aPPoiNTeD as DireCTor geNeral of WalT DisNeY CoMPaNY Cis By ketevan kvaratskheliya Kakhaber (Kakha) Abashidze has been appointed as the Director General of the Walt Disney Company CIS, reports AT.ge. He is to replace Marina Jigalova-Ozkan and head the Central and Eastern European, and CIS and Russian branches of the company. The predecessor of Abashidze occupied the given position for more than a decade. Kakha Abashidze joined the team of the global Disney Company in 2008 as Vice President of Channel Distribution, covering Italy, Iberia, CEE, Africa, Emerging Markets, Russia and CIS. In addition, since 2014 Kakhaber has been leading Disney’s media distribution activities as a General Manager for Turkey, Greece, Israel and the Middle East. However, Disney is not the first major company in his career, as, prior to transforming to this corporation, he served Fox International Channels, as well as Jetix Europe. The Walt Disney Company CIS is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company EMEA region of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International, which represents the world’s leading entertaining media platforms, unimaginably popular among millions of spectators across the globe, including minors, as well as their parents.

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Tbilisi, Kakheti Highway , 2 AI. Tvalchrelidze st

Campaign ‘Spend Your Summer in Georgia’ and its Famous Georgian Supporters By ana Dumbadze

President of Russia Vladimir Putin banned flights from Russia to Georgia and suspended Georgian air companies from flying in its territory from July 8. His decision followed mass protests in Tbilisi that began after Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov gave an address from the Speaker’s seat in the Georgian Parliament, apparently at the invite of his Georgian colleague (who soon after resigned). In a response to the travel ban and resulting economic threats to the local tourism industry, Georgian activists, together with international society, launched a campaign titled “Spend Your Summer in Georgia” aimed at encouraging foreign travelers and locals to holiday in Georgia. The campaign was initiated by five friends: Nini Mtchedlishvili, Keta Goletiani, Mari Jobava, Mariam Gujabidze, and Nini Noghashvili, who created the Facebook group “Spend Your Summer in Georgia” and achieved nationwide fame in a surprisingly short period of time.

Their aim was to highlight the tourism potential within the country and to present Georgia effectively and positively. Currently, the group boasts nearly 300,000 members, all calling on travelers to support the Georgian tourism industry by spending their summer in this warmhearted and hospitable country. Group members share their recommendations and memories related to traveling in Georgia and post photo/video materials depicting its breathtaking nature and unique culture. Many Georgians themselves have changed their plans to go abroad this summer and are instead booking hotels and guest-houses in Georgian resorts and regions to (re)discover their homeland. World-renowned Georgians have also got in on the trend and are helping to spread the message to support Georgia’s tourism industry, calling on their fans and friends to spend their vacations in Georgia too. georgian President salome Zurabishvili joined the campaign and called on foreigners to

visit Georgia in a video address from Batumi city on the Black Sea coast. “We are here at the highest point of the Georgian Riviera of the Black Sea. Behind me is the modern city of Batumi. I think it is one of the most unique places, where culture meets beauty. We have archeological sites nearby. We await you with Georgian hospitality. Spend your summer in Georgia!” said the Georgian President in her video address. Prominent georgian basketball player Zaza Pachulia joined the campaign, calling on his fans worldwide to visit Georgia. He posted photos of beautiful Georgian landscapes on his Facebook and Instagram accounts and invited his followers and fans to visit this “amazing country.” “To all my followers, NBA fans all over the world, travelers, wine lovers, foodies - you all are invited to this beautiful and amazing country,” Pachulia wrote. Internationally renowned georgian operatic mezzo-soprano, anita rachvelishvili, also contributed to the

#spendyoursummeringeorgia campaign. “We’re all spending our holidays in Georgia this year! I have not personally seen Svaneti and am going to climb there! Let’s promote tourism! We do not need Russian tourists! Those who do not care about Putin’s actions will visit Georgia anyway! Let’s rest in our homeland!” Rachvelishvili wrote.

Another prominent georgian mezzosoprano, Nino surguladze, joined the campaign from Italy. “Georgia is a beautiful and special country, where everyone is hosted with love! Russia has been trying to damage my country for some time, but it has failed, as we have repeatedly said ‘no!’ to killer Russia and to Putin himself. I believe we will win now. Waiting to see everyone in my homeland,” she said.

Tamar Gverdsiteli, a Russia-based Georgian singer, actress and composer, People’s Artist of Ingushetia, Georgia and Russia, supported the campaign by posting a status on her Facebook Page: “Spend your summer in Georgia. Georgia is the most beautiful country in the world.” Internationally acclaimed georgian mezzo-soprano ketevan kemoklidze also joined the campaign and, at her request, after the successful performance of ‘Carmen’ at the opera house Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, the creative group made a video address directly from the stage and advised travelers worldwide to visit Georgia. The video was published on Facebook by the Embassy of Georgia to Italy, who noted that Maestro Oleg Caetani had headed the video address. Tako Natsvlishili, a georgian model born and raised in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, also responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to ban Russia’s airlines from flying to Georgia.

The successful model shared a post originally published on the travel company Living Root Travel’s Facebook page, calling on tourists worldwide to come spend their holidays in Georgia. “1 door closes, but 100 others open. Georgia!” she wrote. “Friends, today we need your support more than ever. Putin is attacking our economy by banning flights from Russia to Georgia. Unfortunately, this will affect the social welfare of many, many locals whose daily income will decrease drastically. Our economy will suffer, but not for long. Fortunately, Georgia can once and for all diversify its market and push forward the tourism strategy for a better, sustainable and more independent future! Until this happens, our citizens need to survive, so Georgians are starting the #itravelingeorgia campaign to increase local tourism and spend their holidays in their homeland. However, this won’t be enough, we need you to tell your friends, family, relatives, acquaintances and the whole world about your experiences in our fascinating country. Georgia is on the bucket list of thousands and thousands of people and NOW is the best time to visit! Please write, post, share, talk and tell everybody why they should come to Georgia for a journey in the land of silk, wine, song, rich culture, history, and breathtaking nature! #visitgeorgia Thank you! In authentic, sustainable and quality tourism we trust,” read the post. The campaign #spendyoursummeringeorgia is ongoing, attracting more international travelers to the country and, at the same time, motivating local citizens to holiday here and discover and share exciting things to see and do throughout the country.

Where to Spend Those Hot Summer Days in Tbilisi Spending a hot summer in a big city is hard for everyone- not only locals but visitors too. However, there are plenty of options around to help those who want to, or must, be in the capital this summer. Here we offer you a few places in Tbilisi where you can enjoy beautiful nature and a temporary escape from the city heat and noise.

lisi lake

TurTle lake

The easiest way to get up to Turtle Lake is by cable car from Vake, open 8 am -10 pm and costing 1 GEL per trip.

Lisi Lake is one of Tbilisi’s most popular recreational areas, an excellent spot for those who love active rest and/or chilling out on the beach. Cycle or jog around the new lake-side track, make use of the various sports grounds and playgrounds or go for a swim near the beach. You’ll find several cafes, ice-cream booths and attractions for kids to keep you refreshed and having fun. People usually head there with family and friends on the weekends as it is a great place for picnics, playing with children in the lap of nature, training, jogging, walking pets, etc. Additionally, there is an open-air cinema and Lisi Wood open club, so you can enjoy movie screenings in the evening as well as a party in the fresh air. how to get there You can get there from Delisi Metro Station on bus #107 or the #177 minibus, from Station Square and Sport’s Palace on bus #29, or take the #160 minibus from the Vazisubani district. You can also get there by taxiexpect to pay around 10 GEL.

how to get there

You can also easily get there by taxiexpect to pay around 5 GEL from Vake.

oPeN air MuseuM of eThNograPhY Turtle Lake is a small lake on the outskirts of Tbilisi, so named due to the perceived abundance of turtles living there. You can reach the lake by car, on foot or using the cableway from Vake on Chavchavadze Avenue. The Turtle Lake area is designed as a recreational zone and is frequently visited by Tbilisi citizens and tourists on weekends. When it’s warm, Turtle Lake turns into the best place for walking, resting and sports activities. There is a nicely arranged beach, cafes, playgrounds for children, sports grounds and a jogging/cycling track around the lake. It is also a place where different festivals and concerts are held.

If you want to relax in the open nature, breathe fresh air and soak up some Georgian history, you should definitely visit the Open Air Museum of Ethnography. It is a small and perfect model of Georgia set in unbelievably beautiful nature near Turtle Lake, at 25 M. Berdzenishvili Street (Turtle Lake Road). The Open Air Museum encompasses 14 ethnographic zones and typical dwellings which have been transplanted from the Georgian regions: Kartli, Samegrelo, Adjara, Abkhazia, Svaneti, Khevsureti, Kakheti, Meskheti, Javakheti, Guria, Imereti, Racha, Lechkhumi and Ossetia. Together with architectural monuments, the museum presents ethnographic materials

in different kinds of tools, textiles, and ceramics. The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday 10 am - 6 pm, closed Mondays and on official holidays. how to get there You can easily get there by taxi, paying around 5 GEL from Vake.

MTaTsMiNDa Park

Mtatsminda Park is a famous landscaped park located at the top of Mount Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain) overlooking the Georgian capital. The park is notable for its attractions, carousels, water slides, a roller-coaster, and a big Ferris Wheel on the edge of the mountain, offering a magnificent view over the city. As it is located on a high mountain, cool, fresh air combined with wonderful greenery are guaranteed to soothe away the city heat and stress. The park is open Monday-Friday: 11:30 am - 9 pm; Saturday-Sunday: 11 am - 9 pm. Entrance is free. Payment for attractions is made via multi pass, which you can get at the park’s box offices for 2 GEL and top up as needed.

how to get there

vake Park

The park can be reached from the city by taxi or on the municipal buses #124 and #90 from Leonidze Street near Liberty (Freedom) Square. The park can also be reached on the funicular railway from Chonkadze Street. You can also easily get there by taxi from Rustaveli Avenue- expect to pay around 7 GEL.

MZiuri Park Located in Vake, at 21 Chavchavadze Avenue, Mziuri Park is the very place for those who are tired from the hectic and noisy city and are looking for a quick escape. Entrance is free and it is open 24/7. One can attend a lot of interesting events and take part in numerous activities. The park includes a renovated amphitheater, a playground for children and is home to the Tennis Club. The social café New Mziuri, nestled in Mziuri’s greenery, offers a comfortable environment and serves various healthy snacks and drinks. how to get there You can get there from Vake, coming down off Chavchavadze Avenue. Look out for the entrance near number 21. You can also access Mziuri Park from Saburtalo by heading down from Chikovani (Khiliani) Street. Cross the iron bridge over the Vere River and pop through the tunnel connecting Saburtalo and Vake.

Vake Park is the biggest and most attractive park in the city. The area often hosts various events, concerts and gatherings on its 200 hectares, and includes bike tracks, a large fountain in the center that cools the air on hot summer days, a MediaTeca and rides and remote control cars for kids. The park is well-known for its greenery and easy-to-access paths, which also head some way up the hill towards Kus Tba (Turtle Lake). Tbilisi citizens love to visit this place, have picnics, stroll or take their pets for a walk. There are several cafes and restaurants in the area and snack bars and kiosks offering drinks and ice-cream. Entrance is free and the park is open 24/7. how to get there Any bus passing through Vake along Chavchavadze Avenue will drop you next to or opposite the white stone entrance to the park, which is at the Bagebi/Saburtalo end of Vake. You can also take minibuses 4, 137, 131 and 128. Have a great summer and stay cool!

The biggest concert hall of the country

Buy tickets online: www.tkt.ge www.biletebi.ge

THE CONCERT OF JANSUG AND VAKHTANG KAKHIDZE’S SONGS

17.08.2019

In the first part of the concert Jansugh Kakhidze’s most iconic songs of all time will be performed. And as for the second part, the compositions created for film and theatre by Vakhtang Kakhidze including his Folk jazz compositions will be performed.

THE JAYS WEDDING

1.09.2019

The resonated musical by Alexander Basilaia and Jemal Baghashvili took place almost 800 times in different years. Among them was the performance on “Black Sea Arena” on August 28 in 2018, first musical ever held at it’s stage. This concert became one of the most successful projects of the previous season.

INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL SAKARTVELO

7.09.2019

Opening concert of the annual international folklore festival, that unites the best folk performers from Italy (Sardinia), France (Corsica), Poland, Latvia and Georgia, presenting their unique folklore traditions through song and dance. ®

GURIA PALACE HOTEL

Upper Svaneti: UNESCO World Heritage Center Criterion (iv) The region of Upper Svaneti is an outstanding example of an exceptional mountain landscape composed of highly preserved villages with unique defensive tower houses, examples of ecclesiastical architecture and arts of medieval origin. Criterion (v): The region of Upper Svaneti is an outstanding landscape that has preserved to a remarkable degree its original medieval appearance notable for its fragile traditional human settlements and land-use patterns.

Preserved by its long isolation, the Upper Svaneti region of the Caucasus is an exceptional example of mountain scenery with medieval-type villages and towerhouses. The village of Chazhashi still has more than 200 of these very unusual houses, which were used both as dwellings and as defense posts against the invaders who plagued the region. In 1996, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Center. Let’s find out why. outstanding universal value “Preserved by its long-lasting geographical isolation, the mountain landscape of the Upper Svaneti region is an exceptional example of mountain scenery with medieval villages and tower houses,” UNESCO claims, describing the area in the upper

reaches of the lnguri River Basin between the Caucasus and Svaneti ranges consisting of several small villages forming a community that is “dominated by towers and situated on the mountain slopes, with a natural environment of gorges and alpine valleys and a backdrop of snow-covered mountains. The most notable feature of the settlements is the abundance of towers.” “The village of Chazhashi in Ushguli community, situated at the confluence of the lnguri and Black Rivers, has preserved more than 200 medieval tower houses, churches and castles. The land use and settlement structure reveal the continued dwelling and building traditions of local Svan people living in harmony with the surrounding natural environment. The origins of Svaneti tower houses go back to prehistory.”

UNESCO goes on to describe those magical towers in more detail. “These towers usually have three to five floors, and the thickness of the walls decreases, giving the towers a slender, tapering profile. The houses themselves are usually two-floored; the ground floor is a single hall with an open hearth and accommodation for both people and domestic animals, the latter being separated by a wooden partition, which is often lavishly decorated. A corridor annex helped the thermal insulation of the building. The upper floor was used by the human occupants during summer, and also served as a store for fodder and tools. A door at this level provided access to the tower, which was also connected with the corridor that protected the entrance. The houses

were used both as dwellings and as defense posts against the invaders who plagued the region.” UNESCO also makes sure to highlight the artistic value of the property, particularly the mural paintings, which, they claim, are “outstanding examples of Renaissance painting in Georgia.” integrity “The exceptional medieval landscape, with its traditional settlement patterns, architecture and land use forms, ensures the representation of the property’s significance and has retained its original appearance and substance to a great extent,” UNESCO notes, highlighting in particular, the medieval material still preserved and the fact that the buildings are often being used just as they always were.

Indeed, the property has been designated as the ‘Ushguli-Chazhashi Museum Reserve’ since 1971. In the Soviet period, the boundaries of the Strict Protection and Protection Zones were also defined. Since then, due to several changes in the cultural heritage legislation, the boundaries of the protected landscape have changed and now sees it protected within 1 km radius around Chazhashi village, the component of the World Heritage property, as well as within 500 m around national monuments. “This zone represents the legally protected buffer zone of the property with strict limitations for development activities. The individual architectural elements as well as entire villages of the Ushguli community (Chazhashi, Jibiani, Chvibiani and Murk’meli) remain listed as national monuments under the National Law on Cultural Heritage,” UNESCO states. Management & Monitoring

authenticity Aside from authentic materials and functions, UNESCO praises the “interaction between humans and nature in the landscape is completely authentic and of high importance.” The geographical location and setting are also mentioned. The “exceptional medieval landscape highly contributes to preservation of the forms of local intangible heritage, such as traditions, customs, beliefs, rituals of everyday life, language and folklore of the Svan community.” Yet the organization warns that “the harsh environmental conditions, lack of access during long winter periods, and inappropriate repair techniques applied to maintain the traditional structures often challenge the authenticity of material and the state of conservation of the components of the property.”

UNESCO details the management and monitoring plans for the site which, it says, are implemented by the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia and its division, the Parmen Zakaraia Nokalakevi Architectural-Archaeological Museum-Reserve.

“ICOMOS Georgia has actively worked on the different issues of Upper Svaneti cultural heritage and particularly on the site of Chazhashi village. In 2000-2001 a multidisciplinary study was implemented to study the different features of the site, including the community and social issues. Based on this research the Conservation Plan and a Site Development Strategy were prepared. These were followed by the rehabilitationrestoration projects for the historical buildings of the Chazhashi village.” Source: whc.unesco.org/en/list/709/

“Due to the severe weather conditions that isolate the region in winter and the lack of financial resources it is difficult to implement regular monitoring missions at the site. The severe climatic conditions as well as insufficient conservation and management capacities remain among the risks to the property. “There is no Management Plan enforced. The local population and its traditional system of community management remain the key factors in the property management.

Looking for Adventures, Visit BakhmaroGeorgia’s Highest Alpine Climatic Resort By ana Dumbadze

The unique healing features of bakhmaro The resort is recommended for those who have health problems and can benefit from clean air and healthy food. Bakhmaro’s uniqueness lies in the combination of sea and mountain air, which seems to be the best way to treat illnesses, such as respiratory tract problems, anemia, neurasthenia and lymphatic complications. As the experts state, here your blood composition and immune system can be improved in just 21 days.

There are many astonishing resorts in Georgia, and Bakhmaro, the country’s highest alpine climatic resort, located in the western region of Guria, is one of them, probably one of the coolest and healthiest destinations to head to during the hot summer days. At 2050 meters above sea level, Bakhmaro is nestled in an evergreen forest of spruce and fir. The tourist season in Bakhmaro lasts from June to September and although the resort becomes even more beautiful in winter, when the area is covered with snow, most locals and visitors abandon it due to the harsh conditions.

how to get there The resort can be reached in any ordinary car on an asphalted road from late spring until late October. A well-developed regional road connects Bakhmaro to Chokhatauri, a town in Georgia’s Guria region, 310 km west of the nation’s capital Tbilisi. The trip from Chokhatauri to Bakhmaro will take you around 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can catch a minibus from Tbilisi, Ozurgeti or Chokhatauri to Bakhmaro during summer season, which will set you back no more than 15 GEL.

This resort has a positive impact on people of any age, especially children. After spending time here, your body will become healthier and the number of erythrocytes in your blood will increase, boosting your immune system.

ThiNgs To Do iN bakhMaro enjoy heavenly nature, breathe fresh air and get a tan! Besides its amazing landscape, beautiful pine forests, alpine meadows and amazing views, the area is notable for its cozy wooden cottages scattered throughout the green valleys, with the River Bakhvistsqali flowing between them. You

can cool off in that cold mountain river and also get a healthy-looking suntan. enjoy horse riding You can rent a horse (20 GEL per hour) and ride in and around the resort. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out on the traditional horse race! Every year, on August 19, a traditional horse race is held in Bakhmaro, a favorite for locals and foreign visitors alike. Feel the authentic spirit of warm-hearted and hospitable Gurians and head along to this show. Meet sunset and sunrise in the fairytale mountains of guria Sunset Mountain and Sunrise Mountain are names of the mountains in Bakhmaro. Sunset, located at an elevation of 2200 meters, can easily be reached from the center of Bakhmaro, where the Peristsvaleba Church is located. You need to be there around two hours before sunset to fully enjoy the view. Then head down and get ready to visit the magical Sunrise Mountain. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget your sleeping bags and blankets to stay warm! You need to go to the other side of the resort, walk around two hours and wait for the magical sunrise on top of the mountain. If the weather is unfavorable and rainy, mystic fog and clouds will be the only thing you will see around, but this is eerily beautiful in its own right! In any case, one thing is guaranteed while visiting Bakhmaro: you will take home wonderful memories and will definitely want to come back to this hospitable place for more time away from civilization, heat and noise.

Explore Batumi’s Architecture By katie ruth Davies

Whether you’re starting your Georgian adventure in Batumi, ending it there or just passing through, you’re in for a treat. This coastal city- a mix of village, 19th century elegance and 21st century modernity -has something to inspire almost everyone. And while some criticize the glass skyscrapers rising out of the ground next to 5-floor 19th century stone-carved wonders, the juxtaposition certainly makes for an interesting tour. Batumi became something of what it is today thanks to the Nobel Brothers (see more on them in this magazine), who brought the port to prominence thanks to rail links and a pipeline to transport oil from Baku to Europe. This period gave birth to the numerous lavish neoclassical and art nouveau buildings you’ll see. The 21st century, kicked off by the Rose Revolution, saw Batumi blooming in popularity with modern tourists and investors, and from there came the glass heights of a new era in construction and the New Boulevard of residential complexes and hotels.

laNDMarks Of the melee of architectural styles, some structures stand out in particular. Let’s take a look. Right on the coast, seen even as you approach from the Green Cape, is the 130 m Alphabet Tower, a metal structure

with a central lift carrying you up to the slowly rotating restaurant. Spiraling up the outside are the 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet in the shape of a DNA helix. Not too far away is the 200 m Black Sea Technological University Batumi Tower with a Ferris Wheel on the 27th floor. You’ll also easily spot the Sheraton Hotel, glowing golden at night and boasting a worth-the-visit rooftop cocktail bar. It is said to be a postmodern interpretation of the Great Lighthouse of Alexandria. Another eye-catching hotel is the Colosseum Marina Hotel, built to replicate, you guessed it, the Colosseum in Rome. This one offers a lot more comfort, of course. And while we’re exploring ancient replicas- why not pop into the Acropolis for a Mediterranean dinner?

religious builDiNgs Georgia often touts its age-old tolerance to religion and, like Tbilisi, Batumi’s Old Town houses churches, a mosque and a synagogue within close proximity of each other. The Virgin Nativity Cathedral, Batumi’s main Orthodox Church- a tall, neo-gothic 19th century creation -was built to serve the Catholics but was later consecrated as Georgian Orthodox. You’ll find a neo-byzantine structure in the Greek Orthodox St. Nicolas Church and something of a typical Armenian look to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

squares While we’re in the touristy and cozy Old Town, let’s explore the squares. Europe Square is the best known and most bustling during summer months, housing restaurants and bars at its edges and

hosting festive events year-round. In terms of architecture, it boasts the eye-catching Medea Statue (of the Jason and the Argonauts/Golden Fleece myth) and the Astronomical Clock. You’ll also want to pop across to Theater Square to take a selfie with Neptune and admire the building of the Batumi Drama Theater. Batumi Piazza is where you’ll want to start your evening after a day exploring- a mini replica of the Piazza di San Marco in Venice with its own outstanding tower, and a great place to dance, uninhibited, and possibly imbibed, after dinner.

soMeThiNg DiffereNT We’ve already covered Athens, Venice and Rome- but Batumi wouldn’t be Batumi without the upside-down White House which rather unglamorously houses a tourist-trap restaurant and uninspiring interior. Also of interest around town, be sure to visit the award-winning glass McDonald’s building, the inverted-bottle-shaped 17-floor House of Justice designed by architect Michelle de Lucca, and the dolphin (some say shell)shaped Wedding Palace.

UP X – A New Recreational Area for Sweeter & Cooler Summer By ana Dumbadze Spending the hot summer days in the city can be hard. But there’s good news for those who have to stay in Tbilisi during the hottest season of the year and yet want to feel the authentic spirit of Georgia – the creative project UP X, which gives foreign tourists and local holidaymakers the opportunity to discover a lot of Georgia in the shortest possible time. The project is implemented by PR Company “UP”, the first in Georgia to offer three directions: public relations, marketing, and advertising in one space. UP X supports the #SpendYourSummerInGeorgia campaign and its latest project is aimed at encouraging tourists and local citizens to spend their holidays in Georgia, in particular, its beautiful capital Tbilisi. In the name UP X, “X” means a crossroads of fun, and UP X, a new entertainment center and recreational area, is ready to entertain you. Located at Tbilisi Sea, the largest lake in the city, on the territory of popular Water Park Gino Paradise, which is partner of UP X, it is already gaining popularity among customers due to its diverse and quality service. UP X is a brilliant opportunity for foreigners who do not have much time to travel throughout the country, as it offers them mini models of all regions of Georgia. At UP X, tourists can also book a package of singing and culinary masterclasses to discover local culture and

traditions and get acquainted with the real spirit of Georgia. UP X offers various fun activities and services to visitors and it makes the perfect place to arrange a party with friends,

guaranteeing a good time and fresh air. Swim, cool off and sunbathe on the beach, or beside the pools (including shallow kiddie pools), taste delicious dishes and snacks at the local bar-restaurant, and rest from the heat and noise characteristic to

the city in a forest park full of greenery. Check out the â&#x20AC;&#x153;ice cream tunnelâ&#x20AC;? for tasty ice cream! UP X aims to be affordable, allowing visitors to enjoy a quality service and pay much less for it than at other entertainment centers. Up X will operate until the end of September when a Rtveli, a traditional rural harvest holiday accompanied by feasts, musical events, and other celebrations, is planned. Traditional Georgian cheese and wine festivals will be also arranged on the territory, promising tourists many unforgettable moments and memories about Georgia. Naturally, the small model of Georgia created by UP X cannot be compared to the pleasure of personally visiting the whole country, yet it is still a brilliant opportunity for tourists who do not have time to do so and who want to learn more about the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle, traditions, and culture. Considering the success of the project, UP X will continue to offer even more diverse services and projects in future- always with the aim of bringing joy and pleasure to its guests and making their seasons more exciting and relaxing. How to get there The recreational area at 9 Beshenova Street is easily reachable by taxi from any district of the city. As for public transport, Tbilisi Sea is served by public buses 60, 94, 95, and 62, as well as minibuses 171, 49, 61, 31, 21 leaving from Grmagele Metro Station on Guramishvili Street.

Medical Tourism

Innova In Vitro Clinic By ketevan kvarstkheliya The medical sphere is one of the most rapidly-developing fields in the busy and ever-changing modern world, enabling individuals to fight serious illnesses, live and enjoy a ‘full’ life. Georgia is on the list of those countries making major steps forward in the medical sector, with a number of modern clinics having been launched in the country in recent years, boasting teams of experienced professionals.

