Find out what the capital of Georgia is good for and why you should definitely come here.
Tbilisi is a picturesque city with soul and history. Visually - a mixture of Baku, Petersburg and Istanbul. We feel at ease and at ease there: it is safe and pleasant to walk in Tbilisi, looking at the facades and looking into the front doors. We will tell you why you should definitely visit Tbilisi at least once.
The glitter and poverty of the ceremonial
The front ones in Tbilisi are really front doors, not entrances. One is more beautiful than the other: openwork staircases, royally painted walls, rich stucco, parquet and massive wooden doors. In the front house at 15 Griboyedov Street, the ceiling is not inferior to the paintings in the Hermitage. And the former London hotel is like an abandoned set for a film. Each front door has a story. Alas, all this is in a deplorable state, but the decline only adds to the charm. Continuous decadence.
Italian courtyards
Do you know the song "Where does childhood go?" I think I know where - to the Italian courtyards of Tbilisi. In cramped but cozy courtyards, surrounded by variegated balconies, terraces and staircases, it is as if time has stood still: green-eyed cats squinting on the windowsills, foliage rustling, toys are scattered about and the sun is always shining. An old man smokes a cigarette, children run around, a neighbor takes off dried clothes - and it’s so good!
Tbilisi is cozy. In places dilapidated, in places abandoned, but still very cozy. Its wonderful courtyards make the city homey and warm - it was a great pleasure to look into them, study, examine the details.
Residents of Tbilisi are great for preserving this heritage. When you live in a big city, it is very important to have a secluded corner where everything is simple and familiar, where life flows slowly, where everyone is yours, where it is warm, cozy and calm. Hope these lovely courtyards live forever! And I advise you to definitely look into them - this is a portal to the past.
Food
Ugly, impossible, terribly delicious food! Blessed Khachapuri, Khinkali and Lobiani! You will definitely not leave without extra pounds.
Wine
Georgia is a country where the expression in vino veritas has become a motto. Winelab, Wine Cellar - such signs are found everywhere in Tbilisi. On the Internet, it is advised to drink exclusively homemade wine, as if it were better than factory wine. We cannot say anything about this - we bought Kinszmarauli in the store and were not disappointed.
Lemonade
Unexpectedly for us from Georgia we want to bring home not wine, cheese and churchkhela, but creamy lemonade. The drink is incredibly tasty! Chocolate and saperavi are also good. We advise you to drink it in the "Lagidze Waters" cafe.
Russian-speaking environment
Almost everyone knows basic Russian: it seems to be abroad, but there is no language barrier! We met only one person who did not know Russian. The older generation speaks well, the young people know little or not at all.
There is something to see in the vicinity
From Tbilisi you can go to many places for 1-2 days with an excursion or on your own: to Mtskheta, Gori, Borjomi, Kazbegi, see the Georgian Military Road. We went for half a day by minibus to Mtskheta - it's great to be in nature after busy days in the capital.
People
Everyone says that the main treasure of Georgia is people. You need to communicate, visit and drink wine with them. We hardly contacted anyone. However, even the fact that no one drives them out of the front doors, does not grumble or swear (hello, Petersburgers!) Already speaks volumes. On the street, they may come up and ask if help is needed. Minus - taxi drivers and tour guides are overly intrusive.
Convenient and cheap to fly
From many cities in Russia, tickets to Tbilisi cost around 15 thousand rubles, and even cheaper during sales. There are direct flights from Moscow - only 3 hours, and you are in Georgia!
Low prices
The prices are pleasant! Medium-sized Adjarian khachapuri, after which it is impossible to get up from the table, costs only 9 GEL, which is about 220 rubles. Inexpensive housing - we lived in a spacious two-room apartment in the center for 1,700 rubles in the low season. Transport is also cheap: metro ticket - 0.5 GEL, minibus to Mtskheta - 1 GEL.
A city with history
I love cities like Tbilisi, Istanbul, St. Petersburg because they have history and spirit. And they are not only near the city itself, but also in every district, every house, every apartment. How nice it would be if all our cities were just as lively and colorful, and not gray and faceless. Life would be more fun and pleasant!
