Where #13 by Georgia Today Group

Photo: Tony Hanmer

du ba i

BOWLING – LEBOWSKI Bowl Club CLUB – Lebowski • • • •

● 12 Lane professional bowling

2 Lane professional bowling

● Pool and Russian Billiard tables

Pool and Russian Billiard tables

● Conceptual American café-restaurant

Conceptual American café-restaurant

● Billiard Private Room “Comfort Zone”

Billiard Private Room “Comfort Zone”

WORKING HOURS:

Working Hours: MONDAY-THURSDAY, SUNDAY: Monday-Thursday, Sunday: 11:00-02:00 Friday-Saturday: 11:00-03:00 FRIDAY-SATURDAY: 11:00-03:00

T e l: 5 9 1 5 0 1 0 1 0

11:00-02:00

| w w w . le b o w s k i. g e | f b : le b o w s k ib o w lc lu b

where

.ge

your essential guide to Georgia

#13 February-March 2018 Publisher: George Sharashidze Editor in Chief: Katie Ruth Davies Executive Editor: Maka Bibilashvili Contributors: Katie Ruth Davies Maka Bibilashvili Mate Foldi  Tom Day Thea Morrison Nino Gugunishvili Sofia Bochoidze Tamzin Whitewood Inga Mumladze Sopio Javakhishvili Tony Hanmer

Welcome to Georgia! From March, these magic words of welcome will come to you not only from your hosts, but also from the stage of the Vaso Abashidze Music and Drama State Theater, if you’re lucky enough and get a ticket to attend the latest must-see: ‘Welcome to Georgia - The Musical,’ a new theatrical show in English about Georgia and its people, shown through song, dance and dialogue. Discover Georgia’s age-old culture, history, national costumes, cuisine and more: check out Editor-in-Chief George Sharashidze Katie Davies’ review of the Musical in this issue. You can find show dates at www.musical.ge and buy tickets Publisher, WHERE.ge at www.tkt.ge/musical. Don’t miss the chance to take this uplifting journey into the world-renowned Georgian hospitality for 90 minutes of humor, romance and a taste of true Georgia and all its traditions. Our journalist Tom Day spent a few days in Kutaisi, Georgia’s old capital, which is located right between Tbilisi and the Black Sea coast, and which is becoming ever more popular amongst tourists and international travelers thanks to the nearby Kutaisi International Airport (listed in the ‘World’s 13 Most Beautiful Airports’ and connecting Georgia to the world via convenient low-cost flights). Check out this issue for tips on Where to Go, Stay, Eat, Drink and Buy in Kutaisi and its surroundings.

Photographers: Tony Hanmer Irakli Dolidze Designer: Ani Loladze Logo & Design Concept: Kevin Loftus Marketing Manager: Maia Tsereteli Sales: Salome Vashalomidze Mano Kutchukhidze Sofia Bochoidze

Also find out what others like you think of this small but beautiful country in our interview piece: ‘What Foreigners Say about Tbilisi,’ featuring feedback from numerous travelers about a range of topics, including how they feel here, opinions on food and drink, public transport and the local people.

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

To close this welcome, here is my ‘Publisher’s Choice’ for the WHERE February-March issue of 2018:

I would like to welcome David Tavernier, Executive Chef at Qalaqi Restaurant, now bringing a Michelin star restaurant experience to Georgia, ideal for lovers of high standard and unique gastronomic adventures, now available right in the capital city center on Kostava Street. Don’t forget to check out www.where.ge – our online platform providing travelers from around the world with the most accurate information about Where to Go, Stay, Eat, Drink and Buy in Georgia.

In partnership with the Georgian National Tourism Administration Welcome to Georgia

Vinotel

Qalaqi Restaurant

Khareba Gvirabi (tunnel) in Kvareli

Zarapxana

8 Niels Scott UN, Resident Coordinator

46 Shorena Uchaneishvili Best Western Kutaisi, General Manager

64 David Tavernier Qalaqi Restaurant, Executive Chef

84 Kirill Ledashchev Bar Manager

102

Gvantsa Daraselia Rustavi 2, TV anchor

to go

Where to go for Winter fun . . . e c i o h C y M

Niels Scott UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative and UNFPA Representative in Georgia In Georgia, it’s interesting to see the difference from one to another region’s cuisine, way of life and architecture. I’ve been familiar with Georgia since the 90s and much has changed: there has been rapid development and most countries on this path are at risk of losing their culture and traditions, but in Georgia, it is still great!

stepantsminda I remember going there way back in the 90s: we just parked our car and started walking up in the mountains with our dog. When we were walking up onto the ridge, a huge golden eagle started to circle above us. Georgia’s famous for its amazing natural wonders. What really attracted me about this area was the huge mountains, beautiful streams and rivers coming down.

Svaneti: Ushguli, Mestia I visited Svaneti a year-and-a-half ago. What was really fascinating about this place was that walking from one village to another felt time neutral. If there weren’t a few modern things catching your eye along the way, like parachutes, there’s no way you’d feel you were in the 21st century. The churches are fantastic over there, with exceptionally interesting and simple ornaments. I love the museum in Mestia: it offered great insight into the culture and history of the area with its exhibits and ancient findings from excavations.

Samtskhe-Javakheti I love it for its sweeping plains and hills. It’s quiet and you get to really feel the spirit of the place; amazing landscapes that have not changed in 2000 years.

Kakheti, Sighnaghi We often have guests visiting from different countries and we always like to take them to Sighnaghi. They always say it reminds them of Tuscany. It’s a beautifully restored place with an amazing driving route and views over the valley.

Samegrelo, Zugdidi As a part of my job, I go to Abkhazia very often and on the way to western Georgia, I always like to have some Elarji in Zugdidi. My favorite spot for this great Georgian dish is Mia Dia.

Colors of Adjara

How do colors affect you? Have you ever thought about it? We all perceive colors differently. Psychologists claim that color symbolism is fluid. It changes in time and varies from culture to culture. Colors influence humans to a great extent. We will show you the colors of Adjara; not the kind you see through the window, but something quite different. Creamy white pours from the beautiful buildings in Batumi but also from splashes

of fountains in Kobuleti, from the laughter of playing children, and the foam that the sea wraps around your feet in. Or perhaps skiing at the Goderdzi ski resort will show you the whole depth of the color white... In Adjara, honey yellow color smells and tastes like honey wax or is the kind of yellow that you see in that delicious rolled egg yolk right in the middle of your Adjaruli Khachapuri. Foreigners often

admire the shape of this amazing Khachapuri. It looks like a boat, the egg representing the sun and the cheese the sea. So how to eat it? Simple! Tear off a piece of the crunchy bread, starting with one of the tapered ends, dip it into the eggy, buttery, utterly gooey cheese, and take a bite of one of the most delicious things on the planet. You can see yellow in the seashells that you pick up on the beach... You might be

surprised by the pebbly shoreline and lightly salty water, which is a real pleasure to swim in. Most of the beaches here are adjacent to the green rolling hills that make fine viewing while sunbathing. The inner city is great to walk through in the evening. Enjoy the sight of the dancing fountains or do some shopping on Piazza Square in the middle of the town. You can relax in a beautiful surrounding and have a meal in the cafes and restaurants serving

Georgian and European cuisine. There is a clock on the piazza tower with beautiful figures that appear every hour. The surrounding streets offer many interesting shops selling everything from antiques to contemporary goods. Deep purple is reflected in the setting sun rays and night lights that replace the daylight in new Batumi. Follow colors of Adjara because a lot of discoveries await you there whether it’s the colors of the

night or the color of love… You can also come across it in the crowded night clubs or on the other hand, in the peaceful mountainous villages of Adjara ... Batumi Nightlife is a crazy one. Different nationalities and lots of fun await you here. The nightlife is available not only on Fridays and Saturdays, but every single day, with bars and clubs open until morning, offering events, music and tastes that meets everyone’s interests. The town is

easy to navigate and transport is very accessible.

remind you of the unique experience of staying here...

Pastel blue can be on the cup of your unique Batumi coffee or seen reflected in the depth of the sea. You may also notice pastel blue in the reflection of the sky in the windows of the tall hotel buildings. The blue sky of Batumi and the city’s architecture are stunning. Blue is even warmer here.

And find it, too, in the beautiful sunset as the sun dips down into the Black Sea. Daisi, meaning sunset, should definitely be on your must-see list in Batumi. There are even restaurants named after the experience. Don’t miss out!

The Dolphinarium is a modern building full of life. Enjoy shows from well-loved bottlenose dolphins and sea lions. It is a perfect spot to go with family or friends. Located beside 6th May Park, it is a “must see” place of Batumi city. You will come across orange in the marigold fields of the Batumi Botanical Garden or in the small wooden houses that are nestled on Goderdzi Pass and that keep your memories of travelling in the mountains. Or maybe it’s in the hot sand used to prepare you a special Batumi coffee, the fragrance of which will forever

Lush Green is the name of a lake in Adjara, located 120 km from Batumi in the mountainous part of the Adjara region, beside the Goderdzi Mountain Pass. Tucked between the high mountains and encircled with spruce-grove and beech trees, Green Lake is sure to mesmerize you. If you want to stay longer, camping is possible around the lake and accommodation is available at the Goderdzi and Beshumi resorts. That color, captured in the stained glass of the Piazza buildings, is the color of the Adjarian mountains, young grass, leafy trees and gardens. Here, find red on the beach while playing volleyball, or on the Ferris Wheel where

you meet a beautiful girl, wearing a red dress. Some photographers have captured the Batumi skyline in red at sunset, in various Georgian wines and in statues dedicated to love. Where else? In many places. Follow us and you will see for yourself… Find your color emotion in Adjara, and share it with us at #visitbatumi facebook page.

www.musical.ge www.musical.ge www.musical.ge www.musical.ge

Tickets: tkt.ge/musical Tickets: tkt.ge/musical Tickets: Tickets: tkt.ge/musical tkt.ge/music

Campaign “Meet Georgia” in Svaneti The campaign “Meet Georgia” is ongoing and to celebrate, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia organized a press conference for media representatives in Svaneti which saw over 20 journalists, camera operator and photographers on a visit to Mestia, Hatsvali, Tetnuldi, Becho, Mazer and Ushkhvani. They got the chance to check out the new tourism infrastructure, aimed at boosting tourist numbers and to increase the number of mountain resorts in Svaneti. The Mountain Resorts Development Company completed construction of the Mestia-Hatsvali-connected cableway in record time, opening on December 23, 2017. The length of the six-seater cableway is 1200 meters and it connects Mestia center with the resort of Hatsvali, 8 km away. The new ropeway allows visitors to reach Hatsvali resort in just 4 minutes, avoiding the 30-minute mini-bus route alternative. At the resort you’ll find a 7 km ski run designed for all categories of skiing.

After Hatsvali, the media participants visited the resort of Tetnuldi, where the longest ski lift in the Transcaucasia is located. The total length of ski lifts at this resort is 30 kilometers, and there are 5 cable ways, the highest point of which is 3600 meters. Compared to this time last year, the number of visitors has increased by 165% to Tetnuldi. The aim is also to popularize skiing with the local population in Zemo Svaneti villages in Mazer, Ushkhvanari, Etseri,

Ushguli. Small ski lifts were also installed in Lentekhi in Lower Svaneti. The project initiated by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, will continue in other mountainous regions of the country, with small ski lifts installed to encourage locals to choose a healthy lifestyle and giving youth the opportunity to develop future careers. On the initiative of the Prime Minister, this summer will see

new trails made for trekkers and climbers alongside the necessary tourism infrastructure along the trails, where locals will be employed. Arrangement of new tourism infrastructure in Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mountain resorts is active, and construction of new sports and tourist facilities is of utmost importance, especially considering Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.

Kutaisi International Listed in ‘World’s 13 Most Beautiful Airports’ By Tamzin Whitewood

AsiaOne.com, a popular news site in the Far East, has published an article titled, “The World’s 13 Most Beautiful Airports”

Included in this list is Georgia’s very own Kutaisi International Airport.

colors that help passengers to easily navigate the airport.”

“Kutaisi International Airport, also known as David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport, is a small airport located in Kutaisi, Georgia,” the article says of the airport in Georgia’s western Imereti region.

The article closes by saying “the building also features large windows, creating a light-filled interior with views of the Caucasus Mountains.”

“Designed by Dutch architecture firm UNStudio, the building features bright red

Other airports included in the top 13 are Baku international, Denver airport in Colorado, and Madrid’s Barajas International.

Chiatura Cableway, David Gareji Included in Europe’s 12 Most Endangered Sites By Thea Morrison architectural and technological components,” the article reads, adding that due to lack of maintenance, many of the passenger cableways have deteriorated and have been closed down.

Europa Nostra, the most representative heritage organization in Europe, has included Georgia’s Chiatura Cableway and David Gareji Monastery Complex in its list of Europe’s 12 sites shortlisted for the 7 Most Endangered Program 2018. The endangered heritage landmarks from 10 European countries are: Some of the sites on the list are in danger due to neglect or inadequate development, others due to a lack of resources or expertise. The sites were shortlisted by a panel of experts in history, archaeology, architecture, conservation, project analysis and finance. The final list of the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe will be selected by the Board of Europa Nostra on 15 March.

If selected for the final list, the two Georgian monuments will become subject to rehabilitation efforts involving recommendations by Europa Nostra experts. Europa Nostra says that the Aerial Cableway Network in Chiatura is an important site of industrial heritage. “The network, composed of 18 passenger and 27 cargo cableways, is striking in its diversity of architectural styles and engineering solutions. The absolute majority of cableways retain their original

The David Gareji Monasteries and Hermitage, located in in Eastern Georgia on the semi-desert Iori plateau, dates back to the 6th century and is comprised of 22 rock-hewn monasteries and more than 5,000 sanctuaries and cave-cells. “The combination of rock architecture, medieval murals, prehistoric archaeology and paleontological fields makes the entire ensemble a masterpiece of Georgian culture. It is registered as a Monument of National Importance,” Europa Nostra reports, adding the site faces the threat of irreversible deterioration.

Georgia Listed as Number 1 Choice in ‘Dispatches Europe’ Article By Tom Day In a ‘Dispatches’ article published in January titled ‘Updated for 2018: Top 10 alternatives to Turkey for your summer vacation,’ Georgia was ranked as the first choice, with the Mestia region mentioned as the favorite location within the country.

Europe… spicy and aromatic, with walnuts a staple. The Georgian pizza, Khachapuri, is divine.” Other countries listed were Slovenia in second place, Madeira in third, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Malta, Armenia, Montenegro, and Cyprus.

“Mestia is the Real Georgia. More than 200 kilometers northwest of the largest city/capital of Tbilisi, and just south of the Russian border.” The article tempts readers by talking about the country’s architecture, language and food (especially Khachapuri!).

“Georgia is one of the few places in Europe where you can experience the truly exotic in architecture and languages. The food also is a departure from Western

Dispatches is an integrated news and entertainment platform dedicated to connecting English-speaking people such as students, highly skilled workers from all over the world, and corporate expats.

The Guardian Includes Tbilisi in Hotlist Destinations for 2018 By Nino Gugunishvili The UK’s Guardian named Tbilisi among the 40 ‘most fabulous’ destinations around the world to try out in 2018. The article describes Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, by saying “the city’s contemporary culture is making its mark, earning the city a reputation as an edgy party destination,” noting that “the foodie revolution in Tbilisi started in 2011, when Meriko Gubeladze, young Georgian chef, opened her fusion restaurant Shavi Lomi.” “The nightlife scene features major techno clubs Bassiani and Khidi (which both

opened in recent years), as well as LGBT-friendly Café Gallery, together with new galleries, such as Project ArtBeat, which opened in 2017, all of which are adding to the growing number of spaces that offer a platform to young Georgian artists,” the author writes, also mentioning Fabrika hostel “combining an industrial chic look with a huge courtyard surrounded by independent bars and shops.”

Saturday), it still halves the journey time to this dynamic city,” the author notes.

“Last year, Georgian Airlines started direct flights from Gatwick, and though they’re not the most convenient connections (flying through the night on Wednesday or

Weekend Breaks

Top

WEEKEND BREAKS in georgia By Katie Ruth Davies It may be chilly out there, but that’s no reason to be stuck indoors next weekend! Here are our recommendations for a weekend away from the capital.

Winiveria brand, looking at wild vines creeping up the walls, swinging in hanging chairs and breathing in the fresh air, or out riding horses. The bright rooms with wooden floors and super comfy beds overlook the garden and Alazani Valley. Wake up to the most beautiful landscape in the birthplace of Georgian wine! 15 Vardisubani, between Shuamta and Telavi TEL 595 99 03 99, 595 99 03 90, 595 99 03 94 www.mere.ge

OPTION 1: Kakheti The eastern region of Georgia is best seen in spring and autumn, and it has so many sites (and so much wine!) that you’ll regret not seeing it while you’re here! GO Alexander Chavchavadze’s Palace, Nekresi Church, Gremi Church, Alaverdi

Monastery, St Nino’s Nunnery- not to mention Sighnaghi and its history museum. Impossible to fit it all in over just one weekend, so you’ll have to prioritize and plan a second (and third!) trip back! STAY CHATEAU MERE. This fairytale-like stone castle with four towers and a charming garden is hidden in a little forest just 1.5 hours’ drive from Tbilisi. Walking among roses, sipping local wine from the

EAT&DRINK The small citadel of Sighnaghi in Kakheti is a must-visit while you’re in the famous wine region, overlooking the expanse of the Alazani Valley and the snow-capped mountains beyond. A street market, city walls, a well-stocked museum and the nearby St Nino Nunnery (including the tomb of legendary St Nino herself) guarantee there is plenty here to keep you and your family busy for a day. Then, when you get hungry, head along the cobbles to Pheasant’s Tears restaurant. Set in a homely wine cellar, with friendly multi-lingual staff, the Pheasant’s Tears kitchen is constantly stocked with fresh food from the local markets. Their head chef, Gia Rokashvili, a local Sighnaghian, can offer you the delights not only of a traditional Georgian table but also a delectable selection of fusion dishes. Veggie and meat lovers are equally catered for! An added bonus- the wine tasting! “Wine made with nothing added, nothing taken away” is their philosophy, and one well worth enjoying while you’re there! 18 Baratashvili Str., Sighnaghi, Kakheti TEL 598 72 28 48

OPTION 2: Batumi

ium, Mtirala National Park, Green Cape & Botanical Garden, Gonio Fortress, numerous museums (see Where.ge online for more details) and more. That’s not to mention the nightlife and seaside-city buzz. You’ll definitely be back for more! STAY EUPHORIA BATUMI HOTEL 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’re looking for an all-inclusive vacation in Batumi, this is the perfect choice. Excellent food, extraordinary relaxing spa treatment in Shangrila Wellness Center,

Though high on the ‘likely to rain’ list, Batumi, and the Adjara region overall, is packed full of things to do and see. Check out our recommendations below. GO A stroll down the beach-side boulevard is good any time of year, as is the Dolphinar-

1 Lech & Maria Kaczynski Str., Batumi TEL 577 15 69 40 www.euphoriahotel.ge EAT&DRINK BK. This restaurant was once a bookshop and it has kept the two-level gallery style as well as the bookshelves, becoming a

must-go place for fine European dining and cocktails with friends or family. Fast and friendly service guarantees a pleasant break from the rain. Our top recommendation- the seafood soup! Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks.

parties with a stunning view in the rooftop bar Spectrum and attentive personnel will guarantee you truly euphoric holidays.

25 M. Abashidze Ave. TEL 514 81 13 13 www.bkbatumi.ge

Svaneti through the Year By Tony Hanmer

Svaneti has a full calendar of events to invite visitors to; something for every season and many different tastes. Below is a list to help one prepare, arranged chronologically from January (using the western, or Gregorian, calendar), including those on a national or wider scale. Almost all of these are religious, a mix of Orthodox Christianity and local paganism or animism, but they are open to all and much worth experiencing regardless of one’s worldview.

January 1

January 7

New Year crosses from the last day of the old year to the first of the new, so we’ll put it first here. All over the USSR, it was a replacement holiday for Christmas, designed to be non-religious, and its importance remains despite the breakup of that Union and the resurgence of religion in all of its Republics. A prime time for visiting those close to you, family and friends. The first person to visit your home after the New Year (any time after midnight of the Old Year’s end) is called the mekvle in Georgian. The tone and generosity of his or her visit are supposed to set the stage for the rest of the year. Note, this is a Georgia-wide celebration. Also, Tovlis Babua, Georgia’s Grandfather Frost, traditionally comes from Ushguli, Svaneti’s and Europe’s highest village.

Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ about 2 millennia ago, comes second on our list because it follows the Julian calendar, currently 13 days out of sync with the Gregorian one. Less emphasis on gift-giving and decorations (although the latter may be a strong feature of New Year celebrations), more emphasis on the Orthodox Christmas service.

Mid-February

Lamproba/Limpari: Feast of Torches Many villages of Svaneti commemorate this day, with different histories of and variations on it. It may also be celebrated by Svans elsewhere in Georgia. The Etseri version calls it the remembrance of an important

Middle Ages military victory, won with the aid of burning torches. These torches are made in advance, one for each male family member, lit and brought by foot to communal bonfires in the dark before sunrise on the day, along with special bread and wine or moonshine. Prayers are said for each family represented as the food and drink are offered and consumed and, later that day, one rotating family in each hamlet hosts the all rest at a feast.

Easter

(Orthodox calendar, dates vary in spring) The Christian world’s main holiday, along with Christmas: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world.

May 6

Giorgoba (St. George’s Day) Patron Saint of not only Georgia, but also England, Malta and Gozo, Portugal, Romania, and Aragon and Catalonia (both in Spain). Originating in Cappadocia, what is now Eastern Turkey, St George died in 303 AD, martyred by the Byzan-

tine Emperor Diocletian for refusing to deny his Christian faith. For this reason, icons of him in Svaneti often feature him killing not the dragon of myth, but Diocletian, in a tit-for-tat move. The main collection of icons of St George in Svaneti can be found in the church of his name at the top of Pari, just below Etseri on the road up from Zugdidi towards Mestia, but many other local churches in the region also have unique icons of him, especially those dedicated to him. See also November 23.

July 28 or 29, approximately

Kvirikoba: Feast of St Kvirike (Quirinius) This mainly takes place at the church of the same name, high on a foot trail about 45

minutes’ walk above the village of K’ala, 10 km below Ushguli on the road from Mestia. It is Svaneti’s most important and famous religious festival, attracting visitors from all over the world annually. The church, usually locked and under 24/7 guard, is opened. Prayers are said for all families who request them and make an offering, and the church bell is rung. Icons usually unseen are displayed, some of

Another very important day all over Georgia, but more so in Svaneti, where she is especially revered. A feast in her honor.

them the most important in the whole Orthodox world. There are feasts, picnics, feats of strength involving another church bell and a huge egg-shaped stone, and much merriment. A bull is sacrificed, possibly along with one or more rams or male goats.

Mestia; running (summer) and skiing (winter) competitions in Becho, organized by that village’s Grand Hotel Ushba; a Svan language story writing competition for local children with the winners printed together, also put on by Grand Hotal Ushba; an occasional Ushguloba in Ushguli; and other annual village-specific festivals with their feasts.

July 29

(not necessarily annually) Svanetoba The festival of Svaneti, held in Mestia. Village stalls of the best local produce and handicrafts compete; music, dance and song in the evening, a celebration of all things unique to the province.

August 28

Maryamoba: the Feast of the Virgin Mary

November 23

Giorgoba again (see May 6) Other events in Svaneti include skiing and extreme winter sports competitions at both Hatsvali and Tetnuldi resorts, both near

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 over 1700 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

The Family ConCierge 24/7 - your personal Travel manager!

Beyond georgian hospiTaliTy

Exclusive complimentary services provided for The Family guests: Recommendations on tested travel destinations, where to stay and what to eat ● Not the typical tours but exclusive places for extraordinary experiences Oriented on people with special interests in Georgian culture and ethnic traditions ●

●

Find out more about The Family Concierge: www.thefamily.ge +995 577 76 36 85

What Foreigners Say about Tbilisi By Tom Day extremely friendly and welcoming, especially when you’re their guest. I’ve learned that in Georgian culture, a guest is considered a “gift from God” and should be treated accordingly. Georgians are direct and, in my opinion, can be aggressive at times, but nothing ever seems to be done or said out of hate.”

Rebecca Ernest from the US, has been here since September.

BY TOM DAY The number of foreign citizens coming to Georgia grew by an impressive 26% last year and that number is expected to increase by 40% this year, according to a recent survey.

great appreciation for Georgian food, such as Khachapuri and Khinkali. The vast majority agreed that local people are warm, welcoming and helpful, and most were in agreement that Tbilisi is a city full of opportunity and growth!

This isn’t hard to believe: everywhere you look, foreign nationals are exploring and enjoying the country. Many are even deciding to stay and even build businesses here. This is more evident than anywhere in the capital city. But what do they really think about the place?

Here, they tell us about the city in their own words:

We at Where.ge took to the streets of Tbilisi to interview a number of foreigners who have spent an extended amount of time here, from a couple of months to a few years. They were asked about a range of topics, including how they feel here, opinions on food and drink, public transport and the local people.

“I absolutely love it here. I’m a foreigner, but I’m a foreigner at home in Georgia. I feel completely free to do what I like, and I think Tbilisi is such a cool, fascinating city. I’ll never get bored of it.

Feedback was generally positive, but the majority expressed bad feelings about public transport. All (except one) expressed

Natalie Taylor, 25, from San Francisco, California, teaches English as a foreign language and has been here for the past three years.

“I feel happy [here], but still very much feel like a foreigner. I think that not speaking Georgian is a bit of a hindrance, but it’s pretty easy to get by with English. I’ve also noticed that a lot of Georgians will go out of their way to help someone out. They may seem a bit cold, but as soon as you get to know them, you see they’re warm, kind, and helpful. I’m 100% obsessed with Georgian food. Khinkali is one of the best creations on this earth, and don’t get me started with the wine. I really like the restaurant Sakhli #11. I’ve had two amazing dinners there since moving to Georgia, and they easily accommodate a big group.”

Katie Davies from the UK is the author of the Blood Omen Saga and Dark Wings book series and has been here for 10 years.

Traffic is a nightmare, so I usually take the metro to get places because it’s fast, cheap, and efficient.

“I feel very free here. I very much felt that the UK was a ‘nanny state’- looking over your shoulder at every turn and providing nice clear signs to guide you on the way; total chaos here in comparison, but a definite sense of ‘use (or not) your common sense and on your head be it.’

Georgians are unlike any people I’ve ever met; they are unique. Generally, they are

What I like most is the potential of the place: that it is far enough behind that it can be

Co-organizer

General Sponsor

Co-organizer

Be recognized as the best in the tourism industry of Georgia Official Supporters

A LT I D O Sponsor

Official Air Carrier

Financial Consultant

Independent Auditor

Complete Hotel Equipping

Sponsor

Delivery Sponsor

Sponsor

Hotel Partners

www.awards-tourism.com | info@awards-tourism.com +995 558 84 20 60

Sponsor

time I feel happy, but I’ve been depressed here. Tbilisi is a very stressful city, especially when it comes to traffic, commuting and reckless behavior in the streets. I like Georgian food very much. It’s very rich and tasty, but I can’t eat it every day. My all-time favorite Georgian dish is Khachapuri Ajaruli. It’s very heavy, but never disappoints. The variety of bars, pubs and restaurants has been blossoming in the last couple of years, which reflects one aspect of positive city development. Tbilisi has a huge variety of different pubs and bars, so you can find something special for every taste. guided by the experiences of the West and yet it has the chance to make better choices, so in that respect it is a creative atmosphere which encourages innovation: “Your only limit is yourself,” as they say. I love Georgian food, but too much without enough exercise and it goes straight to the belly/hips! My favorites are Khinkali, and Chakapuli (beef and tarragon stew- I make my own variant at home). I love Machakhela restaurant (a chain), the Okrokhana branch- you can sit in the wooded garden and enjoy the fresh air and views across the hills to the Botanical Gardens- just 10 min up from Freedom Square. DiveX in Fabrika is one of my top choices for bars, as is Ibis Styles. I’m very happy with the public transport here and use it all the time. They could do with more buses and minibuses at rush-hour, but otherwise the service is great for getting around the central districts and further afield. The big disadvantage is no metro in Vake, but a lot of buses and minibuses fill the gap.”

Daria Kholodilina, 28, was born in Ukraine has been here for four years. “Tbilisi has so much potential, and there

are a lot of things to be done and niches to be filled. I’m glad to have chosen this city. Georgian food is the best. I like Shavi Lomi, Leila and Salobie Bia restaurants. Cafe Volver is my choice when I feel like Georgian wine and non-Georgian food. Cafe Hurma and Pin-Pon Cafe are for breakfasts. There’s a good deal of laziness [from locals], negative thinking, patriarchal mentality, infantilism or things like not answering the phone or messages. But there’s also kindness, hospitality, and understanding that life is short and sometimes you should just take your time and enjoy it for a while. I made several loyal friends here, and I’m happy to have them in my life.”

Anna N. came here from Germany in May 2012 and teaches German and Japanese at an international school. “I’ve felt many emotions living in Tbilisi. There have been good and bad times. In the beginning, I loved to explore the city and its mixed architecture. I very much enjoy the other side of the river (away from Rustaveli, Saburtalo and Vake), where the city looks much more original. Most of the

I believe [Georgian wine] is the best in the world. I don’t like European wines anymore.”

Shahnoza Muminova is a business owner from Uzbekistan, who has been back and forth since 2008. “Sometimes, I feel like I want to leave and never come back because everything annoys me so much, but when I go, I start missing it within 2-3 months. Now I know that, wherever I am, I need to come back regularly. I love the food here (except Khachapuri… but please don’t tell the Georgians!), however, I think they could have a bit more seafood. It’s a pity because they have a sea, but no seafood culture. My favorite restaurants are Taverna Monadire, Taghlaura and Shemoikhede Genatsvale One bad thing about Tbilisi is the public transportation. It is slowly improving; a few modern busses on the route, with air-conditioning, etc., but it’s way too slow. Minibuses are hell and the metro is dirty, not [regular] enough during peak hours… and taxi drivers smoke inside the car and are not always polite.

[Georgians] are special people… It takes time to understand their mentality and behavior, and then it takes even more time to accept it. Once you do, you can be very comfortable with them.”

Ian Shynkarenko from Ukraine has lived in Georgia for 2.5 years working on international projects. “Every time I come back to Tbilisi from my business trips, I say ‘it’s good to be back home!’ Kharcho is my favorite food; it’s different in each place you eat it and, in most cases, very tasty. My favorite restaurants are The Terrace on Kokobadze Str., Armazi’s Tskaro near Mtskheta and Tom Yum Asian Food on Baratashvili Street.

Hazem H., a Syrian national, has been in Tbilisi for more than four years. “I feel comfortable in this city; free, already familiar with transport, directions and streets. I’m also seeing a lot of changes in this city compared to when I arrived four years ago, which makes me happy about the future of this country. I’m not a wine-lover, but when I taste Georgian red wine, I find it very smooth and delicious.

Carolyn Rice, originally from the US, has been here nine years but first visited in 2002. “I’m happy here; there are loads activities that don’t break the bank. Lots of interesting places, good food, good wine, good art and music, and lovely people. Anything I don’t like? Of course! Even the most wonderful places have a negative or two. I don’t like the trash in the streets. I don’t like the number of smokers blowing their smoke into my face. But I wouldn’t trade living here for anything; the positives outweigh the negatives.

I was in Georgia when corruption was high, when it took 13 hours to drive from Tbilisi to Batumi because you were stopped every 15 minutes or so to pay a bribe. Saakashvili changed all that, but there is much that still needs to be done. The government should pay attention to pollution and parking problems in the city, not by creating more parking in the center, but introducing park-and-ride from outside the city. They could learn a lot from other large cities.”

Kenneth Monette from New York retired from the US Navy and now teaches English. He has lived here for just over seven years. “Tbilisi is very safe; I’ve never been hassled. I’m an easygoing person, so I feel relaxed and thoroughly enjoy just about everything in the city. I’m always in a good mood here, especially in Old Tbilisi. I really like Khinkali, Mtsvadi, Lobiani and Khachapuri (only when it’s fresh, though). My favorite Georgian dish is Khinkali: cheap, filling, delicious and goes well with beer. It’s great to have with a small group of friends and enjoy great conversation while eating it. I love the Georgian wine, especially homemade wine from the villages. I was never a fan of white wine, but I like the Georgian white. Red wine is the best here, in my opinion: Saperavi is my personal favorite, I drink it with just about every type of food I eat, even with pizza. I’ve lived and traveled in many countries around the world, but I can honestly say the Georgians are the most hospitable people I’ve ever come across, and, like me, they are ‘crazy’! I mean crazy in a fun and good way, of course! Message to other foreigners: Keep an open mind, be patient, and always expect the unexpected when you live in Tbilisi,

and Georgia in general, because every day can be so different from the last!”

Erika Copeland from the US has been here for 6 years. “[Tbilisi] a few years ago was a depressing place. Now, with it becoming a more modern city and seeing attitudes changing, I’ve really started to love this place. I like how new businesses are constantly popping up and neighborhoods are changing. It’s a great city to just wander around and have a look at the mix between old and new. I feel very free and happy to go to districts I love...but the traffic and the number of cars is making this nearly impossible for most people. I’ve never seen a city so small with this many cars.”

Neil Hauer (27), a Canadian analyst and journalist who has been here since September 2017. “I feel quite inspired here. The city is the exact opposite of where I came here from. It’s exciting, bustling, in the middle of everything and with a great international scene. I’ve only really scratched the surface of the city and the country at this point, so I’m still very excited to be here. Honestly, I can’t imagine how anyone lives here in the summer, given that it was 33 degrees and humid for most of September. The weather lately has been very nice and mild though, given that my hometown in Canada has been blanketed in snow for a month, I think I’ll enjoy the winter here. I have almost exclusively good things to say. Georgians are very kind and friendly people, with a good balance between modernity while maintaining their culture and traditions. The only thing I’d change is the amount of shouting that happens.” Tom Day

Day Trips out of Tbilisi By Mate Foldi Life in Tbilisi can get pretty dull during the winter. Once the grey, gloom, and cold set in, it’s easy to start feeling miserable and in need of a change of scenery, lest you find yourself locked inside for months on end, drip-feeding yourself Netflix binges. I tried that in November - December, but I just couldn’t take the reclusion. I had to get out, even if just for the day. That brings us to today’s list. Here are my three favorite day trips / escapes from Tbilisi.

BORJOMI Located about two hours west of the capital, Borjomi is a very special place. Having only ever seen it on a snowy winter’s day, I was immediately put under

a spell by its unique charm. Out for a midnight stroll in the midst of a gentle snow storm in Borjomi Central Park heading to the outdoor thermal pools, remains one of my happiest memories. The outdoor hot pools are quite something, offering a blissful escape from the frosty weather. The Park is also home to the new Patron Saint and lifeblood of my daily existence: Borjomi Mineral Water, a sparkling goodness that is the solution to anything and everything.

coffee and cake in town — the homemade pizzas aren’t too shabby either! With a friendly multi-lingual staff and a cozy wooden, European interior, Inka Cafe is a favorite of both locals and tourists (and their raspberry tart is to die for!)

Make sure to treat yourself at Inka Cafe before, after, or before and after, your trip into the Park. Located on the road leading to the Park, it’s the best spot for Khachapuri,

BAKURIANI

Inka Cafe 2 9th April Str., Borjomi TEL 595 30 20 77 www.inkacafeborjomi.com

Half-an-hour east and up the mountain road from Borjomi is another of Georgia’s ski towns, Bakuriani. Offering a more family-friendly, cheaper and down-to-earth atmosphere than the lavish slopes of Gudauri, it’s a favorite spot of many locals looking for a weekend or even a day’s get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Leave early enough in the morning and you’ll have the whole day to enjoy the picturesque, pine clad slopes of this little gem of the South Caucasus, skiing and snowboarding until nightfall. If you get hungry after an exhausting day of skiing, treat yourself to a well-deserved hot meal before making your way back to the capital. Restaurant Mimino, just next the to the amusement park on Koba Tsakadze Street, with its fantastic service, tasty cooking, and great prices, it’s just what you need after toning those quads and glutes on the slopes.

Of course, after all this intense sight-seeing, one needs to replenish those burnt off calories. For that, look no further than Pheasant’s Tears. Set in a homely wine cellar, with friendly multi-lingual staff, the Pheasant’s Tears kitchen is filled with fresh food from the local market. Head chef and local Sighnagian, Gia Rokashvili will spoil you rotten with not only the array of a traditional Georgian table but also a delectable selection of fusion dishes. Veggie and meat lovers are equally catered for. Their traditional and natural wine is another delight your body needs to be treated to.

Pheasant’s Tears

Restaurant Mimino Koba Tsakadze Str., Bakuriani TEL 571 33 29 34; 568 660 608

stocked museum, make a visit to this lovely part of the Cradle of Wine a must-see, ensuring a busy, no-time-for-boredom day.

18 Baratashvili Str., Sighnaghi, Kakheti TEL 598 722 848 (Tamriko - Manager)

SIGHNAGHI Known as the ‘City of Love’ for its 24/7 marriage service —the rest of Georgia operates on a 10:00-18:00 basis— with couples sometimes going there on a whim to seal their romance without telling their parents, it is, well, very easy to fall in love with the small citadel of Sighnaghi. Overlooking the Alazani Valley and the snow-capped Caucasus mountains beyond, its beautiful and quaint streets make it a very Instagrammable destination. The close-by St Nino Nunnery and the tomb of the legend herself, along with its street market, city walls, and a well-

Welcome to Georgia – The Musical: The Most Uplifting Show You’ll See This Year! Review By Katie Ruth Davies

Imagine you’re on a visit to Georgia but you don’t have time to get out the city into the regions. Imagine you’re on a visit to Georgia and the latest concert of the great Georgian dancers or polyphonic singers has passed or is happening just after your flight home. Maybe you live here and have guests to impress and you’ve already eaten at the restaurants and wandered the Old Tbilisi streets. Well, I made no exaggeration in the headline I chose. And for those of you not partial to musicals, don’t be deceived. While the creators were inspired by the West End and Broadway, this is something very different. While it’s as bold, heartwarming and energetic as any show you’ll see in London, the musical side comes through unique Georgian polyphony and folk songs interspersed with dialogue and

a number of beautifully executed traditional dances. ‘Welcome to Georgia- a musical, theatrical play and romantic comedy telling a story about Georgia and its people through song, dance, and dialogue. By attending the show, newbies in the country will learn about Georgia’s age-old culture, history, national costumes, cuisine and more; while those who’ve been in Georgia a bit longer will recapture the magic of their first days here! The show takes you on a journey from Maro’s Kakhetian wine cellar, to the feast table, where you’ll be welcomed with world-renowned Georgian hospitality (and world-renowned Georgian wine!) for an evening of humor, romance and a taste of true Georgia and all its traditions.

Welcomed with a choice of white or red wine and time to mingle, we then dove straight into a scene at Grandma Maro’s house in Kakheti, with the lady and her neighbors enjoying an evening of table games and singing. Then Maro’s grandson phones. They’re expecting him to visit on Saturday next, bringing with him his new French girlfriend whom he met while studying viniculture in Paris; the whole village is ready to lay on a grand feast for them… But the couple are not coming Saturday, they’re already on the way! Now, anyone who’s spent some time here will know how such surprising news can send Georgian ladies of the older generation into a tizzy of preparation and reorganization. Chacha, Churchkhela, dried fruits and then the “kids” arrive. And that’s where the magic truly began for me. As my colleague wrote in her recent blog, for those of us who

have delved deeper into Georgian life than the average tourist, we have all been in that beautiful, magical (if not at times intimidating!) spotlight of attention at least once; the God-sent guest who can do no wrong and whose every word is a drop of strange and welcome gold.

the audience into the story; imparting facts about Georgia and its traditions with such warmth that each member of the audience could easily have been sitting at the supra table beside the characters, with wine in hand and a spread of “food on food” before them.

Julie (played by Eka Demetradze) is an educated and enthusiastic guest; eager to learn, along with the audience, about the history of Georgian winemaking, toasting, song and dance. The polyphony left goosebumps on my arms; the dancing left my hands stinging from clapping along. Tying it all together was Dimitri the Toastmaster, played by singer and actor Lasha Ramishvili. With a strong voice and even stronger stage presence, he brought

The colors, the costumes, the cozy ‘village yard’ scenery; all made for a unique and glowing ambiance that reflects the brighter side of Georgia and its people. The lines, jokes and friendly banter were delivered well, and I feel qualified to say (being an English teacher who knows some of the actors are not used to working in English) that the cast met the challenge of entertaining a foreign audience in a manner that excelled expectations.

A well-deserved standing ovation was received, and I saw no-one without a grin on their face as we reluctantly left the theater hall- reluctant, because it almost felt like we were leaving behind new friends. It was a real, positive, incomparable Welcome to Georgia, and I highly recommend it as the new must-see for visitors and expats alike! Check out their website and facebook pages for updated information and the trailer. The show officially kicks off for a weekly run from March 13th.

www.musical.ge, www.facebook.com/musical.ge

Get Curious about Kutaisi By Tom Day

Kutaisi (Georgian: ქუთაისი) is the arrival place of many tourists, due to its airport being one of the main links between Georgia and Europe.

car rentals are also available. Check out the Where.ge team’s list of the top things to do in and around the city, as well as where to stay, eat, and drink.

This city in the west of Georgia used to be the capital of the Kingdom of Georgia in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, the aftermath of the Soviet Union can be felt, with its cold, concrete tower blocks littered around the city. Before heading elsewhere in the country to places such as Tbilisi, Batumi, and Borjomi, it’s worth spending a few days here.

KUTAISi STATE HISTORICAL MUSEUM

The city itself does not offer a lot to tourists, but there are a number of sights which simply cannot be missed nearby. Tours can be easily arranged through the vast majority of hotels, hostels, and tour operators. But if you want more freedom,

Contained in the former National Bank of Georgia building, the Kutaisi State Historical Museum is considered one of the country’s most important scientificresearch institutions. Over 160,000 items are kept in the museum, which also houses an extensive research library and laboratory. There are permanent exhibitions which are displayed on the two floors, and display items ranging from 7th-century BC to

medieval weaponry, art from the last few centuries, and manuscripts from the 10th century. The museum also has several ethnographic displays of traditional life in western Georgia, as well as a superb collection of Georgian manuscripts and books. The “Gold Treasury” exhibition presents an impressive collection of icons and artifacts, including a large, jewel-encrusted cross from Bagrati Cathedral.

1 Tbilisi Str., Kutaisi. TICKET Adult 3 GEL, students 2 GEL, schoolchildren 1 GEL.

TEL 571 10 32 38 OPEN: 10 AM – 6 PM, Daily except Mondays

OKATSE CANYON

SATAPLIA

Okatse Canyon is accessible through most hotels, hostels and all tour operators in the city. It’s just 50 km away (approximately 1 hour driving). The 2.3 km pedestrian trail begins in the Dadiani Park in Gordi village and will lead you through the forest to the exciting panoramic trail. While the river gurgles along at the bottom of the canyon, you walk along the sheer cliff-face. The canyon trail is 780 m long, and at the end, there is a panoramic platform, thrilling for those with a head for heights! If you have enough time, take a ride to the Kinchkha Waterfalls located quite close to Okatse. From the visitor center, it will take you another 40 minutes’ drive. It’s also possible to camp or stay overnight there.

Established in 1935 to protect the Sataplia Cave and dinosaur footprints found in the area, this small reserve 9 km from Kutaisi was renovated some six years ago. The first stage of the tour sees an enclosed space and a clamber up a staircase with

smooth limestone rock below, the threetoed footprints of some 7 species of “Sataplasaurus” dinosaurs left in the rock dated to the Cretaceous Period (165-65 million years ago) clear to see. In the caves you’ll find a well-lit, sturdy 314 meter-long pathway and beautiful rock formations, including the bulbous “heart” rock in the center. Back outside there is a narrow pathway past golden cliffs and woods below- in which honey bees used to live (Sataplia means “For Honey,”

WHERE: Near Gordi village, 50 km from Kutaisi TICKET: Free in winter, 5 GEL the rest of the year which the locals used to harvest). The bees moved on long ago. Another gem, if you have the legs, is to walk to the glass walkway which juts out over the edge of the highest point and offers a fabulous view of the valley. There was a simple but interesting museum in the wood- with a dinosaur skeleton and black and white photos of those who originally discovered the dinosaur footprints. WHERE: 5km from Kutaisi. Take minibus 45 from Javakhishvili Str., Kutaisi TICKET: 6 GEL OPEN: Wed-Mon 10am-6pm, earlier closing in autumn and winter.

PROMETHEUS CAVE Also known as Kumistavi Cave, the cave of Prometheus is located 20 km from Kutaisi. The cave was discovered in 1984 and is the biggest cave in Georgia. Although only one tenth is open for tourists, it takes about an hour to explore it’s 1000 plus meter route. A 280-meter boat tour on an underground river is also available at times.

The concrete paths and steps are well-laid and the multi-colored lighting is something truly spectacular. Stalactites, stalagmites, mirror pools, petrified waterfalls, “bottomless holes,” huge cavernous ceilings and a trip to the lowest point with a river miraculously running through. The guide service could do with developing- little details must be asked for as there are no signs and only basic information is given, no fun legends or dark secrets (like the fact the paths were first developed there during soviet times with the intention of making the caves a bunker for authorities to hide out in). Prometheus wasn’t mentioned once on the tour, and although we can guess that that particular legend didn’t take place there, it would at least be fun to pretend and spice up the visit with some “maybes” and “what ifs!” WHERE: A few kilometers from Tskhaltubo town

TICKET: A standard tour is 6 GEL and a boat tour 7 GEL OPEN: Daily, except Mondays. November to April 10 AM - 5 PM, May to August 10 AM - 6 PM, in September and October from 10 AM - 5:30 PM.

Where to Stay, Eat, and Drink

HOTEL CALIFORNIA KUTAISI “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave,” goes the famous 70s song by the Eagles. This is the Where. ge team’s top choice for where to stay. We wondered if the Georgian hotel version of this hit song lived up to its musical namesake. As we were shown to the room, which was elegant, spacious, wooden and homey, we were not disappointed; you really won’t want to leave your room. “Such a lovely place,” we thought to ourselves as the owner left, the door closed, and we were alone to enjoy our temporary residence. Included with all rooms is a modern, private en suite bathroom with a shower which could knock you down if you aren’t careful. There is a large, shared kitchen with an arsenal of quality cooking equipment at your disposal. Or, should you wish to experience local cuisine, there are many cafes and restaurants within walking distance of the property. The hotel situated is a short 10-minute walk to the city center, and 30 minutes from Bagrati Cathedral. Kutaisi Train Station is 600 m away, and Kutaisi International Airport is 21 km from the property. Kutaisi Hotel California has 5 rooms. 1 family room for 4 people, 1 triple room, 1 double room and 2 twin rooms.

32 Gogebashvili Str., Kutaisi TEL 597 03 07 30 http://www.kutaisihotelcalifornia.com/

ALMANO RESTAURANT KUTAISI This modern bar and restaurant offers an impressive range of drinks and Georgian and European meals. From hot and crispy Khachapuri to light and healthy Caesar salads, there’s something for everyone. Friendly staff greet you at the door and guide you to a table. Should you need any help or advice, they are on-hand and happy to help. English, Russian and Georgian are spoken well. The cozy atmosphere ensures an enjoyable time out with friends, dates or just some time alone. ADDRESS 12 Fanjikidze Str., Kutaisi TEL 551 55 07 77

PAPAVERO BAR/ RESTAURANT Located in central Kutaisi, this restaurant/ bar offers a wide range menu of Georgian and European foods and a wide selection of wines, beers and colorful cocktails. From cheesy and crispy Khachapuri to more unusual choices such as cows tongue, this place has something for everyone. Sit back and relax in this comfortable hipster setting, with classy carpets and aristocratic armchairs. Serving staff are friendly, fast and always on-hand to offer suggestions. In the evenings, you can enjoy live music from local bands. Tsisperi Kantselebi Str., Kutaisi TEL 431 24 68 24 OPEN 10 AM – midnight

Museum Exhibitions of the Month MUSEUMS Georgian National Museum Simon Janashia Museum Address: 3 Shota Rustaveli Ave. Tel: 299 80 22 www.museum.ge OPEN: Tuesday-Sunday; 10:00-17:30 Tickets: Adult –5 GEL, Student –1 GEL, School children –0.5 GEL, Children under 6 – FREE; Guide service -10-25– GEL; Guide service is delivered in Georgian, English, German, and Russian.

collection includes over 600 pieces of Georgian gold works, including gold and silver adornments such as diadems, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, and gold, silver and glass plates and dishes, statues, weapons, and more. GEORGIAN COSTUME & WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH CENTURIES The royal dress of King Teimuraz II, Nino Gurieli’s dress, Tekla Batonishvili’s personal sewing machine, a robe of Alexander Bariatinsky - Deputy of the Caucasus, a tambourine painted by Mihaly Zichy, feminine attire of Abkhazian and Ingilo women, and more.

EXHIBITIONS: STONE AGE GEORGIA The exhibition displays the Georgian Stone Age (1.77 million - 8 thousand years) as well as anthropological material discovered in other parts of the world, presenting the time flow of human evolution. The introductory part of the exposition presents the paleoenvironments and evolution of the land fauna from the late Miocene (8-5 million years), before evidence of the dispersal of the early hominins to Southern Caucasian territories. This exhibition presents realistic reconstructions of early hominins and the Dmanisi paleoenvironment by world renowned paleoartists such as Elizabeth Daynes, John Gurche, Mauricio Anton and Rodolfo Nogueira. ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE Enjoy pieces of goldsmithry discovered in Georgia and dated from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the 4th century A.D. The

Egyptian and Islamic worlds and Far East culture: an Egyptian mummy and sarcophagus, Koran page on oil paper dated to the 8th century, examples of easel, miniature and lacquer painting, metal and ceramic dishes, objects of ritual meaning, adorned battle weapons of precious metal, and more. February 9 - March 9 ZURAB KALANDADZE’S 65th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION The exhibition showcases 27 of Zurab Kalandadze’s artworks, created in 2002-2012, the main stylistic characteristic of which is the organic connection between myth and poetry. The exposition also showcases a sculpture, “Tree of Love,” designed with the glass-laser carving technique.

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

NUMISMATIC TREASURY Showcases a long history of money circulation on the territory of modern Georgia from the 6th century BC. to 1834.

Address: 1 L. Gudiashvili Str. TEL 299 99 09 www.museum.ge OPEN: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:30 Tickets: Adult – 3-5 GEL, Student – 1 GEL, School children – 0.5 GEL. EXHIBITIONS:

The exposition starts with the “first primitive money”- large bronze discs of different weight and form that date back to the 2nd-1st millenniums B.C., and “Kauri” a mollusk shell from the Indian Ocean.

THE TREASURE OF THE MUSEUM OF ART The treasure includes artifacts from the Early Bronze Age, Antique Hellenistic Age, Middle Ages, and modern period until the 1920s.

NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL COLLECTIONS Check out the oriental collections, featuring up to 180 objects of the

March 5-23 THE EXHIBITION SHALVA DZNELADZE 125 The exhibition features Shalva Dzneladze’s

125 works from museum and private collections, including illustrations of different literary works.

Until March 14 ANNIVERSARY-RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION GIGO GABASHVILI 155 Showcasing various paintings and graphic works, manuscripts and electronic versions of Gabashvili’s photographs, the exhibition also features a reconstruction of the artist’s room with his furniture and personal items. Many exhibits are displayed to the public for the first time.

MUSEUM OF SOVIET OCCUPATION Address: 3 Shota Rustaveli Ave. TEL 299 80 22 www.museum.ge OPEN: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:30 Tickets: Adult – 5 GEL, Student – 1 GEL, School children – 0.5 GEL, Children under 6 – GEL; Guide service –10-25 GEL. PERMANENT EXHIBITION The museum was opened on May 26, 2006. The permanent exhibition includes over 3000 exhibits depicting 70 years of the occupation of Georgia by Bolshevik Russia (1921-1991). Discover the State’s personal files of “subversive” Georgian public figures, orders to shoot or exile, and other artifacts representing Soviet-era cultural and political repression in Georgia.

ETHNOGRAPHIC OPEN AIR MUSEUM Address: 1 Turtle Lake TEL 223 09 60, 222 63 02 www.museum.ge OPEN: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:30 Tickets: Adult –5 GEL, Student –1 GEL, School children –0.5 GEL, Children under 6 – GEL; Guide service –10-25 GEL The museum boasts houses and household buildings brought from around Georgia, representing 14 ethnographic zones: Kartli, Samegrelo, Adjara, Abkhazia, Svaneti, Khevsureti, Kakheti, Meskheti, Javakheti, Guria, Imereti, Racha, Lechkhumi and Ossetia.

GEORGIAN STATE MUSEUM OF THEATER, MUSIC, CINEMA & CHOREOGRAPHY Address: 6 Kargareteli Str. TEL 295 35 63 www.artspalace.ge OPEN: Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00-17:00 Tickets: Adult –2 GEL, Students and School children –1 GEL. The building of the Georgian State Museum of Theater, Music, Cinema and Choreography was built at the end of 19th century by famous architect Paul Stern and is a fine example of Islamic gothic works. In 1927 this building became home to the Theater Museum and now houses over 300,000 exhibits, including posters, theater costumes, original paintings, books and music scores.

SIGHNAGHI MUSEUM Address: 8 Rustaveli Alley, Sighnaghi TEL 223 24 48

OPEN: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:30 Tickets: Adult –3 GEL, Student –1 GEL, School children –0.5 GEL, Children under 6 – FREE. EXHIBITIONS: ETHNOGRAPHY Numerous ethnographic materials, including musical instruments, tools, garments, and everyday items, are presented as part of the permanent exhibition at the Sighnaghi Museum. MEDIEVAL ARCHEOLOGY Details of daily life as experienced in a medieval (4th-18th century) Eastern Iberian settlement.

NIKO PIROSMANASHVILI The rich collections of the 19th-20th century self-educated artist Niko Pirosmanashvili’s are one of the main features at the musuem.

Pirosmani was born in the village of Mirzaani, in Kakheti. His early works represent the culture of this region, known for its beautiful landscapes and winemaking. His distinctive works are of paramount importance not only for Georgian culture, but for global art. LADO GUDIASHVILIS’S ARTWORK An exhibition presenting the artists 2nd creative phase, identifying an emphasis on pictorial and plastic values.

March 6- April 11 THE EXHIBITION OF GIA BUGADZE’S ARTWORKS OLIM – EVER

UTA BEKAIA’S SOLO SHOW Curator: Levan Mindiashvili “Super Humans” marks Bekaia’s growing interest in his native Georgian folklore and mythology. The entire gallery space and

The exposition of Gia Bugadze’s artworks “Olim - Ever” represents a megalography, consisting of 33 independent pieces concerted under the same considerable idea.

Until April 1 For the 10th anniversary of Sighnaghi Museum, Georgian National Museum presents ELENE AKHVLEDIANI’S RETROSPECTIVE & NIKO PIROSMANASHVILI’S RENEWED EXPOSITION. Elene Akhvlediani’s retrospective exhibition showcases the artist’s paintings and graphic works, including landscapes and theatrical sketches from the collections of the Elene Akhvlediani house-museum and Sh. Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts. Niko Pirosmanashvili’s exposition is renewed with the paintings “Deer at a Stream”, “Robber with a Stolen Horse,” “Carousal in a Vine Parasol,” “Woman with a Beer Mug” and the portrait of Shota Rustaveli, from the collections of Museum of Fine Arts.

gallery The National Gallery Address: 11, Rustaveli Ave., Tbilisi, Georgia TEL 2 5 73 00 OPEN: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-18:00 Tickets: Adult –5 GEL, School children –0.5 GEL, Children under 6 – FREE. Guided Tours: Up to 10 persons 25 GEL School groups: 10 GEL

Until March 3 MICHELANGELO & THE SISTINE CHAPEL Georgian National Museum and the Embassy of Italy to Georgia present THE EXHIBITION OF PREPARATORY DRAWINGS BY MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI. The exhibition displays six graphic works by Italian artist, sculptor, architect and poet of the Renaissance epoch, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), created between 1508 and 1510, during his work on the Sistine Chapel. Visitors can see the graphic details, including the hand from the fresco “Creation of Adam,” and figures from the fresco “The Fall of Man and the Expulsion from the Garden of Eden.” The exposition also incorporates multimedia, and a screening of the film “Journey to Discover Michelangelo.”

ERTI GALLERY Address: 19 P. Ingorokva Str. TEL 599 459 088 Until March 8 SUPER HUMANS.

window have been transformed into an immersive, experiential multi-channel video installation, reviving nine characters from different fairy tales that had the biggest influence on the artist in his childhood. Project Partner: Tbilisi MOMA Sponsor: Marjanishvili Theater Producer: Lika Evgenidze

DÉDICACE GALLERY Address: 27 Atoneli Str. TEL 599 42 54 14

Until February 25 WESTERN SECTOR BY MURTAZ SHVELIDZE Murtaz Shvelidze’s paintings are direct and nostalgic, resembling an album whose images trigger a chain of memories about relationships, ephemeral situations, and emotions frozen in time.

Events Calendar theater Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. TEL 200 44 66 February 15, 18 TRAVIATA

Anzor Khidasheli (Turiddu), Elene Janjalia (Lucia), Vano Galuashvili (Alfio), Irina Aleksidze (Lola) Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Theater choir and orchestra. Conductor- Papuna Gvaberidze Music director- Zaza Azmaiparashvili Director- Victor Garsia Sierra (Italy) Scenographer- Italo Grassi (Italy) Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 10-50 GEL March 3, 4 SWAN LAKE State Ballet of Georgia presents Pyotr Tchaikovskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two-act ballet Choreographic version and staging by Alexei Fadeechev Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 10-50 GEL

Starring: Nino Chachua, Otar Jorjikia, Sulkhan Gvelesiani, Nutsa Zakaidze, Mishelina Kobaliani, Tamaz Saginadze, Irakli Mujiri, Giorgi Chelidze, Levan Makaridze, Paata Sukhitashvili, Temur Akhobadze Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Theater Choir, orchestra and ballet dancers Conductor- Kakhi Solomnishvili Music director of the production: Zaza Azmaiparashvili Director- Laurent Gerber (Switzerland/Italy) Choreographer- Nina Ananiashvili Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 10-70 GEL February 23 CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA Starring: Nana Kavtarashvili (Santuzza),

Telling a story about Georgia and its people by combining song, dance, culture, traditions, history, national costumes and local cuisine. Musical Language: English, some Georgian (with English subtitles) Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 60-80 GEL

Shalikashvili Theater Address: 37 Shota Rustaveli Ave. TEL 595 50 02 03

Music and Drama State Theater 182 D. Aghmashenebeli Ave. TEL 577 55 00 33 March 13, 20, 27 WELCOME TO GEORGIA Premiere A musical, theatrical play and romantic comedy

March 16, 17, SHAKESPEARE SONNETS Performance of William Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sonnets Start time: 20:00 Ticket price: 15 GEL

February 23, 24 KRIMANCHULI Start time: 20:00 Ticket price: 15 GEL

Directed by Rezo Gabriadze English Subtitles Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 20, 30 GEL

Movement Theater Address: 182 Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 598 19 29 36

Georgian Film Studio 5th Pavilion Address: 10a Akhmeteli Str. TEL 252 09 13

February 23 LABYRINTH Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Start time: 20:00 Ticket price: 10-15 GEL

March 10 LOUDSPEAKERS The solo concert Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 10-15 GEL

MUSIC Spacehall Address: 2 A. Tsereteli Ave. March 7 DECODER: AME / RECONDITE LIVE / ELLEN ALLIEN / TADE Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 40 GEL

Address: 13 Shavteli Str. TEL 298 65 90 March 3, 4, 8, 9 AUTUMN OF MY SPRING Rezo Gabriadze

Address: 1 Melikishvili Ave. TEL 595 79 79 35 March 10 PARGEOTY PARGEOTY - SF-X /Kay G/ Young Mic / LUKA / KUPRA /Sakana Start time: 22:00 Ticket: 15 GEL

February 24 The Story of a Murderer Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Start time: 20:00 Ticket price: 10-15 GEL

Gabriadze Theater

Event Hall

March 24 COSMOLOGIC Line Up: Red Axes JD J (Zeinkali, Vodkast Recrods) Zurkin Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 30 GEL

Djansug Kakhidze Tbilisi Center for Music and Culture

MUSEUMS Museum Of Fine Arts

Address: 123/125 Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 295 01 19 February 24 THE CONCERT OF CHAMBER MUSIC DEDICATED TO CREATIONS OF FAMOUS GEORGIAN COMPOSER VAZHA AZARASHVILI Chamber ensemble Georgia Modern Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10 GEL

Tbilisi State Conservatoire Address: 8 Griboedov Str. TEL 298 71 86

Address: 1 L. Gudiashvili Str. TEL 299 99 09 February 28 BEKA GOCHIASHVILI JAZZ TRIO FROM NEW-YORK Beka Gochiashvili– Piano, Keyboard Marty Jaffe– Bass Jimmy Mcbride– Drums Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 50-100 GEL

March 5-23 THE EXHIBITION SHALVA DZNELADZE 125 The exhibition features Shalva Dzneladze’s 125 works from museum and private collections, including illustrations of different literary works.

The Gate club Address: Miracle Park, Batumi February 16 SVANSIKH- GABUNIA Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

Diva Club TEL 555 71 61 14 Address: 37 Kostava Str. www.divaclub.ge “Diva Show Girls” — where your dreams and fantasies come true! “Diva Show Girls” is no ordinary strip club — it’s a high-end luxury gentlemen’s club where the most beautiful girls perform all your erotic dreams. Our stunningly beautiful and mind-blowingly dancers, with their silky skin and unforgettable moves, will make your visits unforgettable. They will hypnotize and seduce you, and will whisk you away into the land of your deepest erotic fantasies. Our club‘s upscale interior is designed as an ancient noble castle — at the place where you can just relax and escape from the mundane and into the dream world. We offer a wide range of services, including: — A rich and different “Crazy Menu” — Top-shelf bar with premium spirits from around the world — Cigar bar — VIP and private rooms — Delicious and diverse European cuisine We are open for you every day!

Listing: Georgian Travel Agencies Agassi Travel Address: 7 Dadiani Str. TEL 577 04 48 80 www.agassitravel.com

Plan your dream trip in Georgia with Agassi Travel, offering you exclusive services during your stay in Georgia. Agassi has a variety of options for accommodation, tours, mixed services and choices for everyone. Agassi can provide Cultural, Seasonal, and Healing tours and Excursions, Corporate, and Extreme trips. We know how important it is to have your itinerary before you start your holiday. Agassi allows you to pick the dates, make reservations in advance and use all the benefits as a guest of the company throughout your stay in Georgia. David, a photographer and the owner of the company is very hospitable and has special offers for guests: in order to make your trip extra special, he will photograph your journey for you! And this is not the only reason why you should check them out as they have plenty of other offers stretched out over Georgia. Winter has come and the trips are exciting as they involve resorts in famous Georgian ski resorts and unique amusing ways to spend your holiday here. Transportation it is

included the tour package. The company can also provide accommodation and transportation for disabled people. Their focus is to deliver high-quality service and make your stay in our country unforgettable.

Georgia Holiday

Travel Co

Rustar Online

Address: 12b A. Kazbegi Ave. TEL 200 04 45 www.georgiaholiday.com info@georgiaholiday.com

Address: 9 K. Apkhazi Str., 128 Aghmashenebeli Ave. TEL 557 59 14 08 (whatsapp, viber), 593 40 06 01 (whatsapp, viber) www.travelco.ge info@travelco.ge reservation@travelco.ge FB – TravelCoGeorgia Instagram - travelcogeorgia

Address: 7 Ts. Dadiani str. TEL 593 09 78 78 gm@rustaronline.ge www.rustartourism.com

Travel company ‘YOUR Group’

APG Georgia

Address: 34 I. Chavchavadze Ave. TEL 577 03 05 44, 243 143 incoming@yourgroup.ge

Turi.ge Address: 42 I. Abashidze Str. TEL 242 50 05 www.turi.ge info@turi.ge

Address: 6 Pushkin Str. TEL 2430444, 2434006 E-mail: tours@apggeorgia.com

Visit Georgia Address: 4a Ingorokva Str. TEL 292 22 46 www.visitgeorgia.ge vg@visitgeorgia.ge

Living Roots Travel TEL 599480086 tamara@travellivingroots.com www.travellivingroots.com Culinary and wine tours. Living Roots Ranch offers horseback rides from 1 hour to multi-day treks

Interco Travel Address: 14 I. Abashidze Str. TEL 229 43 43 www.interco.travel info@interco.travel

Caucasus Travel Address: 22 Peritsvaleba Str. TEL 298 74 00 www.caucasustravel.com Georgia@caucasustravel.com

listing: Nightlife casinos ambasadori Address:17 Shavteli Str., 0105,Tbilisi, Georgia TEL 211 21 21 info@ambasadori.casino

Casino Ambassador is an elite gambling club based on the idea of a premium-class casino. It includes a unique approach to each customer and high-class service. The refined design, comfortable environment

and perfect service that will be found in the Ambassador is a continuation of the hotel “Ambassador Tbilisi” concept. The Casino offers guests an unlimited amount of entertainment and relaxation 24/7 for both men and women.

Iveria

When high bets are drawn, when the concentration is at its peak; when comfort means more than just luxury, club “Ambassador” will open its VIP-apartments for you- three apartments of different color, exclusive furniture, relaxation zones, bathrooms and, of course, a professional table.

Address: Erekle II Sq. (Bridge of Peace), 2 River Mtkvari Right Embankment TEL 220 07 01

Prize money for weekly chess tournament is 64,000 GEL Prize money for the weekly Saturday raffle is 120,000 GEL

Address: Rose Revolution Sq. TEL 240 22 45, 240 22 46 www.casinoiveria.com

Shangri La

Adjara Address: 1 26 May Sq. TEL 233 55 19

Adjara bet Address: Old Tbilisi, Merab Kostava, near subway «Technical University» TEL 271 10 10, 236 43 60

Night Clubs Cafe-Gallery

SPACEHALL

HUBBLE

Address: 48 Rustaveli Str. TEL 299 57 47

Address: 2 A. Tsereteli Ave. www.spacehall.com

Address: 10 Sanapiro Str. TEL 555 31 66 44

Number 13

KHIDI

Address: 13 Akhvlediani Str. TEL 2 92 13 13, 599 771 080

Address: V Bagrationi bridge., right embankment https://www.facebook.com/KHIDICLUB/

NINE CLUB & LOUNGE

Mtkvarze Address: 2 Agladze Str. TEL 599 19 33 44

Bassiani Address: 2 A. Tsereteli Ave. www.bassiani.com

Address: Europe Sq. TEL 557 70 90 90

SAFE CLUB

Elektrowerk

Address: 9 Rkinis Rigi Str. TEL 557 70 00 44

Address: 2 Monk Gabriel Salosi I Turn TEL 577 78 24 97

SUCCESS BAR Address: Vashlovani Str.

HOTEL PORTA CAUCASIA KAZBEGI Feel at home in Caucasus

The name of the hotel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Porta Caucasiaâ&#x20AC;? has great significance, meaning 'Gate of the Caucasus.' This newly-established 4 star hotel in the heart of Kazbegi offers alpine style sophistication and elegance. The hotel stands out for its exquisite tasteful interior and creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for guests. A combination of earthy materials and ecofriendly manufacturing makes this beautiful hotel ideal for all tastes.

The hoTel offers: * 33 Deluxe and suite rooms with excellent panoramic views over the Mkinvartsveri and Kuro Mountain * World Class service * Georgian and european restaurants with unique and delightful cuisine * spa & Beauty salon and sauna * Wine shop by Winery Khareba

ou to host y gi d r a w r fo e looking Caucasia Kazb at Por ta

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

to stay

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

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

Shorena Uchaneishvili General Manager of Best Western Kutaisi

Best Western Kutaisi Overlooking the white waters of Rioni River and the locally famous White Bridge, the hotel is located very centrally, with the Old Town and its choice of traditional restaurants within walking distance and the famous Gelati and Bagrati monasteries 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 reasons to choose Best Western Kutaisi as a place to stay.

to stay

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

Best Western Plus Batumi The newly built Best Western Plus Batumi is 4-star hotel ideal as place to stay while visiting Georgia’s vibrant summer holiday capital, Batumi, whether you’re on a business or leisure trip. The hotel overlooks the pebble beach and offers nice balconies and a roof bar. The 50 rooms at this 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.

Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili Paragraph Resort & Spa, Shekvetili - a unique place combining sea, forest landscape and bold contemporary design, engraving “a new paragraph in the history of fabled Georgian hospitality.” Chic and sophisticated, the exotically inspired retreat creates a profound feeling of divine harmony and seamless relaxation by the Black Sea Coast. Set in Shekhvetili, Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili, Autograph Collection offers 5-star accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court and a fitness center. Guests enjoy sea views from their rooms, and access to a hot tub.

Crowne Plaza Borjomi Crowne Plaza Borjomi hotel is a short drive from Borjomi Park train station. Local attractions include riverside walks, medieval castles and the serene 10th-century Green Monastery. Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) is 2.5 hours away by car. The largest of four flexible meeting rooms can host up to 185 people. Fast and Fresh meal options will keep you energized and focused. You can enjoy indulgent spa treatments including heated sulphur baths and a swim in the pool. The hotel’s yoga room is the perfect place to stretch and tone. Relax with a glass of local wine in the Khareba Wine Bar or enjoy a cocktail on the roof terrace. Afterwards, select from a range of delicious Georgian and international dishes in the All Day Dining or A La Carte restaurants.

Gallery Palace Hotel ‘Gallery Palace’ hotel is situated in one of the most prestigious and beautiful districts in Tbilisi – Sololaki. Gallery Palace is an ideal place for family holidays, romantic dinners, business trips, business meetings, corporate and entertainment events. Its location in the heart of Tbilisi will allow you to immerse yourself in an atmosphere full of life, but within the hotel walls pure comfort and tranquility. Guests can use the Gym, Saunas, Jacuzzi and massage rooms. In the evenings Gallery Palace hotel offers guests an on-site restaurant, where you can spend a romantic evening and have a delicious dinner of Georgian and European cuisine. The hotel also has a terrace, where, with a glass of Georgian wine, guests can look out over the city, get some fresh air and simply relax.

to stay

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

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

Listing: 4 & 5 Star Hotels in Tbilisi 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 Address: 29 Rustaveli Ave. TEL 2 72 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 Address: 4 Freedom Sq. TEL 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.

Sharden Villa Address: 42 K. Apkhazi Str. TEL 272 46 14, 275 44 95 www.shardenvilla.ge Hotel Sharden Villa is a modern boutique style Hotel located in the historical center

to stay

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

Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi Address: Tbilisi Sea District TEL 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.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

away, while the airport is 12.9 km from the hotel.

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.

Citadines Tbilisi Address: 4a Freedom Sq. TEL 254 70 30 www.citadines.com

Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel Address: 1 Rose Revolution Sq. TEL 240 22 00

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

Tbilisi Marriott Hotel Address: 13 Rustaveli Ave. TEL 277 92 00 www.marriott.com Once you enter its grand atrium-style lobby adorned with crystal chandeliers,

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.

Mercure Tbilisi Old Town Address: 9 V. Gorgasali Str. TEL 200 60 60 Showcasing a sun terrace and views of the city, Mercure Tbilisi Old Town offers a spa center and sauna, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or a drink at the bar. Each room in the hotel is air conditioned and equipped with a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms include a lounge area to relax in after a busy day and each room comes with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. Freedom Square is 1.1 km from Mercure Tbilisi, and Rustaveli Theater is 1.8 km

to stay

Your stay in the Caucasus will be extraordinary and timeless if you stay at the Apart’hotel Citadines Freedom Square Tbilisi. Situated near the National Museum and the Georgian Chancellery, it will be your ideal base for heading off to explore the countless and priceless, yet little-known treasures of Georgia’s re-emergent capital.

Holiday Inn Address: 26 May Sq. TEL 230 00 99 www.hi-tbilisi.com

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 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.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

No12 Boutique Hotel Address: 12 Khodasheni Str. (near Leselidze), Tbilisi www.No12hotel.com @no12hotel TEL 322 55 22 12

Rustaveli Boutique Hotel Address: 4. Freedom Sq., Tbilisi info@rbh.ge www.rbh.ge @RustaveliBoutiqueHotel TEL 32 2880014 gian artists, available to view and buy. The hotel is famous for its elegant restaurant with a rare combination of delicious and healthy food.

vinotel Address: 4 E. Akhvlediani Ascent TEL 255 58 88 www.vinotel.ge

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.

Rustaveli boutique hotel is designed to make your stay in Tbilisi a unique experience, whether you’re here for business or for pleasure. The hotel is located just a few steps away from the Old Town. Reflecting the real soul of Georgia, the main design concept came from the most popular and amazing Georgian poem “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin,” written by medieval poet Shota Rustaveli. The charming, unique design of each room, guest-oriented staff and service will make you feel special. Rustaveli boutique hotel offers breakfast at any hour, Jazz evenings and free Wi-Fi.

gallery palace Address: 5 Ingorokva Str. TEL 244 04 40 www.gallerypalace.ge Perfectly located in the heart of Tbilisi within walking distance of the city’s famous historical sights, this hotel offers guests a unique comfortable and sophisticated environment surrounded by the artwork of contemporary famous Geor-

to stay

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.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

Hotel Wine Palace Address: 31, B. Kvernadze Str. Tbilisi TEL 233 88 08, 555 35 55 55 www.winepalace.ge Email: info@winepalace.ge Facebook: #HotelWinePalace

City Center

Address: Queen Tamar Ave. 24 TEL 224 43 42 www.citycenter.ge Email: info@citycenter.ge

and the bars and restaurants of the hotel have been made as prominent as the first restaurant was back in the day.

SAIRME HOTELS & RESORT TEL 240 45 45 45/46/47 www.sairme.com.ge

AMbassadori Hotel 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. 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.

Address: 17 Shavteli Str. TEL 2 43 94 94 Sairme is a resort town where you can give life a new chance and bring into your everyday life more greenery, positivity and calm, and become healthier both physically and mentally.

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

to stay

Health resort Sairme is located south of Kutaisi, in the Baghdadi municipality, at 950 m above sea level. Located in a mountainous subtropical zone, it is distinguished for its unique location, healing springs, ecologically clear environment and beautiful nature. It also represents the biggest resort in Europe and Caucasia. With green coverage of 60 hectares, is the only resort able to offer springs of six different treatment abilities, said to be able to cure 64 kinds of disease. There are five conference halls and meeting rooms in the hotel. And once work is done, head to the Italian and Georgian restaurants and enjoy the services of the rehabilitation center, billiard/training halls, ponds, and bike tracks.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

Rixos Borjomi

GOLDEN TULIP BORJOMI HOTEL

Museum Hotel Address: 8/10 Vakhtang Orbeliani Str. TEL 224 49 99

Address: 48, 9 April Str. Borjomi TEL 288 02 02, 591 02 80 82 E-mail: info@goldentulipborjomipalace.com www.goldentulipborjomipalace.com

You can enjoy the highest standards of Rixos, one of the most rapidly growing luxury hotel chains in the world, in the town of Borjomi, situated as little as 177 km from Tbilisi Airport. Rixos Hotel Borjomi awaits you in the homeland of the renowned Borjomi mineral water, in the very center of a coniferous park. Superior rooms face the spectacular surroundings, individual wellness programs are drawn up for you by the specialists of Rixos Borjomi Medical Center, as beauty and relaxation procedures are provided by the hotel’s SPA Center. At Rixos restaurants you can treat yourself to various dishes of Georgian and European cuisine, and live music will make your evenings even more unforgettable. Rixos Borjomi is a perfect place for a family rest; your children will be happy to visit the 5D cinema or play games provided by Rixy Club’s professional animators, while the adults can practice horse-riding, archery, volleyball, basketball, rafting or visit, astride an ATV, the Romanovs’ Summer Palace located within the hotel territory. Rixos Borjomi offers its guests a rest to benefit their health. What could be better than combining a luxurious rest with health recovery by means of the famous Borjomi mineral waters and relaxing SPA procedures.

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.

to stay

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.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

CITY AVENUE Hotel Address: Agmashenebeli Ave.140B TEL 224 41 44 www.cityavenue.ge

Hotel City Avenue is a premium class boutique hotel located in the center of the old city. Close to many business centers and company head offices, it is surrounded by shops, restaurants, theaters and many other entertainment and sightseeing places. What’s more D. Agmashenebeli Avenue is one of the most beautiful streets in Tbilisi. The hotel’s modern interior design and classic exterior decor offers you a very special atmosphere and positive aura. The fully equipped rooms and friendly staff will make your holidays both comfortable and unforgettable. The Café features a good choice of Georgian and international food with a relaxing atmosphere and chill-out terrace. Our professional staff is ready to serve with the spirit of Georgian hospitality. The hotel offers a great conference facility with modern technology and convenient services. Hotel City Avenue is a 5-minute walk from Marjanishvili metro station, 5 minutes’ drive from Station Square and 20 minutes’ from the airport.

The Terrace Boutique Hotel Address: 7 P. Kakabadze Str. TEL 299 90 01

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.

Astoria Tbilisi 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

Address: 23 D. Chonqadze Str. TEL 249 70 10 Friendly and attentive staff, calm atmosphere, comfortable apartments. The rooms are designed in an immortal classic style and equipped with everything you need:

to stay

TV, WI FI, air-conditioning, telephone and mini bar. Facilities include: conference halls, meeting rooms, fitness center, sauna and a swimming pool. The “Astoria Tbilisi” hotel in Tbilisi offers originality in a cozy bar and wonderful Georgian national and European cuisine. The 24-hour reception desk makes it possible to solve any problems immediately. Hospitable “Astoria Tbilisi” hotel provides guests with the comfort of the highest level and in an affordable price range.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

Tiflis Palace Address: 3 Gorgasali Str. TEL 200 02 45 www.tiflispalace.ge Email: reservation@tiflispalace.ge

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 anti-allergy linen and orthopedic mattress, conference and banqueting facilities, and the best culinary venue.

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

BETSY’S HOTEL Address: 32-34 Makashvili Street, Tbilisi,Georgia TEL 293 14 04 info@betsyshotel.com www.betsyshotel.com

BEST WESTERN KUTAISI THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL HOTEL IN KUTAISI Joseb Grishashvili Street 11, Kutaisi 4600, Georgia T: (+995) 32 2 197 100 info@bwkutaisi.com reservations@bwkutaisi.com www.bwkutaisi.com

Wherever Life Takes You, Best Western Is There.* Each Best Western branded hotel is independently owned and operated.

Apart Hotel MX

Apart Hotel MX is 4-star comfortable apart hotel, located between the city center and airport, 10 minutes from Freedom Square and 1 minute from the metro station. Staff offer an attentive, personalized service and are always available to offer help. Our two-bedroom apartments are designed and decorated to ensure your stay will be comfortable, memorable and homely.

Mob: +995 574 300 800 Tel: +995 322 158 300 Email: info@aparthotelmx.ge Web: www.aparthotelmx.ge Address: Javakheti Str. 24a, Tbilisi

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.

Your Home in Tbilisi

Rooms Hotels Tbilisi Address: 14 M. Kostava Str. TEL 202 00 99 www.roomshotels.com

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

to stay

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 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

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

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.

FABRIKA Address: 8 Ninoshvili Str. TEL 202 03 99 The big cultural success since 2016, Fabrika is a perfect example of gentrifica-

BEST WESTERN KUTAISI Address: 11 Grishashvili Str. TEL 219 71 00 www.bwkutaisi.com

tion 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.

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. Over-

GOLDEN TULIP BORJOMI HOTEL Address: 48, 9 Aprili Street Borjomi, Georgia; 1200 Tel: +995 322 880202 Mob: +995 591 028082 Fax: +995 322 880202 Info@goldentulipborjomip alace.com www. goldentulipborjomipalace.com

Golden Tulip Borjomi hotel is managed by the French International hotel chain “Golden Tulip;” which belongs to “Louvre Hotels Group” that has become one of the largest hotel chains in the world. Modern facilities, personal service and international standards guarantee upscale comfort with a local flair.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

looking 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 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!

HOTEL PORTA CAUCASIA KAZBEGI Address: 2 Tergdaleulebi St., Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), Georgia Tel: +995 322 25 77 70 Mail: info@portacaucasia.com FB: @PortaCaucasiaKazbegi Feel at home in Caucasus

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.

Mercure Address:Tbilisi old city at Gorgasali Street #9. TEL 200 60 60

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 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.

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 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 STYLE TBILISI CENTER Address: G. Tabidze #4 TEL 200 24 24

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

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

to stay

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”.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

Listing: Family Hotels Travelling on a budget or fancy something more personal than the usual luxurious offerings? Check out the list below.

The Family Hotel Address: 41a Mnatobi Str., Tbilisi TEL 291 00 09, 577 763685 www.hotelthefamily.ge

Room; Studio Double Room; Family Suite each air conditioned and equipped with a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms include a seating area for your convenience. The rooms have a private bathroom, slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is a 24-hour front desk, a shared lounge and a gift shop on the property.

The hostel sells its own snacks and provides packed lunches for day trips, but guests are also free to prepare their own food in the shared kitchenette.

No12 Apart’Hotel Address: 9 Zichi Str., Tbilisi www.no12hotel.com @no12aparthotel TEL 322 55 22 12

The hotel also provides tours around the Georgia.

Hostel Konka The Family, an elegant and conceptual hotel with a perfect combination of modern design and Georgian tradition, is located in the ecologically clean and cozy district of Svanetisubani, 1.9 km from Rustaveli Theater. The Family Hotel has its own restaurant and garden with an open kitchen available for guests to learn more about Georgian cuisine. The Family features three fully equipped modern room types - Standard Double

Address: 14 Nishnianidze Str. TEL 558 36 37 90 Located along the old city wall, this cozy hostel’s location could not be better. Everything in central Tbilisi is within walking distance, while Baratashvili Street (a central hub of bus and minibus transport) sits in front of the building. Freedom Square and its metro station are five minutes away. The hostel provides beds in rooms accommodating eight, six and four respectively.

Hostel Shark Address: 144/2 Aghmashenebeli Str. TEL 599 18 47 07 This hostel has a reputation for excellent food and friendly service. Situated on a renovated avenue, its low prices are uncommon in this upmarket part of the city.

to stay

No12 Apart’Hotel is serviced apartments by the old Parliament building. Each apartment is 50 sqm, ideal for family or friends, or for a longer stay for business travelers. The apartments provide the finest comfort with warm-colored interiors with traditional elements of decor, including all modern conveniences: satellite TV, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and more. Each apartment can accommodate two couples. A baby crib is provided free of charge.

Hotel & Wellness Resort კასტელო მარე სასტუმრო & გამაჯანსაღებელი კომპლექსი

Apart Hotel MX Address: Javakheti Str. 24a, Tbilisi Tel 215 83 00, 574 30 08 00 Email: info@aparthotelmx.ge Web: www.aparthotelmx.ge

Apart Hotel MX is 4-star comfortable apart hotel, located between the city centre and airport – 10 minutes from airport, 10 minutes from Freedom Square and 1 minutes from metro station. Staff offer an attentive, personalized service and are always available to offer any help to you. Our two-bedroom apartments are designed and decorated to make sure that your stay will be comfortable, memorable and feel like at home. What about our huge sunny terrace with wonderful views, you have to come to us to feel it.

Orange Inn Address: 8 Trialeti Str. TEL 555 00 05 73 Located between the airport and the city center, this charming five-room guest house offers private accommodation on a budget. Guests will truly be made to feel at home when they see this friendly family-run business. Although the prices are similar to those of Tbilisi’s many hostels, each room has its own private bathroom. Car hire is also available.

Corner Hostel Address: Gudiashvli Garden TEL 598 23 28 95

Corner Hostel is located in central Tbilisi, 400 m. from Freedom Square and 1.1 km. from Rustaveli Theater. The property features free Wi-Fi throughout. Some units include a seating area where the guests can relax. Each room includes a shared bathroom and there is a shared kitchen with a coffee machine.

Hotel My House Address: 16 Sevani Str. TEL 274 72 60, 274 75 13, 599 14 00 94 Hotel My House has nine rooms (1 Luxe). Price includes breakfast. Free Wi-Fi.

Guest House Zemeli Address: 24 8 Marti Str./24 S. Zaldastanishvili Str. TEL 577 44 01 80 Featuring free Wi-Fi and a barbecue, Guest House Zemeli offers pet-friendly accommodation in Tbilisi, 600 m. from Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater. Certain rooms feature a seating area where you can relax, and some have views of the garden or city. All rooms have a shared bathroom, free toiletries and a hairdryer. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels is available, as is a 24-hour front desk.

to stay

Guest House 15 in Kazbegi Address: Vaja Pshavela Str. #76, Kazbegi, Georgia Tel 595 92 07 01

Featuring free WiFi and a sun terrace, Guest House 15 offers accommodations in Kazbegi, just 24.1 km from Gudauri. You will find a shared kitchen at the property and you can play ping-pong at the guesthouse. A flat-screen TV is featured. The guest house has recently added gym as well for the guests comfort. This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Kazbegi and is also rated for the best value in this region. There are 9 fully equipped rooms in total. The property has big and beautiful garden. They also provide driver and guide services if needed. Guest House 15 is ideal place not only for the tourists but as well for the locals going to Kazbegi for a weekend as well as celebrating events such as birthdays, weddings, etc.

to eat

Exclusive Restaurant Guide . . . e c i o h C My

David Tavernier Executive Chef at Qalaqi Restaurant

Qalaqi It’s my first choice because, in terms of food service and choice, I am going to make the exact kind of restaurant that I would go to. I will be in charge of all the little details, enabling me to create the best standards and experience for my customers. There will be a plethora of options for food: European, Georgian, and fine dining. You can come every day, sit at any table in the restaurant, and have a different feel and ambiance, because each part of design will be different. Even if you come here seven days a week, for lunch and dinner, your experience will be unique for every meal.

AnonA A small, new place that opened two weeks ago, it’s run by a Georgian chef, Guram Baghdoshvili, who is a friend of mine. He worked in Spain and Portugal for many years, and is both an amazingly talented chef and amazing person; he helped me a lot with finding my suppliers and settling into Georgia. His style is unique: a nice mix of Georgian food with Spanish, Portuguese style; a fusion of both which is really nice. I would say that the food is 80% Georgian, 20% international — but not two separate menus, it’s all together on the plate. He modernizes old Georgian recipes, and I really like that mentality. Everything is fresh, everything is handmade. We share the same philosophy: a passion and love for food.

to eat

Georgian House The best traditional restaurant that I have been to in Georgia. I have tried local food in many places, but this is the best. The food is really, really good. Moreover, what I like about it is the similarities that it shares with Qalaqi: you can go for lunch in one section, dinner in another, and you get a different experience. It’s a proper, perfect, traditional Georgian restaurant.

La Boheme Enzo, the chef, is another good friend of mine. Given that part of my family is Italian, I get a natural crush on Italian chefs and Italian cuisine. I really like La Boheme because it offers some of the best cocktails in town; I’m a big fan of cocktail pairing with food, and it’s the first place in Georgia where I’ve seen that done well. Their mixologist is amazing, constantly collaborating with Enzo to produce the best pairings. While I would not call their food neither simple nor fine dining, it is really fresh and perfectly cooked. It is the only Italian restaurant in Georgia where, when I close my eyes while eating, I feel like I’m in Italy. It is the same effect I hope to have at Qalaqi: French customers closing their eyes while eating and being taken to France. That’s how it should be.

Cafe Littera I’ve been only once but I have huge respect for the chef Tekuna Gachechiladze. First, she is a woman. Being a female chef in Georgia is not easy in this culture when you have male staff members. She had to show incredible strength and character to survive and become successful in this environment. Moreover, she was the first Georgian chef in Georgia to implement this fusion, fine dining food culture, ten years ago when no one had even heard about it. It is nice food and cooking, a completely different and more modern way of thinking about Georgian food. Today, she is still here, elected as the best chef and restaurant of the year last year by the Gault & Millau guide. She deserves it. It is very easy for me as a French chef to come here and start my work — I am not sure that if I was a Georgian woman, in Georgia ten years ago, I would have been able to achieve what she has. Her food is amazing, in terms of cooking, seasoning, balance of taste. Amazing.

to eat

Tbilisi the Focus of Culinary Backstreets Article By Tamzin Whitewood

The global guide to cuisine and the ‘it’ spots for where to eat, Culinarybacksteets.com, in January published an article with Tbilisi as the main subject. The article is entitled ‘Tbilisi: State of the Stomach 2018”.

The article speaks about Tbilisi’s complicated history, and how its food culture is one that is ageless and something Georgian people have cherished over time. “It is no exaggeration to say we are in the midst of a budding culinary revolution in Tbilisi, where people are redefining the conception of Georgian cuisine in flavors, methods and sophistication,” the article reads. “Driven by greater contact with the rest of the world and growing international recognition of the soulful richness of Georgian food and wine, the movement is also a resurrection of old, pre-Soviet culinary traditions.”

“Tbilisi is a melting pot of a little over one million people. It’s a collision of modern and ancient, neither Europe nor Asia – singularly “Tbilisi” where tradition is the overriding theme. Walk down a given street and you will smell the seductive aroma of fresh bread wafting out of old cellar bakeries, baked in cylindrical ovens just like it always has. Listen to the refrain of “matsoni, matsoni,” being sung by women lugging bags packed with jars of the fresh sour yogurt at eight in the morning in every neighborhood.” Photo: culinarybackstreets.com

Georgia’s Addictive Cousin to Pizza? Article About Khachapuri on bbc.com By Tom Day “Khachapuri, a gooey, addictive, cheesestuffed flatbread, is ubiquitous in Georgia. However, most bakers believe that it can only be made properly by happy people,” begins the BBC website article about one of Georgia’s most loved national foods. This is not the first time that Georgian cuisine has attracted the attention of international news; we are seeing it more and more as Georgia’s popularity as a tourist destination continues to grow. The article tells the story of the writer’s experience of eating one of these cheese boats “at a roadside restaurant on the Rikoti Pass in central Georgia,” seeing it prepared and then making it himself.