Innova In Vitro, a multidisciplinary and customer-oriented clinic, is one such medical institution, which with the hard

work of the management team, professionalism of its experts, and comfortable and high-quality services offered to clientele, has already strongly established itself on the market. This is a clinic launched in partnership with IVI, the world’s largest network of assisted reproduction clinics, specialized in reproductive health, one of the fields of paramount importance in today’s world.

representing a significant platform in terms of development of the medical field countrywide.

What is IVF?

Innova In Vitro is equipped with the latest

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex series of procedures used to treat fertility or genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child. During IVF, mature eggs are collected from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab.

technologies, in accordance with internationally recognized standards, and offers services in various fields, thus

Then the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs are implanted into the woman’s uterus. One cycle of IVF takes about two weeks.

IVF is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology and Innova In Vitro is the one providing the best services in this regard.

Fertility Success Starts with the Lab… There are many factors that must come together to help our patients achieve a successful, healthy pregnancy. The expertise of our world-class doctors and staff is an essential piece of the equation. But a critical part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process happens in a place that most patients never see: our laboratory. Innova In Vitro labs are state-of-the-art facilities with every aspect designed to maximize your chances of having a healthy baby. Our research teams have worked tirelessly to determine the best environment, technology and equipment in our labs to achieve successful pregnancies, and they are constantly working to improve these standards. Not all fertility labs are equal in terms of the quality of the environment and measures taken to ensure the maximal chances of creating and growing embryos. It is the quality of our labs and our esteemed research facility that sets us apart from our peers. Our expertise and dedication to lab operations continuously produces high success rates

…And the Innova in Vitro Team The team at the Innova In Vitro clinic, formed with highly-trained experts in the spheres of Gynecology, Biology, Genetics and Surgery, with 15 years in vitro fertilization experience, led by Ketevan Osidze, and with Spanish embryologist Garcia Jordan as IVF Lab

Director, have set the requirements of the patients and achieving the most fruitful outcomes as their main priorities, synthesizing their brilliant theoretical knowledge with innovative treatment methods. At the clinic, patients are offered complete diagnostics and management of all infertility abnormalities, followed by application of the relevant treatments. What is most important, the team spares no effort to ensure the completion of this process in the shortest time possible and also offers a genetic study of the embryo, much facilitating the procedure. Each client of the clinic is treated with special care, accentuating the signifi-

cance of individual factors. The reproductologist individually evaluates the chances of success in each case. Through the high-quality of services, transparency of procedures and individual approach to the clientele, the Innova In Vitro clinic is now welcoming local, as well as international patients from various countries worldwide.

6 Z. Anjaparidze Str., I turn TEL 223 22 32 / 596 23 22 32 Mail: osidze_k@yahoo.com FB: Innova Invitro/ინოვა ინვიტრო

Words of the Diaspora By Tony hanmer

Yet another category in which this small country has excelled over many centuries to date is its literature. Included in its canon are ancient writers shrouded in mystery by sheer time, such as Shota Rustaveli; those active during Georgia’s 19th century period as a province in the Russian Empire; Soviet-era writers in the country; and those writing in Georgian or other languages from abroad. We will focus on the last group, alive or dead, those who lived or have lived outside Georgia for any length of time and done some or most of their important writing abroad. Actually, even defining what is or was Georgia, territorially, is not a black and white issue. Here, we will presume that authors writing in what was Georgian territory at that time to have been in Georgia, with one main exception: the period covering most of the 19th century up to its forced inclusion in the USSR (1921), when Georgia was a province of the Russian Empire but shall be considered herein to have been itself, not Russia. This being Georgia, ancient as it is, we are free to delve into deep history to expand our list, and also to consider Georgian writers working in any language. It remains, however, notably poor in female authors. Here is the list, in alphabetical order by surname, or by first name if surname is unavailable.

Prince alexander amilakhvari, 1750-1802. A nobleman and convicted coup plotter against King Erekle II, who fled prison to Russia proper. Author of the political pamphlet A Georgian History, St. Petersburg, 1779; The Sage of the Orient; and more. archil, 1647-1713. King, in the Bagrationi line, of Imereti in western Georgia (1661–1663, 1678–1679, 1690–1691, 1695–1696, and 1698) and of Kakheti in eastern Georgia (1664–75). Most of Archil’s Russian years were devoted to poetry and cultural activities. He set up the first Georgian-language printing press in Russia and published The Psalms in 1705. Archil’s

traditional Georgian meter, and his idioms closer to Georgian speech.

poetry, remarkable for its diversity, heralded the beginning of the Revival period of Georgian literature. His chief poems, The Dialogue between Teimuraz and Rustveli The Manners of Georgia, and The Lay of Archil (Archiliani), are dedicated to the 17th-century misfortunes of Georgia. He strongly objected to contemporary Persian literary influences, and called for the revival of Shota Rustaveli’s traditions of Georgian poetry. Archil’s poems were closer to

Prince Nikoloz baratashvili, 1817-1845, was a Georgian poet, and one of the first Georgians to join modern nationalism with European Romanticism and to introduce “Europeanism” into Georgian literature. Dying so young, Baratashvili left a relatively small literary heritage of fewer than forty short

lyrics, one extended poem, and a few private letters, but he is nevertheless thought of as the high point of Georgian Romanticism and referred to as the “Georgian Byron”. David Dephy, b. 1968, also known as David Dephy Gogibedashvili. A GeorgianAmerican poet, novelist, essayist, performer, multimedia artist and painter, and the founder of the first Georgian poetic order, Samkauly. He is active in both Georgia and the USA, the author of ten novels and 12 collections of verse. His short story “Before The End” was chosen for inclusion in the anthology “Best European Fiction 2012”. Dephy’s first book-length work in English, the 2014 novel All the World’s Mysteries, was published in 2019 by MadHat Press, with a translation from the Georgian by Adham Smart. ephrem Mtsire or ephraim the lesser, d. c. 1101/3 was a Georgian monk at Antioch, theologian and translator of patristic literature from Greek. Ephrem’s hellenophile translation technique proved to be fundamental for later Georgian literature. He was the first to introduce literal rendering into Georgian. Some of his notable translations are the works by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, Basil of Caesarea, Ephrem the Syrian, and John of Damascus. Ephrem’s original work “Tale on the Reason for the Conversion of the Georgians” is one of a number of manifestos in defense of the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church which was subject of a dispute between the Georgian and Antiochian churchmen in the 11th century. konstantine gamsakhurdia, 1893-1975. Georgian writer and public

figure, who, along with Mikheil Javakhishvili, is considered to be one of the most important Georgian novelists of the 20th century. Educated and first published in Germany, he joined Western European influences to purely Georgian thematic to produce his best works, such as The Right Hand of the Grand Master and David the Builder. Hostile to Soviet rule, he was nevertheless one of the few leading Georgian writers to have survived Stalin’s repressions, even exile to a White Sea island and several arrests. A major feature of Gamsakhurdia’s writings is a new subtlety he infused into Georgian diction, imitating its ancient forms to create a sense of classicism. george the hagiorite, george of athos, giorgi Mtatsmindeli or giorgi atoneli, 1009-1065. A Georgian monk, calligrapher, religious writer, and translator, who spearheaded the activities of Georgian monastic communities in the Byzantine Empire. His epithets Of the Holy Mountain (Hagiorite) and Of Athos (Athonite) respectively, are a reference to his association with the Iviron monastery on Mount Athos, where he served as hegumen. One of the most influential medieval Christian churchmen of Georgia, George acted as an arbitrator and facilitator of cross-cultural engagement between his homeland and the Byzantine Empire. He extensively translated the

Fathers of the Church, the Psalms, and works from Greek, some of which had not previously existed in Georgian; revised some others; and improved the translations of one of his predecessors, Euthymius of Athos. His most important original work was The Vitae of John and Euthymius. His defense of the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox church when it was questioned by the Patriarch of Antioch made him one of the most venerated saints in Georgia. Parsadan gorgijanidze , 1626c. 1696. A Georgian factotum and historian in the service of the persian Safavids. Early in his career he served at the residence of the viceroy (vali) of Kartli, and later at the Safavid court in Isfahan, Persia. He is principally known for his informative chronicle, The History of Georgia. ioane Petritsi. A Georgian Neoplatonist philosopher of the 11th-12th century, active in the Byzantine Empire and Kingdom of Georgia, best known for his translations of Proclus, along with an extensive commentary. In later

sources, he is also referred to as Ioane Chimchimeli. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy describes him as “the most significant Georgian medieval philosopher” and the “most widely read Georgian philosopher”. ioane-Zosime, also known as John Zosimos and John Zosimus. A 10th-century Georgian Christian monk, religious writer, and calligrapher known for his liturgical compilations and for hymns dedicated to the Georgian language. He was one of the numerous expatriate Georgian clerics active at the monastery of Mar Saba in Palestine from where he moved, probably fleeing Arab rule, to Mount Sinai early in the 970s. His voluminous body of work dates from between 949 and 987. Of the three surviving manuscripts of Ioane-Zosime’s Mar-Saba period, the collections of hymns of 949 and 954 are the most important. Zurab karumidze, b. 1957. A Georgian writer and culturologist, active both in Georgia and the USA. Writer of novels,

short stories, folk tales, essays and other prose, some of it award-winning. Niko lomouri, 1852-1915. A Georgian writer and educator. His poems were first published in the magazine Mnatobi in 1871, but his most popular work, the story “Flame” appeared in the magazine Iveria in 1879, dealing with the intimidation and expulsion by the rich of a peasant widow and her son. This was followed by a series of stories for children of peasant life, preaching the need for education. One of these, Qajana, was filmed in Soviet Georgia in 1941. He also translated some works of Lord Byron into Georgian. Count alexander orbeliani (jambakur-orbeliani), 1802-69. A

Georgian nobleman and Romanticist poet, playwright, journalist and historian. He was convicted after a failed coup attempt against Russian rule in 1832 and exiled to Orenburg, Russia, from where he was unable to return until 1840. Orbeliani’s best pieces are the allegorical poem of 1832, The Moon, and a patriotic short story, Immaculate Blood, about three sisters, nuns, who prefer death to apostasy when the commander of invading Persian troops requires it; he is so impressed that he has to die with them. Orbeliani also attempted a series of plays, but his interest in the press was more important. He was a founding member of the editorial board of Tsiskari, which for several years was the backbone of the Georgian periodical press. Through it Orbeliani channeled his efforts to standardize a literary language, based on revival of ancient forms. He was also one of the first Georgian writers to take an interest in retrieving folk poetry, and wrote several works on Georgian history and culture. george Papashvili, 1898 - 1978. A Georgian-American writer and sculptor. He immigrated to the US in the early 1920s, meeting and marrying an American, Helen Waite (1906-1996). Together, they wrote several books, often based on his life experiences. Their first book was Anything Can Happen (1945), which recounted Papashvili’s experiences as a penniless immigrant. It was a best-seller, selling more than 600,000 copies in the US and 1.5 million worldwide, translated into 15 foreign languages, including Georgian, in 1966. grigol robakidze, 1880 - 1962. A Georgian writer, publicist, and public figure. In 1915, he founded and led the

Blue Horns, an influential new group of symbolist poets and writers. He was heavily influenced by Nietzsche. In 1917, he played a role in founding the Union of Georgian Writers. He was involved in the national-liberation movement of Georgia of 1914-1918. Robakidze received a diplomatic post in 1919, when he took part in the Paris Peace Conference as an executive secretary of the state delegation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. After Georgia’s Soviet Occupation in 1921, he remained in the country, but was known for his anti-Soviet sentiments. His famous play, Lamara, was staged by leading Georgian director Sandro Akhmeteli in 1930, winning a prize at the 1930 Moscow Drama Olympiad. The success was so notable that even after Robakidze defected to Germany the same year, it continued to be staged to prove the achievements of Soviet theatrical art, although without the name of the playwright on the advertising. His defection, along with Russian writer Vladimir Mayakovsky’s suicide, silenced most of his fellow poets for a long time. Prince Nicholas Tchkotoua, 19091984. A Georgian writer and prominent member of the Order of Malta. He fled Georgia after the Soviet takeover in 1921.

He was educated in France and Switzerland and settled in the USA in 1933, where he met and married Carol Marmon. In 1949, he published a novel, Timeless, in English, claimed as the first-ever internationally published novel written by a Georgian. A new, re-edited version of the novel was published in 2008, to some acclaim. givi Margvelashvili, b. 1927. A German-language Georgian writer and philosopher, in 1990 he settled in Berlin with the help of civil rights activist Ekkehard Maass and was naturalized as a German citizen in 1994. In 1991, his first autobiographic work, Muzal. Ein georgischer Roman, was published. Several

books followed, including novels, philosophic commentaries on Classical authors, and poems, which quickly won nationwide and international acclaim. Nevertheless, most of his work remained unpublished. In 1995, he was awarded the Literature Prize of the Brandenburg federal state. He became a member of the International PEN and received a scholarship from the President of Germany. The University of Bamberg appointed him Professor of Poetry. The Academy of Arts in Berlin decorated him with the Kunstpreis Berlin for his life’s work. In 2006, the Goethe Institute awarded him the prestigious Goethe Medal. He also has an honorary doctorate from Tbilisi State University. aka Morchiladze. Born in Tbilisi, he now lives and works in London and is the winner of several literary awards for best novel. As a contemporary Georgian author of literary fiction, Morchiladze studied Georgian History at Tbilisi State University. For a while he worked as a sports journalist for a daily newspaper and also took part in Europe’s Literature Express in 2000. His most famous work is Journey to Karabakh, a novel also made into a popular film, from which two sequels later emerged. Far and away the best source for all things Georgian Literary in English remains The Literature of Georgia: A History. Donald Rayfield, Routledge. It was first published in 1994 and earned praise from several literary authorities. The second, revised edition appeared in 2000 and the third, revised and expanded edition in 2010.

Events Calendar TheaTer Tbilisi oPera aND balleT TheaTer 25 Rustaveli Ave.

fesTival verDi iN georgia

August 16 UN BALLO IN MASCHERA Giuseppe Verdi Teatro Regio di Parma Production Music Director: Zaza Azmaiparashvili Director, Scenographer, Costume Designer: Pierluigi Samaritani Starring: Otar Jorjikia (Riccardo), Makvala Aspanidze (Amelia), Sulkhan Gvelesiani (Renato), Nana Dzidziguri (Ulrica), Mariana Beridze (Oscar), Vano Galuashvili (Silvano) Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 15-200 GEL

August 23 AIDA Giuseppe Verdi Arena di Verona Production Conductor: Pier Giorgio Morandi Director: Alfonso Signorini Scenographer: Giuseppe De Filippi Starring: Suzana Branchini (Aida), Deyan Vatchkov (The King of Egypt), Daniela Barcellona (Amneris), Sergio Escobar (RadamÃ¨s), Gabriele Viviani (Amonasro), George Andguladze (Ramfis) Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 20-80 GEL Venue: Black Sea Arena

August 25 OPERA GALA Final concert of the Festival, features international opera stars Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 20-80 GEL Venue: Black Sea Arena

MuseuMs georgiaN NaTioNal MuseuM siMoN jaNashia MuseuM 3 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. Exhibitions: GEORGIAN COSTUME AND WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH CENTURIES NUMISMATIC TREASURY EXHIBITION STONE AGE GEORGIA ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL COLLECTIONS Until September 10 Under the joint initiative of Georgian National Museum and Georgian Post, The exhibition STORY TOLD BY POSTAGE STAMPS Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the first Georgian stamp. Until August 31 Multimedia technology exhibitionIMMAGICA. A JOURNEY INTO BEAUTY

An impressive journey through time which introduces us to Italian paintings between the XIV-XIX centuries, merging voice, lighting, immersive visual and multimedia; With the help of screen projection, visitors will have a chance to take a look at the following artworks: Giotto– “Ognissanti Madonna” and the “Scrovegni Chapel”, Leonardo da Vinci– “Annunciation”, Botticelli– “The Birth of Venus” and “Spring”, Raffaello– “The Madonna of the Goldfinch, Bellotto– “Piazza San Marco”, “Castello Sforzesco”, Canaletto– “The Chapel of Eton College”, Canova– “Amor e Psyche” and “The Graces”.

Vakho Bugadze’s exhibition: THREE, FOUR With artists Gogi Okropiridze and Katrin Bolt.

August 2 – September 2 Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy KOSHU

MuseuM of sovieT oCCuPaTioN 3 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. Exhibition RED TERROR AND GEORGIAN ARTISTS The exhibition showcases artworks by Dimitri Shevardnadze, Petre Otskheli, Henryk Hryniewski, Richard Sommer, Kiril Zdanevich, Vasily Shukhaev, Elene Akhvlediani, Lado Gudiashvili, David Kakabadze, Ucha Japharidze, Aleksandre Bajbeuk-Melikov, Korneli Sanadze and more.

MuseuM of illusioNs 10 Betlemi Str.

Discover the Museum of Illusions Be brave enough to jump into an illusion created by the Vortex, deform the image of yourself in a Mirror Room, be free in the Infinity room, resist the laws of gravity and size ratio, and take selfies in every possible pose. Enjoy the collection of holograms, and discover optical illusions. Tickets: 17.5 GEL, for children (ages 6-18): 11 GEL, children (under 5): free, students: 13 GEL, family (2 adults + 2 children): 39 GEL.

MuseuM of brokeN relaTioNshiPs 10 Betlemi Str. THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS

Tbilisi hisTorY MuseuM karvasla 8 Sioni Str. Until September 10 The Georgian National Museum within the project “Contemporary Art Gallery” presents

The unique collection of the museum aims to provoke feelings of understanding among individuals and serve as some kind of therapy for those who have experience break-ups.

gallerY The NaTioNal gallerY 11 Shota Rustaveli Ave. Until February 26 (2020) GRAND MASTERS FROM THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM COLLECTION XIX – XX CENTURY

MusiC ooDabNo fesTival Sagaredjo, near David Gareji Monastery Campsite: 5 GEL per person per night

September 1 6:00- Slavic Jazz Underground 8:00- Mathieu Boogaerts 10:00- Soft Eject Start time: 15:00 Ticket: 60 GEL

Tbilisi sPorTs PalaCe 1 26th May Sq. September 13 DAVID GARRETT’S new tour UNLIMITED –LIVE Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 130-250 GEL

August 23, 25, 27, 30, September 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29 FOLK SHOW The first full and systematic folk show made for tourists Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 25-55 GEL

folklore CoNCerTs for TourisTs 4 Sanapiro Str. Every Sunday EGARI The concerts presents songs, trisagions, instrumental music, dance, urban folklore from different parts of Georgia and ethno-jazz music. The guest will listen live polyphony, diversity of instruments (Salamuri, Panduri, Chonguri, Chiboni, Doli) and it is amazing performance. Start time: 20:00

elekTroWerk 4 K. Cholokashvili III turn August 30- September 1 THE SECOND EDITION OF OODABNO FEST in the middle of a Georgian semi-dessert, surrounded by hundreds of kilometers of steppe. Polish, Georgian and French alternative music, photo screenings, painting exhibitions and art installations Line up:

September 7 THE OCEAN COLLECTIVE- LIVE IN TBILISI Special guest- Backwarmer Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 25-55 GEL

folk shoW 10 Rustaveli Ave.

August 30 10:00- Vavamuffin August 31 5:00- Aine Merme 6:00- Casletila 8:00- Żywiołak 10:00- Pablopavo i Ludziki

ajara soho baTuMi Seafront Promenade August 12 KORDZ & GIORGI ZAGARELI Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 30 GEL August 13 IVAN DORN Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 30 GEL

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August 15 MGZAVREBI Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 30 GEL

August 17 SUPER FLU Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

August 17 UTSNOBI Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 30 GEL August 21 NINO KATAMADZE Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 30 GEL

August 18 DEBORAH DE LUCA Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 40-100 GEL

views on YouTube. They have received numerous awards, including a dozen MTV awards worldwide, a Billboard Music award and honors from NME, Kerrang! and Fuse. Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 50-200 GEL August 17 JANSUGH AND VAKHTANG KAKHIDZE’S MUSICAL EVENING IN THE FIRST PART OF THE CONCERT, Jansugh Kakhidze’s most iconic songs of all time will be performed. In the second part, the compositions created for film and theater by Vakhtang Kakhidze, including his folk jazz compositions, will be performed. Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 20-80 GEL

August 24 FIDELES Start time: 22:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

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August 21 ANJA SCHNEIDER AT SECTOR 26 Start time: 22:00 Ticket: 40 GEL

September 1 CHKHIKVTA KORTSILI musical by Alexander Basilaia and Jemal Baghashvili Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 10-50 GEL

Jared and Shannon Leto have sold over five million albums worldwide and the band’s videos have more than 300 million

September 7 FOLKLORE FESTIVAL Folk Songs and Dance Ensembles from Georgia and abroads. France (Corsica)- Spartimu, Italy (Sardinia)– Castelsardo, Georgia- “Bermukha” (Adjara), “Shilda” (Kakheti), Trio “Shalva Chemo” (Guria), “Riho” (Svaneti), “Basiani” and “Qartuli Khmebi” (Tbilisi), The State Song and Dance Ensemble of Kutaisi, Enver Khabadze State Choreographic Ensemble “Batumi” Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-50 GEL

Start time: 18:00 Ticket: 50-100 GEL August 19 GEORGIAN VOICES Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 15-30 GEL

baTuMi TeNNis Club Batumi Boulevard August 16 STEPHANE/LIVE/BRASS/

Tsikhisdziri August 17 CAFE DEL MAR BATUMI OFFICIAL PRESENTATION Dj Meme (Brazil), top House music icon, with an unforgettable live set Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 50-320 GEL

baTuMi suMMer TheaTer Batumi Boulevard

baTuMgora Cable car Argo DAILY FOLKLORE SHOWS The whole summer through, you will have a wonderful opportunity to attend traditional folk shows every day from 8 pm. Enjoy UNESCO recognized traditional folk dances and songs, Georgian drum show and master classes in dancing 250 meters above the sea. Start time: 20:00

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PHILARMONIC STRINGS/ NIKOLOZ RACHVELI Special guests: Dro, Maia Darsmelidze, Erekle Deisadze DJ set: Cosmic Love Rotation Visuals: Masterskey Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

August 17 The Royal National Ballet Presents: FIRE OF GEORGIAN DANCE Artistic Directors: Gela Potskhishvili and Maia Kiknadze Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 20-40 GEL

eChoWaves fesTival Anaklia

August 17 NIAZ DIASAMIDZE & 33A Bands: Frani and Regioni Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

baTuMi sTaTe MusiCal CeNTer 1 O. Dimitriadis Str. August 17 BUBA KIKABIDZE 81ST ANNIVERSARY

Friends Package: Buy 5 tickets and get 1 free ‘A Tent for 2’ deal includes: a tent on wooden frame, mattress, bedding. There are lockers, showers, toilets, a restaurant and parking on the territory

August 25-28 EchoWaves is an electronic music festival that invites you to experience the beautiful seaside resort of Anaklia, Georgia, in the shadow of stunning mountains, promising unforgettable summer memories. Start time: 23:59 Ticket: 120-200 GEL

iNTerNaTioNal fesTival NighT sereNaDes August 25– September 4 August 25 FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY– SANDRO NEBIERIDZE

Pyotr Tchaikovsky– Serenade Interval Samuel Barber– Adagio for Strings D. Shostakovich– Piano Concerto No. 1 Sandro Nebieridze– Piano David Shamanauri– Trumpet Vakhtang Matchavariani– Conductor Pyotr Tchaikovsky- Serenade for Strings Samuel Barber- Adagio for Strings Dmitri Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1 Venue: 1 Rustaveli St., Batumi Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-40 GEL August 27 Vivaldi ‘Four Seasons’– Nana Iashvili Dmitri Shostakovich– Chamber Symphony Interval Antonio Vivaldi– Four Seasons Pantelis Kogiamis– Conductor Nana Iashvili– Violin

Dmitri Shostakovich– Chamber Symphony Antonio Vivaldi– Four Seasons Venue: Ilia Chavchavadze State Drama Theater, 1 Rustaveli Str., Batumi Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-40 GEL August 28 XX CENTURY MASTERPIECES Benjamin Britten– Simple Symphony Pablo Sarasate- Carmen Fantasy for Violin and Piano Ana Lisa Bezrodny- Violin Interval Sulkhan Tsintsadze- Miniatures Vaja Azarashvili– Cello Concerto Jan-Erik Gustafsson- Cello Vakhtang Matchavariani– Conductor Benjamin Britten Simple Symphony Pablo Sarasate- Carmen Fantasy for Violin and Piano Sulkhan Tsintsadze Miniatures Vaja Azarashvili Cello Concerto Venue: Ilia Chavchavadze State Drama Theater, 1 Rustaveli Str., Batumi Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-40 GEL September 2 ‘THE NIGHT SERENADES’ IN TBILISI Edward Elgar– Serenade for Strings Bedřich Smetana- Trio for Piano and Strings in G minor ‘Forte Trio’– State Trio of Kazakhstan: Yerlan Serkebayev– Piano Badgat Abilkhanov– Violin Kurvanzhan Akhatov– Cello Interval Anton Von Webern– Langsamer Satz Dmitri Shostakovich- Piano Concerto No.1 Sandro Nebieridze– Piano David Shamanauri– Trumpet Vakhtang Matchavariani– Conductor

Edward Elgar– Serenade for Strings Bedřich Smetana– Trio for Piano and Strings in G minor Anton Webern– Langsamer Satz Dmitri Shostakovich– Piano Concerto No.1 Venue: 8/10 Griboedi Str., Tbilisi Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-40 GEL September 4 MANUEL DE FALLA’S ‘EL AMOR BRUJO’– NINO SURGULADZE Ludwig Van Beethoven– Symphony No. 8 Interval Manuel De Falla– The Three Cornered Hat Manuel De Falla– El Amor Brujo Nino Surguladze- Vocals Vakhtang Machavariani- Conductor Ludwig Van Beethoven– Symphony No. 8 Manuel De Falla– The Three Cornered Hat Manuel De Falla– El amor brujo Venue: 8/10 Griboedi Str., Tbilisi Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-40 GEL

baTuMi blaCk sea MusiC aND arT fesTival September 1-10 September 1 FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA Conductor- David Mukeria Claudio Piastra- Guitar Elisso Bolkvadze- piano Beethoven- Creatures of the Promethe

Flute Concerto in D minor, Wq 22 ShostakovichConcerto No 1 for Piano, Trumpet and Strings Venue: Batumi Drama Theater Start time: 19:00 September 3 FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA Conductor- Giuseppe Lanzetta Claudio Mansutti- clarinet David Aladashvili- piano Beethoven ‘Egmont’ Overture Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A major, K.622 Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5 Op.73 ‘Emperor’ Venue: Batumi Drama Theater Start time: 19:00 September 4 PIANO MASTER CLASSES ELISSO BOLKVADZE Venue: Batumi Drama Theater Start time: 14:00 Rodrigo- Concerto de Aranjuez for guitar and orchestra Saint-Saens Piano concerto N2 Op.22 Venue: Batumi Drama Theater Start time: 19:00 September 2 FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA Conductor- David Mukeria Alexander Gadjiev- piano Luisa Sello- flute Gari Antonian- trumpet AzarashviliNocturne for String Orchestra VivaldiFlute Concerto in F Major, Op. 10; No.5 RV434 Philipp Emanuel Bach-

September 5 MICHEL SOGNY METHOD SOS TALENT Foundation Michel Sogny Start time: 14:00 Alexandra Massaleva- Recital Sogny- ‘Derives’ Edition Durand Liszt- Piano Sonata in B Minor Liszt- Rigoletto Paraphrase Start time: 19:00 Venue: Batumi Drama Theater September 6 MICHEL SOGNY METHOD SOS TALENT Foundation Michel Sogny Start time: 14:00

Lydie Solomon Recital Beethoven Ravel Sogny Start time: 19:00 Venue: Batumi Drama Theater September 7 HENRI MATCHAVARIANI EXHIBITION Venue: Adjara Art Museum Start time: 17:00 GURAM ODISHARIA POETRY EVENING Start time: 19:00 Venue: Batumi Drama Theater September 8 Open Air Gala Concert Venue: Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi Start time: 18:00 September 9 MICHEL SOGNY IMPACT OF MUSICAL EDUCATION SEMINAR Start time: 15:00 Art Palace of Western Guria ‘Piano Virtuoso Barbare Tataradze, Ilia Lomtatidze Venue: Batumi Drama Theater Start time: 18:00 September 10 GALA CONCERT Stars of Tomorrow: Liza Megrelishvili, Anahit Stelmashova, Eka Nikoladze, Barbare Chkhaidze, Barbare Tataradze, lia Lomtatidze Venue: Batumi Drama Theater Start time: 19:00

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eCliPse CasiNo 1 Lech and Maria Kaczynski Str., Batumi TEL (+995) 557 11 00 00

PeaCe CasiNo 2/21 Vazha Pshavela/Ninoshvili Str., Hotel Sheraton, Batumi TEL (+995) 557 77 00 00

CasiNo ajarabeT 7a Akhmeteli St., 10 Agmashenebeli St., Batumi (+995) 32 271 10 10

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Tips for Your Hotel Search in Georgia . . . e c i o h C y M

Erdogan Sahin General Manager of Mercure Tbilisi Old Town and IBIS Styles Tbilisi Center

MerCure Tbilisi olD ToWN Located in the very heart of the city, this hotel allows you to feel the authenticity of the Tbilisi soul. Mercure is for those looking for a classic style, geniality and positive hospitality. You can experience unique service offered with elements of the local touch, guaranteed to make your stay unforgettable and remarkable.

