7 must-do experiences in Georgia

Don your walking boots to uncover the mighty Shkhara glacier at the foot of Georgia’s highest mountain.  Follow the winding path of the Enereti River and take in far-reaching views of grassy meadows draped over rugged hillsides. As you trek further into the valley and scramble up the last rocky path to the glacier, snow-capped crests soar into the cobalt-blue skies, and the vast expanse of cascading ice emerges on the steep cliff face. Ice crystals glisten in the sunshine against a wall of lofty peaks, and ice-cold water flows along the river bed below. 

Join a local wine master in the countryside town of Telavi to learn about the production of Georgian wine. Wine from the Kakheti region is created using a unique method dating back over 8,000 years. See how the locally grown grapes are pressed and sealed in qvevri, large egg-shaped clay caskets, which are stored underground while the wine ferments. Sip the delicious red, white and amber wines that are harvested in these verdant valleys and dare to try the potent chacha brandy made from the residual grape pomace.  

Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the farmers’ market in Kutaisi, once Georgia’s capital city. Meander around piles of local cheese and fill your basket with a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the nearby countryside. Take your pick from an array of aromatic spices and herbs, and be sure to try the local delicacy, churchkhela; colourful strings of tasty caramel-coated walnuts hanging above the market stalls like dripping candles.