Travel advice for Georgia & Armenia
October 1, 2015 5:31 AM Subscribe
In two weeks, I'm going to Georgia and then Armenia (each for four days). What should I do? (Difficulty level: traveling alone.)
I've never been to either country! I fly in to Tbilisi on October 16, then planning to take an overnight train to Yerevan on October 20. I fly out Octover 25. I've booked a private room in a hostel in both cities. Aside from that I have nothing planned yet -- and I think maybe a good mix of day trips + wandering around each city would be good?
I'm excited for eating khachapuri and grilled meat and everything else. Other things I'd like to do if possible: In Georgia, go on a wine tour. In Armenia, go hike Mount Aragats (but not alone...) and visit Byurakan Observatory. (But I only really want to bring real hiking boots if I can also go hiking in Georgia, because ugh packing.)
Any advice welcome! Relevant details: I speak both English and Russian, am comfortable with traveling alone but get bored sometimes, I prefer doing things over seeing things.
I've never been to either country! I fly in to Tbilisi on October 16, then planning to take an overnight train to Yerevan on October 20. I fly out Octover 25. I've booked a private room in a hostel in both cities. Aside from that I have nothing planned yet -- and I think maybe a good mix of day trips + wandering around each city would be good?
I'm excited for eating khachapuri and grilled meat and everything else. Other things I'd like to do if possible: In Georgia, go on a wine tour. In Armenia, go hike Mount Aragats (but not alone...) and visit Byurakan Observatory. (But I only really want to bring real hiking boots if I can also go hiking in Georgia, because ugh packing.)
Any advice welcome! Relevant details: I speak both English and Russian, am comfortable with traveling alone but get bored sometimes, I prefer doing things over seeing things.
Wonderful! I'd do two days in tblisi proper. Go see the pantomime theatre for sure. It is incredible. Also see the famous puppet theatre - the shows are for adults. On the day you see the puppet theatre walk around the old city.
In Armenia, Aragats is a good hike but not incredible. I'd rather see some of the beautiful old churches and monasteries. The Discover Armenia guidebook is out of date but great for the regions. I believe it is online at armeniapedia.org.
If you're looking to meet people let me know.
posted by k8t at 7:47 AM on October 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
In Armenia, Aragats is a good hike but not incredible. I'd rather see some of the beautiful old churches and monasteries. The Discover Armenia guidebook is out of date but great for the regions. I believe it is online at armeniapedia.org.
If you're looking to meet people let me know.
posted by k8t at 7:47 AM on October 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Eat, go see churches - probably visit Mtskheta. You really aren't there very long.
posted by JPD at 7:59 AM on October 1, 2015
posted by JPD at 7:59 AM on October 1, 2015
I LOVE Armenia but personally I think that 4 days in each is too short and you should spend the whole time in Tblisi.
posted by k8t at 10:21 AM on October 1, 2015
posted by k8t at 10:21 AM on October 1, 2015
Response by poster: No can do k8t! Going to Armenia largely because part of my family is Armenian (my great-grandfather founded Byurakan Observatory), and I feel like I need to visit at some point (and am currently well-placed geographically to make the trip).
Totally agree that it isn't a lot of time, but it is all the time I have right now :/
posted by aaanastasia at 10:36 AM on October 1, 2015
Totally agree that it isn't a lot of time, but it is all the time I have right now :/
posted by aaanastasia at 10:36 AM on October 1, 2015
I can't tell you what you should do in Georgia, as I'm only on my second trip here and there is MUCH to do... But I can tell you what I have done and what I still want to do.
In Tbilisi, definitely check out old town, including the puppet theater (dunno if they do shows in Russian, might only be in Georgian?). There is a very complex cuckoo clock outside of it, too, so even if there aren't any shows I'm told to go by there on the hour (I've always missed it by a several minutes, alas). Dining options: Pur Pur, Litera (and walk around the Writer's House, though the museum is not yet and may never be open), Piano, Cala (almost always good live jazz).