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ibis sTYles Tbilisi CeNTer If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for colorful, positive and adventure then IBIS Styles is for you! This hotel is focused on making each guestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happy Mood. Every hotel in the chain is unique in design and boasts a great guestoriented service.

loPoTa lake aND sPa resorT Heaven in the forest! Gorgeous nature with rooms, swimming pool and of course very tasty Georgian cuisine and unforgettable glasses of Kakhetian wine, sure to make you fall in love with the place.

ParagraPh sPa & resorT shekveTili One of the best hotels in Georgia with all facilities available. It offers a very good service with a variety of activities yearround. Stunning sunset view over the Black Sea will make your stay more than worth it.

DivaN hoTel baTuMi Highest class service with premium class staff. This hotel meets international standards and offers personalized service to each guest.

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Discover Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili By ketevan kvaratskheliya

While traveling to western Georgia, you will have an opportunity to come across a hidden treasure, a small village of Shekvetili, surrounded by an ancient pine forest, right by the Black Sea. In the middle of this spectacular scene, you will find the first international luxury resort in Georgia, Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili. The hotel opened just over a year ago and through its immaculate services and incredible environs it has already earned its place and became one of the trendiest spots for Georgians and international

travelers. This luxurious retreat, in a mesmerizing fusion of sea and forest landscapes, creates a stunning palette of colors. The moment you step in, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll shift into a new reality of tranquility, relaxation, and harmony. Chic and sophisticated, set deep in green surroundings, Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili offers 220 spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the breathtaking views, all equipped with the latest technologies and necessary ameni-

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ties. Yet, the wonderful and comfy rooms represent just a minor part of the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outstanding features. At Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili all the elements of flora and fauna are brought together and integrated into one fabulous sanctuary. In the hotel lobby, guests are welcomed by an unforgettable walk-through aquarium, that leads them to the majestic winter garden, full to brimming with exotic flowers and plants, boasting an indoor Aqua Park and heated infinity pool

built directly on a pier overlooking the sea. Should you crave for some action, you must not miss all the outdoors attractions. And who can imagine a vacation without a spa? A wide array of wonderful spa treatments will blow your mind, whether you are looking for body or facial skin care treatment, a team of experienced professionals will choose the right treatment just for you. One of the exceptional benefits, which differs Paragraph Resort and Spa Shekvetili from any other destination, is Shekvetili’s magnetic sand beach, a rare phenomenon in the world, known for its unique natural curative properties. Therefore, our broad range of SPA procedures includes ancient magnetic sand treatments, along with Thai and Balinese therapies and Ayurveda Aromatherapy. Don’t miss an exceptional culinary. Standards at Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili are sky-high and guests are pampered with delicious, freshly made dishes from local and international cuisines. And last, but not least is an incredible team of the hotel, who sets up a vibrant and positive mood, makes sure guests’ expectations are exceeded in all possible ways. Through incredible facilities and a wide range of exceptional services, Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili, operated by Hotel Management Company, was recently awarded the Best Hotel of the year by Marriott International, among the chosen 300 hotels in Europe. Hotel Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili is certainly a go-to destination for those who strive to spend their vacation in a dreamland and enjoy a truly unique experience.

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Where to Stay in Ajara By katie ruth Davies

The Autonomous Republic of Ajara (also spelled Adjara) is the Black Sea region which unites Georgia with Turkey. It is the go-to destination for beach-lovers, mountain explorers and eco-tourists. It boasts ancient fortresses, numerous museums and churches, national parkland, mineral waters, birdwatching sites, lakes, walking trails and much, much more. It even hosts the “Las Vegas” of Georgia: Batumi, the place to see and be seen in the heat of the summer as you enjoy cocktails and the latest beats on the beach. Following the tourism boom, there are numerous options for where to stay in the region. In Batumi, you’ll find everything from five-star international brand hotels to Airbnbs, guest houses and hostels. Step into the surrounding villages and you can camp or stay in small hotels and guest houses. We’ve got a few picks for you below.

BATUMI sheraToN baTuMi

enjoy complimentary breakfast, snacks and evening drinks. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available and reaches all areas of the hotel with good signal. This hotel is popular with the business community as it offers nine meeting rooms which can hold up to 1,000 guests. There is even an adjacent spa, should you wish to treat yourself to a deeper relaxation, and an on-site, 24-hour gym for those who want to work off the stress of the day.

Immerse yourself in the wonderful city of Batumi, the pearl of the Black Sea, in this hotel which can be found just next to the famous Batumi Boulevard, and just a 5-10 minutes’ walk from the Old City. Rooms are modern and well-furnished and come with a stunning view of the area and/or Black Sea. A range of nearby bars and restaurants are just a few steps away, but there is also a lounge area within the hotel for you to

28 Rustaveli St., Batumi (+995) 422 22 90 00 sheratonbatumi.com

WYNDhaM baTuMi hoTel Opened in December 2016, this latest 5-star gem in the Wyndham crown was designed by Turkish Designer and Architect, Fatma Demirhan.

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Find it in the heart of Old Batumi, a mere 600-meter-walk from the sea, set amongst a diversity of architectural styles so characteristic of the seaside city, housed in the former ‘Post Office,’ its original look kept on the outside while within you can expect all the luxury, class, comfort and professional service expected of this international brand. The hotel’s 146 rooms are divided into four categories: Standard, Deluxe, Junior Suit and Presidential, ranging from 28m2 to a whopping 220m2, each offering outstanding views- either over the coast or mountains. There is also one disabled-

access room available and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Wyndham Batumi Hotel hosts the incredible Princess Casino, a must-visit for those who like to play. If relaxation is your aim, don’t miss out on the lavish and stunningly beautiful heated indoor swimming pool, full-service Spa (fitness center, sauna, salt sauna, herbal sauna, steam room, Turkish Hammam, and VIP service).

bar Spectrum and of course attentive personnel will guarantee you truly euphoric holidays.

kitchenette bar: you can make your own tea and coffee, or even try a glass of local wine made by the owner.

1 Lech and Maria Kaczynski St., Batumi (+995) 577 15 69 40 euphoriahotel.ge

Prices start from 110 GEL Can be contacted through https://www. booking.com/hotel/ge/guest-housebatumi2.html 14 N. Dumbadze St., Batumi

guesT house oN euroPe square, baTuMi

If you’re looking for a place to spend a cheap night and are willing to meet friendly people, Near The Museum hostel is certainly the best for you.

33 M. Abashidze St., Batumi (+995) 422 22 22 00 wyndhambatumi.com

euPhoria baTuMi hoTel

Batumi is a tourist favorite in Georgia, and when you’re visiting you might want to be close to all the best spots. Guest House on Europe Square is probably where you want to be.

Private beach, enormous indoor and outdoor swimming pools, fascinating views over the Black Sea and Caucasus mountains, luxurious rooms, a beautiful park area… You call it an enjoyable vacation, we call it Euphoria Hotel. If you are looking for all-inclusive vacation in Batumi, this is the perfect choice. Excellent food, extraordinary relaxing spa treatment in Shangrila wellness center, parties with a stunning view in the rooftop

Near The MuseuM hosTel, baTuMi

The guesthouse is only a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the famed Piazza is 500 m away. Every room at this guest house is air conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Certain rooms have a seating area to relax in after a busy day, or a terrace or balcony. All rooms are fitted with a private bathroom equipped with a bath or shower. The roof terrace is a shared space between guests and is equipped with a

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The place offers some 20 beds allocated in two dormitories. However, the hostel also has a private room for people not keen on sharing a dorm. The staff will provide you with clean sheets and towels as you need them. The place has a kitchen, a nice common area and a balcony. Wi-Fi is free. The owners, who work there too, are two young men, Nick and Mohammad, who decided to launch and run the business in March 2018. They speak English and Russian and Nick has some talent in the kitchen- he cooks really good pasta dishes and will do so for free, as if you were not a client but a friend. In their enthusiasm, they have succeeded in making the place warm. While it’s not modern, it is clean and very comfortable. The common room is the key experience of the hostel. Users are respectful travelers from the world. And if you’re stuck for what to doof an evening, you’ll easily find someone to tag along with.

The location is ideal. A market is on the street corner, 700 meters from the Dolphinarium, 600 meters from the Piazza, 400 meters from Europe Square, and less than 900 meters from the Black Sea. Unfortunately, there is only one bathroom, one toilet and two sinks, so it can take a while to get your turn. Grab a bed in Batumi at this hostel from just GEL 15. 30 V. Pshavela St., Batumi (+995) 555 22 26 16 facebook.com/NearMuseum

MTIRALA la belle verTe La Belle Verte campsite is located in the Mtirala National Park a 20-minute drive from Batumi and the Black Sea and is serviced by minibus 141a which stops in Korolistavi village some 300m from the site entrance. Perched on the edge of the mountain to capture the sea breezes, with a sub-tropical forest as a backdrop, La Belle Verte is a stylized ‘eco camp’ made for relaxation, meditation and creativity. You can sleep in a ‘treehouse’ cabin or hire a tent. The site

offers toilets, showers with hot water, Wi-Fi, a shared kitchen, open and closed spaces for yoga, water from mountain springs and food fresh from the farm. Various classes are also available- from cooking to pottery, healing herbs and woodwork. The staff speaks English, Russian, Armenian, and Slovenian. You will need hiking boots, a rain jacket and sleeping bag. TEL (+995) 568 79 69 90 Email: labelleverte.mtirala@gmail.com

guesT house karaTi, khulo

KHULO guesT house arMaZi, khulo Armazi is one of the top guesthouses in the Khulo municipality, located in the nearby village of Kedlebi. It is run by a charming local family, who offer visitors a comfortable room, delicious breakfast, and ample cups of tea and coffee. The bathroom is shared between the two available guest rooms, but is clean and comfortable. The guest rooms are upstairs, and the family lives downstairs – connected by an outdoor staircase.

Homemade breakfast is included, along with top-notch coffee. The rooms are quiet and comfortable, and the beds are piled with plenty of warm blankets in the winter. The guesthouse also offers free Wi-Fi. The large, beautifully manicured yard is perfect for enjoying mountain views in the

The views from the upstairs deck are gorgeous, especially on a misty mountain morning. The WiFi is fast, and the beds are warm and comfortable. Armazi is a beautiful place to spend a few days as a family or for a romantic couple’s getaway! The guesthouse is really impossible to find on your own, as with every guesthouse in the area, so it’s best to just call the owners when you arrive in town, or ask anyone in the center to point you the way up!

Karati is a charming guesthouse in the mountainous Ajara town of Khulo. The owner is a lovely woman who makes every guest feel like family.

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bench swing or having a barbeque cookout. Definitely worth a visit!

Address: 50 Memed Abashidze Str. Tel: (+995) 595 13 10 23

Top Stays in Svaneti By Nini Dakhundaridze

Svaneti is one of the most beautiful parts of Georgia. With the ongoing campaign Visit Georgia, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most likely that this year the astounding mountains of Svaneti will be an even more popular destination. Interesting all year round, Svaneti hosts skiers in winter and hikers in summer, alongside those who just want to explore and absorb the culture and history of this incredible region. The options for stays are increasing with the flow of tourists, but here are our favorites so far.

9 Margiani Street, Mestia (+995) 599 73 25 25

hoTel baNguriaNi This hotel offers a restaurant, two bars/ lounges, and coffee/tea facilities in a common area. Free continental breakfast is provided, as is free Wi-Fi in public areas and free self parking. Other amenities include a conference space, and dry-cleaning and laundry facilities. All 36 soundproofed rooms feature free Wi-Fi and room service. Guests will also find flatscreen TVs. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the most popular picks in Mestia, guests review the hotel positively, more often than not picking out the location and the view of Svaneti as reasons to stay.

hotels

hoTel TeTNulDi This rather popular choice of accommodation in Svaneti promises comfort and convenience, a family-friendly setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you. Guest rooms come with

a desk and free Wi-Fi while services include a 24/7 front desk, a concierge, and express check-in and check-out. The property also boasts a lounge for relaxing in after your day exploring the mountains. Free parking is available for drivers. The nearest tourist attraction to the hotel is the St. Nicholas Church (0.1 mi), within easy walking distance.

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10 Margiani Street, Mestia (+995) 596 00 00 19

hostels Though a cheaper choice, visitors to Svaneti love staying at its hostels as much as they love spending nights at the hotels (or maybe more).

NiNo raTiaNi’s guesThouse

rating it 9.0 for a two-person trip. The place is clean, the staff is helpful and because of its location – being close to a hiking trail, it’s rather easy to meet new people there. 1 Jondo Khaptani St., Mestia Email: ninoratiani@gmail.com

This guesthouse is another popular choice. Tourists love the place and the hosts really give a nice, warm Georgian welcome. Featuring a garden, BBQ facilities and rooms with garden views, this guesthouse has a bonus in being just 1.1 km from the renowned Museum of History and Ethnography. Among the other facilities on offer at this property are a restaurant, free Wi-Fi, a 24/7 front desk and luggage storage space. Every room has a patio offering a great view of the mountains and there is a shared bathroom equipped with a bathtub. The Mikhail Khergiani House Museum is 1.3 km from the guesthouse. Couples particularly like the location, having rated it 8.8 for a two-person trip. This guesthouse is also budget-friendly. Pets are allowed without any extra fee! 27 Boris Kakhiani St., Mestia

lileo hoTel

Nino Ratiani’s Guesthouse is located in Mestia, 25 km from Elbrus. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant and free Wi-Fi offered throughout the property. A free shuttle service and gift shop at the property add to guest comfort, as does private parking available on site. Guests can enjoy various activities in the surroundings, including skiing and cycling. The guest house offers bike hire and, in our opinion, is located in the best part of Mestia. Independent reviews show that couples particularly like the location,

irMa, beso & aleko khergiaNi’s guesThouse

Set in Mestia and with the Museum of History and Ethnography just 1.6 km away, Lileo Hotel offers express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms, a garden, free Wi-Fi and a bar. Featuring a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. The accommodation also offers a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen and currency exchange for guests, guaranteeing a comfortable stay as you discover Svaneti! 9 Z. Phaliani Str., Mestia

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WINE PALACE HOTEL THE HERO OF GEORGIAN HOSPITALITY

Wine Palace is a 4-star hotel located in the center of Tbilisi, within three minutes’ walk of the Technical University Metro Station. The major concept of this place is Georgian wine and hospitality. Georgian painters worked the interior and as you enter the lobby, the wall paintings will be the first to grab your attention and even the decor shows wine elements. The owner thinks that when guests enter the Wine Palace, they should feel the ambiance and diversity of the Georgian wine and cuisine culture, but the hotel is exceptional for many reasons, from its highquality customer service and special offers, to the free wine tasting and gifts from the owner. Wine Palace has four floors and 33 rooms. The majority of rooms have balconies and great views over the capital city. All are equipped with Free Wi-Fi, Satellite TV, an international phone and safes.

• • • •

Standard Single Standard Double Standard Twin Deluxe Double

But wait- there’s more! Wine tasting is available on the ground floor of the hotel, which includes a variety of wine, cheese and freshly baked bread. This is a great chance to see the process of unique Georgian wine and Chacha (vodka) making, bread baking in Tone and to enjoy the cheese of the different regions of the country. At the end of the wine tour, guests get a labelled bottle of red or white wine as a gift from the hotel. Outdoor tours are also on offer for visitors, with qualified staff able to plan personal trips and transfers for guests. Since it is now the winter season in Georgia, you might be interested in visiting one of the winter resorts or continue your wine adventure into the Kakheti region – the cradle of Georgian wine.

Address: 31, B. Kvernadze Str. Tbilisi TEL: +995 322 33 88 08, +995 555 35 55 55, +995 577 75 55 55 www.winepalace.ge Email: info@winepalace.ge Facebook: #HotelWinePalace

Best Hotels in Racha 2019 By samantha guthrie

Racha is one of Georgia’s hidden gems. It sees fewer tourists than most areas of the country – surprising given the incredible beauty of its high mountains, lakes, and forests. One of the reasons few venture out is the lack of tourist infrastructure. The industry, however, has been growing in recent years and now there are several great places to stay in Racha! Here is our top 5 for 2019 (in no particular order – they are all awesome!).

six luxury domed tents, in couple- or family-sized options. Each tent has a bathroom, Wi-Fi, projector and screen for watching movies, air-conditioning, a terrace, and incredible views of the valley below. The tents are all perched on a steep mountainside on the outskirts of Ambrolauri, on wooden platforms that stabilize the structures. It’s truly a unique experience! With only six rooms, it gets booked up quickly, especially in the summer and autumn, so snag your spot a few weeks in advance!

barula guesThouse Barula is a new guesthouse in the village of Mukhli, about 20 minutes north of Ambrolauri. It is located at the edge of a pine forest, next to a mountain stream whose soft babble will lull you to sleep each night. The décor is cozy and warm, all wood and traditional woven rugs and red brick. The large rooftop terrace is perfect for drinking local wine and singing

around a guitar late into the night – the kind of spontaneous interaction that often evolves at guesthouses like Barula, where everyone feels like family. While the beds are super comfortable, don’t sleep in too late or you’ll miss the stellar homemade breakfast!

krikhi glaMPiNg One of the first glamping (glamorous + camping) options in Georgia, Krikhi offers

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shovi suNseT hoTel One of the few larger hotels in Racha, Shovi Sunset Hotel is a slice of heaven in the high mountain resort village of Shovi. Despite its relatively large size, it still feels warm and inviting. The staff is particularly friendly, and the rooms are decorated in a

(a Georgian feast) filled with good music, great wine, and average-quality singing. The fireplaces in the lounge add enough cozy warmth that you will want to visit even in the long winter months. The rooms are simple but clean, and anyway, you won’t be spending much time in your room when you can rent bikes, play in the large garden with the resident mascot (a friendly German Shepard), hike to the nearby valleys, lakes, and ancient stone towers and churches, or browse the paintings made by your host which gave the guesthouse its name.

saDMeli WiNerY simple mountain-chic style with lots of wood and neutral colors. Many rooms have balconies, and all offer spectacular mountain and forest views. They also offer self-catering cabins for families. There are plenty of amenities, including a restaurant, an indoor children’s playroom, a football field, and a large garden with comfy chairs in different styles for casual lounging.

guesT house gallerY Gallery is one of the coolest guesthouses in Racha – exactly what you want in a guesthouse. Owners that greet you like family from out of town, thoughtful, locally authentic décor, incredible views, and the propensity to break into extended supras

While the eastern Kakheti region may be more famous among wine tourists, Ambrolauri can certainly hold its own in terms of wine, and Sadmeli Winery rivals the best chateaux in Kakheti. The property is large and has several different areas to explore, including an outdoor terrace perfect for al fresco dining. They offer tours of the winery, and guests have their choice of some of the region’s rarest and most interesting wines. The location is a perfect base for trekking, climbing, or ski touring in the surrounding areas. The hosts are warm and friendly, and strive to give guests an experience that makes them want to return again and again!

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Hotel Gudauri Inn

Gudauri Inn is a 4-star hotel in the heart of the Gudauri resort; one of the most popular places for active ski lovers and those who wish to relax in the surroundings of the majestic Caucasus Mountains. Gudauri Inn was a finalist in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Welcome to Georgiaâ&#x20AC;? National Tourism Awards and won THE BEST MOUNTAIN ACCOMMODATION award.

The hotel comprises 60 stylish guestrooms featuring balconies and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. There are different kinds of rooms, from classic to Lux, among them adapted rooms for people with disabilities and Family rooms, for families or friend groups. All rooms come with a mini-bar, direct dial phone, private bathroom with all the necessary amenities, free Wi-Fi, heating, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, safe deposit

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box, refrigerator and ironing facilities upon request. Room service works from 8am to 10:30pm. Gudauri Inn is not only a great place to rest but also for business meetings and conferences. The hotel offers an equipped conference room. Besides high quality and comfort, Hotel Gudauri Inn is distinguished for its special

transfer service to and from the cable car.

with tasty European and Georgian dishes.

As the location is characteristic for ski lovers, the hotel has a room for skies and ski boots. Besides outside sport activities, during your stay you can enjoy playing billiards.

The hotel is proud of its beautiful terrace, where visitors can spend sunny days, enjoying the mountain fresh air, and sunbathe.

Enjoy a meal in the restaurant and Lounge Bar. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast every morning, lunch and dinner

Hotel Gudauri Inn is the best place to plan your events and weddings. We offer interior and exterior spaces with high-quality comfort, amazing views and delicious

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food, with staff that care for your comfort while in and entertainment while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re out, offering tourists regional tour packages to visit Kazbegi and the surrounding sights. Our main priority is to ensure guestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuous comfort and safety throughout their stay, and we can proudly say that Gudauri Inn is not just a 4-star hotel: it is a symbol of Georgian hospitality.

Listing: 4 & 5 Star Hotels in Georgia The Tbilisi hotel market reflects the city’s image as the corporate briefcase of the region and it comes well equipped with five-star offerings, as well as with a new breed of lower priced options for travelers on a budget. Offering 24-hour service and modern standards, the best hotels are most commonly located in the heart of the city. Hotels list their prices in Euros, Dollars or Lari, though in most cases your bill will be calculated in the local currency using the current exchange rate and payment is possible by credit card (VISA or MasterCard). The majority of Tbilisi hotels can arrange transportation services to and from the airport for their clients on the basis of prior agreement. There are several world brands operating in Georgia including Marriott, Sheraton, Radisson Blu and Holiday Inn which play host to thousands of guests throughout the year. All are distinguished by their remarkable architecture and interiors. A variety of exhibitions, conferences and official events are often held in the hotels and, over the next four years, six more global brands are expected to enter the Georgian market. High-end hotels usually host guests participating in the cultural, business and political life of the country. Tbilisi is a business city and occupancy rates reflect that. The average price for a night in such a hotel costs around $120-250.

The bilTMore hoTel Tbilisi 29 Rustaveli Ave., Tbilisi (+995) 32 272 72 72

The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi is ideally situated within the historic and cultural district of the Georgia’s capital city. Close to the east bank of the Mtkvari River, this hotel is suitable for both business and leisure travellers. The immaculately restored grand lobby echoes the nostalgia of a bygone era, resonating the glamor and prestige of the social elite.

CourTYarD Tbilisi 4 Liberty (Freedom) Sq., Tbilisi (+995) 32 277 91 00 Perfectly located in Freedom Square in the heart of the city center, this hotel is within walking distance of the Georgian National Museum, Rustaveli Theater, and the State Opera House - not to mention a host of galleries, gardens, and other attractions. Modern and comfortable hotel rooms feature plush bedding, high-speed Internet access, climate control, and other amenities; many offer views of Tbilisi city center. Additional hotel perks include a fitness center and Jacuzzi, and a heated indoor pool. You can visit the hotel restaurant, Brasserie Freedom, for all-day dining. and Freedom Square views.

Tbilisi MarrioTT hoTel 13 Rustaveli Ave., Tbilisi (+995) 32 277 92 00 www.marriott.com Once you enter its grand atrium-style lobby adorned with crystal chandeliers,

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you’re greeted with renowned Georgian hospitality. Overlooking the Main Avenue or patio, the 127 luxury hotel rooms and suites feature a safe, mini-bar, individual climate control and broadband internet. Whether your trip entails business or leisure, enjoy galleries and theaters all within walking distance of the hotel. Marriott Hotel in Tbilisi is well-known as a spacious event venue. Offering first-class catering, there are 6 meeting rooms and a ballroom able to accommodate 200 guests. Dine in Parnas Restaurant for an elegant meal or have a light snack at Parnas Café & Lounge. Visit the Fitness Gym for a workout or relax in the sauna.

