Travelfood

This is my review of the European republic Georgia, not the American Georgia state. When my interest in the Caucasus region rose, I chose Georgia over Armenia and Azerbaijan because there were no visa requirements for EU citizens to Georgia, and there were good flight connections to its capital, Tbilisi. And am I glad i did! Apart from most ex-Soviet states, Georgians truly welcome tourists and they are extremely helpful in all arrangements.

Georgia is a future tourism superpower. Like in Slovenia, everything is available within short distances. There is winery scenery (Kakheti) that easily compete with Italy’s Tuscany. There are beach resorts by the Black sea (Batumi) that easily compete with Mediterranean resorts. There are alpine sceneries and activities (Kazbegi) that easily compete with Switzerland’s ridiculously expensive ones. There are lunar, arid landscapes with religious caves and monasteries (David Gareja) that resemble of Turkey’s Cappadocia.

Georgian food is about bread and sauces prepared with lots of cooking oil. Sweet, fresh fruit and very tasty vegetables or nuts (especially walnuts) are added to the sauces. Try tkemali, which is fish with raisins and plum sauce or chicken with pomegranate sauce. Eggplants with walnuts is a tasty cold dish. The Georgian cheese bread, hatchapuri, is consumed as such, or with boiled egg, ham, sauces or even with potatoes. The bread can also be filled with green haricots and then its name is lobiani.

Georgia was a rich cultural and religious area long before the present European superpowers UK, France and Germany even gathered their tribes. Just have a look at their extraordinary, ancient alphabet! Maybe that past is why a short period of Soviet dictatorship (and temporary turning Georgia into Grusia) could not change the people to totalitarian thinking. If you are interested in Georgia’s past, the National Museum in Tbilisi is well worth a visit. There is a very European feeling about Tbilisi’s architecture and expecially its picturesque Old town. And strangely, the numerous, huge balconies  by the old houses in Tbilisi make you feel like you are at Bourbon Street in New Orleans!

Europe, exotism, food, Georgia, travel, travel experiences