“To prove her point, my friend Mako Kavtaradze, a born-and-bred resident of the capital, Tbilisi, and executive director of Georgian spice company Spy Recipe, stood up from the table and started walking toward the kitchen. ‘C’mon,’ she said. ‘I’m going to show you the woman who made this, and I guarantee you she will be as happy as this Khachapuri is delicious.’” “In the back of the kitchen, a rotund woman was sitting in a chair with a pile of freshly kneaded dough next to her, rolling balls of sallty Sulguni cheese for Khachapuri. She looked up and flashed a large smile at us, two strangers who probably shouldn’t have just barged into her work space. ‘See,’ Kavtaradze said. ‘She’s happy.’”

to eat

The author references a local woman telling him how you must only prepare when you are happy, as sadness will spread to the finished product. “’If you’re in a bad mood or sad, when you’re grieving the death of a loved one or have a broken heart, you should never even touch dough; just stay away from it,’ Kavtaradze said. “If you’re not in a happy mood, we will be able to tell when we taste the Khachapuri that you make.’”

Go Nuts! By Nino Gugunishvili

Forget all the “mega giants” of traditional Georgian cuisine like Khinkali, Mtsvadi, and Khachapuri, and even roasted piglet! There are much more elegant, tasty, mouthwatering dishes to try, and fried aubergines (eggplants) with nuts is undeniably one of them. Fried eggplants with nuts or, as Georgians call them, Nigvziani Badrijani (ნიგვზიანი ბადრიჯანი) are usually served as starters at Georgian feasts (supras), and are particularly tasty paired with mchadi, the oven-baked cornbread. To prepare eggplants with nut-paste rolls, you’ll need to first slice the eggplants without peeling, fry them, then grind the walnuts, spices, garlic, vinegar, and water together in a food processor. Once the fried eggplants

are ready and already cooled, fill them with the nut paste by rolling up the eggplant slices. Top with pomegranate seeds and enjoy!

and paper are ground together, and the prepared mass added to the beans. Red beans with walnuts is served cold.

Baje (ბაჟე) Baje is a traditional Georgian (Mengrelian) dish prepared with roasted chicken in walnut sauce. Baje goes wonderfully with both ghomi (prepared from cornflour), with stuffed Sulguni cheese inside, served hot, with mchadi. Red Beans with Walnuts (Nigvziani Lobio) Yet another traditional and popular dish, it is prepared with cooled boiled beans. Walnuts, onions, Georgian spices, salt

to eat

Top 6

Vegan- Friendly Cafes & Restaurants in Tbilisi By Nino Gugunishvili

Tbilisi is mushrooming in its choice of places to dine out: from traditional Georgian food to European, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Libanese restaurants, small cafés and burger joints. Yet but is young to the concept of vegan, which has yet to be well-incorporated into its diverse culinary scene. Check out what the capital has to offer so far and treat yourself to some vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

KIWI VEGAN CAFE Ideal for backpackers, those on a budget and those who love vegan food! It’s a simply-furnished affair with painted walls and a mishmash of furniture. The smell when you walk in is that of a typical Georgian grandma’s house- musk and dry tea leaves. The food is cheap and filling: Tofu Sandwich & Fries (5 GEL), Falafel Wrap (6 GEL) and more. We recommend the vegan burger with fries! And there is a wide choice of teas and reasonably priced wines. They also offer a book-swap service and are cat-friendly. 6 Ivane Machabeli Str.Tbilisi, TEL 514 00 01 75 OPEN 12:00PM - 11:00PM

CODE DE VINO A quiet, cozy wine bar with a spacious veranda on the central Galaktion Tabidze Street, this is the right place to start your journey into the world of local wines and not get lost. Fine wines from small producers are paired with exclusive dishes from their young Georgian chef. We loved the trout in avocado sauce with a glass of fantastic blended Imeretian wine (Krakhuna, Tsitska and Tsolikouri). Another winning pairing is mushroom pasta with white Qvevri Krakhuna. From time to time, Code de Vino organizes movie evenings with wine. Follow them on facebook in order not to miss an exciting combination of eternal classics! 14/9 G.Tabidze Str. Tbilisi TEL 322 98 29 64 www.facebook.com/BenChelero

to eat

BARBARESTAN

HUMMUS BAR

The story behind this cozy restaurant sounds incredible. “Barbarestan” means “At Barbare’s” in Georgian, but it’s not the owner’s name. Back in 1847, noble lady Barbare Jorjadze, a truly progressive mind of the XIX century, speaker for women’s rights and dedicated housekeeper, published a book of recipes and practical household tips. Mid-2010s, one of the copies was discovered at the Tbilisi flea market by one of the restaurant’s founders. The founders are, by the way, the parents of 11 children, and the elder children are also involved in family business. While working on the restaurant concept, they decided to make Barbare’s book the base of the whole menu. The interior design also remembers XIX century Georgia, when nobles gathered for beautiful dinners: brick walls, traditional tablecloths, wooden furniture, wonderfully painted plates… The staff is extremely attentive and polite, and if you happen to meet one of founders, a member of that big Qurasbediani family, you will be enchanted by the manner in which they will treat you. The food is prepared according to old Georgian recipes, so some names and ingredients might surprise you. The waiters can advise you well, plus they are trained to pair wines with dishes, too. Quince soup, cucumber and nadughi salad, assortments of dips, a glass of Qvevri wine and a piece of pelamushi cake are a great option for a light dinner. Hot tea with a variety of homemade jams (white cherry, fig, walnut, feijoa and even aubergine!) is also a great option for a cool autumn evening with family or friends.

Located in the inner courtyard, this cozy, family-owned cozy Mediterranean/Israeli restaurant offers vegetarian cuisine. If you’re looking for fresh, homemade vegetarian food, you should definitely check this one out. It also serves “Freshi & Veggie” weekend brunches.

132 Aghmashenebeli Ave. TEL 294 37 79 www.facebook.com/barbarestan

MAHARAJAH Enjoy a pure traditional Indian taste reflection with a 200-year-old history. The best place to have lunches, dinners, and tea breaks, with the chance to taste all the colors and sweets of the sub-continent. 24 G. Akhvlediani Str. TEL 299 97 99

3 Merab Kostava Str. www.facebook.com/hummusbartbilisi/

CAFE LEILA Located in a truly charming part of Tbilisi with fairytale streets and architecture, Cafe Leila’s stunning Georgian-Persian interior fits comfortably with its exterior surroundings. Snug and colorful, Cafe Leila serves a large number of vegetarian twists on traditional Georgian cuisine as well as foreign dishes such as hummus, suitable for those observing religious fasts and vegetarians alike. Sitting outside in a quiet scenic street during the summer, or inside in the warmth of the small dining hall in winter, feels equally cozy. Prices are relatively high (especially alcoholic drinks) due to the specialized nature of much of Cafe Leila’s menu, but this is excused by the high quality of the food. A must for any vegetarian or those looking for a unique take on familiar Georgian dishes. 18 Erekle II Str. TEL 555 94 94 20

to eat

Tbilisi’s Magical Burger Joint Duo by Máté Földi

The hamburger is an example of a comfort food that has come to be adored internationally. The only other universally munched and popular Western culinary export that comes to mind is pizza. God bless the inventor of both of these staples of my diet! With our blessings out of the way, let’s get right to it. The Georgian kitchen is amazing. Paradise. No question about it. The Khinkalis, the Khachapuris, the churchkhelas, the wine, the chacha, and all the other dishes whose names I don’t remember or simply disregarded while stuffing my face, are simply magnificent. For the record, this past January alone — and that’s including a five day trip to Abkhazia where, needless to say, I didn’t have any — I managed to eat about 40 churchkhelas and 92 Khinkali. Yes, those

numbers are accurate; I did actually keep count. I know, I know, I probably do have an addiction to food, but who cares. Shemometchama. The point is that while Georgian cooking is incredible, as with everything, you can have too much of a good thing and come to need a change of scenery. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is where hamburgers come in. But not just any old hamburgers — forget your McDonald’s and Wendy’s: Burger House and Pipes are where it’s at. I have yet to find anywhere in town that eclipses these two; prove me wrong and I’ll happily buy you a free dinner. So, let me tell you about these two God-sends of a hangover cure when you’re sick of the sight of Khinkali.

to eat

BURGER HOUSE TBILISI There was a time when I was a regular at the gym here, strictly obeying the diet that my trainer had tailored for me. Then I gave in. Being unable to resist the temptation, I became properly addicted to this place, even eating there four times in a week, with two of those being lunch and dinner on a Tuesday. And so, despite that slip in discipline’s undoubted contribution to the detriment of all those hours of blood, sweat and tears in the gym, it was totally worth it. The beauty of Burger House, aside from the burgers themselves, is its location, price, and prohibition of smoking. Located on the edge of the Old Town, between Freedom Square and Baratashvili Street, the restaurant is easily accessible by public

transport. Moreover, the food on offer is quite cheap, with the most expensive burger coming in at 18.90 GEL, considering its high quality. My personal favorite is the spicy kimchi steamed-bun pork-belly burger, thought the egg and bacon burger

PIPES

is a close second. Their milkshakes (vanilla, raspberry, blueberry, banana) are a must, too. Indeed, I was initially horrified to learn that dipping fries into your milkshake was a popular trend, but if you’re going to do it, then do it here, where the sheer quality of their fries and tasty beverages make for a surprisingly pleasant culinary mashup. Not to mention that in terms of price, it’ll only be a little more expensive than Wendy’s or McDonalds, and Burger House Tbilisi is leagues ahead. Oh yeah, they also offer a pretty mean chicken and noodle soup.

tasty alternative to local cuisine. And while my lauding of Burger House is no lie, my experiences there were in a different age. That was before my world was turned upside-down when I came upon something that I had hitherto believed to be impossible: an even tastier burger bar.

25 Pushkin Str., Tbilisi TEL 555 46 74 44 www.facebook.com/burgerhousetbilisi/ OPEN 11 AM - 11 PM

Rumor has it that Pipes is the favorite burger joint of Tbiliselebi, and I can see why. With decent prices and portion sizes, it has become quite popular, providing a

Located in the hipster Mecca of Tbilisi that is Fabrika, Pipes offers a proper out-ofbody religious experience. When a friend first took me there, I was skeptical. Boy was I wrong to be! The sheer richness of the flavor, the texture, the quality of the meat, the fries — everything was simply magnificent. So far, I’ve tried their steakhouse and mushroom burger, the Uptown, the Pipes classic, and the Burgazm. It would be a futile exercise to try put the experience into words; you just

to eat

have to go and try for yourself. Let’s just say that the naming of that last one is no joke… 8 E. Ninoshvili Str.,Tbilisi TEL 577 51 52 49

www.facebook.com/pipesfabrika/ OPEN 11 AM - 1 AM So there you have it, the Magical Duo, two institutions of culinary delight and wonder. While they are a must-see, a word of advice: do not go to either on a first date. Especially if, like me, you have a beard. I took my girlfriend out to both places a few months into our relationship, and it was a predictably messy affair —a good twenty percent of it ended up on my beard. Thankfully, she still loves me. Perhaps I’m the handicapped one who doesn’t know how to eat properly but I swear that these burgers are so good that nature chose to make them difficult to eat just to level the playing field. Whatever, go and check out both spots. Now!

Restaurants in the Regions By Tom Day Georgia is a country that you cannot say you’ve truly experienced until you’ve tried its food – be it Khinkali, Khachapuri, Churchkela, or all of them, the food adds another dimension to your memories. The country’s most popular destinations which travelers tend to find themselves visiting are the cities of Kutaisi, Batumi, Telavi, and Gori. Should you find yourself on the same path, the Where.ge team has compiled a list of our favorite restaurants.

Gori

RESTAURANT Gamardjoba

Open daily from 10 AM - 11 PM, you can find it on the Uplistsikhe Complex Road (Near Uplistsikhe), Gori. TEL 555 53 55 60

Kutaisi

12 Fanjikidze Str., Kutaisi TEL 551 55 07 77

PAPAVERO RESTAURANT

ALMANO RESTAURANT KUTAISI

Set next to the emerald green hills outside Gori city center, Restaurant Gamardjoba 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.

This modern restaurant offers an impressive range of Georgian and European meals. From hot and crispy Khachapuri to light and healthy Caesar salads, there’s something for everyone. Friendly staff greet you at the door and guide you to a table. Should you need any help or advice, they are on-hand and happy to help. English, Russian and Georgian are spoken well. The cozy atmosphere ensures an enjoyable time out with friends, dates or just some time alone.

to eat

Located in central Kutaisi, this restaurant offers a wide range menu of Georgian and European foods and a wide selection of wines, beers and colorful cocktails. From feather-light Khinkali to more unusual choices such as cow tongue, this place has something for everyone. Sit back and relax in this comfortable hipster setting, with classy carpets and aristocratic armchairs. Serving staff are friendly, fast and always on-hand to offer suggestions. In the evenings, you can enjoy live music from local bands. Tsisperi Kantselebi Str., Kutaisi TEL 431 24 68 24 OPEN 10 AM – midnight

Batumi

Telavi

GRILL TOWN BATUMI

NADIKVARI TERRACE, TELAVI

Boasting large windows and a terrace facing the picturesque ‘6 May Park’, this contemporary eatery is a favorite of many travelers in Batumi. The menu offers a range of European cuisine and traditional Georgian food. Come for a quick meal and you may end up staying for the whole evening! You’ll enjoy an ambient atmosphere with staff who will endeavor to make your meal out the best in Batumi. 24 Rustaveli Str., Batumi TEL 574 00 77 64 OPEN 10AM - 1AM

HEART OF BATUMI The centrally-located Heart of Batumi is highly rated among its visitors. It is often described as a second home, with its fresh, bright, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s team are warm and welcoming and will endeavor to make your experience one which you want to repeat. 11 Gen. Mazniashvili Str., Batumi TEL 568 94 05 15 OPEN 11 AM - 11 PM

We’re firm believers that food always tastes better when its being enjoyed with a view, and at Nadikvari Terrace, it can be enjoyed overlooking the mighty mountains of the Kakheti region. There’s no better place in the town than at the tables of Nadikvari Terrace! Sit inside behind the large, panoramic windows, or in summer enjoy your food and drinks outside in their garden area. It is a fantastic place to enjoy Georgian food such as Khinkali (meat dumplings) and Acharuli Khachapuri (the egg and cheese boat), which should all be helped down with a bottle of Borjomi - the world-famous Georgian sparkling mineral water. This restaurant not only offers the addictive Georgian water; a modest selection of Georgian wine is available too, some of which have been made in the local region. Unlike many eateries in Georgia, the waiting staff are friendly and serve you with a smile. This makes the experience even more pleasant. Nadikvari Str., Telavi TEL 350 23 30 00 OPEN 10 AM – 11 PM

RESTAURANT-CAFE BRAVO, TELAVI

Before paying a visit to this restaurant in Telavi, we received multiple recommendations from the locals. Often, when high expectations of somewhere are preconceived, it rarely lives up to them. This traditional Georgian eatery met- nay, exceeded our expectations; we only wish we had another day to go back! We advise booking in advance, since the place tends to be full of eager customers most evenings. ‘Bravo’, we thought as we left behind our polished plates and empty wine glasses. The menu offers all the Georgian favorites, and some classic European options too, such as pizza and steak. Our particular favorite was the Khinkali (the famous Georgian dumplings), which were made with a light, thin dough. As well as a comprehensive food menu, a wide range of drinks are on offer too – from locallymade wines to cocktails, and beers. Located in the center of the city, it can be reached on foot from most hotels and guest houses. Pop in after a day exploring the town and/or surrounding area, or enjoy a light walk afterwards to walk off that Georgian food! 11 Nadikvari Str., Telavi, Kakheti OPEN 10 AM – MIDNIGHT

to eat

Reviving the Ancient Georgian Cheesemaking Traditions By Inga Mumladze Alongside an 8000-year tradition of winemaking, Georgia holds the ancient tradition of cheese production, and while in many countries cheese is often considered a dessert, in Georgia it serves as an almost separate dish or as an important addition to the main one.

and hung to dry. When the cheese is completely dry, it is put in cream and pressed by hand into large pots, after several days it is pressed again, and the pots are turned upside down on a layer of ash and are finally ready to be stored in a cool place.

Meskhian Chechili, Mengrelian Kazla, Sulguni, Chogi, Narchvi and Kalti are just a few of the many Georgian cheese varieties, each with unique production traditions.

Kalti – another variety of Georgian cheese, comes from mountainous Georgia and is said to be a shepherds’ favorite. Kalti is prepared from Nadugi - cheese blended with mint.

“Georgia is rich in its agricultural traditions and yet not many people know that, together with a great number of archaic products like wine, honey and oil, we also have an ancient tradition of cheese production dating back 8000 years,” says Beka Kupreishvili, Chief Technologist of Cheese Factory Sene.

Kobi – is made from skimmed or whole cow’s milk blended with sheep’s milk. Adjarian Chechcili – resembles a long rope and is produced in the summer from skimmed cow’s milk.

Officially, there are 14 cheese varieties registered in Georgia: Dambal Khacho, Chogi, Tenili Cheese, Kalti, Adjarian Chechili, Meskhian Chehchili, Sulguni, Mengrelian Sulguni, Svanetian Sulguni, Tushetian Gouda Cheese, Imeretian, and Georgian.

Georgian Gouda (Guda) Cheese – produced from sheep’s milk, this cheese, originating from Tusheti, is aged and stored in sheep’s skin for 20 days.

While Sulguni and Imeruli cheese tend to be the most popular varieties, some have yet to be popularized, such as Chogi, a summer cheese made in Tusheti from whole sheep’s milk. Tenili cheese is

Georgian Cheese – produced from cow, sheep, or goat’s milk or a blend.

another example. It comes from the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and is made from high-fat sheep or cow’s milk, the preparation of which is quite lengthy, seeing pieces of cheese put in boiled water to soften before being combined and stretched into thinner layers. After stretching, the cheese is then placed in cold salted water for 15 minutes to several hours. The cheese strands are then squeezed to remove the remaining liquid

to eat

“I’ve discovered almost 60 Georgian cheese varieties myself, including an assortment of cheddar cheese on a base of Imeretian, a great variety based on Sulguni cheese or cheese stored in honey, and cheese with mint. There is Narchvi, cheese from Svaneti which is delicious and characteristic of the mountain culture,

produced the same way as Chogi. Svans usually make Narchvi in winter, and it is often used for Khachapuri [cheese bread] with millet,” Beka notes, adding that Georgians are particularly drawn to milk products and especially cheese, consuming it at any time of day. “It would be hard

Beka’s mother, Ana Mikadze–Chikvaidze, Head of the Cheese Producers Association of Georgia, founder of the Cheese House chain of shops, and an owner of the Cheese Factory in Teleti village, was probably one of the very first woman entrepreneurs to put effort into rediscover-

with mint, has wonderful nutritional components, but is as yet unknown beyond Georgia’s borders. The potential that milk production had in the country has been under-utilized for too many years,” Ana told us at the annual cheese festival last year. “However, the fact that Tenili

to find any Georgian family with no cheese as a dish on its everyday menu,” he says.

ing, re-introducing and promoting the oldest Georgian cheese recipes and varieties in the country. Ana says that Georgia should be recognized not only as the cradle of wine, but also a cradle of cheesemaking. She notes that cheese storing vessels have been found in Georgia dating back almost 8000 years.

(from Samtskhe-Javakheti) and Dambal Khacho (usually made in Pshavi), are both now acknowledged as an intangible heritage hopefully signifies that Georgians, too, will begin to care for their agricultural products.”

“Unfortunately, there’s a huge lack of professional cheesemakers in Georgia, though almost every family in Georgian villages knows how to make some kind of cheese. That great vacuum is probably due to the Soviet times when the Georgian cheese varieties went down to minimum,” Beka laments.

“Nadugi, for example, a type of Georgian snack made using Sulguni cheese blended

to eat

Ana firmly believes that, “cheese is an integral, crucial, part of agricultural tradition and culture for Georgia.”

Listing: Georgian & Mixed Cuisine Rustaveli Café&Restaurant Address: 4. Freedom Sq., Tbilisi info@rbh.ge www.rbh.ge RustaveliCafe&Restaurant TEL 288 00 14

g.Vino

TASHRE

Address: 6 Erekle II, Tbilisi g.vinotbilisi TEL 293 21 21

Address: 88 Beliashvili Str. TEL 514 15 55 88

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.

Rustaveli is a cafe and restaurant in the heart of Tbilisi. With a spectacular interior, the restaurant buzzes from early morning until late, seven days a week. The restaurant serves breakfast, morning coffee, afternoon tea and an all-day menu, as well as an eclectic lunch and dinner encompassing European classics and touch of oriental cuisine.

Amra Address: 7 Sandro Euli Str. TEL 568 39 34 30 Amra in Abkhazian means “the sun.” It offers the most delicious cuisine from Abkhazia and will take you back in time. Amra can arrange buffets, banquets, and other events.

MEGRULI SAKHLI Address: 13 Mosashvili Str., 13 Atoneli Str. (Dry Bridge) TEL 591 03 43 43 Megruli Sakhli offers a wide range of Megrelian dishes including Gebjalia, Bujenina, Elarji, Ghomi, Kuchmachi and Kupati.

to eat

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.

La Boheme Address: 34-36 Irakli Abashidze Str. TEL 555 66 11 66 Open: 12:00PM - 2:00AM

Brand new restaurant La Boheme, in the center of the prestigious Vake district, offers unique, Mediterranean-inspired fusion/cuisine served by Italian chef Enzo. For the lovers of fusion and experiments, this is a perfect place to dine. At “La Boheme”, you can try bold authentic flavors presented in a fresh and contemporary way. This restaurant gives guests the chance to try various dishes in a North African setting with Arabic touches. Here, you will be served by professionals and enjoy your time to the fullest.

Tiflis Meidani

Aripana

KHARCHO

Address: 6 Rkinis Rigi Str., Tbilisi TEL 599 25 06 25, 322 75 10 38 Open: 11:00 am – 12:00 amFacebook: / tiflismeidani Mail: tiflismeidani@gmail.com

Address: 34 Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 599 10 25 25

Address: 18 L. Gudiashvili Str. TEL 544 44 45 44

A fabulous place for dining, with a cozy atmosphere and great Georgian cuisine right in the heart of Tbilisi. Enjoy a wide choice of wine and regional Georgian dishes.

BRASSERIE BUVETTE Address: 18 L. Gudiashvili Str. TEL 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 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.

House on Madatovi Address: 25 Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 555 85 92 92 For an authentic Georgian taste, beautifully served.

Brasserie Buvette is a contemporary French restaurant, known for its chic Brasserie cuisine. The menu features updated Brasserie classics with a market-driven modern twist, the dishes showcasing Georgia’s finest produce. Art House OPEN 6 pm – 12 am

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

ABKHAZURA

Megruli Oda Address: 2nd km., Marshal Gelovani Ave. TEL 251 73 27, 599 18 38 97 The restaurant offers delicious Megrelian cuisine. Megruli Oda is available for banquets, wedding parties, birthday celebrations and other events.

to eat

Address: 14a Ksani Str. TEL 243 04 50, 597 03 77 11 The menu offers city and Megrelian cuisine. The restaurant has 3 halls, Megrelian Oda (small house-type compartment for 50 persons), European Hall, accommodating 450 persons, European hall (for 100 persons) and one compartment (for 30 persons).