PORTA CAUCASIA KAZBEGI HOTELHOTEL PORTA KAZBE Feel atCAUCASIA home in Caucasus

Feel at home in Caucasus

Porta Caucasia,meaning ‘Gate to the Caucasus’ is a freshly The name of the four-star hotel “Porta Caucasia” greatheart of Kazbegi. launched hotel locatedhas in the newly-established 4 star hotel in the heart of Kazbegi and its surroundings have been offers Kazbegi alpine style sophistication and elegance. The attracting a lot of visitors of late; people drawn there byhas ainterior love ofand nature, exotic and historical hotelhotel stands out for itsCaucasia” exquisite tasteful The name of the “Porta great creates a peaceful atmosphere sights, and and the relaxing magnificent views for of Mount Kazbegi found in the guests. A combination of earthy materials and ecoDarialiGorge. friendly4manufacturing beautiful ideal newly-established star hotel makes in thethisheart of hotel Kazbegi for all sophistication tastes. offers alpine style and elegance. The

Porta Caucasia is the perfect place to stay if you’re interested in

hotel stands out forvisiting its exquisite interior and this region.tasteful It is unusual to find such comfort and support creates a peacefulhigh andinrelaxing atmosphere mountains, but you will befor amazed to discover the highqualityofservice thismaterials hotel provides. guests. A combination earthy and ecofriendly manufacturing makes this beautiful hotel ideal The hotel stands out for numerous reasons. Paying attention to for all tastes. detail, the interior is manufactured by Villeroy &Boch, as is the furniture, which is wooden and ecofriendly. Luxury and taste merge to create a great sense of ambiance. Each room is well equipped, offering all the important facilities. Private bathrooms come with THE HOTEL OFFERS: top-of-the-range toiletries. * 33 Deluxe and Suite rooms with excellent

panoramic views over the Mkinvartsveri and Kuro Mountain Caucasia has pioneered the creation of a privatetoonline host you * World Porta Class Service rward fo * Georgian and European restaurants with g in platform for bookings and reservations, allowing ease of contact k Kazbegi Loo unique and delightful cuisine Caucasia * Spa &with Beauty Salon and Sauna hotel staff. at Porta * Wine Shop by Winery Khareba

World-famous Georgian Winery Khareba is the founder of Porta

Address: 2 Tergdaleulebi St., Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), Georgia Caucasia are wine tours inside FB: the@PortaCaucasiaKazbegi hotel on the ground Tel: +995 322 and 25 77there 70 Mail: info@portacaucasia.com

floor.

THE HOTEL OFFERS: The hotel has Georgian and European cuisine represented in two restaurants within the hotal, featuring delicious dishes, made using * 33 Deluxe and Suite rooms with excellent locally produced products. The wine is something particularly worth panoramic views over the Mkinvartsveri and Kuro Mountain mentioning, asKharebaWinery presents varieties of wine in both * World Class Servicerestaurants. There is also a terrace and lounge on the top floor. rd to rwa * Georgian and European restaurants with oking fo aucasia o L unique and delightful cuisine Porta Caucasia is ideal for couples, families, rleisure Cholidays, * Spa & Beauty Salonbusiness and Sauna at Po ta trips. * Wine Shop by Winery Khareba

The staff can plan trips according to your personal interests: try their

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Alpine2 Tour on Mount Kazbegi, with equipment(Kazbegi), and personal guide Address: Tergdaleulebi St., Stepantsminda Georgia provided. If you info@portacaucasia.com are more into history and culture, take advantage Tel: +995 322 25 77 70 Mail: FB: @PortaCaucasiaKazb of their Culture Tour, which includes a visit to various historical sites, including Gergeti Church and several Chateaus. Kazbegi is close to Gudauri resort and the hotel offers affordable transfer services.

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Address: 2 Tergdaleulebi St., Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), Georgia Tel: +995 322 25 77 70 Mail: info@portacaucasia.com FB: @PortaCaucasiaKazbegi

raDissoN blu iveria hoTel

Executive guest rooms. Inside every guest room, elegant interiors detailed with many original features offer comfortable living. The spacious feel is enhanced by high ceilings and tall windows, in keeping with the original architecture of the former Adjara hotel. The outstanding living and dining area, with elegant designer wallpaper and rich African wood flooring, provide a sanctuary in which to relax and entertain.

1 Rose Revolution Sq., Tbilisi (+995) 32 240 22 00

mosque, synagogue, cable car and more. There are many cafes, bars, restaurants and other fun and relaxing places nearby.

Whether you’ve come for business or pleasure, you’ll leave with a sense of the beauty that surrounds the city’s central hotel, Radisson Blu Iveria, Tbilisi. The hotel offers a variety of dining options, an open terrace and outdoor pool, a topfloor bar and pool and a Spa. Travel anywhere you want to go in Tbilisi from the metro station which is just 300 meters from the hotel. Metro station - 300 m.; Tbilisi Railway Station - 5 km.; Tbilisi International Airport - 19 km

The Hotel has 22 classic modern and classic rooms. A number of the rooms have balconies, wonderful views on Narikala, the Temple of Metechi and the River Mtkvari. All the rooms are ensuite and offer hairdryers, flatscreen TVs, a safe, a telephone and a mini bar.

26 May Sq., Tbilisi (+995) 32 230 00 99 www.hi-tbilisi.com

hoTels & PrefereNCe hualiNg Tbilisi Tbilisi Sea District, Tbilisi (+995) 32 250 50 25 The hotel is only a five-minute drive from the East Point Shopping Mall while Tbilisi Saint Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

42 K. Apkhazi Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 272 46 14, 275 44 95 www.shardenvilla.ge

140b Agmashenebeli Ave., Tbilisi (+995) 32 224 41 44 www.cityavenue.ge

holiDaY iNN

sharDeN villa

Hotel Sharden Villa is a modern boutique style Hotel located in the historical center of Tbilisi near Meidan. You will find it surrounded by the top sightseeing spots of Old Tbilisi: the ruins of Narikala, Metechi Church and Sioni temples, Abanotubani, a

CiTY aveNue hoTel

This magnificent 21-storey glass building used to be the symbol of the city during the Soviet era. Following its transformation, Holiday Inn Tbilisi can accommodate guests in 270 Standard, Business and

to stay

All rooms are air-conditioned and come with a 48-inch flat-screen TV with international channels. The private bathrooms include free toiletries, slippers, bathrobes and a hairdryer, a bath tub and separate shower cabin.

eMigraNT hoTel 6 Vashlovani Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 293 54 52, (+995) 599 02 66 44 Email: Hotel@emigrantboutique.ge

A stay in this hotel is both comfortable and convenient, as you can walk around the city, see all the important places and feel the grandeur of Tbilisi in all its value! The boutique-style hotel has three floors with a total of 10 rooms. Since opening in September, Emigrant has been taking very good care to assure all its guests a comfortable vacation in a harmonious synthesis of modernity and history.

hoTel WiNe PalaCe 31, B. Kvernadze Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 233 88 08, (+995) 555 35 55 55 www.winepalace.ge Email: info@winepalace.ge Facebook: #HotelWinePalace

viNoTel 4 E. Akhvlediani Ascent, Tbilisi (+995) 32 255 58 88 www.vinotel.ge Housed in a historic building that represents a monument of cultural heritage, the boutique Hotel Emigrant is located in the heart of the city and features a unique design. The entrance door of the Hotel is included in the list of 100 Best Modern Doors, as acknowledged by UNESCO. The building also houses the memorial apartment museum of Ekvtime Takaishvili, a prominent Georgian public figure. Tbilisi Concert Hall is a 3-minute walk away, as is the Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi Zoo and Tbilisi Circus. Vere Park is on a parallel street, in just a few steps away, and only 50 meters from the Hotel the famous Rustaveli Avenue begins, leading you to Liberty (Freedom) Square, past some of the key sights of the city: Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater, Rustaveli State Drama Theater, shopping malls, fashion and souvenir shops, museums, cinemas and numerous dining possibilities and other attractions. The Hotel is 11 miles away from Tbilisi International Airport and the nearest railway station is just 1.5 miles away.

Hotel “Wine Palace” is located in the center of Tbilisi, behind the Sports Palace, only 2.3 km from Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater. The nearest metro station is just a 3-minute walk.

Where.ge is glad to introduce very special hotel in its Stay section this issue. Vinotel is a boutique hotel located in the old town, on the left embankment of Mtkvari River, 10 minutes from freedom square, near Sameba cathedral and the Presidential residence. World Luxury Awards recently awarded the hotel in two categories: ‘The Best Small Hotel in Eastern Europe’ and ‘The Best Boutique Hotel in Georgia’. It offers small quantity of rooms, including luxury suites featuring a hamam and fireplace, unique superior rooms, stylish semi-mansard rooms and a cozy top-view room. The location is superb for travelers interested in local food, city walks and old-town exploring.

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The hotel fully meets the highest European standards. 33 comfortable rooms- standard and deluxe – come decorated in the highest artistic style (hand-painted walls, a delightful combination of classic and romantic styles) and are equipped with Free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, an international phone and safes. “Wine Palace” provides guests with breakfast served in a nice dining room, while delicious Georgian and European dishes can be ordered for dinner. The hotel also offers a fully equipped conference room for 70 people. Hotel “Wine Palace” has a unique wine cellar which stores about 100 brands of Georgian wine, as well as home-made wine. For hotel guests, wine tastings and national dishes are arranged. Guests can also book a tour to the regions through the hotel.

borjoMi likaNi hoTel 16 Meskheti Str., Borjomi (+995) 32 229 22 92 Website: www.borjomilikani.com E: info@borjomilikani.com

Luxury 5 star Hotel Borjomi Likani is located 177 km away from Tbilisi (the capital of Georgia) in the middle of the coniferous park in Borjomi city, famous of its naturally carbonated mineral water from springs in the Borjomi Gorge of central Georgia. Hotel Borjomi Likani is located on the former territory of once popular Sanatorium of 4th deparment in Likani. Guests from all over the USSR used to gather here to spend time with family and friends and receive the benefits of the Health procedures offered, due to the curative effect of the Borjomi water. The famous Summer Palace of Russian royal Romanovs’ Family resided on the territory of the hotel is another reason for the guests to visit Borjomi Likani complex. The palace is under renovation today and soon will open its doors to all the guests. The Borjomi Likani Hotel features 151 comfortable rooms with stupendous view to the surroundings and modern amenities. Additional services: Spa & health Center, bars and restaurants, conference hall, kids club, weddings and entertainments.

golDeN TuliP borjoMi hoTel 48, 9 April Str. Borjomi (+995) 32 288 02 02, (+995) 591 02 80 82 E-mail: info@goldentulipborjomipalace.com www.goldentulipborjomipalace.com

Golden Tulip Borjomi Hotel is managed by French International hotel chain “Golden Tulip,” which belongs to “Louvre Hotels Group”. Golden Tulip Borjomi is one of the most attractive historical buildings in Borjomi, located just steps away from the popular Borjomi Mineral Waters Park. It was built in 1892 by the Consular of Iran in Russia, Mirza-Reza Khan, as a house with Spa Treatment and is nowadays considered a Unique Cultural Monument of the 19th Century. Golden Tulip Borjomi Hotel features 17 comfortable guest rooms including 2 Suites, 2 Classic singles and 13 Deluxe Double Rooms. Hotel services include Restaurant “Arfaye”, the Garden Café, Lobby Bar, brand new Fitness Room, Spa: Steam, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Bucket Shower and 1 exclusive treatment room.

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MuseuM hoTel 8/10 Vakhtang Orbeliani Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 224 49 99

Museum Hotel Orbeliani is an appealing name, suggesting the hotel’s history as it is located in a historical residence of an old noble family Orbeliani, well known in high society of old Georgia. The architecture and interior design of the boutique hotel are unique, as is its service. The hotel is distinguished for its intimate atmosphere and idiosyncratic style; always upscale and combining historic 19th century details with chic elegance. Museum Hotel Orbeliani is located in the heart of Tbilisi, just 100m from the Dry Bridge Flea Market and within a walking distance of Rustaveli Avenue, Narikala Fortress and the ancient sulphur baths. Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater is 600 m and Freedom Square is 700 m away. Tbilisi International Airport is only 18 km from the hotel. The Hotel offers car hire and provides transfer services. Enjoy on-site gourmet Georgian-Persian restaurant ‘’Sirajkhana,’, a roof top lounge bar Mixology 810 with an incredible city view and café ‘’Museum’’ with a beautiful, cozy terrace on the ground floor.

The TerraCe bouTique hoTel 7 P. Kakabadze Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 299 90 01

The exquisite design and timeless elegance of The Terrace boutique hotel can be found in the heart of Tbilisi’s historical center. Providing a unique blend of personalized attention and essential elements for an unforgettable city break, the Terrace Hotel’s team is committed to providing an exceptional experience to each and every guest. The spacious feel is enhanced by high ceilings and tall windows with original architecture overlooking one of the best views in the city for an authentic local experience. There are 26 rooms, a meeting room and rooftop restaurant with 360 degree views of Tbilisi. The restaurant offers Georgian & European cuisine.

hoTel kiNg gorgasali 3 V. Gorgasali Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 222 50 80

Stay in the Heart of Tbilisi City. Ideally located in Old Tbilisi, King Gorgasali is few steps from Shardeni Street, where you will find the top cafes, bars and restaurants. You’ll be just a 4-minute walk from Europe Square and Metekhi St. Virgin Church.

(selected for their natural smiles) is always ready to hear your wishes and to advise you on available restaurants in the neighborhood, sightseeing trips and shopping opportunities. Airport transfers, taxi services, theater tickets and restaurant reservations will be taken care of upon request.

King Gorgasali offers elegantly decorated rooms with memorable views and modern decor.

Tribeca Hotel is the perfect place to stay while in Tbilisi.

The property also boasts a Georgian restaurant, Sormoni, a wine spot with sommelier service, khinkhali show room and a terrace with an amazing view. Enjoy the cozy lobby bar and memorable historical exterior to make your stay extra special.

Feel @ Home at Tribeca Hotel!

aMbassaDori hoTel 17 Shavteli Str., Tbilisi (+995) 243 94 94

TribeCa hoTel 115 D. Agmashenebeli Ave., Tbilisi (+995) 32 222 70 02 Tribeca Hotel, built in accordance with a design drafted in 1872 by local German architect Albert Salzmann, is located in the city center on Agmashenebeli Avenue, one of the most striking streets in Tbilisi. Along this avenue there is plenty to keep you, your family and friends entertained for days: one can find parks, theaters and museums, as well as numerous restaurants, cafes and curio shops. The cozy hotel lobby is inspired by the Manhattan Tribeca neighborhood, with a refreshment corner for hotel guests and a wine parlor. The hotel offers a total of 38 rooms that are split into Comfort and Deluxe classes, with comfortable box-spring beds, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, safe boxes and bathrooms. The hotel team is motivated to make your stay unforgettable and the reception crew

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The story of the first ever Georgian hotel brand Ambassadori Tbilisi began in 2004 with the construction of a 7-room hotel. Demand for more rooms increased by the day. In 2013 a new building was added to the old one. Then we decided to expand again and a high class hotel was built with the projects of Italian architects and designers, next to the old “Ambassadori.” The new five star Ambassadori hotel, with 121 rooms, beautiful terraces, magnificent views, comfortable rooms and service with high standards creates an unforgettable experience for guests and the bars and restaurants of the hotel have been made as prominent as the first restaurant was back in the day.

No12 bouTique hoTel 12 Khodasheni Str. (near Leselidze), Tbilisi www.No12hotel.com @no12hotel (+995) 32 255 22 12

Tiflis PalaCe 3 Gorgasali Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 200 02 45 www.tiflispalace.ge Email: reservation@tiflispalace.ge

Attentive professionals with a passion for hospitality are always ready to assist our guests, guaranteeing you the best experience of Tbilisi.

beTsY’s hoTel 32-34 Makashvili Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 293 14 04 info@betsyshotel.com www.betsyshotel.com

If you’re planning to visit Tbilisi for pleasure or business and want to enjoy the quiet neighborhood of the charming Old Town, this 12-room hotel is the place for you. The comfortable, air-conditioned rooms offer warm-colored interiors with traditional elements of decor. The personalized service is what the hotel is all about. No12 Boutique Hotel offes: • Excellent location – in the heart of the Old Town but on a calm back street; nice design reflecting country-specific architecture • Comfortable, cozy, clean rooms, most with magnificent views • Buffet breakfast with a ‘Modern Georgian’ menu • Friendly and helpful hosts happy to advise you where to eat, what to see, how to get there.

Tiflis Palace is a luxurious boutique hotel, located in a very heart of Tbilisi, in the legendary place of the city’s foundation. It is surrounded by the best picturesque and breathtaking views available in Tbilisi as well as in the immediate vicinity of the most popular tourist attractions and the widest choice of restaurants, cafes and galleries. The hotel’s architecture reflects the ancient style, traditions and history of Old Tiflis and Maidan Square, emphasizing its unique location. The interior of Tiflis Palace is a perfect combination of discreet luxury, calm colors and modernity, with a light touch of oriental style characteristic of the old town. Tiflis Palace meets the modern requirements of international hospitality standards and features elegantly designed rooms and suites equipped with all necessary facilities; comfortable beds with antiallergy linen and orthopedic mattress, conference and banqueting facilities, and the best culinary venue.

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Betsy’s Hotel is an exquisitely decorated boutique hotel overlooking the center of Tbilisi. Our hotel’s stylish and inspirational character comes from twenty years of opening the doors to many visitors from across Georgia and abroad. The staff makes every stay unique with Georgian warmth and intimacy. The atmosphere is quiet and comfortable. Once you set foot in Betsy’s lobby and take in the spectacular view of Tbilisi, you’ll find yourself in a different world. The exceptional combination of the hotel’s Georgian and foreign identity has produced a lively and graceful atmosphere in a unique environment. Betsy’s Hotel is a center of Tbilisi social and business life.

fabrika 8 Ninoshvili Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 202 03 99

and Bagrati monasteries are reachable by car in 15-20 minutes. The other attractions of Imereti region are within a 1 or 2-hour drive. A classic design, international level of comfort and Georgian level of sincere hospitality are the main reason to choose Best Western Kutaisi as a place to stay. We also recommend tasting Imeretian cuisine in the on-site restaurant!

rooMs hoTels Tbilisi The big cultural success since 2016, Fabrika is a perfect example of gentrification on the left bank of Mtkvari River. Hostel and suites, co-working space, shops and ateliers, food joints and bars are united in a conceptual space that used to be a sewing factory in the Soviet period. Every night, even on Mondays, the inner yard is full of people hanging out, drinking beer or wine, and chatting into the small hours. On the weekends, there are usually concerts or DJ sets of local musicians in one of the resident bars or even in the yard. Such events usually bring together crowds of hundreds from all over.

besT WesTerN kuTaisi 11 Grishashvili Str., Kutaisi (+995) 32 219 71 00 www.bwkutaisi.com Until 2016, Kutaisi couldn’t boast any well-known names in its list of hotels. But quite recently one of the oldest cities in Georgia, an important transport hub and home of UNESCO Heritage Site, got its first brand hotel: a Best Western. Overlooking the white waters of Rioni River and the locally famous White Bridge, the hotel is located very centrally. Old Town, with its choice of traditional restaurants, can be reached on foot, and the famous Gelati

14 M. Kostava Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 202 00 99 www.roomshotels.com

breathed new life into the bohemian neighborhood of Vera, attracting creatives and artists with its unique brand of design-led hospitality. The aesthetics are chic and comfortable, defined by rich tones, natural materials, and plush textures. The Bar Room and the Kitchen restaurant draw in guests and visitors for handcrafted cocktails and modern casual dining with contemporary dishes, creating a social meeting space that defies the standard hotel definition. Elegant and inviting, the eight categories of guest rooms are spread over five floors, fully booked during significant city events, including the Tbilisi and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks. Located on the fifth floor, the Terrace Queen and Terrace King rooms stream in all the sunlight through their floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll be fascinated by their cozy private terraces overlooking the hotel’s courtyard garden.

MariiNskY Rooms Hotels is a young and independent lifestyle hotel brand based in Georgia that has quickly emerged as the premier leader of distinctive hospitality experiences in the region. The first Rooms Hotel opened its doors in summer 2012, in Georgia’s remote region, Kazbegi. This was followed by the Rooms Hotel Tbilisi in autumn 2014. Located in Vera, a charming and historic quarter of the capital which has long been associated with artists and intellectuals. The former publishing house has been refurbished into a modern innovative design hotel infusing the old cultural and visual heritage of its environs. It’s now a hotspot for local and international creatives in search of inspiration. The hotel proudly lives up to all earned appraisals. Rooms Hotel Tbilisi has

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50 Memed Abashidze Str. (+995) 595 13 10 23

Mariinsky Apartments & Hotel offers 12 lavish non-standard apartments, including 2 superior, 7 studio-loft and 3 standard suits. Designed to blend comfort with quiet sophistication, each apartment offers a luxurious experience at a competitive price. Every room has a great view and modern look, while keeping the downtown hotel’s history and location in mind.

hoTel PorTa CauCasia kaZbegi 2 Tergdaleulebi Str., Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), Georgia (+995) 32 225 77 70 Mail: info@portacaucasia.com FB: @PortaCaucasiaKazbegi Feel at home in Caucasus

are wine tours inside the hotel on the ground floor. The hotel has Georgian and European cuisine represented in two restaurants within the hotal, featuring delicious dishes, made using locally produced products. The wine is something particularly worth mentioning, as Khareba Winery presents varieties of wine in both restaurants. There is also a terrace and lounge on the top floor. Porta Caucasia is ideal for couples, families, leisure holidays, business trips. Kazbegi is close to Gudauri resort and the hotel offers affordable transfer services.

Porta Caucasia, meaning ‘Gate to the Caucasus’ is a freshly launched four-star hotel located in the heart of Kazbegi. Porta Caucasia is the perfect place to stay if you’re interested in visiting this region. It is unusual to find such comfort and support high in mountains, but you will be amazed to discover the high-quality service this hotel provides. The hotel stands out for numerous reasons. Paying attention to detail, the interior is manufactured by Villeroy & Boch, as is the furniture, which is wooden and ecofriendly. Luxury and taste merge to create a great sense of ambiance. Each room is well equipped, offering all the important facilities. Private bathrooms come with top-of-the-range toiletries. Porta Caucasia has pioneered the creation of a private online platform for bookings and reservations, allowing ease of contact with hotel staff. World-famous Georgian Winery Khareba is the founder of Porta Caucasia and there

Rooms 28 Standard (14 front & rear view) 2 Deluxe (1 front & 1 rear view) 1 Standard Triple (corner view) 2 Junior Suites (front/corner view) Connecting Rooms (for families) Meeting room Room with Disabled Access • Spa & Beauty Salon • Sauna • Wine Shop by Khareba Winery • Terrace & Lounge • 24/7 Transfer service • Alpinism Tours • Cultural Tours

MerCure Tbilisi olD ToWN 9 Gorgasali Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 200 60 60 The 4-star Hotel Mercure Tbilisi Old Town is managed by Accor Hotels Group, the world’s leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe. The hotel features conference room, gym & spa, The Old

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Town Restaurant & Garden and Sky7 Terrace & Lounge Bar which offer a perfect combination of international and Georgian cuisine. Hotel is located in the very heart of the

ibis sTYles Tbilisi CeNTer 4 G. Tabidze Str., Tbilisi (+995) 32 200 24 24

ibis styles Tbilisi center is the second hotel in Tbilisi managed by Accor Hotels Group. Hotel has 119 rooms in total, lobby business corner and The City Roof Bar on the fifth floor which offers variety of Asian and Georgian dishes. ibis styles located in the city center is a non-standardized economy and design brand aimed at all those who are looking for “the best of the best”.

4-5 Star Hotels in Ajara ParagraPh resorT & sPa shekveTili AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION Hotels Highway E70, Shekvetili (+995) 32 299 99 00 www.paragraphhotels.com info@paragraphhotels.com

Shekvetili. The unique underwater environment, which serves as a home to a diverse collection of fish and marine animals, offers hotel guests an opportunity to experience 360-degree view and a walk-through tunnel for a close-up look at those living in this underwater community. Covering 430 m2 and hosting dozens of marine animals’ species “The Big Blue” impersonates and upholds the natural and calming elements of the hotel.” Paragraph Resort & Spa, Shekvetili offers three different restaurants with delicious and refined dishes.

Paragraph Resort & Spa, Shekvetili — a unique place where perfect blend of sea and forest landscape welcomes bold contemporary design engraving new paragraph in the history of fabled Georgian hospitality. The resort offers majestic winter garden, indoor aqua park and the jewel of the property — 115m long filtered seawater pool built into mindfully designed panoramic deck.

The hotel is also ideal for the business purposes as it has several conference and meeting rooms. Guests can enjoy a variety of swimming pools, kids clu b, SPA and many other facilities that create pleasant, comfortable and relaxing ambience

CasTello Mare hoTel & WellNess resorT, TsikhisDZiri TsiIkhisdziri, Ajara (+995) 422 21 28 28

Hotel and wellness resort Castello Mare is located in a magnificent place with tropical plants on the territory of Tsikhisdziri, 17 kilometers from Batumi, the capital of Adjara, Georgia. Directly on the Black Sea coast, this place is familiar to many visitors as the resort Tsikhisdziri, where, until 1991, it functioned as the hugely popular sanatorium “Nauka”.

sheraToN baTuMi 28 Rustaveli St, Batumi (+995) 422 22 90 00 Immerse yourself in the wonderful city of Batumi, the pearl of the Black Sea, in this hotel which can be found just next to the famous Batumi Boulevard, and just a 5-10-minute walk from the Old City. Rooms are modern and well-furnished and come with a stunning view of the Black Sea. A range of nearby bars and restaurants are just a few steps away, but there is also a lounge area within the hotel for you to enjoy a complimentary breakfast, snacks and evening drinks. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available and reaches all areas of the hotel with good signal. This hotel is popular with the business community as it offers nine meeting rooms which can hold up to 1,000 guests. There is even an adjacent spa, should you wish to treat yourself to a deeper relaxation, and an on-site, 24-hour gym for those who want to work off the stress of the day.

