The city of Tbilisi is more than just the nation’s capital; it’s here that the Georgia’s major universities, political machinery, cultural institutions and historical wealth all agglomerate, fusing together to create a surprisingly energetic cityscape in the depths of Eastern Europe’s Caucasus.
The social heart of the city is found compact and clustered right in the middle of the steep banks and dramatic cliff bluffs of the Mtkvari River valley. Visitors here can look forward to wander the Old Town’s cobbled streets amidst quaint and traditional architecture in the ever-looming shadow of the formidable Narikala Fortress that sits atop the hill to the south. Your Tbilisi tour guide will ensure you do not miss the much-fought over historical hotspot, the Metekhi Church, the site where the Persians and Mongols both vied for control of the city in times gone by.
Away from the central district it’s possible to follow in the footsteps of some of Europe’s great literary luminaries (think Pushkin and Dumas), with a dip in the world-famous Abanotubani sulphur baths, or an exploration of the riches of local Georgian history at the well-stocked museums on offer.