PUBLICA Address: 18 L. Gudiashvili Str. TEL 544 44 45 44

Tavern Dzveleburi Rachuli offers delicious Rachuli cuisine: Rachuli Lori, Lobiani, Shkmeruli and more.

ria 20 Tiflis Veranda

Vinotel Address: 4 E. Akhvlediani Ascent TEL 2 55 58 88 www.vinotel.ge

Address:3 Gorgasali Str. TEL 200 02 45 www.tiflispalace.ge Email: tiflisveranda@tiflispalace.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

Kakhelebi Address: 2 Saknavtobi Str. TEL 294 33 00 Restaurant-Tavern-Bakery Kakhelebi offers Georgian national cuisine made from organic and healthy products. It owns a vineyard, fruit orchard and farm of goats, and poultry. The interior concept and menu all originate from Kakheti.

Tavern Dzveleburi Rachuli Address: 65 Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 295 18 85, 599 11 24 80

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

FUNICULAR Address: Mtatsminda Plateau TEL 298 00 00 The Funicular Restaurant offers a classic Georgian accent where you can enjoy the limitless talents of the creative local chef.

to eat

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. 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.

CAFÉ LEILA

up of traditional dishes, but the taste of even the classic, local, authentic foods is markedly different from that to which we are accustomed in Tbilisi. The chef uses only Georgian bio or village products and all food is prepared using old family recipes borrowed from renowned feminist Barbare Jorjadze’s cook book.

Address: 18 Shavteli Str. TEL 555 94 94 20

Cafe Leila is a pescetarian (some fish options available on the menu) and a healthy dining experience in Tbilisi that serves only village-grown, non-GMO and seasonal products.

TSISKVILI Address: Beliashvili Str. TEL 200 55 55

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 modern retelling of diverse culinary traditions, as told by the new guard of Georgian chefs. Local farm-to-table style draws inspiration from New American cuisine.

KHASHERIA Address: 23 Abano Str. TEL 272 11 57

BARBARESTAN

Khasheria is the perfect place to cure your hangover with the best Georgian antihangover cuisine.

Address: 132 D. Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 294 37 79

KETO AND KOTE Address: D. Toradzis Str. TEL 555 53 01 26

Tsiskvili is an iconic Georgian restaurant, the unique, authentic design of which is achieved through a natural waterfall, water mill and many ancient objects.

The Kitchen Restaurant Address: 14 M. Kostava Str. TEL 240 00 99

Barbarestan is a cozy restaurant with 70 seats in two halls and 2 private rooms for 10 people in the wine cellar. In Barbarestan you can enjoy homestyle cuisine, the distinctive feature of which is the fact that many items on the menu are unfamiliar to metropolitan gourmets! Of course, the basis of the menu is made

to eat

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.

Wolandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Speakeasy Tbilisiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Speakeasy. The perfect place for a local craft beer, traditional cocktail or simply to lounge and enjoy a bit of blues. Join the already-regular customers and members of this age-old classy society.

Address: #2 Ivane Machabeli Str. Tbilisi Tel: +995 596 30 94 94 Facebook: @wolandsspeakeasy

to drink

La Boheme offers a truly unique and unforgettable sensory drinking experience. Our signature cocktails are developed by World Class - Award Winning Mixologist Igor Boriskin and served to you by a team of true professionals. No longer will you have to wonder, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where To Drinkâ&#x20AC;?. The answer is clear.

CONTEMPORARY MEDITERANNEAN 34-36 Ira kli Abashidze Street, Tbilisi, Georgia www.laboheme.resaurant reservation@laboheme.restaurant +995 555 66 11 66

Exclusive Drinks Guide . . . e c i o h My C

Kirill Ledashchev World-renowned Bar Manager

Wolandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Speakeasy The first bar in Georgia with the concept of speakeasy. Try their signature and classic cocktails from the era of Prohibition and beyond! Escape reality and travel back to a time when people sat and chatted in a classy ambiance, sipping Manhattans, just like the Great War generation! Address: 2 I. Machabeli Str. TEL 596 30 94 94

to drink

DADI wine bar and shop A small locale offering an excellent selection of wines. I know the owners personally; a married couple who travel all over Georgia in search of worthy non-commercial samples of carefully selected wine. You can always be sure of the quality here! Address: 4 Shalva Dadiani Str. TEL 557 96 20 95

Ouroboros Bar An ambitious project of my acquaintances, located in the neighborhood of Fabrika; a continuation of the traditions of small, hidden bars in Georgia. A great performing cocktail menu with both signature and classic recipes! Address: 5 Egnate Ninoshvili Str. TEL 598 88 89 89

Book Cafe Begemot

Skola Coffee & Wine Bar

A relatively new locale, offering charm and a cozy atmosphere. An excellent European menu put together with local ingredients, plus the opportunity to drink a glass of good wine while you work or chat.

For me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great spot on the Tbilisi map! The cafe presents a good kitchen, which perfectly complements the basic format of coffee and wine. Address: 17 Shota Rustaveli Ave. TEL 551 53 33 35

Address: 2 I. Machabeli Str. TEL 299 12 27

to drink

Georgian Wine Export in 2017 Reaches Record Breaking Number By Nino Gugunishvili The Georgian National Wine Agency (GNWA) claims that Georgian Wine Export in 2017 reached a record-breaking number for a period of almost 30 years. Data published on the GNWA website claims that 76.7 million bottles of Georgian wine were exported to 53 countries worldwide in 2017, which is 54% higher than in 2016. In 2017, wine export amounted to $170 million US, showing a 49% increase compared to previous years. The top five countries for Georgian wine export, the National Wine Agency says, are Russia, Ukraine, China, Kazakhstan and Poland. As for the most in-demand Georgian locally-produced wines exported in 2017, Kinzmarauli tops the list with 12.8 million bottles exported, followed by Mukuzani at 4.2 million bottles; Tsinandali at 3.4 million bottles; Akhasheni at 1.5 million bottles; Khvanchkara at 887,500 thousand bottles and Tvishi at 308,800 thousand bottles. The GNWA states that almost 250 Georgian companies exported wine in 2017. Furthermore, 18.4 million bottles of brandy were exported to 26 countries, 78% more than in 2016. Overall, the export of brandy in 2017 amounted to $39.4 million, with a 70% increase seen. 288,000 bottles of Georgian Chacha were exported to 23 countries worldwide, with export growth reaching 180% and $846.3,000 received in income from the export.

to drink

https://www.facebook.com/KvareliGVIRABI/

Georgian Wine Varieties by Region By Nino Gugunishvili

Georgia boasts 8,000 years of winemaking tradition and is now referred to officially as the birthplace of wine, or the “cradle of wine.” This news was officially confirmed by the findings of a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of United States of America, (PNAS) in 2017, following research conducted by a team of international experts led by Patrick McGovern, an archaeologist from the University of Pennsylvania,

White Grapes

Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli wine is best served with cheese, fish, fruits and vegetables. – (რქაწითელი)

Rkatsiteli is the major white grape variety in Georgia. It originally comes from Kakheti, but is also produced in the region of Kartli. According to winesingeorgia. com, the Rkatsiteli white grape variety is known to have existed as far back as the 1st century A.D.

The traditional Georgian winemaking method is all about Qvevri, that amphorashaped clay vessel which is buried to its neck and in which wine is fermented at a steady temperature of 13-15°. Qvevri is on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. A little-known fact beyond Georgia’s borders is that, while in Kakheti, the biggest grape-growing region of the country, those vessels are called Qvevri, in Imereti region they are more commonly called “Churi.” Moving from the vessel to the vine, the Where.ge team decided to compile a list of Georgian grape varieties to help you as you travel and explore the country; there are many varieties to discover, taste and savour across Georgia and these are some of the best-known, from over 500 grape varieties that are cultivated in the country.

“When vinified in the European style, Rkatsiteli offers subtle floral aromas with notes of citrus, quince and apple. If vinified in Qvevri, the wine is typically more powerful, moderately tannic, with crisp axidity,” (Georgian Wine and Tourism Guide, 2016, 2017).

to drink

Mtsvane Kakhuri (კახური მწვანე)

Mtsvane Kakhuri meaning “green” from Kakheti, “imparts fresh white peach, floral, citrus and tropical aromas with a light mineral undertone. It is quite dark and will

show more apricot and stone fruit character when vinified in Qvevri,” (Georgian Wine and Tourism Guide, 2016, 2017). Mtsvane Kakhuri is referred to as the lightest and most aromatic table wine among the Kakhetian white grape varieties.

Goruli Mtsvane (გორული მწვანე)

Goruli Mtsvane is one of the best-known among the Georgian white grape

varieties, and, as its name shows, it is predominantly found in Gori, Kartli region, although the Racha, Meskheti, and Imereti regions also cultivate it. With its unique spectrum of tones, Goruli Mtsvane variety introduces a vivid, lively taste, to make a wine that perfectly pairs with salads, fish and poultry.

Kisi (ქისი)

Red Grapes

Kisi, like Khikhvi, is among the rarer of Georgian white grape varieties coming from Kakheti. Its European-style wines

Saperavi

(საფერავი)

“One of Georgia’s lighter-bodied wines, Goruli Mtsvane wine is best drunk when young and fresh, when its floral, lime and subtle honeyed notes are crisp and most vibrant,” (Georgian Wine and Tourism Guide, 2016, 2017).

Chinuri

(ჩინური)

Chinuri is originally from the Kartli region of Georgia, but is also grown in Kakheti’s Gurjaani and Telavi areas. Its name, according to various sources, comes from the word “Chini” or “Chinebuli” which means ‘excellent, very good, perfect’ in Georgian. “Chinuri wine has floral and herbal aromas, including hints of mint, pear and other yellow fruit,” (Georgian Wine and Tourism Guide, 2016, 2017).

Khikhvi

(ხიხვი)

Khikvi is often regarded as one of the oldest grape varieties in Georgia, coming from the Kakheti region. As some Georgian winemakers say, Khikhvi is an extremely interesting one as both dry and dessert wines can be produced from it. Khikvi has a balanced taste and great aging potential and its wines have floral notes of boxwood, wild flowers and yellow fruits.

having a more floral aroma, while Kisi fermented in Qvevri tends to have a “more apricot, mango, lime, orange and walnut character,” (Georgian Wine and Tourism Guide, 2016, 2017). Kisi and Khikhvi wines both pair well with seafood, salads, goat cheese and steamed fish.

Tsolikouri

(ცოლიკოური)

Tsolikouri comes from Georgia’s Imereti region. Pale yellow in color; it’s one of the major grape varieties to be found in Georgia. Tsolikouri wines produced in the European manner are said to have “subtle notes of yellow fruits, melon, mineral and a light floral lift,” (Georgian Wine and Tourism Guide, 2016, 2017). Tsolikouri wine is wonderful when paired with cheese, vegetables, fruit and fish.

to drink

Saperavi is undoubtedly one of the most popular grape varieties in Georgia, producing a wine, deep red in color, which tends to be described as having “cherryish, smokey and spicy” aromas. “Regardless of how it is produced, this tenturier variety gives wines that are inky, often fully opaque, with aromas of dark berries, liqourice, grilled meat, tobacco, chocolate and spices,” (Georgian Wine and Tourism Guide, 2016, 2017).

Aleksandrouli (ალექსანდროული) The Aleksandrouli red grape variety comes from the Racha region of Georgia, and is a variety characterized with a good balance of alcohol and acidity, while the grapes are usually harvested when the level of sugar in grapes is 21-22%. Aleksandrouli is said to be best for table wine production due to its pomegranate taste.

Tavkveri

(თავკვერი)

Shavkapito is also from the region of Kartli, with wines produced from it boast berries, vegetal and herbal notes. “Light in color, high in acidity, it is great when used for rosé sparkling wines,” author Sarah May Grunwald writes in her ‘17 Grape Varieties to Look out in 2017’ article on Winelist.

Ojaleshi

The Tavkveri grape originated in Kartli but is also cultivated in Kakheti. Wine produced from it in both Georgian traditional Qvevri and European styles is often made into Rosé, sparkling, or dessert wine. Tavkveri in Georgian means “hammerhead,” named so for the shape of the grape itself.

Shavkapito (შავკაპიტო)

(ოჯალეში)

(ჩხავერი)

The Chkhaveri grape variety comes from the Adjara region, though Chkhaveri wines are also produced in Guria and Imereti. “Be they still or sparkling, dry or semisweet, Chkhaveri wines are a vibrant pink, with fresh flavors of red berries, cherries, forest fruits and baking spices,” (Georgian Wine and Tourism Guide, 2016, 2017).

Usakhelouri (უსახელოური)

Ojaleshi is among the oldest wine varieties in Georgia from the Samegrelo region of the country. Its name refers to the word “Ja” in Mengrelian dialect meaning ‘tree’ and “Oja - leshi” as the ‘grape wine growing on a tree.’ The other version of the story has the name coming from “bja” meaning ‘sun’ in Mengrelian, and referred to the vineyard, “ojaleshi” meaning ‘a sunny place.’ The variety is also grown in the mountainous villages of the Guria region. Wine produced from the Ojaleshi grape variety is usually semi-sweet to sweet, has a dark ruby color and fruity tones.

Chkhaveri

to drink

Usakhelouri comes from Lechkhumi, in the western part of Georgia. This grape variety, which translates in English to ‘a grape with no name,’ is used to produce semi-sweet table wines.

Listing: Cocktail Bars La Boheme

Address: 34-36 I. Abashidze Str. TEL: 555 66 11 66 Open: 12 pm – 2 am

Love a good cocktail and a rich, cozy atmosphere? Then “La Boheme” is a must-visit place for you. It serves cocktails with an exquisite touch served by professional bartender Igor Boriskin. We all get tired and want to escape reality from time to time. At “La Boheme” you do just that with a nice drink and modern music in an environment styled like the center of fashionable Marrakech. Being one of the few places serving signature cocktails in Tbilisi, you’re sure to enjoy the unique tastes you’ll be offered there.

ROOMS Hotel Bar Address: 14 M. Kostava Str. TEL 202 00 99 Hours: Open daily until 2 am

The Woland’s Speakeasy Address: 2 I. Machabeli Str. TEL 596 30 94 94

If you are looking for something exceptionally mysterious in Tbilisi, then we invite you to one of the classiest you can find: the first Georgian Speakeasy. Woland’s Speakeasy, with its distinct 1920s Prohibition vibe, is tucked away at 2 Ivane Machabeli Street, Escape reality and travel back to a time when people sat and chatted in a classy ambiance, sipping Manhattans. Start your journey at Begemot café, an elegant choice for literature, tea and coffee lovers. An international book swap event is held there twice a month. Join the already-regular customers and members of this age-old classy society. The place has a designated smoking area.

Pin Pon Café Address: 22 I. Chavchavadze Ave., 13 L. Asatiani Str. TEL 599 98 77 40

Pin Pon is a paradise for coffee lovers. If you are fond of Flat white, Filter, Aeropress or cold brew coffee, otherwise hard to find in Tbilisi, then Pin Pon is the perfect spot for you. Hot drinks come with delicious homemade cookies- cocoa balls or lemon tarts. Pin Pon aims to provide fresh, delicious and healthy options in a creative way. Fancy something other than tea or coffee? No problem. What about some Melon Vodka? Their lemonades are made freshly and change each season. Right now, they are offering Gluhwein and cocktails based on champagne- like French 75 or apperol - spritz. We should admire their Saperavi from Kakheti and Georgian craft beer. The interior is sweet and cozy, painted by the owner himself.

OXYGEN BAR AT THE RADISSON Address: 1 Rose Revolution Sq. TEL 240 22 00 Hours: 10 am - 1 pm

to drink

Budget Bars in Georgia By Tom Day Georgia has really been put on the map in recent years, and it’s only set to grow even more in popularity. Regardless of our budgets, we all need to drink, be it when meeting a new group of friends, or winding down from the road. For those of you who travel on a tight budget, the Where.ge team has compiled a list of the best bars, from Tbilisi to Batumi, to grab a drink that won’t break the bank.

THE BAR AT PARTY HOSTEL, TBILISI A man named Nino (you don’t want to know how many times he gets asked if that’s his real name!) came from France about a year ago with nothing but a vision (and a few thousand Euros): to establish the coolest bar in Tbilisi.

Nino runs the place all by himself, and is a passionate and talented bartender who makes the best Bloody Mary I have ever tasted. “Around 80% of people don’t know how to make a proper Bloody Mary,” he said, handing me one. ‘Bloody hell’, I thought, as the tomato-and-alcohol infused concoction excited my taste buds, ‘He’s right’!

back, inviting, and friendly atmosphere, too. It is unlike other properties I have stayed at in the city - It’s the kind of place you feel relaxed in, where you could stay for a while.

Drinks are priced for the budget traveler because he doesn’t use it to make a large profit, he says, he does it to give something to the city. “I think I’ve actually lost money, but I love doing it,” he said.

WARSZAWA BAR TBILISI

I would describe the establishment as a bar with a hostel, not a hostel with a bar. If you find you’ve had a bit too much to drink, the hostel downstairs has a laid-

He’s done a great job- It’s a hidden gem of the bar scene of the capital. The carefully curated interior answers to the emerging underground scene, combining the old, classic, and decorative style of the building with paintings and sculptures. Every night, you’ll encounter interesting and welcoming people who are looking to make new friends; some fellow travelers, some locals.

Address: 24 G.Tabidze Str., Tbilisi TEL 593 38 60 76 www.facebook.com/saintgeorgehostel/

One of the top places to meet fellow expats, travelers and locals. The small bar upstairs makes a cozy meeting spot, the cellar too, sometimes hosting events, and the outside terrace is perfect for smokers and those who enjoy a drink street-side. Cheap beer and snacks, and friendly staff. Also makes a great Polish cafe during the day- try their tea!

to drink

Additional Info ADDRESS 19 Aleksandr Pushkin Str., Tbilisi TEL 599 91 81 89 OPEN 10AM - 4AM

DIVE BAR, TBILISI

As the name suggests, the floors in this bar are not made of jade marble, nor are the staff graduates of the Jeeves school of service. They are, however, friendly to all and sundry, and serve import beers at about 5 GEL a bottle/can and draught beer at a staggeringly cheap 3 GEL; the price of the latter makes ‘staggering’ the operative word. Particularly popular with Tbilisi’s expatriate community, patrons come from all walks of life; one can find oneself conversing with a journalist, a diplomat, a mercenary, a Bohemian, or a man who claims he works in Hollywood because he once served a cup of coffee to Bruce Willis on a movie set. The bar is also visited by young Georgians looking to escape Khinkali, supras and the toasts of the Tamada. Additional Info Address: 12 Revaz Laghidze Str. TEL 597067473

GOSTI GASTROBAR, BATUMI You’ll find Gosti Gastrobar away from the noise of the city center. It is different from other places in the city, the owners go out of their way to make visitors feel like they are drinking and/or dining in an old friend’s house. Originally from Russia, they came to Batumi 10 years ago and have been there ever since. It’s a comfortable and low-cost place to eat, drink, meet friends, or even visit alone. Spot the various Soviet antiques which decorate the interior. Address: 16/5, Melashvilli Str., Batumi TEL 557 61 49 55 OPEN 1 PM - 11.45 PM

described as a second home, with its fresh, bright, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s team are warm and welcoming and will endeavor to make your experience one which you want to repeat. We recommend their Saperavi wine, which massages your taste buds with 8000 year-old Georgian expertise. It will taste even better when you realize how little it costs. Buy a bottle, because after one glass you’ll be asking for more – guaranteed! Address: 11 Gen. Mazniashvili, Batumi TEL 568 94 05 15 OPEN 11 AM - 11 PM

HEART OF BATUMI The centrally-located Heart of Batumi, is highly rated among its visitors. It is often

to drink

Wine Route in Georgia 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 Address: 1 Al. Chavchavadze Str, Zegaani TEL 0322 10 30 44, 595 225 552 E-mail: info@chateau-zegaani.com Online Shop: www.chateau-zegaani.com

also available. The hotel also offers a pool, horses, dogs, music, a billiards room, wine cellar, and tone oven.

Teliani Valley Winiveria Château Mere Address: Village Vardisubani, Telavi, Georgia TEL 595 99 03 99, 595 99 03 90, 595 99 03 94

Address: 3 Tbilisi Highway, Telavi, Georgia TEL 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

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

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.

Shuchmann Wines Georgia Address: Village Kisiskhevi, Telavi, Georgia TEL 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

to drink

hotel and a wine cellar built to resemble a medieval castle and featuring a large 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 Address: Kvareli, Georgia TEL 249 74 77

Kingdom and red naturally semi-sweet ‘Kindzmarauli Original’ are the exclusive brands of the company.

Wine Cellar Lagvinari Address: Village Bakurtsikhe, Gurjaani, Georgia TEL 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.

Wine Cellar Kakhuri 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

Address: 1 Tbilisi Highway, 2200 Telavi, Georgia TEL 599 10 70 35 Kakhuri is located on the main road of Telavi on a territory housing a demonstra-

to drink

tion 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.

Twins Wine House Address: Village Napareuli, Telavi, Georgia TEL 2424042, 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.

Wine Cellar Besini Address: Village Tsinandali, Telavi, Georgia TEL 595 93 09 09

old, having been covered with soil but recently restored by the owners. There is a small old wooden house, a large pergola with a dining table and a ‘tone’ oven in the yard. There are a lot of items with ethnographic meaning scattered around. White and red varieties of dry wines, made in Qvevri, Rkatsiteli, Tavkveri Saperavi and others, are offered to guests.

Wine Cellar Shumi Address: Village Tsinandali, Telavi, Georgia TEL 599 55 01 48, 598 98 51 30 Besini was founded in 2004. The name is taken from the name of the sacrificed wine in old Georgian language, made from the best grape. In order to get such grape, the owners, together with French experts, cultivated vines and grew the vineyards in the Tsinandali area. The company also owns a nursery, which was the first of its kind in Georgia. Besini produces the highest quality wines through a harmonious combination of the ancient traditions and modern technologies. Excursions can be arranged in the vineyard, nursery and wine cellar, as can wine tasting.

Wine Cellar Numisi Address: Village Velistsikhe, Gurjaani, Georgia TEL 599 56 10 31

Company Shumi stands next to the house-museum of Aleksandre Chavchavadze in the village of Tsinandali, about 30 meters from the main road. The company’s yard features an ethnographic corner with old Qvevri and vineyard tools, a collection vineyard (up to 300 Georgian and 92 foreign vine varieties) with rare Georgian varieties of grape, as well as a museum of ancient wine vessels found during archaeological excavations across Georgia. Shumi is one of the best wine producers in Georgia. During the wine tour, guests may visit the vineyard and the museum and participate in the grape harvest. During wine tasting, participants will taste four varieties of wine.

