December 13, 2023 | View Online | Sign Up
|
 |
 |
To say Tbilisi is a city like no other is to reduce its wonder to an overtired cliche.
The Georgian capital’s unique qualities have simmered away for millennia, fusing the cultural complexities of straddling the European and Asian continents. Romans, Persians, Turks, Mongols, Ottomans, and, finally, the Soviet Union have all passed through, each imparting their flourishes to the city’s canvas.
That rich history leaves it with distinctive architecture and a tremendous culinary tradition, boasting the world's oldest wine tradition and dumplings the size of your fist, as well as an enviable art scene and nightlife.
Take a seat; the wine’s strong.
Welcome to Tbilisi.
|
|
|
|
| EAT, SLEEP, DO
|
 |
Image:
|
Your Guide to the Best of Tbilisi
|
🤷🏽‍♂️ What to do
Tbilisi’s an exciting place to be. Its art and music scene is flourishing, while the backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains remains one of the most under-appreciated hiking ranges in the world. But the true joy of Tbilisi is taking everything in at your own time. Ditch the guide for the first few days, then check out this list of the best things to do in Tbilisi.
🍷 What to eat
Anyone who visits Georgia has one thing in common: the cuisine becomes one of their favorite on the planet. Its fist-sized dumplings, named Khinkali, steal the show, but there’s a life’s worth of local food to work through. And then there’s the wine. One sip, and you’ll never be the same. Where’s France again? These are the best things to eat and drink in Tbilisi.
😴 Where to sleep
Tbilisi’s cosmopolitan edge and recent tourism boom means there’s a number of outstanding hotels to choose from. From repurposed soviet factories to quaint historic hotels in the Old Town, these are the best hotels in to stay at in Tbilisi.
|
|
|
|
| MONEY MOVES
|
 |
A Little Finaggling Will Do the Trick
|
I’m writing this from Tbilisi and can confirm it’s unbelievable—one of my favorite countries in the world.
I can also confirm that Tbilisi’s airport is not the most connected place ever. But, I could still get here from the UK for $42 and 20,000 points. Not bad, eh?
If you’re stateside, you could do the same thing for a few more points. Turkish Airlines flights could get you to Istanbul for 15,000 points plus taxes and fees.
I can show you how to do all this in Smart Points: The Course.Â
Sign up, and transform the way you travel.
|
|
|
|
| CREDIT CARDS
|
 |
Sign Up for This Business Card’s Limited Time Offer Now to Fly Free by March
|
There’s a great business card offering a limited-time $900 in cash back—arguably one of the best credit card bonuses available at the moment. But even better, the bonus can potentially be worth $1,800+ in travel if you have another one of the brand’s cards that allows you to transfer points to travel partners.Â
Adding to the appeal, this same bonus has a reasonable minimum spending requirement of $6,000 in the first three months, which is relatively low compared to many other business credit cards. The spending requirement makes the welcome bonus accessible to a much wider audience—namely, you. And if you sign up now, you’ll be soaring through the skies on points by the end of Q1—or sooner!Â
Click here to learn more on how to earn $1,800+ in travel rewards for a limited time.Â
|
|
|
|
| TBILISI FAST FACTS
|
👶🏽 Cradle of Europe: You might have heard the term Cradle of Humanity used to highlight Africa’s role as the home of the first humans. You might not have heard that Georgia is the Cradle of Europe, home to the earliest human remains outside Africa. It’s assumed these early explorers settled in Europe.
🍷 Wine masters: Wine is a big deal in Tbilisi. That’s because Georgia has the oldest wine tradition in the world, spanning eight thousand years. Today, its wine is highly regarded despite its relatively unknown status. Their unique way of making it involves storing grape juice underground in clay pots–the method is still used today.
🛀🏽 A warm welcome: Legend says Tbilisi was founded when a Georgian King stumbled across hot sulfur springs. The name Tbilisi means warm, thought to be a nod to the water. Today, there are sulfur bathhouses in the middle of the city
🏗️ The architecture is amazing: While bits and bobs of the city are ancient, it’s the last two centuries that provide the most unique structures. When Russia moved in, the city was revamped with European and Russian buildings featuring Georgian touches like wooden balconies and stained glass windows.
|
|
|
|
| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
|
 |
Russian Tensions Are High
|
It’s an interesting time to visit Tbilisi. Georgia has had its eye on a European Union membership for years, but the recent war in Ukraine has consolidated that feeling. The country shares a border with Russia and currently has two separate territories being occupied by the country.
While it’s unlikely you’ll encounter any issues while you’re there, it’s important to remember it may be a sensitive topic for some. Anti-Russian rhetoric is everywhere, alongside pro-EU expressions.
Don’t be scared to ask about it, but show some respect for a tough situation.Â
|
Don’t Worry About Getting Your Cash Exchanged
|
Don’t waste time tracking down Georgian Lari, the local currency. There’s a good chance your local bank won’t have any, and frankly, there are only a few situations when you’ll need them.
The city is well developed and accepts credit cards almost everywhere besides a few older traditional places. There are plenty of ATMs to withdraw a little cash when you arrive, just in case you need it. They’re even great with Amex!
|
Getting Around
|
Tbilisi is a super walkable city. In fact, it’s the best way to experience its unique architecture and the buzz of the town. Make sure you bring comfy shoes, though; the old town can get hilly fast, and the cobblestones are waiting to catch a wobbly ankle off guard.
If you’re going a little further afield, just grab a taxi or download Bolt to hail a ride. It’s cheap and convenient, and the taxi drivers are trustworthy too. If you’re hoping to head out into the rest of the country, you may need to rent or grab a marshrutka, one of the affordable little buses that dart through the Georgian countryside. Taxis will also go pretty far out from the city, too. Compared to prices in the US, it’ll still be relatively affordable. Â
|
|
|
|
| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN TBILISI
|
*This link is sponsored
|
|
|
|
|
