Entering Georgia
I had originally intended entering Georgia overland from Azerbaijan which had recently become possible again for foreigners following COVID-19 restrictions. In the end, I opted to avoid the extreme heat and make the most of my time by flying from Baku to Tbilisi.
Sighnaghi
I had headed straight to the town of Sighnaghi in the wine region of Kakheti. It’s only a couple of hours drive from the airport. The fortress and old town walls were constructed in the 18th century and along with wine tasting are major attractions for visitors.
The town is laid back and peaceful. A few restaurants offer reasonable local dishes; the bars on the road into the town have splendid views; and a couple of cellars offer a selection of mostly passable wines.
The Road to Russia
There are limited train services in Georgia. A well-used form of transport is the marshrutka. They are privately run minivans that service the main towns in Georgia. Obviously, private taxis are a more expensive alternative. I used GoTrip Georgia a couple of times; the prices are fair; and the drivers are accommodating and happy to stop when you want to take photos.
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is a popular tourist destination on the road to Russia, and close to the border. It is the easiest access to The Greater Caucasus Mountains from the capital, Tbilisi. The owner of the guesthouse that I stayed at in Sighnaghi organised for one of their family to take me to Stepantsminda. He was clearly in a rush; the journey took us just over four hours instead of six! The driving in Georgia can be hectic and hair-raising. It is common to overtake when there is another vehicle coming in the opposite direction; most of them swerve happily enough. As a passenger, the best thing to do is to focus on the magnificent scenery in the distance!