Explore the life of the ocean in the Grand Aquarium – “The Big Blue”, one of the highlights of Paragraph Resort and Spa

to stay

raDissoN blu baTuMi 1 Ninoshvili St., Batumi (+995) 422 25 55 55

For travelers going to different locations around the planet, the Radisson Blu brand is a favorite for consistent and guaranteed quality. You know you’ll be getting a comfortable and spacious room, excellent service, and leave having had a good night’s sleep. The Radisson Blu hotel in Batumi, Georgia’s second largest city, is no exception to the company’s well-nurtured image.

a diversity of architectural styles so characteristic of the seaside city, housed in the former ‘Post Office,’ its original look kept on the outside while within you can expect all the luxury, class, comfort and professional service expected of this international brand. The hotel’s 146 rooms are divided into four categories: Standard, Deluxe, Junior Suit and Presidential, ranging from 28m2 to a whopping 220m2, each offering outstanding views- either over the coast or mountains. Opened in December 2016, the latest 5-star gem in the Wyndham crown was designed by Turkish Designer and Architect, Fatma Demirhan. There is also one disabled-access room available and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Wyndham Batumi Hotel hosts the incredible Princess Casino, a must-visit for those who like to play.

WYNDhaM baTuMi hoTel 33 M. Abashidze St., Batumi (+995) 422 22 22 00 Find it in the heart of Old Batumi, a mere 600-meter walk from the sea, set amongst

The graND gloria 22 Sh. Khimshiashvili St., Batumi (+995) 422 25 22 25

The Grand Gloria Hotel is a resort hotel on the first line of the coast of the Black Sea. It offers rooms with beautiful balconies overlooking the sea, a Spa center, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, restaurants with an amazing sunset view and direct access to Batumi Boulevard.

Staff at the front desk are extremely pleasant, polite and professional and will be more than willing to help you with whatever you might need. A number of quality bars, restaurants and cafes are just walking distance from the hotel, but we don’t think you’ll want to leave at all; the breakfast is at the same 5-star level as the hotel, and the bar and restaurant have everything you could ask for.

Just two minutes from the airport, and minutes from the seaside city center, the 50 rooms at Best Western Plus, encompassing all the familiar style of the brand, will give you the break and comfort you need between enjoying the vast entertainment opportunities Batumi has to offer. Enjoy the outdoor pool and stunning views to the sea.

If relaxation is your aim, don’t miss out on the lavish and stunningly beautiful heated indoor swimming pool, full-service Spa (fitness center, sauna, salt sauna, herbal sauna, steam room, Turkish Hammam, and VIP service).

hoTel DreaMlaND oasis 16 Batumi St., Kobuleti (+995) 592 29 60 60

besT WesTerN Plus baTuMi 56 Lech and Maria Kaczynski St., Batumi (+995) 551 33 66 77

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Beachfront Hotel Dreamland Oasis is located on the Black Sea shore 7km from Batumi, Georgia. Indulge in everything from tours of local sights, amazing Georgian gastronomic experience, lazing on the beach to lounging poolside in an exclusive landscaped territory surrounded by mountains, eucalyptus and the Black Sea.

baTuMi WorlD PalaCe 1/3 Melashvili St., Batumi (+995) 422 22 57 90

past as it looks forward to an exciting future, Divan Suites Batumi is in the center of historic Batumi just a five-minute walk from the beach. Our old city hotel in Batumi features 39 Standard Rooms, 8 Superior Rooms, 5 Deluxe Rooms, 3 Junior Suites, 6 Corner Suites, 2 Business Suites and 2 Penthouse Tower Suites designed to exceed the 5-star expectations of business and leisure travelers alike. Divan Suites Batumi offers complimentary wireless throughout and business travelers will appreciate its comfortable working environment, away from noise and crowds but still in the heart of Batumi.

iNTourisT PalaCe 11 Ninoshvili St., Batumi (+995) 422 27 55 25/577 61 20 20

Hotel Batumi World Palace is located in a historical area of Batumi, the best place of a city lying on the Black Sea shoreline of Georgia. The hotel offers 18 standard rooms, 6 luxurious twin beds, 3 luxe FB., 3 deluxe rooms and 30 rooms, all individually decorated, as well as an open and closed terrace restaurant, where specific tastes of Turkish and Georgian cuisines are served, a spacious lobby, cocktail and alcoholic beverage services, lobby and terrace bars.

DivaN suiTes baTuMi 5 Kostava St./13 Gamsakhurdia St., Batumi (+995) 422 25 55 22 Capturing the spirit of Batumi, a favorite holiday destination that celebrates its rich

Over 75 years the hotel has received more than 450,000 foreigner travelers, businessmen, sportsmen and diplomats, participants of international conferences, symposiums and forums. Each visitor received support and attention as well both warmth and cordiality, so unique that our hotel has become the ‘Visit Card’ of Batumi. Located in the very center of Batumi, next to one of the most beautiful seaside boulevards on the Black Sea, it is only 100m from the beach and ‘dancing fountains’.

hilToN baTuMi 40 Rustaveli Ave., Batumi (+995) 422 22 22 99 Each modern room here is air-conditioned and carpeted and features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. A minibar and an electric kettle are at guests’ disposal. Featuring a shower or a bath, private bathrooms in each unit come with free

to stay

toiletries as well as a hairdryer, linen and towels. Extras include a desk, a safety deposit box and a laptop safe. Certain rooms have a balcony offering a lake, mountain or a sea view. Interconnected rooms, convenient for families and not only, are also available on site. The hotel offers certain rooms with access to the Executive Lounge, which serves a delicious buffet breakfast, refreshments throughout the day and evening canapés. At Hilton Batumi, guests can enjoy an À la carte restaurant serving local and European cuisine.

baTuMi golDeN PalaCe 8/10 K. Gamsakhurdia St., Batumi (+995) 568 00 55 55 Golden Palace Batumi hotel is located in the heart of the city, a 15-minute drive from the airport. The architecture of the building is highlighted by the historic style of Old Batumi. The hotel features 51 guestrooms altogether, including 6 Family rooms, 10 Double rooms, 12 Standard rooms, 12 Deluxe Double rooms, 2 Superior rooms and 1 Presidential suite with mountain, sea or city views.

ColosseuM MariNa hoTel 1 6 Sh. Khimshiashvili St., Batumi (+995) 579 88 00 00 Hotel Colosseum Marina is a five-star hotel distinguished with prime seaside location in the western part of Batumi, with a private beach area and highly developed modern infrastructure. The 10-story hotel offers 101 comfortable guest rooms with exquisite design and stunning sea views. Private beach, swimming pools, variety of restaurants, bars, lounges and the exclusive service of our dedicated personnel guarantee you a perfect holiday experience. Colosseum Marina is ideal choice for tourists, families and business visitors with its modern facilities: indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, conference hall for 120 persons, spa and fitness centers.

MeTro skY ToWer 7/33 Sheriff Khimshiashvili St., Batumi (+995) 577 03 00 44

Sky Tower Hotel, is a 5-star resort situated on one of the most beautiful part of Batumi. The hotel’s unique location provides all the advantages, including panoramic view of the Black Sea, mountains, Lake of Ardagani and beautiful dancing fountains.

hoTel blooM 43 Mazniashvili St., Batumi (+995) 558 31 20 20/557 80 08 00 Offering city views, a garden, bar and shared lounge, this hotel is ideally placed within walking distance of the renowned Miracles Park, the Neptune Fountain and the Piazza. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an electric kettle, a bidet, a hair dryer and a desk. The hotel has units with garden views, and all rooms come with their own patio.

set, complimentary mineral water, mini bar, iron and ironing board (upon request) The hotel has the Saffron Restaurant and Enguri Trattoria located just steps away from the confluence of the Enguri river and Black sea, lounge bar, conference rooms and banquet hall.

sPuTNik hoTel 28 Shervashidze St., Batumi (+995) 577 65 08 08

The hotel also boasts a restaurant, 24-hour reception and room service. A buffet breakfast is available every morning.

PraTaP’s sigNaTure Ganmukhuri, Near the Aquapark (+995) 551 99 66 77 Redefining luxury at the heart of the Ganmukhuri Black Sea Resort, Pratap’s Signature overlooks the visually stunning waters of the Enguri River on one side and Black Sea on the other. This hotel in Ganmukhuri spreads across 9 acres of colorful, tropical gardens and lush lawns that roll down to the water’s edge of the Enguri River. Unwind and relax in splendidly appointed 56 cottage-styled rooms and suites with spectacular views of the waterfront, garden lawns and an Indo–Georgian architecture All room are equipped with: satellite LED TV, climate control, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee

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Surrounded by a garden with tropical plants and trees, the Sputnik Hotel & Spa Batumi is nestled in Batumi Hills with stunning views of the city and Black Sea and boasts an outdoor pool. Just a 12-minute drive from the city center, it has a restaurant, bars, swimming pool, terraces, and free Wi-Fi. The elegant rooms at the Sputnik Hotel Batumi are equipped with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes and free toiletries. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels is featured. Guests can sample Georgian and European cuisine at the restaurant. There is also an on-site coffee shop.

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Exclusive Restaurant Guide . . . e ic o h C y M Davit Tkemeladze Deputy Chairman of National Wine Agency It is a great pleasure and pride to see restaurants and cafes appearing in Tbilisi that offer such a high level of sophisticated cuisine, which, to me denotes the Georgian phenomenon of guest service. Having a meal is taken to a different level in contemporary Georgian society where there appears a combination of aesthetic pleasure, exciting conversations, new relationships, and both traditional and non-traditional feasts. On special occasions or even completely spontaneously, you want to go out, pick a nice place, and eat something delicious. Accordingly, I would recommend the places I visit often, those that have caught my eye for their different visions and tasteful features and dishes.

liTTera Café Littera is a distinguished place in concept, this magnificent café / restaurant, opened in the Writers’ House and its garden, stirs up remembrances of a time when Tbilisi’s bohemian life was born in David Sarajishvili’s house, when salon conversations and socio-political significance meetings were held. There is now a transformative Georgian authorship menu at Café Littera. For me, this space has an extra emotional meaning as 20 years ago, in this garden, my father Tamaz Tkemaladze’s autobiographical show “talks on Machabeli Street” was written, where Chabua Amirejibi, Rezi Tvaradze, Rezo Cheishvili and other contemporary classical writers, public figures were gathering.

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sChuChMaNN WiNe bar & resTauraNT Schuchmann Wine Bar & Restaurant offers delicious Georgian dishes made with ultra-modern technologies. Here we have so-called molecular Georgian cuisine, accompanied by an authentic Georgian environment, excellent wines, high quality service and professional staff. This place is a real discovery for the pretentious Georgian gourmets and guests to our country.

Zala resTauraNT We recommend this small restaurant with a very pleasant atmosphere; it features modernized Georgian traditional dishes presented as pleasant experiments. Each guest in Zala can discover new and different tastes of dishes made from Georgian products.

shushabaNDi Beautiful interior, good ambience, bright colors, sunny spaces and delicious cuisine - all blend in harmoniously in Shushabandi. I would also like to point out one of the most interesting and diverse cocktail-bars here, where guests can also taste cocktails made with Georgian ingredients. This space is quite new and I wish them great success.

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News to Whet Your Appetite! geMuaNi Fruit and vegetable chips producer ‘Gemuani’ is set to enter the European market, with Director Nana Tordia saying they’ll be sending chips and separate ingredients for export. Production already has IFS certification for unique natural products without additives, keeping 98% of the vitamins. Negotiations are underway with two international companies. Gemuani is also planning to add a new line in dairy products, meat and fish. The Gemuani factory was launched in Zugdidi Municpality in 2018 and boasts kiwi and hazelnut plantations on its territory.

graPe Demand for tatara (thickened and boiled grape juice) products is increasing and France has been added to the list of countries exporting ‘Grape’ company products. Founder David Ramazashvili says that a new factory will be built on 700 sq.m. and is expected to open this autumn. Churchkhela and tatara are among the products of Grape sent for sale in Germany, Austria, the USA and Poland. There are only five products, and due to demand from the USA, tatara with pistachio is set to be added to the assortment.

MZiaNeTi Mzianeti, a cheese enterprise from Aspindza, Meskheti, is proving very popular among tourists, so much so that they plan to launch a hotel! The Mzianeti cheese enterprise has been offering cheese tasting and master classes to tourists for two years; they have eight employees and their bread is baked in a 200-year-old oven. Aluda Jvaridze, Head of Mzianeti, says the number of tourists is much higher this year compared to last, the bulk of clientele comprising tourists from Russia, Malaysia, China and Israel. Jvaridze claims a wine house and terraces will also be added to the property in future.

agrokiZiki Agrokiziki has something new for healthy product-lovers. Launched by the Gonashvili family in 2011 with an initial focus on animal food production, it now has a brand shop in Tbilisi. Brothers Beka and Bidzina Gonashvili primarily aimed to promote its products by supplying to enterprises. The launch of Tserti comes as the result of cooperation with partner farmers where, along with meat, dairy and other Agrokiziki products, it is possible to purchase the goods of partner farmers, all of the products promising to be Georgian and totally natural.

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NaTioNal DeliCaCY National Delicacy will be of interest to those who think a good daily diet and saving time are equally important. Equipped with the latest technologies, the factory is located in Dedoplistskharo and offers premium as well as budget ready-made food for clientele, who can choose from 10 different dishes. Made of Georgian-only ingredients, the superiority of the brand comes in the simple and practical use of products and the fact they are 100% natural and chemical-free, feature in comfortable packaging and last up to two years. Currently available only in Tbilisi, Batumi and Rustavi, expansion is planned for the near future.

loMTagora Georgian agriculture is developing in an interesting way. Lomtagora is one example of that: a wheat-producing company which recently obtained an all-time high harvest of a new species of wheat. The team worked for nine years to get a result from this species. Lomtagora is the only certified company in Georgia in the seed-producing direction. They boast a strong focus on the quality of their products and have already caught the eye of different countries for export.

house burger White House Burger is a popular eatery in Kutaisi among both locals and tourists. Run by Natia Chakhunashvili, the idea for it came to her while she was working at Best Western (where she also met her husband!). She uses no frozen semi-processed goods, instead using those of their own production. Her experience as a member of the Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association contributed to the formation of her professional attitude, while funding from projects aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs enabled her to purchase the necessary equipment. Chakhunashvili considers the project a success already, but states there is a lot more work ahead.

Chef saraDjeff Chef Saradjeff, a new restaurant, was launched by Nikoloz Sarajev, representative of the 6th generation of the renowned Sarajishvili family. He decided to use his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house as the venue for the restaurant, keeping the original appearance. The restaurant features a small wine cellar which stocks nearly 30 wines from local entrepreneurs. The founder of the restaurant is also the chef and recently introduced an innovative product to Georgia: additive-free dough. His brand shop has already become popular and a second is to be launched in the new restaurant.

TsNori (eaT) Nika Bagalishvili, a youngster from Tsnori, has been actively engaged in bio-agriculture for the past year. Existing health problems, catalyzed by polluted air, food and an unhealthy lifestyle, were his main motivations for starting the business. He decided to contribute to the food direction by offering ecologically clean and natural products grown without pesticides. Nika states that sales are low due to the relatively high price of the goods but insists they are healthy, protecting individuals from various illneses. He plans to expand his bio-agriculture and even launch an agro-school.

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Grand Grill and Ardagani Terrassa for A Delicious Trip to Batumi

Tasting delicious dishes from international or local cuisine is one of the best parts of every trip. While traveling in Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seaside Ajara region, which is the perfect place to spend your summer, you will be captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the wild nature most of allbut the local culinary traditions are also worth getting your teeth into! If you want an unforgettable experience sampling famous dishes from local

and foreign cuisine, then Georgian restaurants Ardagani Terrassa and meat and fish restaurant Grand Grill should on your list of the must-visit locales. Both restaurants are located on different floors of the same building in Batumi, the capital of Ajara, on Sh. Khimshashvili Street, near the charming Ardagani Lake. They offer the perfect location for organizing celebrations, corporate evenings and romantic rendezvous.

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Besides the chance to enjoy exotic dishes complete with exquisite desserts and fresh fruit as you watch the sun set on the Black Sea horizon, customers can also hold business lunches, corporative dinners, breakfast and banquets and host private parties at very reasonable prices. VIP rooms are also available to facilitate successful business conversations. Grand Grill is a popular and wellknown restaurant among Georgian

customers while Ardagani Terrassa, is new on the block, offering especially tasty Georgian dishes to its guests. Here, meat and fish are cooked on the grill, guaranteeing a special taste. The diverse menu of the two restaurants is one of the reasons behind their popularity among food enthusiasts. Guests can sample various dishes in fresh air from Georgian, Asian and Turkish cuisines. The menus include a wide variety of breads, kebabs, khachapuri and salads, to name but a few. The owners have impressive experience in the restaurant business, operating in the field for 10 years already. The Company owns a Halal Food Certificate, meaning its restaurants’ products accord to Islamic law. In order for products to receive this certification, they must originate from an acceptable source, such as a cow or chicken, and be slaughtered in a clean manner according to Islamic law). The chef of the restaurant, Suat Akush, has won numerous international awards and has over 15 years’ experience in the field. In 2016, he participated in a gastronomy competition held in Istanbul on behalf of Georgia and won 1st place in fish preparation. Besides extremely delicious dishes, the reason behind the restaurant’s success is quality service focused on customer satisfaction. Every employee at the restaurants do their best to create maximum comfort for their guests and make sure they take away unforgettable memories of a pleasant time. And there’s great news for restaurant guests: after ordering, they will be given a 10% discount card to use on

subsequent visits. Also notable is that there is no 10% service charged to guests. The restaurant offers a terrace for smokers on the first floor of the building. On the left of the restaurant one can enjoy wonderful views of Batumi and Ardagani Lake, where the dancing fountains are arranged. In the evening, guests can listen to live music of a diverse repertoire, be it traditional, urban, or contemporary.

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Wonderful music added to the lake, sea and mountain views, completes the ideal atmosphere for your dining experience. The highly qualified and friendly staff of the restaurant are waiting to welcome you and wish you a pleasant stay in Batumi.

T: (+995) 591 914 416 / Ardagani Lake 6000, Batumi F: Grand Grill Restaurant / F: Ardagani Terra

Ajara - the Food Capital of Georgia By amy jones

Ajara – the place of Black Sea pebbled beaches, high-rise casinos, thick ancient forests, a jungle-like climate, towering mountains, and of course, amazing food. Ajara is known as the foodie region of Georgia with its unique dishes, fresh ingredients, and excellent restaurants. What are the must-try Ajaran foods on your next visit to the Black Sea region?

siNori Rich in Georgian cottage cheese and butter, Sinori is a popular breakfast dish in Ajara. It is made by rolling small lavash, like a tortilla, with “nadugi” and pouring on hot butter. Sinori is hard to find outside of Ajara, so make sure to try it when you’re in the region.

boraNo Made from fermented cheese called achar, Borano is stringy, cheesy, gooey goodness. The cheese is cut into small pieces and placed in a deep pan to cook. The dish is made from just one ingredient, although sometimes spices are added. Borano goes especially well with cucumber and rice.

iakhNi A dish is found across the world from the Balkans to South Asia, Iakhni is a stew made from meat, fish, or vegetables,

as well as a brownedonion base, tomatoes and olive oil. This hearty stew is also popular in Ajara.

baklava WiTh WalNuTs Being neighbors, Ajara and Turkey share some similarities. For example, baklava is common in Ajara. yet made with a Georgian twist – waltnuts! This sticky and sweet dessert is made using crispy filo pastry, sugar, and nuts which are layered together and cooked in the oven until golden brown.

Chirbuli Juicy tomatoes, tangy garlic, fragrant dill, coriander and basil, crunchy walnuts and eggs are the core ingredients made to use Chirbuli, an Ajaran breakfast dish. The

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ingredients are frind together on a low heat and then the eggs are carefully cracked into the mixture. You may not like the idea of walnuts and eggs together, but it works.

barabuli Nestled Black

on the edge of the Sea, Ajara is one of the only

regions in Georgia that can enjoy fresh fish. Barabuli is crispy, salty and tender Mullus Barbatus or red mullet, a small species of fish that is native to the Black Sea. This popular dish is found in most restaurants and markets across the region. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and enjoy!

(+995) 322 43 77 00 @ciskarikustba info@ciskari.ge 3 PM - 2 AM

Must-Visit Georgian Restaurants in Tbilisi & Beyond By amy jones

Hot, buttery bread with a salty cheese center, soft dumplings filled with herby soup, slow-roasted chicken with creamy garlic sauce, spiced beans cooked in a clay pot – Georgia is known around the world for its delicious and varied cuisine and love of food. As to be expected in such a country, Georgia has many world-class restaurants both in Tbilisi and in its diverse regions. Read on to find out which restaurants in Georgia you absolutely must not miss.

MeNDZeli, ZugDiDi 35 Kostava Str., Zugdidi (+995) 551 38 61 38

its excellence and quirky interior design. The Gebzalia starter, cooked cheese in yoghurt and mint sauce, is excellent, while for a main dish a variety of Megrelian and Georgain classics are offered, including the Megrelian khachapuri, dishes cooked and served in clay pots and dishes well spiced in the finest tradition of this region. A trusted winemaker in Sagarejo ensures that the cellars are stocked with excellent natural wines.

DiaroNi, ZugDiDi 9 Meunargia Str. (+995) 577 44 33 02

Since opening more than a decade ago, this restaurant has become renowned for

‘A place for a feast’ is the meaning of ‘Diaroni’ in Megrelian, and this restaurant certainly lives up to its name. The extensive menu caters for all tastes, and whether you are looking for traditional Megrellian

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cooking or European dishes, you will find something to your liking here. The

exposed brick archwork and modern woodwork help to create a wonderful atmosphere that you will be unlikely to forget. Megrelian classics to ask for here are ‘elarji’ and ‘gomi’, both based on cornmeal and cheese, and ‘kharcho’, a hearty stew with a walnut sauce.

PheasaNT’s Tears, kakheTi 18 Baratasvili Str., Sighnahghi (+995) 355 231 556

As you might expect for one of the finest restaurants in Kakheti, the winemaking center of Georgia, Pheasant’s Tears has its own vineyard which produces wine with the traditional Georgian method of qvevri femementation. Wines are aged in buried clay vessels and matured in contact with the ripest selection of grape skins and stems. The menu varies seasonally as it is innovatively yet simply cooked with

local ingredients selected personally by the head chef, Gia Rokashvili, each day from the local farmers’ market. This is an essential stop for any gourmet’s visit to Sighnaghi. The sister restaurant, the Crazy Pomegranate, is set within the vineyard itself and offers an intimate dining experience for a maximum of ten people.

Tbilisi fuNiCular resTauraNT, Tbilisi Mtasminda Hill (+995) 322 298 00 00

Perched high on Mtatsminda Mount, the views over the night lights of Tbilisi must surely be unrivaled as a backdrop to the perfect dining experience. As you step off the funicular train that steeply ascends the mountain, take a moment to take in the iconic architecture of the Funicular Complex building which was designed by Georgian architects in

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1938. The Funicular Restaurant is one of four dining facilities within the complex, and provides you with a vintage finedining atmosphere, with dishes based around those on the original menu of 1938 and classical Georgian offerings, each with a little twist of modernity.

resTauraNT gaMarjoba, gori Uplistsikhe Complex Road (+995) 555 53 55 60

Set next to the emerald green hills outside Gori city center, Restaurant Garmajoba is one of the best places to experience Georgian cuisine around Gori, and one of the best restaurants to taste Khinkali in the entire country. They were brought out steaming, diffusing the sunlight across the table and making our stomachs stomach rumble in preparation. Other traditional dishes are offered, such as Khachapuri (a cheese and egg bread bomb), Lobiani (red beans in bread), and Churchkhela (a dessert in the form of walnuts coated in sweet grapey pulp). Red and white wines, made by the owner, are on the menu too.

Discover the Gourmet Pleasures of Highland Georgia By ketevan kvaratskheliya

Although mouthwatering dishes are present in every Georgian region, traveling in the mountainous regions is certainly worth doing for the promise of discovering the real treasures of Georgian gastronomy and authentic culture; the mountains, where all the best secrets are always kept away from curious eyes. The residents of the mountainous regions preserve the ancient recipes inherited from their ancestors and thus offer such specialties that cannot be found anywhere else.

Along with a fascinating centuries-long history and a wide range of cultural sights to see countrywide, gastronomy is among the features that also puts Georgia among the must-visit destinations for tens of thousands of travelers from all over the globe.

Georgian mealtimes, most commonly known as “supra,” full of an incredible quantity of traditional dishes and generous portions, represent an unalienable part of the Georgian culture and have always mesmerized foreigners and offering them a whole culinary adventure.

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Due to its geography, visiting the highlands of Georgia can be a challenge and not a little exhausting, but the gourmet pleasures awaiting you on site, topped by that unforgettable Georgian hospitality, will certainly make you forget the fatigue and long journey getting there. Khinkali, dumplings made by twisted dough stuffed with meat and herbs, is among the most popular traditional dishes in the mountainous regions of Pshavi, Mtiuleti and Khevsureti. Instead of meat, Khinkali may also be stuffed with cheese, mushrooms and potato. The main ‘requirement’ for tasting Khinkali is that it be eaten with your hands and that the stumps be left on your plate. Svaneti, a province in the highlands of northwestern Georgia, is prominent for Kubdari, a baked bread filled with seasoned meat. The mouthwatering

Kubdari was given the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia in 2015. It seems that Georgians are very keen on meat and the list of meat dishes is almost endless here. Ham from Racha, aged for approximately half a year, is yet another ‘business card’ of Georgian mountain cuisine. Preparation of ham is a complicated process, requiring careful cleaning, boiling and salting. Despite a love of meat, the highlands of Georgia are equally attractive and super comfy for vegetarians, as they offer an incredible assortment of dairy and cheese products. The unique sorts of cheese found in Georgia can easily compete with the famous cheese of Switzerland in taste and centuries-long history. Dambalkhacho, a mildewed cheese made of quark, is one of the most popular and expensive cheese varieties in Georgia. Cheese threads called Tenili, as well as goat’s cheese, also found in the Georgian highlands, are nothing short of spectacular. Guda cheese, made of sheep’s milk and traditionally aged in sheepskin, has a very particular smell and is also popular on the Georgian table. It goes without saying that the Georgian mountains are also rich in vegetable dishes, all of them prepared with 100% natural and fresh products. Traveling the gastronomic route of the mountainous borderlands of Georgia is also paramount, as here you will feel the influence of neighboring countries and have the chance to taste the synthesis of authentic Georgian dishes and the hint of different cultures. Get exploring from table-to-table!