Velistsikhe Veranda Address: Village Velistsikhe, Gurjaani, Georgia TEL 2237700, 595 52 43 44

Wine cellar and museum Numisi is located in the village of Velistsikhe, approximately 1 km from the main road. Its vine is quite

Velistsikhe is pleasant and traditional village, with all opportunities to get acquainted with all the goodness of the traditional wine industry. This eno-tourist center of company Kakhetian Traditional

to drink

Winemaking, its yard contains around 30 buried Qvevri in which wine is made according to traditional methods from the Rkatsiteli, Saperavi and Mtsvane Kakhuri varieties of grape. The Veranda includes a tasting-room, a wine shop, a traditional ‘tone’ oven and an ethnographic corner.

Pheasant’s Tears Address: 18 Baratashvili Str., Sighnaghi, Georgia TEL 598 72 28 48

Pheasant’s Tears is one of the region’s most experienced companies in terms of wine tourism. The wine bar founded by John Wudermann in the town of Sighnaghi is one of the best hearths of Georgian wine. A sommelier helps the visitors choose local wines and dishes. Tourists can also stay in the village of Tibaani where the company owns vineyards. It also owns land in Mukhrani Valley in Kartli, and produces wine from the Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Kisi, Saperavi, Tavkveri, Chinuri and Shavkapito varieties of grape.

Château Mukhrani Address: Village Mukhrani, Mtskheta, Georgia TEL 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,

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.

with a main tunnel connecting the palace to the winery. The cellars of Mukhrani 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.

Khareba Address: Kvareli, Georgia TEL 293 50 73, 599 80 85 39

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

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 Address: Village Alaverdi, Akhmeta, Georgia TEL 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

to drink

(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 Address: 4 E. Akhvlediani Ascent TEL 2 55 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

Get ready for adventure

to buy

EXPLORE TBILISI MALL more than 160 fashion brands

Entertainment Restaurants Cafes

fastest growing shopping mall in the caucasus 8 million visitors yearly

facebook.com/ tbilisimall info@tbilisimall.com 16th km, David Agmashenebeli Alley, Tbilisi (032) 2 50 55 56

CHOOSE BEAUTY AND COMFORT

Exclusive Tips for Shopping Lovers

. . . e c i o My Ch

Gvantsa Daraselia, TV anchor at Rustavi 2

Capo Shoes At 47 Paliashvili Street, this Georgian shoe shop-showroom is the best spot to find handmade, high-quality shoes. The models are made of top quality, natural materials and their comfortable shoes are long-lasting. Customers can buy from the collection or order an individual model. International orders is also possible through Capo Shoesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Facebook and Instagram pages. Paliashvili Street itself is worth exploring for the shopping possibilities and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll discover the stores of numerous Georgian designers there.

102

to buy

mAKE PREFERENCES FOR NATURal

AgroHub All my guests ask me to take them somewhere they can buy delicious fruit, vegetables, spices and sauces. Instead of agrarian markets, I advise them to use AgroHub, which guarantees high quality and natural products in a civilized environment.

buyers.ge The first (and largest) online platform, where clothes, shoes, household items, furniture, cosmetics and care products can be found. All products can be viewed in their showroom in Tbilisi, where a separate space is dedicated to Georgian designers. Most importantly, it is aimed at satisfying most budgets and tastes.

ERTI GALLERY If I have a foreign guest interested in contemporary Georgian art, I advise them to head to this gallery, which always has very interesting exhibitions on. They cooperate with the most successful modern artists and sell their works around the world.

The Flea Market To get to know the culture of the country and shop for traditional Georgian items, I direct foreign guests to the Dry Bridge flea market for an assortment of antiques or those inspired by the old days. You can find numerous cheap and fascinating objects, some of which were perhaps once family relics of a traditional Georgian family- guaranteed to be unique and difficult to find anywhere else. From Dry Bridge, you can take home your own part of Georgia.

to buy

103

gET ALL THE PLEASURE FROM

What Do Georgians Drink & Where Do They Buy? In the center of Tbilisi, behind the old Parliament Building, a new specialized wine store “Reserve” has been opened, in which an assortment of wines from small farms and wineries are presented. The store has automated Enomatic wine dispensers, allowing customers to taste 56 kinds, and there is a large cellar where, in ideal temperature conditions, sorted by region-producer, more than 300 wines and other drinks await. The main clients at the store are residents of the capital city, Tbilisi. To discover the wine preferences said by consumers, we turned to Ucha Tugushi, Head Manager of “Reserve.” Which wines are popular and in high demand among Georgians nowadays?

104

to buy

8000 YEARS OLD TRADITION

My compatriots traditionally give preference to local wines. Saperavi, Mukuzani, and Kisi are their choices both to take home and buy as gifts. If they aim to surprise, they buy wines

Are the niche wines expensive? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re talking about trade margin, then we are very modest; one of the smallest in the country, but there are also expensive wines from world-famous French, Italian,

tasting convenient from all sides. First, the wine in the Enomatic dispenser is guaranteed to be properly stored, and secondly, tasting before buying allows people to make the right choice.

aged in Qvevri or wines from rare varieties of grapes: Mtsvane and Tsitska. As a gift, Georgian chacha is also often taken abroad. Georgia is a territorially small country and many buyers personally know the producers, their vineyards, and their approach to quality control, so, of course, they choose based on personal preferences.

US and other producers represented in store. Both local and imported wines are represented in different price segments. For us, the determining factor is the quality of the product.

This concept of self-service is undoubtedly new and interesting, but how to navigate such a large range? Who tells the consumer about wine regions, grape varieties, technological peculiarities, etc.? We have qualify consultants in store, some of whom have experience in Georgian and European wineries, making visitor consultation easy. Moreover, we offer closed tasting sessions with sommeliers for small companies wishing to learn more about wine, or simply looking for new tastes. Our consultants speak English and Russian, so any guest in Reserve can count on us for a fascinating conversation on wine and winemaking.

We purposefully focus on rare wines and those lines that are not represented in supermarkets. We also have regular customers who buy exclusively imported wines, which are also represented in store. This New Year, we had a sales hit with Italian Prosecco and a rare French Champagne.

You have Enomatic wine dispensers. How much does tasting cost? Coming to us, a buyer receives a plastic card with a potential total of 50 GEL. They insert it into the Enomatic dispenser(s) of their choice, select the desired quantity of wine, press the button, and the machine pours into the glass. Prices for a tasting start at 1 GEL. The balance is debited from the card, calculated at checkout. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple, making

to buy

105

NEVER FORGET GIFTS

Give the Gift of...Wood? By Tamzin Whitewood Ever get the sense that they really don’t know what to think of next? Yet each new invention brings a sense of ‘I never would have thought that up!’ – and Georgia is no exception to this. People here have a real thirst for creativity, eager to find a way to express themselves through art. Step in, woodwork! Mister-Two, a Tbilisibased independent company, has started to make its own authentic bow-ties, wait for it, made out of wood! We kid you not. Furthermore, they are proving to be a real hit, with even top celebs seen wearing the new trend! Bag yours while you can! It seems, though, that the love for all things wood does not stop there. Georgian company Kodala Woodwork employs people of various disabilities in the production of beautiful wooden toys and ornaments. Furthermore, they use only ecologically friendly paint on their pieces, making it a winner all round. It seems to us that the art of gift-giving has become a lot more varied over the past few years, with so many different options on the market. We think, though, that hand-made products such as these not only help the local economy but really act as unique and personal gifts. Enjoy!

KODALA 23 Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi TEL 599 743547

MISTER-TWO TEL 599 43 57 52

106

to buy

FIt HANDMADE JEWELRY

Georgian Handmade Jewelry: Ancient Craftsmanship, New Craze By Tamzin Whitewood

GALLERY ORNAMENT

“One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art” – Oscar Wilde As Georgia is seeing a staggering increase in the number of tourists each year, the race is indeed on to offer unique, hand-made and, most importantly, typically Georgian produce. Whilst Khurchkhela, Georgian Wine and Svan Salt will continue to be popular ‘take-aways’ from the country, there are some new kids on the block that are making the choices of traditional products much more varied. While jewelry stores can be found in any city around the world, what we’re referring to here is actual Georgian designers, offering works inspired by the history and culture of their own country.

KIMILI Kimili, the Georgian word for Jewelry, is a small company based in Tbilisi. “Kimili’s ambition is to bring Georgian cloisonné enamel jewelry, crafted with an ancient technique, presevered through generations, to the world,” says company founder Diana. Each piece of hand-crafted jewelry seems to tell a story, with bold colors and brave shapes. “At Kimili, we couple old traditions with modern trends. Our design team is a mix of established, nationally well known and upcoming young designers ready to break traditional boundaries.”

ZARAPXANA This jewelrymaker was founded in 1939, when “in a picturesque, historical district of Tbilisi, enthusiast gold-smiths from tiny jewelry studios on Shardeni and Vertskhlis (Silver) streets got together to set up a Tbilisi Jewelry Plant on Leselidze Street,” later becoming what Zarapxana is today. Boasting the number one position in the Georgian jewelry market, the company offers traditional, hand-crafted Georgian pieces of art, for lack of a better expression. Their pieces are exceptional, and finely depict Georgian craftsmanship. 15 Lubliana I Dead End, Tbilisi 0159 TEL 595 30 04 66 10 AM – 7 PM

20 Shota Mikatadze Str., Tbilisi 0101 TEL 551 60 20 30 Open 24/7

to buy

The gallery shop on Erekle II and Bambig Rigi streets is almost an unofficial museum of Georgian traditional jewelry. The major focus here is on minankari, the traditional cloisonné enamel. Since 2001, the founders of the gallery have been working on the restoration and development of this ancient art. One year after the opening, they also opened a school for those who want to learn this complicated handcraft. Today, several established local artists are working, exhibiting and selling their works in beautifully and laconically arranged rooms of Gallery Ornament. Some of the works can cost a fortune because of the insane amount of craftsmanship, labor, time and precious materials invested in them, and some smaller pieces can be quite affordable. Either way, it’s worth investing in such unique souvenirs from Georgia. These are just three of many. Georgian Jewelry is out there, you just have to look closely enough. Sometimes, small little-advertised shops can be found to offer the most unique gifts and pieces of jewelry. Take to the streets of Old Tbilisi and see for yourself! 7 Erekle II Str., 7 Bambis Rigi Str., Tbilisi 298 90 13; 293 64 12 12 AM – 7 PM

107

LOOKING FOR COZINESS

Building Companies Listing SEU Development

Axis

Address: 32 A. Politkovskaya Str. TEL 596 707070, 596 700007

Address: 24 Al. Kazbegi Ave. TEL 224 17 17/18

Jikia House Address: 1 A. Politkovskaia Str. TEL 591 90 90 70

ROYAL GROUP Address: 1 Shevchenko Str., 9 Rustaveli Ave. TEL 243 23 93, 591 44 54 54

SVETI Address: 125 Nutsubidze Str. TEL 591 34 88 44, 591 24 88 44

MÂ² Address: 3/5 E. Tatishvili Str. TEL 244 41 11

X2 DEVELOPMENT Address: 66 Lvovi Str. TEL 599 61 88 88

ARCHI GROUP Address: 15 Kipshidze Str. TEL 260 26 02

GREEN DEVELOPMENT Address: 154 D. Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 255 22 77

GREENLIFE Address: 7 Pikaso Str. TEL 243 25 76, 558 333 777

RED-CO Address: 1 T. Abuladze Str. TEL 577 220 220

Orbi group Address: 12a Kazbegi Ave. TEL 555 35 00 00, 555 32 00 00

Maqro Construction

Address: B. Zgenti St.7a TEL 551 56 11 00, 551 63 11 00, 551 64 11 00, 551 65 11 00

Lisi Development Address: 2 Tiripebi Str. TEL 200 27 27

Dirsi Address: 127 Gabriel Salosi Ave. TEL 274 04 04

INSI Tower Address: 72a Kostava Ave. TEL 591 35 88 88, 591 36 88 88

TIFLIS DEVELOPMENT Address: 11 Apakidze Str. TEL 231 88 88

Metra Development

Address: 22 Panjikidze Str. TEL 200 10 10

Address: 6 Z. Sakandelidze Str. TEL 223 75 75

Mardi House Address: 87 Tsagareli Str. TEL 568 60 60 60

108

Terrassa Group

Tsavkisi Valley Address: Tsavkisi TEL 599 908 285

to buy

dISTINCTIVENESS Is OUR STRENGTH

Fashion, with a Difference By Tamzin Whitewood

One needn’t go too far in Tbilisi to see cutting-edge fashion. Not only does the city host two world-renowned fashion shows each year, it also offers the experience of people actually wearing real Georgian fashion in their own unique style, about the streets and districts of the capital. Whilst classic, couture fashion has had a large effect on the scene here, it’s important to remember the other areas of design. Arts and Crafts store Hippie won TBC’s 2017 Startup of the Year Award, and for good reason, too. Hippie accessories are tailored to young people that differ from other products on the market. The business started in the form of an online store, with the first piece being sold at 12 GEL. Then they bought an old bus that they covered in paintings, and started selling their products everywhere possible. Today, Hippie products are in high demand. “We make handmade decorations as well as accessories from real flowers and natural stones,” Demetre Markhvaidze, co-founder of Hippie, says. “The most in-demand items are our painted bags, wallets and notebooks.” Another great example of alternative fashion is Flying Painter. The store unites three directions, which are: conceptual clothing and accessories created by artists, designer products, and Soviet vintage. All items in the Flying Painter are ready-to-wear art and everything

tells various stories. Hand-made and painted, each is a unique purchase: you can be sure you won’t run into someone wearing the same thing!

CHAOS 14 Kostava Str., Tbilisi 571 09 65 35 12 – 10 PM Daily

Chaos, a new central Tbilisi clothing store, is also a great place to try. The main criteria for selecting their pieces is the aesthetics: urban, young, striking, a bit rough and alternative, as well as cool and classy. The definition of Tbilisi style!

HIPPIE 8 Pekini Str., Saburtalo, Tbilisi 574 44 34 56 12 – 8 PM Daily

FLYING PAINTER 8 Egnate Ninoshvili Str, Tbilisi 322 43 43 75 12 - 10 PM Daily

to buy

109

PAY ATTENTION TO ACCESSORIES

Listing: Where to Buy Accessories Kapa Habitat 4 Miminoshvili Str. Tbilisi, Georgia +995 32 2148282 www.kapahabitat.com

Kapa Habitat – Located in the heart of Tbilisi, close to Rustaveli Ave. 4 Miminoshvili Str. Place, where you can get everything to make your living space special, original and interesting. Since 2010 Kapa Habitat offers unique handmade home interior accessories, furniture, textile, hand painted ceramics, tableware, home décor, jewelry, etc. These unique products are brought from Bali Island, Indonesia. Each item is hand-made, exotic materials, different, original and exclusive. At Kapa Habitat you get the things that highlight your individuality and encourages you to be different. Kapa habitat is always trying to be against dullness. They always strive to make their “different views” available for everyone. The shop is a great place for buying the gifts for families, friends, guests, etc. The shop is opened daily from 11:30 20:30 You can also visit www.kapahabitat.com and shop online. Kapa – your interesting habitat

110

MONTE Address: 3 King Erekle ll Str., Tbilisi, 12 Bambis Rigi Str ., Tbilisi, 13 Abano Str., Tbilisi, 2 kipshidze str., Tbilisi 38 Arsukidze Str,. Mtskheta, 40 Arsukidze Str,. Mtskheta, 42 Arsukidze Str,. Mtskheta, 44 Arsukidze Str,. Mtskheta, 46 Arsukidze Str,. Mtskheta TEL 55 50 89 54, 555 31 13 76 www.asmonte.ge

CHRONOGRAPH Address: 2 Freedom Sq. TEL 250 50 00

ARTTIME Address: Heroes Sq. TEL 233 27 35 Address: Freedom Sq. TEL 577 02 30 60 Address: D. Agmashenebeli Alley 16th km., TEL 272 55 96 Address: City Mall Saburtalo, TEL 230 97 14 Address: 2 Tvalchrelidze Str., East Point, TEL 577 12 70 10 Address: 24 K. Gamsakhurdia Str., Batumi TEL 422 22 48 08

Address:1 Parnavaz Mepe Str., TEL 570 70 65 28 Address: D. Agmashenebeli Alley 16th km., Tbilisi Mall, TEL 230 73 90 Address: 2 Tvalchrelidze Str., East Point

Vandome Address: 23 Rustaveli Ave. TEL 292 33 66

Crystal Address: 2 Tvalchrelidze Str., East Point, Near Akhmeteli Metro Station, Gldani Mall, D. Agmashenebeli Alley 16th km., Tbilisi Mall, 9 Pekini Ave. TEL 595 58 22 32

Da Vinci Address: D. Agmashenebeli Alley 16th km., Tbilisi Mall, 42 Rustaveli Ave., Shopping Gallery Merani TEL 243 43 50

Delfos

Address: Heroes Sq. TEL 233 07 02

Address: 19 Pekini Ave., 1 Kavtaradze Str., IG Mall, 34 Chavchavadze Ave. 108/110 Agmashenebeli Ave. 2 Tvalchrelidze Str., East Point, Near Akhmeteli Metro Station, Gldani Mall, 7 Dadiani Ave., Shopping Center Karvasla, 88 Gorgiladze, Batumi TEL 790 12 15 55

Baccarat

Diadema

SWATCH

Address: 1 Kavtaradze Str., IG Mall, TEL 229 55 20 Address:1 Khizabavra Str, TEL 230 62 02

to buy

Address: 18 Marjanishvili Str. TEL 295 76 71

ENJOY EVERY SECOND

Franco Fontana

O, Moda, Moda

Accessorize

Address: 21 Chavchavadze Ave., 26 Rustaveli Ave., 7 Pekini Ave., City Mall Saburtalo, 1 Kavtaradze Str., IG Mall, TEL 218 10 46

Address: 64 V. Barnov Str. TEL 243 00 41

Address: 42 Chavchavadze Ave. TEL 577 97 97 13

Parfois

Co.Mode Clothes and Accessories Shop

Address: 24 Kazbegi Ave. TEL 230 81 66, 231 25 99

Address: 22 Pekini Ave., 33a I. Chavchavadze Ave., 7 Dadiani Ave., Shopping Center Karvasla, 144 D. Aghmashenebeli Ave., 16 Sh. Rustaveli Ave., D. Agmashenebeli Alley 16th km., Tbilisi Mall, 42 Rustaveli Ave., Shopping Gallery Merani, 1 Kavtaradze Str., IG Mall, 2 Tvaltchrelidze Str., East point, 7 Dadiani Ave., Shopping Center Karvasla, 4/4a, Tsereteli Str, Kutaisi, 15/26, Gamsakhurdia/Melashvili Str., Batumi TEL 253 40 00

Swarovski

Mandarina

Klondike Address: 3 Khimshiashvili Str. TEL 291 12 32

Pokany Address: 7 Bambis Rigi Str. TEL 591 40 98 47

Roberto Bravo

Address: 24 Rustaveli Ave. TEL 299 08 61

Zarapxana Address: 19 Chavchavadze Ave., 15 Lubliana Str., 1 Kavtaradze Str., IG Mall, D. Agmashenebeli Alley 16th km., Tbilisi Mall, 35 Rustaveli Str., Batumi TEL 251 00 01, 595 22 87 60

Samoseli Pirveli Address: 34 Abashidze Str. TEL 223 43 63, 223 89 36

Karvasla, Tbilisi History Museum Address 8 Sioni Str., 1st Floor TEL 2 98 22 81

Nature Bijoux Address: 20 Pekini Str., 1 Kavtaradze Str., IG Mall, 34 Chavchavadze Ave., 42 Rustaveli Ave., Shopping Gallery Merani, 2 Tvalchrelidze Str., East Point, Near Akhmeteli Metro Station, Gldani Mall, D. Agmashenebeli Alley 16th km., Tbilisi Mall TEL 234 39 90, 205 08 08

Aldo Address: D. Agmashenebeli Alley 16th km., Tbilisi Mall, 142 D. Agmashenebeli Ave., 2 Tvalchrelidze Str., East Point TEL 220 31 85

Baldi Address: 104 D. Agmashenebeli Ave., 4 Pekini Ave., 34 I. Chavchavadze Ave., 36 Rustaveli Ave. TEL 514 00 09 97

to buy

Address: 45 V. Barnov Str. TEL 598 53 39 59

Sunglasses

SAFILO OPTICS Address: 14 Rustaveli Ave., TEL 299 91 66 Address: 15 Vaja-Pshavela Str., TEL 2 18 39 31 Address: 20 Pekini Ave., TEL 2 38 15 86 Address: 16 Chavchavadze Ave., TEL 218 15 86 Address: 5 Lubliana Str., Javrishvili eye microsurgery clinic, TEL 238 15 86 Address: 29 Tavdadebuli Str., Batumi Address: 4 Tamar Mepe Str., Kutaisi Address: 1 Meskhishvili Str., Rustavi TEL 218 15 86

RONIKO OPTICS Address: 19 Rustaveli Ave., Tbilisi 41 K. Gamsakhurdia Str., Batumi, 1 St. Nino Str., Kutaisi TEL 299 61 00

KENARI OPTICS Address: 146 Agmashenebeli Ave., TEL 295 48 45 Address: 24 Chavchavadze Ave., TEL 222 3976 Address: 17 Chavchavadze Ave., TEL 243 43 25

111

iN VINO VERITAS

Listing: Where to Buy Wine CHATEAU NELKARISI

Nelkarisi Estate offers a variety of tours and activities tailored to everyone’s requirements and tastes:

Wine Restaurant Azarphesha

A tour to the ancient city of Nelkarisi; Georgian cuisine workshop and tour; wine tasting tour and wine-friendly dinner tour.

Vinotel Address: Shilda village, Kakheti region TEL: 571 15 32 07, 599 02 62 82 info@friendscellar.com The Friends’ Cellar is an endeavor of a group of friends united by their love and appreciation of Georgian wine. Preserving the uniqueness of Georgian winemaking traditions and keeping pace with the swiftly developing tendencies in the field is the company’s major goal. Friend’s Cellar has developed two brands: IKANO – a combination of local and international traditions, and NELKARISI - classic Georgian wines made in full compliance with Georgian wine traditions. Nelkarisi Estate, home of Friends’ Cellar JSC, is located in the valley between Telavi and the foothills of the Caucasus, next to the ancient city of Nelkarisi, with a view of the Nekresi Monastery. The estate includes a modern winery and tasting room offering degustation of wines produced by the company, a Qvevri cellar where visitors can visualize the ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri wine-making method, and a restaurant offering delicious contemporary Georgian food.

112

Address: 4 E. Akhvlediani Ascent TEL 2 55 58 88 www.vinotel.ge

Address: 2 Ingorokva Str., Tbilisi Facebook: azarphesha www.azarphesha.com TEL 579 702 332, 579 704 080, 598 466 663 info@azarphesha.com The restaurant offers modern Georgian fusion and a natural wine list.

