Tour Tbilisi!

Many travelers begin exploring Georgia with a visit to Tbilisi. Tbilisi has been Georgia's historic capital city since the 6^th century A.D. It was named for the hot springs that abound in the area, as the word "Tpili" means 'warm' in Georgian. The city truly embodies a more Mediterranean character than many others in the region. Tbilisi is the largest city in the country, with over one million inhabitants and over one hundred ethnic groups.  It is situated along the steep banks of the beautiful Mtkvari or Kura River Valley and surrounded on three sides by snowcapped mountains. Being a major cultural, industrial, and social center of Georgia, it typifies the blend of cultures seen across the country, with its mix of architectural styles and inhabitants. Although the main religion is Orthodox Christianity, mosques are found next to synagogues, and modern European city planning mixes with meandering medieval roads. Neoclassical and Art Nouveau buildings on elegant Rustaveli Avenue jostle with Soviet-era architecture. From Tbilisi, it is a short trip to the shores of the beautiful Balkan sea or to some of the best skiing in Europe.

Situated at the foot of Mount Mtatsminda Tbilisi’s charming Old Town, the Narikala district has narrow brick paved streets of wooden houses, twisted chimneys, open-air balconies and winding streets. Lit at night like a medieval fairy tale, visitors can stroll through history. For those interested in other cultural attractions, Tbilisi offers many museums that showcase the history and art of the area, including the rich collections of the Georgian State History Museum, The Shalva Amiranshvili Museum of Fine Arts, The Tbilisi Museum and the Museum of Folk Architecture. Other cultural entertainment venues include the Tbilisi State Conservatoire, the Moorish style Paliashvili Opera House, Shota Rustaveli State Academic Theatre, and Marjanishvili State Academic Theatre.

Visitors of any religion can appreciate the beauty and historic significance of the medieval Sioni Cathedral. Today Sioni is the residence of the Catholicos - the Patriarch of Georgian Christian church. The Cross of St. Nino relic is kept there, made of two grapevines intertwined with the Saint's hair according to the legend. The grandiose Sameba Cathedral, finished in 2004 to commemorate the 1,500^th anniversary of the autonomy of the Georgian Orthodox Church can accommodate 15,000 people. The magnificent white tiers of Sameba rising towards its golden dome can be seen from any viewpoint in the city. On Mount Mtatsminda or David Mountain is Narikala, the ruins of a 17^th century fortress. On the way down visitors can stop in at the botanical gardens or the banyas, the traditional steam baths favored by the likes of Pushkin and Dumas. Once the social heart of the city, they were built in classic oriental style and visitors can enjoy the reviving warmth and healing of the waters and massage.

For sports fans, the city houses multiple stadiums, especially for soccer and basketball. The weekend Dry Bridge market offers antiques, souvenirs and Soviet era memorabilia. Tbilisi has wonderful jazz clubs and its cafes and family-style restaurants will welcome you with pungent sulguni cheese, khinkali dumplings with spicy meat and flavorful local wines. You may be serenaded by a group of Ossetian traditional folk musicians to liven up your evening and round out your stay in Tbilisi, the heart of the Caucasus.