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Listing: Georgian & Mixed Cuisine in Tbilisi laDurée georgia

salobie bia

veriko

21a I. Abashidze Str. (+995) 577 38 00 00, 2 22 83 83 info@laduree.ge

14 Machabeli Str. (+995) 32 299 79 77

1 Petriashvili Str. (+995) 591 33 22 77

Ladurée, the legendary Parisian tea salon, with a history of more than 150 years, has finally opened its doors in Tbilisi. Located in one of the most prestigious districts of the city, Ladurée gives true sweet-lovers a chance to discover various delicious pastries from the French ‘boulangerie’ and enjoy a full assortment of exclusive macaron flavors, prepared in only one place in the world according to a secret recipe.

Salobie Bia offers traditional Georgian meals. It’s a beautifully decorated place, surrounded by paintings, old furniture and modern objects.

ChveNi 8 Tchorokhi Str. (+995) 555 71 00 67, 555 67 03 09

Veriko restaurant is a new project in Wine Factory#1 offering Georgian cuisine under the leadership of talented chefs. Comfortable terrace overlooking the garden of the Wine Factory and a large room with soft armchairs and air conditioning. A compact menu with traditional dishes of Georgian cuisine.

veris DuqaNi 1 Petriashvili Str. (+995) 595 92 59 15, 591 39 32 32

Step into the bakery and emerge yourself in a luxury Parisian atmosphere that is both cozy and pleasant. Ladurée has made a dream come true for all macaron lovers in Georgia. Go and enjoy delicious, soft macarons, pastries, viennoiseries as well as other delights from a French menu!

A Georgian kitchen and cozy atmosphere, Chef’s room (multifunctional), open space hostel, Japanese style. Cheni is open from 12:00-01:00.

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Veris Duqani with Geogrian cuisine is a unique establishment from Tbilisi-based restaurateur and TV presenter Keti Bakradze boasts a menu masquerading as one you’d find in a classic duqani. (Duqani is traditional Georgian eateries).

Ciskari Kus Tba (+995) 32 243 77 00 @ciskarikustba info@ciskari.ge OPEN 3 PM - 2 AM

Art House Tbilisi has a special, cosy atmosphere, with a harmonic music, interesting art interior and friendly staff. Beautiful terrace, where you can enjoy an amazing panoramic views of Tbilisi is perfect for a romantic date or even for a family happy hours.

Tiflis veraNDa 3 Gorgasali Str. (+995) 32 200 02 45 www.tiflispalace.ge Email: tiflisveranda@tiflispalace.ge

g.viNo 6 Erekle II (+995) 32 293 21 21

Ciskari is a newly opened green space located in Kus Tba - an authentic Tbilisi recreational spot. The Ciskari Kitchen concept is inspired by Tbilisi, with Chef Tamta Kikaleishvili saying she is inspired by the energy of the city, and tries to recreate that vibe in her everyday work. Ciskari establishes its name as a Social Club, a place fluid enough to host people from every age, social and cultural background. Ciskari hosts free-to-join clubs, discussions about mental health and occasional yoga pop-ins.

arT house Tbilisi Rike Park (+995) 557 51 50 52

Restaurant Tiflis Veranda is a combination of classic restaurant and lounge style summer terraces.

Inspired by wine and tapas bars in Europe with their casual setup, delicious local food, diverse local natural wine offer and happy staff, g.Vino aims to support small local wine producers and help them save some rare Georgian grapes. All our staff are new to the industry. Take the example of our cooking team, with a lady who used to prepare amazing food only for her family Check out how home-made food really tastes.

Tashre 88 Beliashvili Str. (+995) 514 15 55 88 Restaurant Tashre is a place where the best, natural dishes of Megrelian cuisine, prepared by a high-class chef, meet the true spirit of a feast.

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It offers exquisite dishes of local and international cuisine, exclusive deserts and brand cocktails, and high-quality service against a background of great music. Only here, surrounded by breathtaking views of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important historical and cultural monuments, can one feel the real spirit of Tbilisi. Tiflis Veranda is ready to serve its guests daily from 11AM to 2AM.

Megruli sakhli 13 Mosashvili Str., 13 Atoneli Str. (Dry Bridge) (+995) 591 03 43 43 Megruli Sakhli offers a wide range of Megrelian dishes including Gebjalia, Bujenina, Elarji, Ghomi, Kuchmachi and Kupati.

resTauraNT MeaMa 8 Dzmebi Zdanevichebi Str., Tbilisi (+995) 558 31 11 33

Many have written and spoken about the 19th century Bohemian life-style of Tbilisi. Old Meidan was one of the most picturesque neighborhoods of the capital with its ancient barrels. Tbilisi markets were supplied each morning with poultry and vegetables delivered on donkeys from this point. The “Tiflis cooked fish,” caught in Old Tbilisi, were sold on barrels and stalls. All members of society visited and drank wine and feasted on traditional dishes here, including Chikhirtma, Chakhrakina, Shkmeruli, Ghomi, Oraguli, Korkoti, Pelamushi. The main dish of the table was trout with lemon.

Unique recipes and natural products are used in restaurant Meama. Unbeatable cuisine, a cozy-authentic environment, Georgian hospitality and Georgian tunes create a harmonious blend that make up the table at Meama. • The fusion between Old Tbilisi European and Asian architecture, Old Tbilisi stories and culture are reflected in each dish at Meama, leaving an unforgettable impression and taste for all guests. • The taste of each dish, along with the unique collection of wines, revive the Old Tbilisi tales and nostalgic aroma.

keTo & koTe

DiNehall 28 Rustaveli Ave. (+995) 32200 16 16

D. Toradzis Str. (+995) 555 53 01 26 Keto & Kote is one of the most charming restaurants in Tbilisi, named after a famous 20th century Georgian movie. Ask for a table on the terrace or in the garden under the grapevines and enjoy a view of Tbilisi at night and tasty Georgian cuisine.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Tbilisi cuisine and “Ortachala Romanticism” were replaced by trattorias, mainly opened in hotels. Those raised in a European way and foreign visitors thus got to taste European dishes. More than a century later, 21st century Tbilisi is still hosting a large number of foreign guests and on one of the cozy streets of Old Tbilisi, the restaurant Meama offers the same unique Georgian dishes of old in the aroma of Dzmebi Zdanevichebi Street.

healthy dining experience in Tbilisi that serves only village-grown, non-GMO and seasonal products.

Café leila 18 Shavteli Str. (+995) 555 94 94 20 Cafe Leila is a pescetarian (some fish options available on the menu) and a

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At Dinehall, there is high quality delicious fresh food on the menu as well as hospital service. Dinehall combines five venues in one – cafe, restaurant, bar, wine cellar, patisserie, and art gallery. Dinehall believes that less is more. To be able to serve the best of the best, they offer a limited and unique menu of fine international dishes prepared with a twist. In Dinehall Art area, they host various famous painters and art exhibitions. Conveniently located on Rustaveli Avenue, Dinehall is a modern and trendy venue with lots to offer.

Tiflis MeiDaNi 6 Rkinis Rigi Str. (+995) 599 25 06 25, (+995) 32 275 10 38 11 am – Midnight Facebook: /tiflismeidani Mail: tiflismeidani@gmail.com

restaurant menu aims to preserve the distinctiveness of the Georgian recipes, its tastes and spicy flavors, creating a fusion of a contemporary approach and breathing new life into often ancient Georgian dishes. Although Tiflis Meidani restaurant can accommodate 120 guests, it is equally able to offer a cozy dining experience for a small group of friends. There are nightly Georgian song performances every day and traditional Georgian dance shows five days a week from Tuesday to Saturday.

kharCho 18 L. Gudiashvili Str. (+995) 544 44 45 44 Tiflis Meidani Wine Restaurant offers a unique atmosphere to drink and dine in in the very heart of the Old Tbilisi. The

Restaurant Kharcho is the first restaurant of its kind in Georgia with a small menu mainly focused on simple Georgian

appetizers and Kharcho dishes and traditional desserts. Restaurant Kharcho gives a nod to the old Georgian traditional recipes while giving them a modern twist. The cuisine there expresses the purity, freshness and simplicity associated with the regions of Georgia. Art House OPEN 12 pm – 12 am

luCa Polare 34 K. Apkhazi str. (Old Tbilisi) 12 R. Eristavi str. (Round garden) 125 D. Aghmashenebeli avenue 7a Pekini ave. 2 A.Tvaltchrelidze str. (East Point) 7 Sandro Euli str. 2 Dzemebi Kakabadzeebi str. 2/4 Rustaveli ave. (Galleria Tbilisi) 11 I. Mosashvili str. 9 Al. Kazbegi Ave. Facebook: LucaPolareOriginal Instagram: Lucapolare Web: Lucapolare.com (+995) 0322 38 08 02 8 am – 2 am

Luca Polare is one of the top destinations for Tbilisi residents. Lucas the polar bear’s cafes throughout the city invite you to enjoy the most flavorful ice cream and coffee. With more than 60 types of ice cream, Luca`s production is based on Italian recipes, using 100% natural products, fresh milk and fresh fruit and containing no artificial additives for color or taste. Luca also offers gluten-free, diabetic and vegan options. Depending on the season, you can find rare to eat

types of ice cream, from mint, mulberry, or buckthorn, to feijoa and even the most palatable sour blackcurrant ice creams. Luca Polare also serves exclusive coffee. This coffee travels an interesting route to reach Lucas shops. The highest quality Arabica beans are picked in South America, sent to a German family with a long history of coffee making. These experts roast our coffee beans based on traditional methods and send it on to Georgia only for Luca Polare. You can also enjoy tea, hot chocolate, blended drinks, frappés, cakes, salads and sandwiches.

PubliCa 18 L. Gudiashvili Str. (+995) 544 44 45 44

modern twist, the dishes showcasing Georgia’s finest produce. Art House 12pm - 12 am

l’ eClair De géNie 12 Taktakishvili Str., Tbilisi (+995) 551 99 11 55 Fb: L’ Eclair de Génie/Georgia

viNoTel 4 E. Akhvlediani Ascent (+995) 32 255 58 88 www.vinotel.ge

PUBLICA is the latest hip place in Tbilisi for delicious New American food, great cocktails and a convivial New York Americana atmosphere. Breaking with convention, the restaurant was designed to be lively, inclusive and approachable. Publica is the ideal spot for any occasion. Art House OPEN 12 pm – 2 am

brasserie buveTTe 18 L. Gudiashvili Str. (+995) 544 44 45 44

Vinotel Restaurant is one of the most popular eateries in the city. The place is exceptional for its great menu with Georgian raw material prepared in a European style. Whether you’re into fine dining or want a romantic date, this is the place for you. Every evening the classical Fazioli piano and a professional Georgian live trio entertain our guests in the restaurant. There is a space for 40 inside and 30 on the spacious terrace, with heating and cooling systems, a 20-seat historic hall, Georgian wine cellar, with a professional tasting table for 20 guests hosted by Vinotel’s wine expert.

Brasserie Buvette is a contemporary French restaurant, known for its chic Brasserie cuisine. The menu features updated Brasserie classics with a market-driven

A classic business hall is available for meetings and business lunches for 20 people, equipped with all modern technologies. The restaurant features several chambers each with a different style where you can sample exceptional wines with Georgian cuisine.

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Nestled on a quiet and charming street of Taktakishvili, find yourself in eclair paradise! With cozy surroundings and industrial architecture, L’Eclair de Genie is a combination of French and Georgian tastes, offering lots of classical flavors and savory tastes. Legendary Chef Christophe Adam is not just a confectioner, but also a Createur Gastronomique, combining his artistic powers to make both sweet and savory products. The character of his dishes, the simplicity and the effectivity are sure to make this a “must-visit” place.

The kiTCheN resTauraNT 14 M. Kostava Str. (+995) 32 240 00 99 Rooms Hotels Tbilisi’s culinary vision is driven by a deep respect for the country’s national bounty, combined with a passionate interest in worldwide gastronomic trends. The contemporary dishes with a classic twist have quickly become a favorite amongst the local foodies. At ‘The Kitchen,’ every dining experience is a

Puri Guliani is the first unique concept Georgian Sakhabazo (bakery) to appear on the Georgian market: a new, and interesting gastronomic space. A heart-warming space for any gathering, Puri Guliani is a distinct food and beverage locale with a specifically designed menu and interior, catering for guests of all preferences at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Thanks to its open kitchen and intricate interior design, guests have the chance to engage and become part of the whole gastronomic process. Warm bread and pastries with delightful and mouthwatering aromas remind guests of their childhoods and open up a whole new world of gastronomic discoveries yet to be made. Puri Gulianiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menu is a unique find for locals and tourists alike. Every day, they create

varieties of traditional dishes with Georgian wheat and seasonal products from different regions, artisan bread and pastries and delicious desserts, spiced and made all the more attractive with the taste of savory, newly ground coffee.

Puri Guliani - Bakery and Kitchen Saarbrucken Square TEL 577 00 00 83

Brand Wine

The Brand Wine Georgia is certainly a must-visit destination for the true wine enthusiasts, which will blaze a path for them in the world of the genuine Georgian drink. Brand Wine is distinguished with the multiplicity of wines, as well as other alcoholic drinks, including chacha and sparkling wine, mesmerizing customers of all tastes. With the stunning interior, authentic Georgian dĂŠcor and wine-related ornaments, Brand Wine creates a small world of wine and offers a fascinating experience to the customers. The founders of the shop had the details very much in mind while launching the shop. Thus, they have used traditional Georgian vessels and casks as the main decoration. Brand Wine also holds various wine-tastings, where the guests of Georgia, as well as locals, have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the each type of drink, and find out which of them is more suitable for the Georgian holidays and the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gastronomy.

Address: 48/50 Mtskheta Str. Tbilisi Tel.: +995 577 75 55 55 www.brandwine.ge

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Exclusive Drinks Guide . . . e ic o h C y M

Mikheil Avsajanishvili The Brand Chef of 12 Georgian Restaurants, working in Kiev, Jury member of the culinary show “Kitchen Wars”

ChaTeau Mere Restaurant Chateau Mere is located near Telavi, overlooking Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains. A friendly and cozy environment awaits you at Chateau Mere. Among the must-taste wines here I would name Chateau Mukuzani, which perfectly matches the chicken in blackberry sauce, and Wine Iveria Saperavi with pork steak, bruschetta of Kakhetian Shoti bread and ice cream made with Ajika.

resTauraNT “baToNTaN” Restaurant “Batontan” is located in Telavi, in the city center, nearby the Batonis Tsikhe, literally, “the castle of the lord”, on the first floor of Holiday Inn. I like the restaurant design, which reminds the guests of the walls of castles during the rule of King Erekle II of Georgia. The restaurant offers an authentic Kakhetian menu and a wide variety of wine. It is difficult to choose one or two wines from the list but you should definitely taste Naphareuli Saperavi with Tolma made with vine leaf and the wine of Kakhetians ”Qvevri Rkatsiteli” with seasonal Kakhetian salad “Telavuri”.

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resTauraNT “guDa” Located on the Military Road of Georgia, in the small town of Pasanauri, this restaurant is distinguished by a diversity of wines and authentic cuisine characteristic for the region. In the restaurant, you will be offered 15 varieties of cheese with various flavors, including cheese aged in a clay pot for 120-130 days, which perfectly matches the wine. Among the wines I would pick out the red dry wine produced in Khashmi micro zone – Khashmi Saperavi, which perfectly matches the beef Kebab, with kiwi Tklapi (a traditional Georgian puréed fruit roll) and raspberry sauce.

faMilY Cellar “oDa” In Samegrelo, I would choose the Cellar “Oda”, which is focused on famous and forgotten varieties of Megrelian wine. The ancient Megrelian and Abkhazian vine varieties are represented in a small vineyard. The cuisine is authentic as well. Here, they always search and discover forgotten Megrelian dishes such as Chemkva, Khozo, Tibu, Tsvaneri, Kokha, and Kachabesa. Dry Ojaleshi with the flavor of pomegranate barberry and tropical fruit is among the must-taste wines. You should definitely taste it with Gebjalia, or Tsvaneri, which is made with various wild plants and walnuts. Red dry Ojaleshi with the flavor of black plum and wild berries perfectly matches with traditional dishes Kuchmachi, Jurjani and Kupati.

ajariaN WiNe house There is a restaurant in mountainous Ajara, located in the high mountains. Here, I would emphasize the wine Keda Chkhaveri, which is characterized with pink color, high acidity and harmonic flavors. You should definitely taste the dish “Iakhni” with it. The wine Keda Colikauri is also noteworthy, which perfectly matches the Borano and roasted cheese in the butter produced in mountains and beef with walnut sauce.

WiNe bar “saPere” iN kuTaisi A small wine bar in Imereti. Among the wonderful wines included on the menu we can emphasize Otskhanuri Sapere, which is especially delicious with Sulguni cheese roll, or the wine Tsolikauri, made with Imeretian vine varieties, which perfectly matches Ckmeruli, a traditional Georgian dish of chicken in garlic cream sauce. The menu changes seasonally.

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Cha-Cha-Cha By Tony hanmer

Chacha is spelt in Georgian using that consonant which lies sonically between English j and ch, the same first consonant of Ajara. Imbibing this drink, however, may not at all help you find that soundâ&#x20AC;Ś Chacha is traditionally distilled from the residue left after making grape wineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; so, mostly the skins and seeds. Across Georgia, though, it may also be made starting from other fruits or herbs; my neighbor in Upper Svaneti double-distills it from his own honey. Considerable variations thus abound, each with its own name: Otka, Rakhi, Zhipitauri and more in the regions of this varied little country. Fine versions of it are making a comeback on the local and world alcohol scene; Binekhi Estragon was the winner of the 2007 Mundus Vini silver medal. It is powerful, being distilled, and can range from smooth as silk to rough as sandpaper going down the throat, with a sudden or delayed effect. The best of it also makes a great neutral base from which to make schnapps or liqueurs, which can be of any flavor the maker desires and can take from a few days to half a year or more as the base becomes infused with the aromas and tastes of the ingredients. The only technical difference between a schnapps and a liqueur is that the former is unsweetened, the latter sweetened. Chacha is a quite acceptable toasting

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drink in the great Georgian feast, the supra, alongside or instead of wine. However, its comparatively great potency must be approached with much care if one desires to remain at the table for any length of time (and not slide under it in a liquid pile). Yes, the glasses it is drunk from are smaller than those used for wine; but its strength is more than one might think: around 40% alcohol for commercial versions and up to 65% for “moonshine,” home-brewed. As a license is not necessary for distilling in Georgia, anyone can try their hand at making chacha; it need not be done secretly at night! The setup is not terribly complicated, involving heat at one end to boil a closed cauldron of the ingredients, distil the alcohol off them, run them through a pipe in a bath of cold water, and have them drip down at the other end into a big glass bottle. Best done after having watched first and been told all the secrets, however, so as to avoid things like explosions from pressure in the wrong places or further unexpected side effects which can ruin one’s efforts in other ways. It can also be aged for many months or longer, and the container that this is done in may or may not affect its final taste, depending on what it is made of: something which the alcohol can react with, or not. Various types of chacha are praised for their specific medicinal effects (positive ones, not negative!). Internal or skin ailments of a few kinds are supposed to be treatable using specific kinds of the liquid; one may, as it were, take this advice with a grain of salt, or after consultation with a physician. The same is said, and advised, for the many different

kinds of Georgian mineral water, some 1800 varieties of which exist across the country. A few more than the famous, ubiquitous Borjomi water are now commercially available bottled as well. The higher-altitude areas of Georgia, such as Pshavi, Khevsureti, Racha and Svaneti may prefer production and consumption of local chacha to serious grape growing and wine-making, simply because grapes can be harder to cultivate successfully in the mountains. Distilling, however, can be done anywhere, the ingredients found at hand too, especially the temperate fruits: apples, plums, pears, cherries, or some of the herbs, such as tarragon. It is possible that new varieties of chacha may yet emerge from more

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unusual ingredients, such as Svaneti’s mild mountain marjoram. These would be small-scale productions, rare and expensive, but worth trying either to make or to sample where one finds them being made already. As always with alcohol, however, one must proceed at one’s own risk, and be responsible! Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook. com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

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Georgian Tea & the New Tea Route

The first tea bushes appeared in Western Georgia in 1847, and since then tea production has played a significant, yet widely unknown, role in Georgia’s history. The humid and subtropical climate of Western Georgia in the regions of Guria, Samegrelo, Ajara, Imereti and Abkhazia are ideal for harvesting tea, and this was a fact eventually recognized by businessmen outside Georgia. With a commission to produce tea in the country, Lao Jin Jao, an experienced tea farmer, arrived from China in 1893. By 1900, the tea he was producing was world-class in quality, winning the gold medal at the Paris World Expo, a competition in which all countries producing tea (apart from China) participated. Since that peak, the history of tea

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in Georgia has been tumultuous, moving from the emphasis on quality to over-production and exploitation, and finally to practical abandonment. But all is not lost and the tea industry is on the cusp of revival… THE GEORGIAN TEA INDUSTRY IN SOVIET TIMES AND TODAY In the early 1920s, Georgia’s new status as a Soviet Socialist Republic led to the government taking an active role in the development and exploitation of the tea industry. The volume of tea produced was ratcheted up, and by mid-1900s Georgia was a leading producer of tea within the USSR, providing approximately 95% of

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the produce distributed across the Soviet Union. High production yields came at a high cost: the compromise of quality. Traditional hand plucking methodology that emerged in the 1890s was replaced by mass mechanical harvesting. The harvested quantity peaked in 1985 at 152,000 tons, a colossal volume of production compared to the 1,800 tons produced today. Between the fall of the Soviet Union and recent years, the tea sector in Georgia practically collapsed for both political and politico-economic reasons. With the fall of the USSR, the government could no longer play a supervisory and organizational role in tea production. Neither was it fit for the

task of helping re-orient the Georgian tea industry to new markets. The war of 1993-1995 in Abkhazia, a key tea-harvesting region in the northwestern corner of Georgia, also led to plummeting production levels, and, many of the abandoned tea factories were robbed, with their capital exported out of the country (mostly as scrap metal).

weather conditions is an additional benefit, safeguarding farmers against bad harvests. Moreover, high quality teas that can be produced in Georgia can be competitive on world markets. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and private stakeholders, Georgian tea could fill the niche market of bio-clean produce that is in demand in advanced economies.

Due to financial constraints and the lack of necessary resources to rehabilitate overgrown plantations, the amount of land fit for harvesting tea also plummeted as farmers replanted with nuts and other crops. According to Tengiz Svanidze from the Tea Producers’ Association of Georgia, approximately 20,000 hectares of land were still suitable for tea harvesting in 2013; in May 2015 this quantity was halved to about 10,000 available hectares. Compare this to the 67 thousand hectares under tea plantations in the 1980s, and one sees the extent to which this sector has shrunk. Disorganization has led to practical abandonment, and the main challenge nowadays is to keep intact whatever knowledge and capital still remain.

Georgia is one of the northern-most tea harvesting regions in the world. Perhaps surprisingly for some, cool weather conditions at night and during winter months serve as protection against diseases – greatly reducing the need for pesticides. At least for the time being, Georgian tea is ecologically clean also because Georgian farmers rarely use (expensive and difficult to access) herbicides.

The glorious past of the Georgian tea industry suggests that reviving the tea sector could bring huge economic and social benefits to Western Georgia’s rural communities. It could be key to alleviating rural poverty by providing families with steady jobs and income generation opportunities. The art and science of tea production would continue to be passed down from generation to generation, keeping intact Georgia’s social and cultural uniqueness. The relatively low risk of tea due to its ability to withstand relatively severe

MOVING FORWARD With the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), municipal governments in Ajara and Guria, the National Tourism Agency, the governments of Switzerland and Austria, and other partners, a Tea Route has been established in western Georgia. The route, modeled after similar routes in other countries and the successful wine routes that crisscross eastern Georgia, is meant to help visitors learn about Georgia’s tradition of tea production and better access some of the best quality tea currently being grown. There is also potential for the route to increase tourism in some of western Georgia’s more rural areas, providing income opportunities for local populations.

western Georgia creates new touristic and developmental opportunities for mountainous Guria, one of the poorest regions in Georgia. UNDP and the governments of Switzerland and Austria assist local municipalities team up with business and communities to unlock this rich potential.” In recent years, the Government of Georgia has taken steps to revive the nearly dead tea industry. In 2016, the Georgian Ministry of Agriculture initiated the ‘Georgian Tea’ program to restore abandoned tea plantations. As part of the program, participants receive financial support to bring plantations up to international standards for export. “Georgia has a rich history of tea production,” Louisa Vinton, UNDP Head in Georgia, said at the festival. “Reviving this tradition in Guria is bringing benefits both to tea producers and to businesses catering to tourists keen to experience authentic local culture. Given Georgia’s diversity of local identities, this is a dual approach that the UNDP is confident can be replicated across the country.” Given the extent to which the art of harvesting tea is cherished and respected in Western Georgia, it is great to see the Georgian government clearly realizing its need to play a role in deciding the future of the sector. It is also nice in this hot weather to see Gurian tea being offered as an ice-tea alternative to imported versions. Where.ge says #GoLocal and enjoy a Tea Route as well as the wine! Adapted from writing by Tamari Giorgadze (ISET), Irakli Kochlamazashvili (ISET) and Samantha Guthrie (GT)

“The newly established Tea Route in

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Batumi Out k2 12 Dumbadze St. (+995) 593 33 14 99

then head along to Botanico. Botanico is Batumi’s social space, where you can enjoy drinks, good electronic music and an informal atmosphere full of greenery.

CoNTe 3 M. Abashidze St. (+995) 555 27 12 12

Soho Beach Lounge Batumi is a large seafront complex featuring an outdoor beach club, an award-winning restaurant, and a sexy nightclub favorite. Called the “Sexiest Place in Batumi” by the Georgian jetsetters, Soho Beach Lounge has established itself as the landmark nightclub and venue for ultimate private parties, large celebrations. It always lives up to its reputation as an East Coast of Georgia party playground for jet setters, celebrities, VIPs, guests and visitors alike.

