Eat khachapuri in Georgia

Toast qvevri wines, hike Caucasus trails, and soak sulfur baths of Georgia

Visit Batumi, Georgia's vibrant Black Sea resort city. Stroll along the Batumi Boulevard (7km seaside promenade with botanical gardens and modern sculptures), see the Alphabet Tower (130m tall monument celebrating Georgian script), explore the Batumi Botanical Garden (one of the largest in the former USSR with diverse plant collections), and try local dishes like khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and khinkali (dumplings).

Visit Abkhazia, a partially recognized state in the South Caucasus. Explore the capital Sukhumi with its botanical garden (one of the oldest in the Caucasus, founded in 1840) and the Abkhazian State Museum (showcasing local history and artifacts). Relax on the beaches of Gagra (a resort town known for its subtropical climate and Soviet-era architecture) and hike in the Ritsa Nature Reserve (home to Lake Ritsa, a scenic alpine lake surrounded by mountains).

Visit the ancient cave monastery complex of Dawid Gareji in Georgia

Try khinkali, the traditional Georgian dumplings, in their country of origin

Visit Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage site

Drink from a traditional horn (qantsi, kantsi) in Georgia, experiencing the unique Georgian wine culture

Traverse Caucasus valleys, fortress ruins, and pastoral hamlets of South Ossetia