Batumi and even Kutoisi are probably too far given your time-frame, but me mail me if you want those recs too.
Uplistsikhe is nearish, and just outside of Gori, birthplace of Stalin. I didn't visit the Stalin museum, but Uplistsikhe is pretty rad.
About two hours in the other direction will get you to the kakheti region. Just last weekend I stayed at the Schuchmann Vineyard, just outside of Telavi. You might be too late for the harvest, but you can get a tour of the winery and have a wine tasting, price included in the room. You can also see them make or even make your own chacha. They have some package tours at reasonable prices, and you can walk (if you like walking, it's about 5km) to Chavchavadze's house.
I'm not saying these are the best things to do in Georgia, just that I can vouch for them.
Things on my list to do in Tbilisi: take the gondola to the funicular. Hike to mother Georgia and the castle. Check out anchiskhati basilica.
posted by solotoro at 12:37 PM on October 1, 2015
In Tbilisi, definitely check out old town, including the puppet theater (dunno if they do shows in Russian, might only be in Georgian?). There is a very complex cuckoo clock outside of it, too, so even if there aren't any shows I'm told to go by there on the hour (I've always missed it by a several minutes, alas). Dining options: Pur Pur, Litera (and walk around the Writer's House, though the museum is not yet and may never be open), Piano, Cala (almost always good live jazz).
Batumi and even Kutoisi are probably too far given your time-frame, but me mail me if you want those recs too.
Uplistsikhe is nearish, and just outside of Gori, birthplace of Stalin. I didn't visit the Stalin museum, but Uplistsikhe is pretty rad.
About two hours in the other direction will get you to the kakheti region. Just last weekend I stayed at the Schuchmann Vineyard, just outside of Telavi. You might be too late for the harvest, but you can get a tour of the winery and have a wine tasting, price included in the room. You can also see them make or even make your own chacha. They have some package tours at reasonable prices, and you can walk (if you like walking, it's about 5km) to Chavchavadze's house.
I'm not saying these are the best things to do in Georgia, just that I can vouch for them.
Things on my list to do in Tbilisi: take the gondola to the funicular. Hike to mother Georgia and the castle. Check out anchiskhati basilica.
posted by solotoro at 12:37 PM on October 1, 2015
Puppet theatre has English subtitles via a projector.
Okay - Armenia will be great too. 4 days will be intense. If you'd like I can hook you up with my tour guide pal who is also outdoorsy and would do Aragats with you and would be happy to figure out how to maximize your 4 days there. Message me and I'll put you in touch.
posted by k8t at 4:45 PM on October 2, 2015
Okay - Armenia will be great too. 4 days will be intense. If you'd like I can hook you up with my tour guide pal who is also outdoorsy and would do Aragats with you and would be happy to figure out how to maximize your 4 days there. Message me and I'll put you in touch.
posted by k8t at 4:45 PM on October 2, 2015
In Tblisi PurPur is fun, but there are a lot of even better places to eat.
Go to Factory 27 for drinks, not food.
O Moda Moda is hard to find but fun if the weather is good.
Hands down the best Georgian food that I've ever had in Tbs is Tabla. Omg I miss it terribly. It is such amazing food. Please go there, please. I dream of some day just moving into that place and never leaving.
posted by k8t at 4:49 PM on October 2, 2015
Go to Factory 27 for drinks, not food.
O Moda Moda is hard to find but fun if the weather is good.
Hands down the best Georgian food that I've ever had in Tbs is Tabla. Omg I miss it terribly. It is such amazing food. Please go there, please. I dream of some day just moving into that place and never leaving.
posted by k8t at 4:49 PM on October 2, 2015
Oh, in TBS if the weather is nice, go to the Botanical Garden.
posted by k8t at 4:51 PM on October 2, 2015
posted by k8t at 4:51 PM on October 2, 2015
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posted by chaiminda at 6:04 AM on October 1, 2015