ZoNa 5 M. Abashidze Ave. (+995) 555 33 32 33

K2 Café and Souvenirs is a bar and cafe in the heart of Batumi, on the corner of Europe Square. Located in a courtyard of an old neighborhood, K2 is an artistic space with a distinct local character and mood.

boTaNiCo Near Miracles Park (+995) 599 30 60 11

The best place to mingle with the city’s hip locals and watch a movie. With the green neon letters of the Georgian alphabet that line the notorious Alphabet Tower flickering through the windows, you can even learn the language while you sip on your drink.

soho Batumi Boulevard (+995) 595 53 57 57

Zona is a cafe-bar in the center of Batumi. A cozy place with tasty food, good prices and live music evenings.

The gaTe 6 Miracle Park (+995) 422 222 112 Opened in 2016, the GATE has already hosted a number of leading artists from around the world including Audiofly,

If you’re looking for something different and you enjoy healthy food and music,

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and a DJ every evening. Enjoy an exclusive landscape of combined grass lawn and beach, open from June till mid September.

seCTor 26 Batumi boulevard (+995) 591 31 99 99

garage NighT Club 7 Sh. Khimshiashvili St. (+995) 558 93 92 92 Jennifer Cardini, Sascha Funke, as well as the best Georgian DJs.

iveria beaCh Batumi Boulevard (+995) 422 29 99 91 Life is better on Iveria Beach! The best place for drinks, delicious food and fun on seaside. Daily entertainment with music

CaCTus

8 N. Dumbadze Str. +995 571 87 40 40 Cactus is the new, modern style cafĂŠ-bar, where you can taste special cocktails and try special appetizers. At Cactus, working days are for rest and relaxation, while the weekend is devoted to entertainment, cocktails, music and unforgettable moments.

Best music, star DJs, an intimate atmosphere, exquisite food and fun!

The Georgian Wine Route Drive out into the regions and you’ll be sure to see the brown road signs marking the way to the nearest Wine Route features- from small family holdings to large chateaux; don’t miss out on your chance to delve deeper into Georgia’s 8,000 year tradition of winemaking.

ChaTeau ZegaaNi 1 Al. Chavchavadze Str, Zegaani (+995) 32210 30 44, (+995) 595 225 552 E-mail: info@chateau-zegaani.com Online Shop: www.chateau-zegaani.com

pool, horses, dogs, music, a billiards room, wine cellar, and tone oven.

TeliaNi valleY WiNiveria ChâTeau Mere Vardisubani village, Telavi (+995) 595 99 03 99, 595 99 03 90, 595 99 03 94 A wine cellar, restaurant and hotel, Château Mere is very popular in Georgia and wine cellar Winiveria is the part of the unified concept. This is one of the best small wine cellars in Georgia, producing high-quality wines: Rkatsiteli, Kindzmarauli, Kisi, Khikhvi and Mtsvane Kakhuri. Tourists can pick and press grapes, taste wine, make Churchkhela, barbeque meat, make Khinkali, and bake bread in a ‘tone’ oven. Sightseeing visits around Kakheti are also available. The hotel also offers a

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3 Tbilisi Highway, Telavi (+995) 577 50 02 57 One of Georgia’s largest wine producers, Teliani Valley’s wine factory is located along the right-hand side of the main road to Telavi. The factory is equipped with everything needed to welcome guests -

from modern machinery to a traditional wine cellar, tasting hall and a small hotel. The company produces PDO wines: Tsinandali, Manavi, Mukuzani, Khvanchkara, Kindzmarauli, Tvishi, etc. as well as red, pink and white table wines, traditional Qvevri wines, chacha (Georgian grappa) and brandy. Various types of tours are available throughout the year. You can visit the factory and taste five types of wine at any time of the year, and in autumn, guests have the opportunity to participate in the harvest.

sChuChMaNN WiNes georgia Kisiskhevi village, Telavi (+995) 593 48 73 74

Schuchmann Wines Georgia is located in the village of Kisiskhevi, on a hill 1.5 km from the main road. The company owns a hotel and a wine cellar built to resemble a medieval castle and featuring a large

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veranda and tasting and conference rooms. A traditional wine cellar, equipped with Qvevri, stands next to a modern wine factory. This company is one of the country’s most experienced and successful in terms of wine tourism. It was founded by a German wine enthusiast infatuated with Georgia, Mr. Schuchmann, who brought together one convenient infrastructure: the wine cellar, restaurant and hotel. Schuchmann Wines produces high-class white and red wines according to Kathetian and European methods.

kiNDZMarauli WiNe Cellar Kvareli (+995) 32 249 74 77

Kindzmarauli Wine Cellar is located in the heart of extensive vineyards in the micro-zone of famous Kindzmarauli. The factory was built in 2003 and is one of the leading companies, equipped with the state-of-the-art technologies where visitors can see the production process, harvest area planted with more than 420 ancient Georgian grape varieties, taste both new and aged wines, and visit a Chacha distillery plant. Kindzmarauli Wine Cellar’s assortment includes 23 brands of premium quality wine, of which three - red dry ‘Kakheti Kingdom,’ dry white Kakheti Kingdom and red naturally semi-sweet ‘Kindzmarauli Original’ are the exclusive brands of the company.

TWiNs WiNe house Napareuli village, Telavi (+995) 32 242 40 42, (+995) 551 74 74 74

Twin brothers Gamtkitsulashvili founded “Twins Wine House” in 1997 on the basis of their family-run wine cellar, hotel and restaurant. The company produces several varieties of wine – Rkatsiteli, Kakhuri Mtsvane and Saperavi according to the traditional Kakhetian method – in Qvevri. They offer a variety of services to their visitors including wine tours and museum excursions. Guests can visit the old wine cellar and new production, the Qvevri and wine museum, take part in grape picking during harvest, attend the grape pressing process in the 18th century winepress, see the process of vodka distillation from Chacha, bake bread in a ’tone’ oven, make Churchkhela and taste wines directly from Qvevri: red wine – “Sun of Qvevri” Saperavi and amber wine – “Sun of Qvevri” European.

ChâTeau MukhraNi Mukhrani village, Mtskheta (+995) 595 99 13 14/16 Château Mukhrani is located 25 minutes’ drive from Tbilisi and occupies the estate of Prince Mukhran-Batoni’s Palace. Basic sightseeing of the palace and its cellars, with a main tunnel connecting the palace to the winery. The cellars of Mukhrani

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Palace have been completely renovated. The Tourism Department of Château Mukhrani offers diverse wine tours to guests – from walking in the vineyards to visiting the historical palace of MukhranBatoni and modern winery. Château Mukhrani produces classic white, rosé, red and fortified wines as well as Chacha from following varieties: Goruli Mtsvane, Chinuri, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rkatsiteli, Muscat, Tavkveri, Shavkapito, Saperavi and Cabernet.

WiNe Cellar lagviNari Bakurtsikhe village, Gurjaani (+995) 577 54 60 06 This wine cellar is located in the village of Bakurtsikhe and has been producing wine since 2011 by local traditional method in Qvevri from different grape varieties, including grapes from Kartli and western Georgia - Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Krakhuna, Aladasturi, Otskhanuri Sapere, Goruli Mtsvane, Chinuri, Rkatsiteli and Saperavi. Saperavi and Rkatsiteli vineyards are grown approximately two kilometers from the wine cellar over 4 ha of land. A beautiful view of the Alazani Valley and the Greater Caucasus Mountain range can be enjoyed from the wine cellar. Traditional Georgian dishes are available on advance request.

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WiNe Cellar kakhuri 1 Tbilisi Highway, Telavi (+995) 599 10 70 35 Kakhuri is located on the main road of Telavi on a territory housing a demonstration vineyard, a wine-tasting room and an ethnographic corner. Visitors will be able to participate in the grape harvest, bake bread, and make wine and Churchkhela. The company produces several varieties of PDO and table wines: Tsinandali, Mukuzani, Kindzmarauli, Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhetian, etc., as well as Chacha.

khareba Kvareli (+995) 32 293 50 73, (+995) 599 80 85 39

The tunnel consists of two main parallel tunnels and 13 smaller perpendicular ones. The total length of the entire tunnel is 7.7 km. The entrances to the long parallel tunnels have their own functions: the first is for tourists and is used for wine tours, while the second belongs to the industrial part, where the company stores and ages its finest wines in French oak barrels and steel tanks. In 2011, special tour facilities were created around the wine tunnel: a big recreational park, which includes the river and old Qvevries, as well as a Georgian water mill, traditional Georgian bakery Tone, a Chacha (grappa) distilling facility, a traditional Georgian marani (wine cellar) with the Satsnakheli (Georgian traditional wooden grape press) and other cultural sites. The tourism complex also includes wine tasting for more than 30 varieties of the best wines produced by Winery Khareba, as well as many other activities tourists can take part in: distilling Chacha, baking Georgian bread, making Chuchkhela, grilling meat (Georgian barbeque), and harvesting and pressing grapes in the Satsnakheli.

alaverDi MoNasTerY Gvirabi (which means tunnel in English) is carved in the rock of the Caucasus Mountain Range. The tunnel was opened in 1962 for the World Wine Congress. In the beginning, it belonged to the government and wine from the entire Kakheti region was stored here. Nowadays, it is the Winery Khareba cellar, used to age wine. The constant temperature - 12-14 degrees, with around 70% humidity all year round, creates the ideal, natural conditions for wine to age in French oak barrels, as well as to store bottled wines for extended periods.

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Alaverdi village, Akhmeta (+995) 596 10 04 34

The wine cellar of Alaverdi Monastery is one of Kakheti’s most distinctive cellars.

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Located within the monastery territory, on the site of the historical wine cellar (8th-10th centuries), it was recently rebuilt. The cellar includes a classical wine hall, a large 6th century Qvevri warehouse, an ethnographic corner, a tasting room, and a souvenir shop. Traditional white and red Qvevri wines produced in the Alaverdi Monastery wine cellar include Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Kisi, Khikhvi, Saperavi and Chacha.

viNoTel 4 E. Akhvlediani Ascent, Tbilisi (+995) 32 255 58 88 www.vinotel.ge

Wine-curious visitors can order a special wine tasting from Vinotel’s wine expert, who will give you a tour of their in-house redbrick wine cellar and a solid introduction to the Georgian wine culture. The historical arched, brick wine cellar offers an exceptional selection of the best Georgian wines, including natural wines from small exclusive artisan wineries and industry leaders. Wines are kept at optimum conditions thanks to the natural properties of the cellar, combined with the recently added cutting-edge German technology. “Dear Beno, on behalf of the group of Masters of Wine who visited Georgia, and for myself, I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude for the kindness…” Lisa Granik, Master of Wine

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Exclusive Tips for Shopping Lovers

. . . e c i o h C y M

Ani Tsitskishvili Head of PR & Marketing at Luca Polare

WiNerY khareba For wine lovers and myself, it is important to choose the right wine. The Khareba Wine Bar is the best place to taste good wine. Guests have the opportunity to taste wine on site, or buy both bottled and unbottled wine. Kharebaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kindzmarauli is my favorite among the Kandzmarauli wines.

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gePherriNi Georgian brand of accessories. A distinctive design, different taste, good quality, wide choice – it is one of my favorite Georgian brands.

BOO • Handmade JewelRy If you have a minimalist taste, you’ll love BOO • Handmade Jewelry’s exquisite and minimalist prints: earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets.

MaCh & MaCh MACH & MACH stands out for its very special and modern models. The brand has both a clothing and footwear line. However, the brand’s shoe line is undoubtedly distinctive on the Georgian market both in design and quality.

luCa Polare Good coffee in the morning is 50% of starting a day well for me. In my opinion, Luca Polare has the best coffee in town. So if you’re a coffee lover and know the taste of a good one, you should start a day with Luca Polare.

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Shopping News elseleMa Elselema, a clothing and uniform-producing company with two factories in Tbilisi and Lanchkhuti, is expanding. Elselema started producing/exporting products for international brands such as Koton, Moncler, Damat and Chameleon years ago and now it is in demand from Prada. Elguja Mamasakhlisi, founder, notes that the focus on the quality of products is their main success. The portfolio of the company includes military uniforms, uniforms for police and guards, waterproof clothes, feather jackets, everyday clothing and knitted products for men, women and children. The company is to add two new lines and recently launched special belts for the Swiss police.

georgiaN eleCTriC biCYCle The first totally unique Georgian electric bicycle came about thanks to self-taught constructor Beka Januashvili. Beka launched the first mini chopper in 2015. He has produced nearly 10 exclusive models since and has been working on the electric bicycle for five months. The first sample has already been presented at an exhibition and won gold at an event in Belarus, for best idea and design. Claiming that the eco-friendly transport will be in great demand, Januashvili plans to develop the line further.

eliXir The innovative drink ‘Elixir’ was launched through cooperation with an Austrian scientist. Giorgi Zviadadze, co-founder of the company, offers a multi-use product good for personal hygiene, and the health of animals, birds, and plants. The ecologically clean, high-tech beverage has already been exported to eight countries, including India and Finland. Production takes place in Georgia, in a factory boasting nearly 100 employees, and holds safety and quality certification. Zvidadze announced plans to produce an energy drink “that makes a positive impact on the human health.”

aigrouP AIGROUP is to start producing electric cars in Georgia designed by Zviad Tsikolia, who was named among 50 courageous entrepreneurs in 2018. The industrial complex is to be launched on 100 hectares in Kutaisi and promises 300 workplaces for locals at the first stage and will have a final capacity of 40,000 cars. The project is implemented in partnership with the large Chinese corporation ‘Changan.’

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Address: 54 Memed Abashidze Str. Tel: 593 20 24 44

Georgian Fashion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Brands & Designers Taking the World by Storm By amy jones

Georgia is fast becoming known around the world not just for its stunning landscapes, delicious food and ancient culture, but for its cutting-edge designs in a more modern industry â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fashion. Sales of Georgian designers are rocketing fast as Tbilisi becomes widely considered a fashion force to be reckoned with. Designers have fashioned trends from tiny sunglasses to distressed denim outfits that have spread around the world and been worn by the likes of Gigi Hadid and Rihanna. So, who are the names leading the fashion revolution in Georgia?

DeMNa gvasalia Known as the modern-day enfant terrible of luxury, Demna Gvasalia catapulted Georgia into the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion headlight when he became the creative director of Balenciaga in 2015 and head designer of Vetements. His collections regularly cause a buzz in the industry and have made him the global face of the Georgian fashion industry, pathing the way for many other Georgian designers.

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DaviD koMa After graduating from Central Saint Martins in London with an MA in fashion in 2009, Tbilisi-born David Komakhidze became the artistic director of Maison Mugler from 2013 to 2017. His feminine designs are renowned for their ultra-body contouring silhouettes with a mixture of minimalism and metal detailing. He frequently showcases his designs at London Fashion Week.

Fashion Week and presented at the Paris Fashion Week the following year. George is especially well known for his tiny sunglasses that have been worn by celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian and Rihanna.

MaCh & MaCh Renowned for its experimental, unique designs full of sparkle, sequins and eccentricity, the brand Mach & Mach has gone from strength the strength in the Georgian fashion scene. Founded by the sister duo Gvantsa and Nina Macharashvili, the brand is becoming known not just in Georgia but across the fashion world.

aNouki Founded by the wife of the Mayor of Tbilisi and former fashion model Anouki Areshidze, Anouki has become the forefront of wearable and elegant fashion. Raised in Tbilisi, Areshidze graduated from Istituto Marangoni and Accademia del Lusso before founding Anouki in 2013. Today, the brand is regularly worn by Georgian It-girls and celebrities. The off-the-shoulder dress shirts and brightly hued separates have become a hit for their casual elegance.

george keburia Born and raised in Tbilisi, George Keburia is still based in his home city. George has received many awards since entering the world of fashion. His debut collection at Tbilisi Fashion Week was awarded the Best Newcomer Award whilst in 2012, his Bird Nest capsule collection won the Communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Muuse x Vogue Talents Vision Award. In 2017, he showcased his SS18 collection at Milan

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The Old Tbilisi Traders by katie ruth Davies

For centuries, Georgia served as an offshoot of the renowned Silk Road, seeing merchants passing through with goods to trade and many settling to make a life of it. Much of the Caucasus depended on Tbilisi’s economical potential as the capital of Georgia brought together not only Georgian, but also north and south Caucasian products and craftsmanship. Famous Georgian scientist, historian and researcher Ekvtime Takaishvili wrote that the Tbilisi bazaar “is a living organism, actively functioning from early morning till midnight and sometimes even throughout the night.” Aside from sellers and buyers, Tbilisi bazaars were used by members of society as a gathering place, a place they could hear and discuss the latest news and where orders and political or governmental decisions were spread by people called ‘Jarchi’. There were three main bazaars in Tbilisi at the beginning of the 19th century: Erekle II Square, between the Sioni and Anchiskhati churches, in Tatar Square near Narikala fortress and the famous Rusi’s Bazaar (Russian bazaar) near Baratashvili Bridge.

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The closest you can get to that old-world trading feel today is Old Tbilisi, where street names still reflect the purpose they once served and where some market buildings still stand as evidence of Tbilisi’s bustling past. Let’s explore.

TraDiNg roWs The touristy bar-filled Maidan area sees the intersection of the narrow Iron, Silver and Cotton Rows, hinting at the trade once carried out there. Where the bars stand there were shops and workshops on both sides of the street. On Cotton Row, one could find traders in cotton and wool. Silver Row once housed goldsmiths, and present-day Shardeni Street was called ‘Dark Row’ due to its trading area being covered with roofs, something you can get a sense of heading into the ironmongers’ section at today’s Eliava Market just out of town! In 1981, the street was reconstructed and renamed “Shardeni Street” in honor of Jean Chardin who gifted Tbilisians a map of the city.

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The squares The main means of heating in Tbilisi of olden days was wood charcoal, which was created by burning specially chosen firewood brought down from the surrounding hillside. Originally, coal was sold in the firewood market in Tbilisi (near present-day Liberty – Freedom – Square) but by the mid-19th century, the location had moved to Tatar Square, which today is known as Gorgasali Square. As a point of interest, as this square stood in front of the fortress, it was originally named Tsikhismoedani (Fortress Square), but when Persians conquered and held that fortress, the people renamed it Tatar Square. They often gave the conquerors of a different faith the common name “tatars”. In Tatar Square, one could buy practically everything: food, drinks, gold and silver. On the other side of the bridge, in Market Square (now Rike), hay was sold for camels, horses and cattle coming to Tbilisi. One of the main shopping districts of Old Tbilisi, Rastabazar (located on today’s

Erekle II and Sioni streets) served grain and flour traders in an area specified as “alabhana.”

The TulukhChi Traders of water, Tulukhchi, walked the streets selling drinking water stored in special waterskins made of bull leather and carried by horse or donkey, which they sold to thirsty customers in pitchers. Tulukhchi were especially popular considering that prior to the late 19th century, only the Narikala and Isani palaces had their own water supply, while the rest of Tbilisi received water from the murky river or springs around the city. Later, a water pipeline was installed, and several outdoor fountains were arranged from which the population could get drinking water.

the oldest was founded south of the Sioni Cathedral, built by King Rostom in 1638 and later renamed Royal Square and Erekle II. Karvasla, today a museum and gallery space, served as a trade center and inn. Today’s Liberty (Freedom) Square housed a caravanserai belonging to the famous merchant and patron Gabriel Tamamshev. The caravanserai was designed by Giovanni Scudieri and painted by Gagarin. Inside was the region’s first opera theater- the one so famously praised by Alexander Dumas. The theater burned down in 1874 and

was never restored. In 1934, the caravanserai was lost due to a Soviet re-design of the square. It also housed a theater.

The MolokaN fish MarkeT Molokan’s Bazaar was founded in the 1830s when the Molokan sect was exiled to Georgia. They made settlements on the territory of the Kukia district and in 1860 founded their own bazaar selling riverfish, salt, vegetables and milk.

sirajs aND sirajkhaNas There have long been trade places for wine and vodka in Tbilisi, which were called Sirajkhana, and based on historical sources, Tbilisi in the 18th century was the biggest place for consuming wine. Siraji is a name of Persian origin and means “winemaker,” while sirajkhana means “wine house.” Wine was stored in skins or wooden barrels. The first wine market was located on Tatar Square but in the late 19th century, the Sirajkhana was moved across the Metekhi Bridge to the site of today’s Wine Rise.

Tbilisi CaravaNserais There were more than two dozen caravanserai in Tbilisi in the 19th century. One of

Photos: Behruz Huseynzade collection

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Beach Books, Cookery Books, History & Guides Whether you’re lazing on the beach or tucked up in your hotel room on a rainy Ajaran day, sipping wine on a terrace or glamping in the mountains, relaxing isn’t relaxing without a good book. The options below cover a plethora of ways to discover Georgia- from fantasy to food, and history in between. Happy reading!

Dark WiNgs: aNgel by katie ruth Davies Written by a British author who has lived in Georgia for 12 years, Dark Wings offers a suspenseful and fun plot set throughout the country. It tells the story of Ela, whose guardian angel is fighting to protect her from the demons who have come to cause trouble in town. Of course, it doesn’t help when she falls in love with one of them.

A great way to discover Georgian culture, religion and traditions through fiction- this is a must-read for all ages!

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by helena bedwell

be MY guesT (The georgiaN reCiPe for CookiNg suCCess)

This book is the wonderful result of Helena Bedwell’s love for food and love for her country. Georgian cuisine offers a delight that most of the culinary world has yet to discover – only a few dishes get any publicity. Helena, her friends, family and partners aim to change that in this bookby sharing simple and stylish recipes for all.

Be My Guest is a book of remarkable stories and delicious recipes created by Georgians living abroad who achieved fame and success in their other careers. It reveals how genuine imaginative talent finds expression in all levels of life - and for Georgians, at the table in particular. Whether a hero of the Napoleonic wars;

georgiaN flavours froM heleNa

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by anna saldadze and David gigauri

the founder of the New York City Ballet; a Hollywood muse or New York night-club owner.

hisTorY of georgia by kakha shengelia

This one covers 100 natural and historical memorials of Georgia. From natural attractions to protected territories, caves, rivers and canyons, summits and mountain passes, lakes and mineral waters: resorts and cities are set forth. Of historical sightseeing locations, churches and monasteries, fortresses and towers and houses of worship of different eras, architectural styles and importance are covered.

One book is apparently not enough for the long history of Georgia. But this is concise and tells the history of Georgia from the ancient era (Stone Age, i.e. 35,000 years ago) through to modern times (including the Rose Revolution of 2003 and Russian Aggression of 2008). The book deals with different factors of Georgian history: the geographical location of the country, natural environment, population, historical and geographical review, ethnogenesis of the Georgian people, and more.

uNTaMeD (8000 viNTages of georgiaN WiNe) by anna saldadze

100 sighTs of georgia by Nodar elizbarashvili and bondo kupatadze

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Whenever a vine grows, its fronds intertwine with countless human stories. Man’s labor brings forth drink from the vine and poets sing its praises. Kings and fools together marvel at wisdom it bestows. Untamed is an invitation to understand this unique relationship between Georgians and their wine; to explore different grapes and terroirs, and to discover the joy-filled philosophy of a small nation that has so much to offer the world.

eDge of eMPires: a hisTorY of georgia by donald Rayfield Beginning with the first intimations of the existence of Georgians in ancient Anatolia and ending with the volatile presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili, Rayfield deals with the country’s internal politics and swings between disintegration and unity, and divulges Georgia’s complex struggles with the empires that have tried to control, fragment, or even destroy it. He describes the country’s conflicts with Xenophon’s Greeks, Arabs, invading Turks, the Crusades, Genghis Khan, the Persian Empire, the Russian Empire, and Soviet totalitarianism. A wide-ranging examination of this small but colorful country, its dramatic state-building, and its tragic political mistakes, Edge of Empires draws our eyes to this often-overlooked nation.

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Georgian Designers aNouki 6 M. Abashidze St., Batumi (+995) 422 22 32 12

fashioN house of aka NaNiTashvili 19 Mazniashvili St. (+995) 577 73 99 77

DoTs 40 Rustaveli St., Hilton Hotel (+995) 32 299 95 30

Georgian designer Aka Nanitashvili has been running the Aka Nanitashvili Fashion House since 2009. In addition to clothes, she also has a line of shoes.

ANOUKI is Georgian, Tbilisi-based brand, established in July 2013 by head designer Anouki Areshidze. ANOUKI presents ready-to-wear clothes, shoes and accessories. The brand’s main idea is to be “personal” to each customer, not to be cliché, and to understand what women want.

goga NikabaDZe 19 L. Asatiani St. (+995) 422 279111/599 40 62 63

MeTroCiTY foruM– shoPPiNg Mall 1 Lekh and Maria Kachinsky St. (+995) 577 14 17 14

All his collections are born in his workshop in Batumi, where seasonal collections and several capsule ones are always present. He creates clothes, shoes and accessories for confident people who enjoy life; for those who embrace their individuality and see clothes as a way to express themselves.

avTaNDil The project Metro City kicked off in 2015 on the Black Sea coast in Batumi. It is a multifunctional complex offering residential areas, a hotel, casino, conference halls, dining area, cinema, bowling center, apartments, and shopping center Metro City Mall, where you can find Georgian designers clothes, shoes and accessories.

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88 Gorgiladze St. Batumi Mall (+995) 577 07 11 11 Avtandil Tskvitinidze is a Georgian fashion designer based in Tbilisi. Avtandil graduated from Tbilisi State Academy of Arts in 1995. His clothes are sold in the US, Germany, France, UAE, Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan.

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DOTS is a new addition of the Fashion House Materia’s brand portfolio. With the slogan #WearGeorgian Dots trys to prove that good quality can be purchased at a very affordable price and break the stereotypes. Everything presented in the store is exclusive, made only for Dots. At Dots you can find amazing and rare collections and accessories from young and talented Georgian designers. Since it’s opening in 2016, Dots expanded its physical location into Hilton Hotel Batumi. Outside of Georgia, Dots constantly interacts with foreign markets, with consumers ranging from various parts of the world. Designers’ seasonal collections can be found at Dots Concept Store and online-shopping platform.

flabour 21 M. Abashidze St. (+995) 593 13 74 48

MaDe iN georgia 48 M. Abashidze St. (+995) 577 60 77 33

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Listing: Where to Buy Wine braND WiNe 48/50 Mtskheta Str. (+995) 577 75 55 55

while launching the shop, and used traditional Georgian vessels and casks as the main decoration.

