georgia
ARTS, CULTURE & HERİTAGE
Georgian culture is an exotic, mysterious and ancient culture stretching back for millennia. Elements of Anatolian, European, Persian, Arabian, Ottoman and Far Eastern cultures have influenced Georgia’s own ethnic identity resulting in one of the most unique and hospitable cultures in the world. Georgian culture is world renowned for being accommodating and tolerant. Traditionally, Georgian people consider guests to be a gift from god and their welcoming amiability is immediately apparent upon a traveler’s arrival.
Georgian music and dance are among the most developed in the world in terms of their advanced choral harmony and rhythm. Not only that, they are a beautiful reflection of the national heritage of the Georgian people.
Georgian painting is represented by the works of such masters as legendary Niko Pirosmani, Gigo Gabashvili, David Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili, Cornelius Sanadze, Elena Akhvlediani, Sergey Kobuladze, Simon Virsalasze and Ekaterina Bagdavadze. Famous Georgian sculptors include Eldudzha Amashukeli, Irakli Ochiauri and Zurab Tsereteli.
Georgian museums number over 100, and more than 20 of these are in Tbilisi alone. The largest museum in the country is the Georgian National Museum, founded in 1852 and known until 1919 as the Caucasian Museum.
Georgian social culture is encapsulated in a single ceremonial feast of traditional Georgian cuisine, multitudes of Georgian wine and the traditional Georgian toastmaster – “Tamada”. This banquet is called “Supra”.
Today, Georgian culture is richer than ever. For any traveler seeking a completely original destination with diverse cultural influence, Georgia is an accessible and affordable choice.
GEORGIA CUISINE
Georgian national cuisine is a highlight for tourists in Georgia, many of whom discover that legends of noisy feasts overflowing with food are no exaggeration. No guest will go hungry in this country, where the rich seasonings and sheer variety of dishes cause many to fall in love with traditional Georgian cuisine from the very first bite.
The origins of Georgian food are ancient. Khachapuri, for example, was first baked in the Middle Ages. Based on historical records we know that this cheese bread recipe has changed little since that time, save regional variations now prevalent in the country.
Georgian national cuisine is known around the world for its rich and diverse menu, making it difficult to single out any one dish. Everything here simply tastes delicious! Elegant Georgian restaurants and tiny mom-and-pop outlets alike will equally please, for while recipes may differ, their tastes and the unique atmosphere in which they are served never cease to satisfy.
In Georgia, everyone can find a variety of foods suited to their taste. Georgians love meat and fish dishes, although vegetarian and kid-friendly options are also common. Favorite national dishes among Georgians themselves include cheesy khachapuri bread, juicy khinkali dumplings, large kebabs, tapaka chicken, chakhokhbili stewed chicken, flavorful chikhirtma chicken soup, chakapuli lamb stew, lobio beans, shkmeruli garlic chicken, satsivi walnut sauce, buglama stewed lamb and kharcho beef soup.
Georgian cuisine is replete with delicious wine and cheese, with each region of the country laying claim to its own special recipes. Rather than provide you with an endless list, we recommend that you make it a point to try Georgian food, wine and cheese in every province that you visit.Georgians eat many nuts and add them to famous dishes like pkhali salads, eggplant appetizers and churchkhela candies. Nuts are also served by themselves as a snack, so if you notice them on the tables of any eatery, be sure that it is a Georgian restaurant.
GEORGIA NATURE & ADVENTURE
The nature of Georgia offers an incredible variety of landscapes, flora and fauna. Georgia is situated on the Black Sea coast between the mountain ranges of the Greater Caucasus in the north and the Lesser Caucasus in the south. Mountains occupy two thirds of Georgia’s land area. In the west of the country lies the Colchis lowland. Eastern Georgia has fertile plains in the historical areas of Imeretia, Kartli and Kakhetia.
Nearly one third of the area of the country is occupied with forest concentrated mainly in the mountains. The eastern foothills have extensive coniferous and boreal forest. In the west of Georgia, wooded areas hug the Black Sea coast. The woods of the Black Sea coast are especially rich and varied. There you can see alpine and subalpine meadows, a magnificent variety of herbs, and even subtropical rainforest. Relic pines are frequently found there too.
Endemic flora of Georgian nature includes approximately 2,600 species of fungi. Most notably, the nature of Georgia is bountiful where fruits and vegetables are concerned. Grapes have been grown in Georgia for untold millennia and archaeological evidence suggests that wine may have first been manufactured here over 8000 years ago.