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

to buy

Wine bar gVino Underground

Address: 15 G. Tabidze Str., Tbilisi TEL 599 506 427, 599 393 538 Facebook: VinoUnderground

IF THE WINE IS gEORGIAN

E-mail: welcome@vinounderground.ge www.vinounderground.ge Natural wine tastings and small seasonal plates of food.

RESERVE Address: 3, 9 April Str., Tbilisi TEL 599 313344

A new wine shop behind Parliament building offering more than 300 names of wines from small producers. Taste 48 wines and beverages stored at a constant temperature. Professional consultants will help you choose. Bring friends or associates for private degustation in our tasting room. Daily: 11.00-20.00

Wine restaurant Pheasant’s Tears

E-mail: tamriko@pheasantstears.com jwurdeman@pheasantstears.com www.pheasantstears.com Wine tastings and local natural cuisine.

Georgian Mountains Wine Company

The main task of the Georgian Mountains Wine Company, which was founded in 2017 and produces pitcher and sweet wine, is the creation of top quality wine that meets the needs of a worldwide demand for excellence. Georgian Mountains wine is made in a characteristically Georgian way that com¬bines traditional indigenous Qvevri modes of manufacture with contemporary Euro¬pean technology. The result is a distinc¬tive and highly successful array of flavors and aromas that will appeal to all who enjoy quality and character in wine. You can taste Georgian Mountains wine at every restaurant of Mgroup, Sirajkhana, Kvareli Lake Resort, Orangery and many more. Taste the best wine!

Address: 18 Baratashvili Str., Sighnaghi TEL 598 722 848, 599 534 484 Facebook: Pheasant-Tears-Signaghi and Pheasants-Tears-Winery

Pheasant’s Tears Winery, Vineyards, and Tasting Hall

TEL 514 12 22 99, 597 122 277 Facebook: @georgianmountainswinecompany E-mail: info@gmwine.ge

to buy

Address: Tibaani village TEL 598 722 848, 599 534 484 Facebook: Pheasant-Tears-Signaghi and Pheasants-Tears-Winery E-mail: tamriko@pheasantstears.com jwurdeman@pheasantstears.com www.pheasantstears.com Winery and vineyard tours, wine tastings and farm-to-feasts.

Twins Wine House Address: Village Napareuli, Telavi TEL 2424042, 551 74 74 74

VINOMANIA Address: 45 Kote Apkhazi Str., Tbilisi TEL 579 02 19 34

8000 VINTAGES Address: 26 S. Tsintsadze Str., Tbilisi TEL 558 48 88 11

Alaverdi Monastery Address: Village Alaverdi, Akhmeta, Georgia TEL 596 10 04 34

113

SERVICE HALL 9 APRIL PARK

RIKE

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

RIKE

BOTANIC GARDEN

dubai

Winter Sports in Dubai By Sofia Bochoidze

Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Mall Dubai Ice Rink is one of the key leisure attractions at The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination. Located on the ground floor of the mall next to The Souk, the Olympic-size Dubai Ice Rink has become a social hotspot, appealing to the entire spectrum of society, both young and old alike. Assuring unlimited fun for skating enthusiasts and visitors, the newly refurbished Dubai Ice Rink is now more dynamic and trendy, and a venue Photo source: thenational.ae of choice for fun events and get-togethers. It’s a fun way for both kids and adults to spend an hour, or even the whole afternoon. You can rent out ice-skating equipment affordably. Popular among visitors and residents, the rink has qualified staff who can teach you how to spend more time on your skates rather than on your rear. There is even a giant penguin to help children who can’t quite master stability! It also offers several unmatched features for youth including the recently introduced Dubai Ice Rink Skating Academy (DIRSA). Offering a full programme of coaching from basic ‘learn to skate’ to advanced figure skating, The rink does get busy at peak times, so you might want to stay away from evening sessions at the weekend. In addition to skating sessions and training programmes, Dubai Ice Rink has enhanced its lifestyle appeal with cool D.J. nights to add to the joy for youngsters and the young at heart. The coolest events venue in the city, Dubai Ice Rink also serves as an ideal setting for celebratory events or friendly get-togethers. A selection of cafés offers a leisurely and relaxing experience for the entire family. Dubai Ice Rink hosts unique offerings such as entertaining shows on ice in addition to being a venue of choice for big-screen telecast of popular sporting events. The serene feeling of gliding across the ice is a relaxing way to unwind after a long day of shopping. Ground Level, The Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE TEL +971 4 448 5111 Website: www.dubaiicerink.com

Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing or just playing in the snow. The construction covers an amazing 22,500 square meters covered with real snow all year round.This artificial ski slope is 400 meters long – the size of nearly four football fields – and has its own aerial ski lift. For skilled skiers, the Freestyle Zone has jumps and rails that change on a regular basis to maintain a challenge.

118

dubai

Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will enjoy these various slopes and snowboarders can also practice their stunts on the 90-meter quarter pipe. Kids and parents alike will have fun in the interactive Snow Park which is the largest indoor snow park in the world at 3000 square meters. When you’re done on the slopes, head to the Avalanche Café halfway up the slope for a traditional Apres Ski social, and get your hands around a warming hot chocolate or soup. Main attractions at Ski Dubai: Snow Park; Slopes (Skiing, snowboarding); Snow Penguins; Ski School (ski school instructors, race program, snowboard lesson programmes, skiing lesson programmes, ski club); Snow bullet. Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE TEL +971 4 409 4000 Website: www.skidxb.com

Photo source: Robertharding.com

Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai Some call it “Al Nasr” others call “LeisureLand”, yet others refer to it as “Al Nasr LeisureLand”. Nevertheless “Al Nasr” means “The Victory”. Dubai’s most popular venue for all seasons and reasons and appreciating the pleasures of leisure. Al Nasr LeisureLand, situated in the heart of the city, is built on a 48 acres site opened on 10th October 1979 with the philosophy and concept to create a family-oriented leisure-center for Sports and Entertainment. Attached to Al Maktoum football stadium and a sports-cum-entertainment complex, this destination was first unveiled all those years ago as a sports complex with a club atmosphere. Members and non-members of all ages and nationalities can enjoy the sports facilities that, besides ice skating, include football, swimming, tennis, squash, boxing, and ten-pin bowling. Interestingly, its ice rink is also used for concerts by both resident and visiting bands. For a really cool indoor event, even in the heat of the summer, Al Nasr Leisureland is must-see. The place is old but well-maintained. There are flexible ice-skating lessons, either as private or group sessions. LeisureLand has become a major center for Sports and Entertainment all under one roof. Sports, Healthcare, International Performances, Functions, Resident Bands and Al Nasr offers the best cuisine, Indian, Chinese from breakfast brunch, lunch, dinner and to cap it all a fascinating night-life. What better way for the locals to join expatriates far from home to make their life brighter socialising with friends, relations and business partners.

Photo source: alnasrll.com

Al Nasr Leisureland, PO. Box 2652, Dubai, UAE. TEL +971 4 337 1234 Website: www.alnasrll.com

dubai

119

Two Main Events Not to Miss in April By Sofia Bochoidze

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Date: 22-25 April 2018 Venue: Dubai Inernational Convention and Exhibition Center Website: www.arabiantravelmarket.com The Arabian Travel Market is the global meeting place for the travel trade. It is the market leading, international travel and tourism event unlocking business potential within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Tourism destinations from around the world showcase a diverse range of accommodation options, breath-taking tourism attractions, travel technology and key airline routes.

Photo source: www.arabiantravelmarket.com

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has been the leading global event for the Middle East inbound and outbound travel industry for the last 25 years, generating over $2.5 billion in travel industry deals.

The annual business-to-business (B2B) exhibition showcases over 2,800 products and destinations from around the world to over 28,000 buyers and travel-trade visitors across four days at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center (DICEC). Over 39,000 travel professionals, government ministers and international press representatives visit the ATM every April to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinions and trends. There will be more than 2,800 exhibitors at ATM 2018, showcasing the latest destinations and services, from hotels and airlines to travel technology. More than 40,000 people are expected to attend this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event, including travel professionals and governmental officials, with people meeting to network and discover the latest tourism trends. The event provides opportunities for industry professionals to expand their knowledge and gain new insights into the future of the travel industry. Beyond the event, they continue to help professionals in the Arabian travel industry to drive commercial success with yearround opportunities to make connections and access industry news and developments, trends and technologies from around the world. Through the industry networks, global reach and regional focus, the ATM creates personal and business opportunities, providing customers with quality contacts, content and communities. This year, the spotlight theme is Family Travel. There will also be a focus on Travel Technology, Business Travel, Luxury and Wellness.

120

dubai

The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Date: 09-11 April, 2018 Venue: Dubai World Trade Center Website: www.aimcongress.com The Annual Investment Meeting is the world’s leading and most established gathering of the international investment community, leading academics and experts, showcasing up-to-date information, strategies and knowledge on attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Photo source: www.georgiatoday.ge

The event offers a truly knowledge-based forum, with cutting edge information on the latest developments in FDI and related issues. It serves as a unique platform to meet, network, and exchange experiences, explore business opportunities and sign cooperation agreements and partnerships.

Included in its 8th edition this year are the following features: Conference, International Exhibition, Capacity Building Workshops, AIM Startup, Investment Awards, AIM Connect, Investors’ Hub, Country Presentations, and Online/Onsite Business Matchmaking. The 2018 Annual Investment Meeting will be held on 9 - 11 April at the Dubai World Trade Center. The theme is ‘Linking Developed and Emerging Markets through FDI: Partnerships for Inclusive Growth & Sustainable Development’. Why Attend? Learn about the latest location developments, FDI trends, projections, and investment promotion strategies from 100+ FDI experts and business and political leaders globally by attending the AIM Conference and Capacity Building Workshops. Position your organization / country to get maximum exposure and promote your projects and investment opportunities to a targeted audience, including SWF, private funds, multinationals, investors and businessmen, key project owners, consultants and financiers while participating in the AIM Exhibition. Meet and connect with over 19,000 visitors and 1,500 conference delegates, including industry leaders and key stakeholders from the regional and international community, through various networking functions. Explore investment opportunities in various sectors in over 140 countries and get in touch with various IPAs, Chambers of Commerce & Industry, and Business Councils from around the globe. Book your Country Presentation and get direct access to key decision-makers, government leaders and investors actively seeking opportunities. Pitch your project ideas to investors and incubators at the AIM Startup. Source: aimcongress.com

dubai

121

Business Listing banks

ProCredit Bank

Progress Bank

PASHA Bank

Address: 154 Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 220 22 22 www.procreditbank.ge

Address: 8 Baratashvili Str. TEL 599 50 11 44, 232 00 44 www.progressbank.ge

Bank Republic

Halyk Bank

Address: 2 Gr. Abashidze Str. TEL 292 55 55 www.republic.ge

Address: 74 Kostava Str. TEL 224 07 07 www.hbg.ge

Bank of Georgia

TERABANK

Address: 15 Rustaveli Ave. TEL 226 50 00 www.pashabank.ge

Address: 29a Gagarin Str. TEL 244 44 44 www.bankofgeorgia.ge

Liberty Bank Address: 74 Chavchavadze Ave. TEL 255 55 00 www.libertybank.ge

PASHA Bank is a Baku-based financial institution operating in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, providing a full range of corporate and investment banking services to large and mediumsized enterprises. PASHA Bank has been operating in Georgia since 2013 and during our short time of operation we have received positive feedback from our customers due to the high-quality service we provide and our exclusive business approach. The Bank is a part of PASHA Holding - a diversified investment group with the total assets of approximately USD 5 billion as of December 2015.

122

BasisBank Address: 1 Ketevan Tsamebuli Ave. TEL 2921 921, 922 922 www.basisbank.ge

VTB Bank Georgia Address: 14 G. Tchanturia Str. TEL 250 55 05 www.vtb.com.ge

TBC Bank Address: 7 Marjanishvili Str. TEL 227 27 27 www.tbcbank.com.ge

BTA BANK Address: 73a Tsereteli Ave. TEL 2242 242 www.bta.ge

Address: 3 Queen Ketevan Ave. TEL 255 00 00 www.terabank.ge

FINCA Bank Georgia

Address: 71 Vazha-Pshavela Ave. TEL 220 74 10/11 www.finca.ge

Fuel Companies Gulf Address: 34 Chavchavadze Ave. TEL 249 644 4 www.gulf.ge

Wissol

Address: 74 Chavchavadze Ave., TEL 249 64 44 www.wissol.ge

Rompetrol Georgia Address: 19 Gamrekeli Str. TEL 291 07 27, 291 07 78, 291 00 27, 240 00 25, 224 04 44 www.rompetrol.ge

Socar Georgia Petrolium

TEL 277 01 77 www.geocell.ge

Address: 24 300 Aragveli Str. TEL 2 43 92 75, 243 97 77 www.sgp.ge

Caucasus Online

Pharmacies EVEX Medical Corporation Address: 40 Vazha Pshavela Ave. TEL 255 05 05 www.evex.ge

PSP Group Address: 148/3 D. Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 240 20 20, 218 51 11 www.psp.ge

Aversi Address: 148 Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 296 72 27, 296 72 27 www.aversi.ge

GPC Address: 6 Sanapiro Str. Tel.: 294 07 40 www.gpc.ge

Communications companies Magticom Address: 7 A. Politkovskaya Str. TEL 217 17 17, 217 17 77

Beeline Address: 8 Gorgasali Str. TEL 2 20 06 11 www.beeline.ge

Geocell Address: 3 Gotua Str.

Address: 37 Vazha-Pshavela Str. TEL 220 00 00 www.co.ge

Silknet Address: 95 Tsinamzgvrishvili Str. TEL 2 10 00 00 www.silknet.com

Construction and real estate companies MAQRO Construction Address: 22 Panjikidze Str. (Former Budapest) TEL 200 10 10 www.maqro.ge

Redco Address: 1 T. Abuladze Str. TEL 577 242 091 www.redco.ge

Lisi Development Address: M. Machavariani Str. TEL 200 27 27, 595 134 134, 248 47 44 www.lisi.ge

Redix Address: 71 Vazha-Pshavela Ave. TEL 220 11 22 www.redix.ge

Archi Group Address: 15 Kipshidze Str. TEL 260 26 02 www.archi.ge

AS Georgia Address: 127 Beri Gabriel Salosi Ave. TEL 274 04 04 www.dirsi.ge

M2 Address: 29 Chavchavadze Str TEL 244 41 11 www.m2.ge

Metra Development â&#x20AC;&#x192; Address: 26 Z. Sakandelidze Str. TEL 223 75 75 www.metra.ge

Metrocity Address: Lech and Maria Kachinsky Str., Batumi TEL 577 14 17 14 www.metrocity.ge

HAUSART Address: 11B, Vazha-Pshavela Ave. TEL 293 04 56 www.hausart.ge

Sveti Address: Poti Str. 14 TEL 591 34 88 44, 790 34 88 44 www.sveti.ge

Chambers American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia Address: 36a Lado Asatiani Str. TEL 222 69 07 www.amcham.ge

123

Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business Address: 4 Freedom Sq. TEL 299 70 35, 299 70 36

ICC Address: 29, Polikarpe Kakabadze Str. Address: Near the Funicular TEL 298 81 76, 292 02 31, 599 39 98 33 www.icc.ge

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry France-Georgia Address: 85 Paliashvili Str. TEL 222 69 40, 599 70 27 61 www.ccifg.ge

Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Address: 29 Berdznis Str. TEL 269 47 47 www.gcci.ge

British-Georgian Chamber of Commerce Address: 4 Besiki Str. TEL 32214 70 79 www.bgcc.org.uk

Insurance companies Aldagi Address: 3 Pushkini Str. TEL 244 49 99 www.aldagi.ge

124

Ardi Address: 3 Vazha-Pshavela Ave. TEL 210 10 10 www.ardi.ge

Kopenbur Address: 173 Agmashenebeli Ave. TEL 242 22 22 www.kopenbur.ge

Gpi Holding Address: 67 Kostava Str. TEL 250 51 11 www.gpih.ge

IC GROUP Address: 24 Mosashvili Str. TEL 220 88 88 www.icgroup.ge

Imedi L Address: 3/5 E. Tatishvili Str. TEL 292 22 22 www.imedil.ge

Clinics MEDICAL CENTRE EXTRA Address: 68 Chubinashvili Str. TEL 2 22 21 55, 571 89 81 18, 574 44 14 14

HERA EUROTEST Address: 34 Abuladze Str. TEL 2 25 82 58

MEDINVEST

Address: 44/5 Paliashvili Str. TEL 225 19 60

DAVID TATISHVILI MEDICAL CENTRE Address: 20 Abuladze Str. TEL 291 31 19, 291 32 42, 225 39 38

GEOSWISS MEDICAL CENTRE Address: 5 Pekini Str. TEL 236 33 64, 225 08 38

GIDMEDI PLUS Address: 3 Larsi Lane TEL 220 25 15, 291 32 19

NEW HOSPITALS Address: 12 Krtsanisi Str. TEL 219 01 01, 219 01 02

TODUA CLINIC Address: 13 T. Mgvdeli Str. TEL 294 02 89, 234 49 23, 235 20 49, 235 71 26

American Medical Centers, Georgia AMC Tbilisi Address: Vake, 11 Dimitri Arakishvili Str. 24/7 Hotline: 250 00 20

AMC Batumi Address: 114 Gorgiladze Str. 24/7 Hotline: 555 48 41 46

KUZANOV CLINIC Address: 5 Pekini Str. TEL 242 40 05, 555 40 20 20

HEALTH CENTER Address: 14b Kazbegi Ave. TEL 214 44 05, 214 44 02

HOUSE OF THERAPY

CARAPS MEDLINE

Address: 72 Guramishvili Ave. TEL 261 01 89, 260 84 69, 265 40 46

Bela Metreveli Esthetic Gynecology Center

Address: 48 Ljubljana Str. TEL 222 44 17, 251 60 60

LANCET Address: 12 Km. Agmashenebeli Alley TEL 2 101 100

MEDIHELP

Address: 4a Pekini Ave. TEL 599 233523, 223 80 43 Mail: gynecologyst.metreveli@gmail.com

Address: 13 Kipshidze Str. TEL 243 43 10, 596 11 43 43

GEORGIAN-GERMAN CLINIC MEDHOUSE

Address: 69 Nutsubidze Str. TEL 2 368 777, 597 13 88 77

GRANDMEDI

Address: 7 M. Abashidze Str. TEL 570 10 22 66, 568 05 03 03

How We’re Different No hassle. No stress. See a doctor when and where you want, on your terms. Doctors you’ll recommend European and US physicians Preventative and Acute Care All English-speaking staff

Treating you, differently Home or Office Visits More quality time with your doctor 24/7 phone or email consults

Address: 38 Kostava Str. TEL 295 33 11, 298 73 39

ESSENTIALS Time zone GMT + 4

Currency Georgian Lari. One Lari is divided into 100 Tetris.

EMERGENCY - 112 112 can be dialed free of charge from most mobile telephones and, in some countries, fixed telephones in order to reach emergency services (ambulance, fire and rescue, police).

Tbilisi International Airport TEL 231 03 41

Kutaisi International Airport TEL 0431 23 70 00

Georgian Railway TEL 1331, 219 90 10

International Direct billing to most insurance groups Certified Visa centers Modern and accessible clinics

Georgian National Tourism Administration Address: 4 Sanapiro Str. TEL 243 69 99

Kyiv: +38 (044) 490 76 00 Lviv: +38 (032) 253 70 00 Odessa: +38 (048) 701 40 00 Tbilisi: +99 (532) 250 00 20 / 11 D. Arakishvili Street, Vake Batumi: +99 (555) 548 41 46 / 114 Gorgiladze Street

CHACHAVA CLINIC

Dialing Code: www.amcenters.com

+995 32

125

ორბი ჯგუფი ORBI GROUP THE WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION OF ORBI GROUP!

The "Twin Tower" aparthotel named as the World’s best project for investment!

Only the best projects on the planet deserve “The Real Estate Oscar” – Prix d'Excellence Award by FIABCI International Real Estate Federation. And ORBI GROUP won that award: the committee, consisting of 70 most competent experts from over than 40 countries, recognized ORBI Twin Tower as the World's Best Project for Investment of 2016 (www.orbi.ge).

During the promotional sales, it is possible to acquire the apartment for GEL 65 500. Price includes the interior works, furniture, and home appliances. It is possible to get an instant mortgage for citizens of any country: down payment amounts starts from 10%! All apartments have the stunning sea view. Apartments are your real estate property and a protable business at the same time. ORBI GROUP is offering a stable income for the apartment owners. On demand, ORBI GROUP is operating the apartment for the owner, while he has access to the exclusive online system to control his property. The income is enough to have a full investment payback within four years. ORBI Twin Tower is an amazing project, located in the touristic center of Batumi only 50 meters from the sea. It will have an outstanding infrastructure and service: џ Services: reception, security, concierge, cleaning, CCTV, 24/7 tech., personnel, parking, etc. џ Infrastructure: swimming pools, SPA, casino, tness, playgrounds, restaurants and cafes, relaxation areas, medical center, market, shopping mall, etc. - everything in one space!

Международное признание ORBI GROUP!

Проект грузинской компании “ORBI GROUP” — ORBI Twin Tower признан лучшим в мире!

“Оскар в сфере недвижимости” — так называют приз Prix d’Ecxellence, который вручается на ежегодном конкурсе международной федерации недвижимости FIABCI. Его удостаиваются только лучшие проекты в мире! ORBI GROUP получила данный приз за проект ORBI Twin Tower, который был признан лучшим инвестиционным проектом! Апартаменты «под ключ» можно приобрести за 65 500 лари. Первоначальный взнос составляет от 10%! Апартаменты сдаются с евроремонтом, мебелью и бытовой техникой. Это ваша собственность и бизнес, приносящий прибыль. В апартаментах вы можете не только жить и отдыхать, но и через ORBI GROUP обеспечить их сдачу, получая гарантированный доход и отслеживая процесс сдачи в онлайн-режиме. Срок возврата инвестиций составляет до 4 лет! ORBI Twin Tower — это грандиозный проект в туристической зоне Батуми в 50 м от моря с разветвлённой инфраструктурой и высококлассным обслуживанием: • Пакет услуг: КРУГЛОСУТОЧНО — ресепшн, охрана, консьерж-сервис, уборка общественных пространств, система видеонаблюдения, технический персонал, парковка и т.д. • Инфраструктура: бассейн, СПА, фитнес-центр, казино, рестораны, кафе, детские досуговые центры, террасы для отдыха, магазины, медицинский центр, торгово-развлекательные объекты — всё в одном комплексе.

Sales ofces: Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, USA, Germany, Israel

Офисы продаж: Грузия, Россия, Украина, США, Германия, Израиль

ORBI Twin Tower Batumi, Georgia

FIABCI Prix d’Excellence

WORLD GOLD WINNER

ÀÏÀÐÒÀÌÅÍÒÛ ÏÎÄ ÊËÞ×

65 500 ₾ TURN-KEY APARTMENTS

✆ +995 555 31 00 00