WiNe bar o’Dila Upper Omalo, Tusheti (+995) 557 00 59 00

Brand Wine also hosts various wine-tastings, where guests as well as locals have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with each type of drink and find out which is more suitable for each Georgian holidays and various dishes of the country’s delicious cuisine.

Wine is one of the biggest parts of Georgian culture. Well aware of this fact, Georgian businessmen and entrepreneurs operating in the country’s tourism industry, have been using the concept of wine to launch various wine shops, wine bars, and wine hotels. The rivalry is incredibly high in this respect and it may be difficult to choose the right place in which to start your wine journey. The Brand Wine shop should certainly be top of your list: a must-visit destination for true wine enthusiasts, opening up a path forward in the world of the genuine Georgian beverage. Brand Wine is distinguished for its multiplicity of wines, as well as other alcoholic drinks, including chacha and sparkling wine, mesmerizing customers of all tastes. With a stunning interior, authentic Georgian décor and wine-related ornaments, Brand Wine creates a small world of wine and offers a fascinating experience to customers. The founders of the shop had details very much in mind

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viNoTel 4 E. Akhvlediani Ascent, Tbilisi (+995) 32 2 55 58 88 www.vinotel.ge Wine bar O’dila Tusheti offers guests various Georgian wines, among them Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Saperavi and Kindzmarauli. The traditional technology of making wine is the essence and the zest of it. The Summer Library adds a certain coziness and feeling of calm to the place. Vinotel wine cellar shop is definitely worth a visit. You’ll find the widest selection of varietals from different regions. They carefully select only the best of the artisan and mainstream wines from around Georgia. The Cellar is oriented on natural family professional winemakers. It also offers its own wine production from vineyards at affordable prices, other professional small wine and cellar products, and exclusive offerings with tax free service. All the wine is kept at 13-15 degrees

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ChelTi WiNerY 62/18 Vazha Pshavela Str. Wine plant ‘Chelti’: Shilda, Kakheti region (+995) 577 44 44 55

Wine Company Chelti was founded in 2001. Located in the Kakheti region, in Shilda village near Kvareli, the winery offers a 7m-deep wine cellar with a temperature that does not exceed 12-16 degrees throughout the year- ideal for wine storage. Chelti wine is produced from grapes harvested from sandy-gravel soil, and Gunashauri grapes grown in clay-loam soil. The wine company also produces Dry White Wine, Saperavi Rose and Kindzmarauli Red Semi Sweet made from the Rkatsiteli variety. The company Chelti also produces premium quality Qvevri Wine. Wine is produced according to classical and traditional methods as well as with advanced technologies which make it possible to control the wine quality at any stage of its making.

MeNabDe WiNerY Shemokmedi, Ozurgeti, Guria (+995) 593 33 23 17

The hotel offers five rooms to guests, while the new wine cellar provides tours in Gomi Mountain and to the coast, on request. The sea shore is approximately 30 minutes away and Gomi Mountain is about a 60-minute drive.

ChaTeau aZNauri Near Eniseli village and Gremi, Kakheti (+995) 598 11 12 88

alaverDi MoNasTerY Village Alaverdi, Akhmeta (+995) 596 10 04 34 The wine cellar of Alaverdi Monastery is one of Kakheti’s most distinctive cellars. Located within the monastery territory, on the site of the historical wine cellar (8th-10th centuries), it was recently rebuilt. The cellar includes a classical wine hall, a large 6th century Qvevri warehouse, an ethnographic corner, a tasting room, and a souvenir shop. Traditional white and red Qvevri wines produced in the Alaverdi Monastery wine cellar include Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Kisi, Khikhvi, Saperavi and Chacha.

Chateau Aznauri is a first-class complex located in the vineyards of Kakheti. It manufactures wines using the traditional Kakhetian method, in clay amphora (Qvevri) buried deep in the earth, where the wine ferments over several months at soil temperature. Chateau Aznauri boasts 14 Qvevri of a total 25 tons.

javakhishvili Cellar Akhalsopeli, Kvareli, Kakheti (+995) 577 06 89 40

WiNe Cellar kakhuri 1 Tbilisi Highway, Telavi (+995) 599 10 70 35

The cellar is located on 2.5 hectares of land, where you’ll also find a Gurian house “Oda” (traditional house in Guria), cellar “Nalia” (traditional building for corn harvesting), Gurian barn, verandas, special places for rest (cabana, bonfire, playing places for children), fruit and nut orchards, and high and low hanging grape vines.

Kakhuri is located on the main road of Telavi on a territory housing a demonstration vineyard, a wine-tasting room and an ethnographic corner. Visitors can participate in the grape harvest, bake bread, and make wine and churchkhela. The company produces several varieties of PDO and table wines: Tsinandali, Mukuzani, Kindzmarauli, Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhetian, etc., as well as Chacha.

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The Javakhishvili wine cellar is the best place for family wine degustation and to get a taste of traditional Georgian dishes. Here, you can enjoy a large wine cellar, two gazebos and a large wine shop. The cellar is big enough to host events.

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SERVICE HALL 9 APRIL PARK

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Tbilisi Map. Designed at the request of the Georgian National Tourism Administration for non-commercial purposes.

9 MARCH PARK

DEDAENA PARK

PUBLIC SERVICE HALL 9 APRIL PARK

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BOTANIC GARDEN

Dubai

Why is the United Arab Emirates So Loved by Tourists? By essa alNoaimi - The ambassador of the united arab emirates in Tbilisi

tion that oil sector contribution to the national product decreased to 32%. 2. Developing infrastructural projects for road connection, transport sector, railway and aviation and establishing international airports offering the most advanced services and the operation of four high-level national aviation companies: Emirates, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai and Air Arabia, which cover most cities in the world.

Photo source: www.ku.ac.ae

With perfectly developed tourism infrastructure and investment priorities, which were established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan and succeeded by the President of the State Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the most attractive travel destination in the middle-east at the international level, with the number of tourists in 2018 reaching 20.5 million and the total value of tourism sector contribution to the UAE national income $70 billion (12%). In 2018, national product reached $732 billion and governmental investments in this field focused on building hotels and tourist resorts and, in addition to developing the aviation and transportation sectors,

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maintaining the 4000-year heritage of archaeological discoveries coming from the fact the UAE was a crossroad connecting the Indus Valley and Mesopotamian civilizations. In this article, we attempt to focus on the main milestones which helped the UAE to become that attractive tourism destination: 1. The governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustainable economic orientation concentrated on innovation, knowledge and interconnected national and world economy increased income diversification, and consequently the national product, at the end of the eighties, in favor of the non-oil sectors such as trade, real estate and logistics. This, as well as the growth in tourism, taking into the considera-

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3. The UAE is a leading country with top luxury hotels, such as the Emirates Palace Hotel in the capital Abu Dhabi, Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai and Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, Dubai. Notably, hotel capacity in Dubai will reach 132,000 rooms by the end of 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 11% in 2017-2019. In general, there are all brands and international hotel chains of different grades, accessible to all tastes. 4. The UAE made it possible to ensure the highest level of security according to international standards for the approximate 200 nationalities living there. Despite the cultural and religious diversity, there is a firm belief in the principle of tolerance. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder that this year was named the Year of Tolerance in the UAE, and Abu Dhabi hosted the Human Fraternity meeting between Pope Francis and the Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, with the

attendance of about 700 international religious figures. A historic document was signed at this event. 5. The UAE has diverse tourism resources: modern cities providing high-level services, geographical variety and cultural heritage. A traveller can visit the seaside, historical sights, mountains, plains, valleys and sand dunes which offer skiing and hiking. Hotels organize wonderful events which tease tourists with the atmosphere of 1001 Nights and the coastal cities of the UAE are rich in mangroves (locally known as Karam), which grow in salt water and are considered important for the preservation of marine life and natural balance. Tourist attractions in the uae

In ABu DhABI, you CAn DISCoVEr:

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque The most prominent landmark in the capital city of Abu Dhabi, constructed with the most luxurious types of marble, gold, precious stones and crystals, this mosque is located on a territory covering 412 square meters and boasting over 6 million visitors in 2018, including four million international visitors.

ferrari WorlD The large amusement city is ranked as the best and second largest indoor theme park in the world, which makes it one of the leading tourist attractions in the UAE. The premier of the Formula One World Championship is held at the Yas Circuit, with an area of 200,000 square meters, located at the entrance to the capital city of Abu Dhabi on Yas Island.

MaqTa ToWer The oldest historic building in Abu Dhabi, it is a watchtower built at the end of the 18th century to protect Abu Dhabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastal trade routes and the growing communities on the island.

qasr al hosN Qasr Al Hosn was a residential house of the royal family, a national forum, a consultative council and a national archive. Today, it is the heart of Abu Dhabi and a vital witness to its history. The palace was transformed into a national museum after more than 11 years of restoration works. As a national center, by bringing together artefact collection and archival materials dating back to 6000 BC, it demonstrates the transformation of

Photo source: www.cnn.com

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Abu Dhabi from a tribal settlement dependant on fishing and pearl-diving in the 18th century, to one of the most amazing modern cosmopolitan cities.

The louvre MuseuM of abu Dhabi Considered an extension of the French Louvre Museum, it was built in recognition of the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s status on the world cultural map. It contains a lot of historical scenes of epochs human history, as well as rare artefacts. The Pritzker Architecture award-winning architect Jean-Nouvel created the design of the Louvre, which covers 9200 square meters of art galleries, including a permanent showroom and the temporary exhibition halls famous for borrowing artefacts from other famous French museums such as the Louvre, the Orsée Museum, and the Pompidou Center. Nouvel regained some cultural elements that distinguish the UAE as he created water channels influenced by Aflaj (irrigation systems) passing through the museum and also built the geometric peak providing natural lighting, transiting it inside the building by passing sunlight through the overlapping palm tree leaves which were used for roofing on traditional houses. Through the integration of different civilizations into one space, the museum highlights similarities and exchanges arising from the UAE as he created a common human experience that transcends the boundaries of geography, nationality and history.

established over 200 years ago in the water.

The islaND of uMM aN-Nar The small island of Umm an-Nar, located off the coast of Abu Dhabi Emirate, features an archaeological site that has yielded significant finds that have helped to illuminate the culture and lifestyle of Bronze Age inhabitants of the UAE. Between 2500 BC and 2000 BC, this small island was home to a relatively large settlement that played an active role in regional commerce, with artefacts showing that people on the island traded with civilizations as far away as ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and the Indus Valley Civilization (modern-day Pakistan and India). Al-Jahili Fort and Qasr Al Muwaiji in Al-Ain City These are considered to be buildings of a distinctive historical architectural character and contain specialized museums of human history. The city of Al Ain and its historical monuments are preserved on the list of UNESCO heritage sites.

Among the tourist sites of Al Ain, there is Ain Al Fayda Tourist Resort and Aflaj, an ancient system of water distribution for agricultural lands under the ground markets, as well as popular flea markets. Tourist islands and nature reserves such as Dalma Island and Sir Bani Yas are also well worth your time and interest.

DISCoVEr DuBAI Dubai is one of the world’s most famous tourist cities and there is plenty for you to explore there. Check out our top choices.

burj khalifa Burj Khalifa is the top tourism attraction in the city, with its engineering construction of steel, concrete and glass recalling the extraordinary achievements of Dubai, which combined determination and skill. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest human-made building and the tallest tower in the world with a height of 828 meters, including a viewing platform, restaurant, hotel, offices and an 11 hectare park designed by American engineer Adrian Smith from construction company Skimori Oyings and Merrill.

qasr MaqTa ToWer Such protective watchtowers as this are common throughout the country and are among the important historical monuments

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Photo source: www.vactualpapers.com

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The tower was built by at least 12,000 engineers and a worker named it the Burj Khalifa, in relation to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. This building is famous for incorporating the highest mosque in the Islamic world and the top four swimming pools in the world. The tower includes a fantastic hotel which consists of 403 pavilions. The tower also has the highest terrace open to visitors located on the 124th floor. It also contains 57 elevators, with the fastest reaching 10 m/s, which means that if you want to go up 500 meters, it will take only 50 seconds. The tower is significant for its Armani pavilion terrace and balcony with a beautiful view over the Lake of Burj Khalifa with dancing fountains. The public areas inside the tower are perfumed with 18 different scents so visitors walking through different parts of tower sense completely different flavors. The square around the tower is a major place for the residents of the city, as well as for tourists to gather on festive occasions, for example, on New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, where lights and fireworks highlight the tower. Together with this tower, there is another luxury hotel building, named the Burj Al Arab.

The oPera house The Opera House was opened in 2016. Its design resembles the shape of a sailing ship with architecture that blends contemporary and authenticity, commemorating the link between the UAE and the Gulf countries. It includes an indoor and outdoor theater, a reception and arts hall, a ballet hall, a hall for folk concerts, an art museum and a huge hotel serving visitors from all over the world. The Expo World 2020 This building will be opened in October 2020, set to be a unique event, and the city, as always, will host it exclusively on a very high scale. The exhibition takes place on a territory of 4.50 square kilometres and is expected to be visited by 25 million tourists over a period of six months.

The PalM islaND iN juMeirah This huge human achievement in the form of palm trees is world-renowned. The

estimated value of palm trees in the UAE is $45 million, a food supply in the past and used for the construction of industrial buildings, fishing tools and other home supplies. On the palm island, is the Atlantis Grand Hotel and a number of villas with all necessary facilities. Skiing on artificial snow Imagine yourself skiing in a city where the temperature in summer exceeds 45 degrees Celsius. The place to go is Emirates Mall on the street of Sheikh Zayed.

heTa regioN Located in the mountainous region on the UAE-Oman border, it boasts tourism and historical facilities that provide visitors information about the local culture. You can also practice various kinds of sports, as Dubai offers tourists the opportunity to practice horse riding, fishing, free air jumping and sea diving.

ShArjAh

The WaTerfroNTs The essential sea waterfronts are Dubai Marina and Deira. Dubai Marina is located near the center of New Dubai, Jabal Ali Port, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City with a lot of touristic infrastructure like hotels and restaurants. Deira waterfront is located in the area of Deira and boasts numerous restaurants, shops and a modern shopping complex with upscale services for daily shopping for fish, meat and vegetables of the highest standard.

Photo source: bayut.com

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Sharjah is one of the most active cities in the Arab region and the Middle East in its diversity of cultural fields. It has historic museums, including the Museum of Natural Life and the Museum of the Station, which was located in the former British base prior to the independence of the UAE in 1971. There are also theaters and cultural complexes in Sharjah, such as Khorfakkan and Kalba on the east coast, as well as international and local hotels of various levels. The feeling of cultural distinction of the city touches visitors even when shopping in the Islamic flea market. Sharjah hosts different festivals, book and fine-arts exhibitions.

Umm Al Quwain is one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Gulf. The citadel was the residence of rulers and has become an important museum for visitors. The old port is considered one of the landmarks of the city due to its role in commercial activities through the region. The largest aqua park in the UAE, Dream Land, is also located there, covering approximately 250 million square metres with the capacity to accommodate 10,000 visitors. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, among the touristic islands in Umm Al Qaiwain is the island of Siniyah which

offers various coastal and marine activities.

rAS AL KhAIMAh Ras Al Khaimah is located in the far north of the UAE and offers leisure activities in a diverse environment. It is located between white sand beaches, sand dunes and high mountains topped by the snow-capped mount of Jeiss, which attracts visitors year-round. There are also a lot of possibilities to practice sports like paraglid-

In the Emirate of Sharjah, there are coastal cities, such as Khor Fakkan, Kalba and Dibba Al-Hasn located on the eastern coast of the UAE on the Indian Ocean, which attract swimming and diving lovers, as do its wealth of mangroves. There are local markets in these cities and an old bullfight competition, held in accordance with international guidelines against animal cruelty. These cities are connected to the rest of the UAE by a modern network of roads, bridges and tunnels placed under the mountains which are characterized by smoothness and safety.

Photo source: wetu.com

uMM AL QuWAIn ing and shooting. It also has international restaurants and shopping malls.

AjMAn Ajman Emirate is located in the middle of the UAE and is considered a center of marketing and cultural festivals. Ajman Museum is one of the oldest museums, with valuable historical artefacts. You should also make sure to see Musfoot and

Photo source: Wikipedia

136

dubai

Photo source: Booking.com

Manama mountain villages belonging to the UAE.

FujAIrAh Fujairah is located on the east coast of the UAE overlooking the Indian Ocean. It is

well known as among the most important ports in the Middle East, used for import and export activities and serving tankers for loading and transportation of oil products. As for tourism, there is a historical heritage

village which takes the visitor back in history. Among its historic sights, are the Bathna Fortress, Fortification of the Mountain, and the Al Badiyah Mosque which dates back hundreds of years and is one of the oldest mosques in the UAE. Also worth seeing are the hot springs!

Photo source: commons.wikimedia.org

dubai

137

Business Listing BANKS

opened its doors to smaller enterprises as well and now it provides corporate and investment banking services to legal

basisbaNk 1 K. Tsamebuli Ave.

entities with annual turnover exceeding

(+995) 32 2921 921, 292 29 22

one million GEL.

www.basisbank.ge

(+995) 32 226 50 00

As of December 2018, the Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total

vTb baNk georgia

www.pashabank.ge

assets exceeded GEL 327 million.

14 G. Tchanturia Str.

Pasha bank Saarbrucken Square, Tbilisi

(+995) 250 55 05

ProCreDiT baNk

www.vtb.com.ge

21 Al. Kazbegi Ave. (+995) 32 220 22 22 www.procreditbank.ge

TbC baNk 7 Marjanishvili Str. (+995) 227 27 27

halYk baNk

www.tbcbank.com.ge

74 Kostava Str. (+995) 32 224 07 07 www.hbg.ge

PASHA Bank is a Baku-based financial institution operating in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, providing corporate

baNk of georgia

and investment banking services to large,

29a Gagarin Str.

medium and small enterprises.

(+995) 32 244 44 44

PASHA Bank is a part of PASHA Holding

www.bankofgeorgia.ge

- a diversified investment group with

71 Vazha-Pshavela Ave.

interests in banking, insurance, property

(+995) 32 224 49 49

development, construction, tourism and

www. nca.ge

other sectors. The Bank has been operating in Georgia

liberTY baNk

since 2013. Through these years PASHA

74 Chavchavadze Ave.

Bank has been serving large and medium-

(+995) 32 255 55 00

sized enterprises. In 2019 the Bank

www.libertybank.ge

138

fiNCa baNk georgia

TerabaNk

3 Queen Ketevan Ave. (+995) 32 255 00 00 www.terabank.ge

FUEL COMPANIES gulf 34 Chavchavadze Ave. (+995) 32 249 64 4 4 www.gulf.ge

soCar georgia PeTroliuM

gPC

24 300 Aragveli Str.

(+995) 32 294 07 40

(+995) 32 243 92 75, 243 97 77

www.gpc.ge

www.sgp.ge

6 Sanapiro Str.

PHARMACIES

COMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES

eveX MeDiCal CorPoraTioN

MagTiCoM

40 Vazha-Pshavela Ave. (+995) 32 255 05 05

7 A. Politkova Str. (+995) 32 217 00 00

www.evex.ge

Wissol Opposite side of Tbilisi

PsP grouP

beeliNe 8 Gorgasali Str. (+995) 32 220 06 06

International Airport

www.beeline.ge

(+995) 32 218 46 28 www.wissol.ge 148/3 D. Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL (+995) 32 240 20 20, 218 51 11 www.psp.ge

aversi roMPeTrol georgia

geoCell

148 Agmashenebeli Ave.

3 Gotua Str.

(+995) 32 298 78 60

(+995) 32 277 01 77

3 Vl. Vekua Str.

www.aversi.ge

www.geocell.ge

(+995) 32 291 07 27 www.rompetrol.ge

139

CHAMBERS IN TBILISI iCC 3/29 P. Kakabadze Str. (+995) 32 298 81 76 www.icc.ge

georgiaN ChaMber global beNefiT of CoMMerCe aND georgia iNDusTrY 7a P. Kakabadzr Str. 29 N. Shataidze Str. (+995) 32 269 47 47 www.gcci.ge

(+995) 32 250 00 01

alDagi 3 Pushkin Str. (+995) 244 49 99 www.aldagi.ge

aMeriCaN ChaMber The briTish of CoMMerCe georgiaN iN georgia ChaMber of 36a L. Asatiani Str. CoMMerCe (+995) 32 222 69 07 www.amcham.ge

1 Tabidze 1 Building, 2 Leonidze Str., Regus office (+995) 599 465 364 contact@bgcc.org.uk www.bgcc.org.uk

israel-georgia ChaMber of busiNess 4 Liberty (Freedom) Sq. (+995) 32 299 70 35, 299 70 36

The ChaMber of CoMMerCe aND iNDusTrY fraNCe-georgia 61 Agmashenebli Ave. (+995) 32 222 69 40 www.ccifg.ge

140

arDi 3 Vazha-Pshavela Ave. (+995) 32 210 10 10 www.ardi.ge

gPi holDiNg 67 Kostava Str. (+995) 32 250 51 11 www.gpih.ge

INSURANCE COMPANIES iC grouP

24 Mosashvili Str. (+995) 32 220 88 88 www.icgroup.ge

iMeDi l 9 Anna Politkovskaia Str. (+995) 32 292 22 22 www.imedil.ge

giDMeDi Plus 3 R. Chkheidze Str.

Advanced Pediatric Care

The Right Pediatrician for your Child!

(+995) 32 220 25 15, 291 32 19

NeW hosPiTals 12 Krtsanisi Str. (+995) 32 219 01 90

ToDua CliNiC

Comprehensive Healthcare for Infants, Children, and Adolescents

12. Krtsanisi Str. (+995) 32 234 81 19, 234 28 30

Routine Check-ups, Immunizations, ะกounseling and Healthcare Packages

aMC Tbilisi 11 D. Arakishvili Str.

24/7 On-Call Pediatrician and Home Visits

(+995) 32 250 00 20

kuZaNov CliNiC 24/7 Hotline numbers:

5 Pekini Str.

Tbilisi:* +995 (32) 250 00 20 Batumi: +995 (32) 250 00 77

(+995) 32 242 40 05, 555 40 20 20

*Includes Gudauri, Svaneti and other regions

georgiaN-gerMaN CliNiC MeDhouse 7 M. Abashidze Str. Kyiv Odessa Lviv Tbilisi Batumi Almaty Astana

www.amcenters.com

(+995) 570 10 22 66, 568 05 03 03

CaraPs MeDliNe 48 Ljubljana Str.

CLINICS IN TBILISI

DaviD TaTishvili MeDiCal CeNTer

MeDiCal CeNTre eXTra

7 Abuladze Str.

MeDihelP

(+995) 32 291 31 19, 291 32 42

39 Chavchavadze Ave.

68 Chubinashvili Str.

(+995) 32 251 60 60

(+995) 32 243 43 10, 596 11 43 43

(+995) 32 222 21 55

geosWiss MeDiCal CeNTer

ChaChava CliNiC

MeDiNvesT

5 Pekini Str.

38 Kostava Str.

44/5 Paliashvili Str.

(+995) 32 236 33 64, 225 08 38,

(+995) 32 295 33 11, 298 73 39

(+995) 32 225 19 60

225 18 90

141

TOURISM INFORMATION CENTERS Tbilisi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

gori TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

Telavi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

Pushkin Sq.

23a Kutaisi Str.

9 Erekle II Str.

(+995) 595 215 86 97

(+995) 370 270776

(+995) 350 275317

Daily 9 am - 9 pm

Daily 10 am - 6 pm (winter),

Daily, 9 am - 6 pm

Tbilisi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer (Tbilisi iNTerNaTioNal airPorT)

9 am - 6 pm (summer)

MTskheTa TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

borjoMi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

3 Arsukidze Str.

Rustaveli Str.

Tbilisi International Airport

(+995) 32 2512128

(+995) 367 221397

(+995) 32 231 00 07

Daily 10 am - 6 pm (winter),

24/7

10 am - 6 pm (summer)

9 am - 6 pm (summer)

MesTia TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

kvareli TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

7 Seti Sq.

8 Rustaveli Str.

akhalTsikhe TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

(+995) 551 08 08 94

(+995) 352 221340

1 Kharischirashvili Str.

Daily 10 am - 6 pm (winter),

(+995) 365 22 50 28

9 am - 6 pm (summer)

10 am - 6 pm (summer)

Daily, 9 am - 6 pm

kuTaisi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer 8a Rustaveli Str.

sighNaghi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

aMbrolauri TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTre

(+995) 431 241103

10 Kostava Str.

17 Vazha-Pshavela Str.

Working days: Every day

(+995) 355 232414

(+995) 439 22 16 18

Working hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (winter),

Daily 10 am - 6 pm (winter),

Daily, 10 am - 6 pm

9:00 – 18:00 (summer)

9 am - 6 pm (summer)

142

bolNisi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

baTuMi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

115 Sulkhan-Saba Str.

Ski-lift surrounding area

(+995) 358 22 23 19

(+995) 422 29 44 10,

Daily 10 am - 6 pm (winter),

577 90 90 93

9 am - 6 pm (summer)

24/7

ESSENTIALS

TIME ZONE gMT + 4 CurreNCY Georgian Lari (GEL). One Lari is divided

kuTaisi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer (kuTaisi airPorT)

sarPi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

Kopitnari settlement

(+995) 577 90 90 93

(+995) 595 08 82 19 Working days: Schedule determined by flights

Sarpi Custom House

kobuleTi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

into 100 Tetris.

eMergeNCY - 112 112 can be dialed free of charge from most mobile telephones and landline telephones in order to reach emergency services (ambulance, re and rescue, police).

(+995) 422 29 44 13

Tbilisi iNTerNaTioNal airPorT

24/7

(+995) 231 03 41

(+995) 422 29 44 14

khulo TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

kuTaisi iNTerNaTioNal airPorT

Working days: Schedule determined

29 M. Abashidze Str.

by flights

(+995) 577 90 90 15

baTuMi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer (baTuMi iNTerNaTioNal airPorT) Batumi International Airport

baTuMi TourisM iNforMaTioN CeNTer

1 Agmashenebeli Str.

24/7

(+995) 0431 23 70 00

georgiaN railWaY (+995) 1331, 219 90 10

2 Ninoshvili Str., Batumi,

georgiaN NaTioNal TourisM aDMiNisTraTioN

(Central entrance of Boulevard)

4 SANAPIRO STR.

(+995) 422 29 44 12,

(+995) 243 69 99

577 90 90 91 24/7

DialiNg CoDe: +995 32

143

go ba tu mi

.co