Uplistsikhe & Gori

The 9th Century chapel at Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe, literally the ‘lord’s fortress’ is a cave town – an ancient city built into the rocks, just outside of Gori around 90 minutes drive from Tbilisi.  The drive is quiet and I admire the mountain scenery, picking Sergo’s tour guide brain about all the best places to visit and things to see. … Read the rest

Museums & Monasteries

The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

My first destination this afternoon after exploring some More of Tbilisi is the Museum of Fine Arts.  Unfortunately it looks like it’s closed.  I check out the Kashueti St George Church briefly and then the Lado Gudiashvilli Art Gallery, giving the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia a miss although there are some cool book topped bollards out the front.… Read the rest

More Of Tbilisi

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Yesterday my travel companion Diana and I escaped the city to explore the Kakheti Region for the day.  Today, far from being finished with Tbilisi, there is so much yet to explore before Diana’s flight home this afternoon.… Read the rest

Soaks & Scrubs

Bath House

I’m glad I know what to expect.  After hearing that Tbilisi is famous for its hot sulphur baths (the name Tbilisi means ‘hot city’), I do a little research.  This means I am not only prepared for the experience (as much as possible) but able to enjoy it all the more.… Read the rest

Sighnaghi

Sights of Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi, a tiny town in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region, is an attractive town perched high on a hilltop with sweeping views across the Alazani Valley laid out below. Known affectionately as Georgia’s City of Love, the restored 18th and 19th century architecture of the centre gives the town a relaxed, easy charm focused around its tourist attractions.… Read the rest

Tbilisi, Georgia

Domes of the Sulphur Baths

I awake on my first morning in Tbilisi, Georgia excited at exploring all that my First Impressions promise.  My travel companion, Diana, has arrived during the night and despite a restless sleep, I only doze a little before being ready to hit the town, so to speak.… Read the rest

First Impressions

Clock Tower outside the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater

There are many words to describe my first impressions of Tbilisi, yet none of them quite capture the vibe of the Old Town or just how excited I am to be here.

Statues outside the Hotel Ambassadori

It’s still early and I have checked in to the Museum Hotel Orbeliani, dropped my bags and logged in to finalise a few last work emails before the long weekend really sets in. … Read the rest

Pyramids and Plans

The Pyramids of Giza

Pyramids and plans are on my mind and then that first taste. That first glimpse! That first glimpse.  It’s never enough.  It only serves to whet the appetite, as the saying goes.  Likewise my first glimpses of Cairo.… Read the rest

A Whirlwind Tour

Global Village

A long anticipated visit has come to fruition resulting in a whirlwind tour.  We had a wonderful time staying with Ricky & Clare in Buckinghamshire last year and it was the very next day after we left them that we heard they’d booked for a trip with a stopover to visit us in Dubai.… Read the rest