Amazing History and Hospitality of Tbilisi, Georgia
We landed in Tbilisi, the capital of the Republic of Georgia, and settled into the Sheraton Metechi Palace across the river from the heart of the city. Our Executive Suite was roomy, sleek, and had a killer view of the skyline. Thanks to a little Bonvoy status magic, we got upgraded without even asking.
After a restful first day, we dove into the city, starting with a wander through Old Town. It’s a maze of narrow streets, historic buildings, and endless charm. You’ll see grapevines hanging from balconies, street art around nearly every corner, and if you’re lucky, someone selling homemade wine from a reused plastic bottle. No, we didn’t try that. Yes, we were curious.
Later, we joined a free walking tour led by Vladi, an energetic local with deep knowledge and great storytelling skills. He brought Tbilisi’s complex history to life—from the Soviet era to today’s cultural revival. We explored crumbling-yet-beautiful 19th-century buildings, visited communal courtyards (called “yards”), and saw the mix of decay and restoration that defines the Old City.
We also stopped at one of Tbilisi’s quirkiest sights, the Leaning Clock Tower. Built to look like something out of a storybook, it features a tiny working clock and an angel who rings a bell every hour. Just steps away, we visited the oldest Orthodox church in Tbilisi. Another reminder of Georgia’s deep spiritual roots and architectural variety.
One highlight was standing beneath the Mother of Georgia statue, watching the sun set over the city. She holds a sword in one hand and a bowl of wine in the other because Georgian hospitality is fierce and generous. Not far from her is the Narikala Fortress, and inside the fortress is St. Nicholas Church, where Orthodox rules are still in place: no shorts, no bare shoulders, and women should cover their heads. Luckily, they provide wraps at the entrance.
Later, we visited Mtatsminda Park, an old Soviet park turned modern-day amusement park high above the city. A funicular took us up the 267 meters, where we found epic views, scattered dinosaurs, and a quiet charm. The whole ride up and back? Less than $1 USD. You can’t beat that.
And because every Georgia trip must include wine, we followed a tip from our walking tour and visited a local wine shop. We sampled several types, including a sweet green wine (yes, green!) made from some of the region’s 500+ grape varieties. Between the microclimates and ancient winemaking traditions, Georgia takes its wine seriously, and deliciously.
Our trip ended like many of ours do; with a little KFC, some souvenir hunting, and Instagram-worthy photos. We didn’t get to see everything, but we’ll definitely be back.
Watch the full video of our Tbilisi adventure here:
