Some trips are planned months in advance.
Every detail mapped out. Every stop researched.
And then there are trips like this one.
Last minute.
A bit unplanned.
And somehow exactly what you needed.
Getting There
I flew from Dubai with FlyDubai and somehow, I got a very last minute upgrade to business class (Yay me!)
Completely unexpected. But it set the tone straight away.
It felt like this trip was going to be easy.
Not forced. Not overthought.
Just… nice.
Tbilisi: Wandering Without a Plan
I spent my first night at Fabrika.
It’s an art and graffiti inspired hostel right in the heart of Tbilisi, but it feels like more than just a place to sleep.
The courtyard especially stood out.
It almost felt like its own little hub. People sitting around, eating, drinking, talking. The kind of place where it would be very easy to meet people if you wanted to.
There was even a photobooth inside an old van, which was such a fun touch.
It had personality. And I think that’s what I liked most about it.
Wandering Tbilisi
The next day, I didn’t really have a plan.
I just walked.
And somehow, I ended up at Kravtz cafe.
They draw a picture of you on your coffee cup. Or in my case, my matcha.
Such a small thing, but it made the experience feel really personal. The staff were so friendly too. Definitely one to get to early because it gets busy quickly.
From there, I made my way to Holy Trinity Cathedral.
It was beautiful. Calm. Grounding.
And from there, you can also see Mother Georgia watching over the city.
Later that afternoon, I went to the Chronicles of Georgia.
This was one of those places that just makes you stop for a moment.
Huge pillars, so much history carved into them, and views that stretch out across the city. There’s even a small beach nearby, which I really wasn’t expecting.
I ended the day back at Fabrika, just sitting in the courtyard with a pizza and a drink.
Nothing fancy. But it felt right.
The Road to Kazbegi
The next day was a something a bit more structured.
I booked a 10 hour tour through GetYourGuide because I don’t drive and I really wanted to see Kazbegi without having to figure out all the logistics myself. For that alone, it was absolutely worth it.
The journey from Tbilisi to Kazbegi was one of the most beautiful parts of the trip.
Along the way, we stopped at places like Zhinvali Reservoir, Ananuri, Pasanauri, Gudauri View Point, Stepantsminda, and finally Gergeti Trinity Church.
And I’ll be honest, that part of the day felt a little bittersweet.
Every stop was beautiful, but because it was a tour, it also felt quite fast. We would get off, look around, take a few pictures, and then move on again. So although I’m really glad I saw all of those places and interacted with new people, I didn’t feel like I truly got to experience them in the way I would have liked.
That said, there were still moments along the way that made the journey feel special.
One of them was the small chacha and honey tasting stop, which I really enjoyed. It was such a simple addition to the day, but it made the drive feel more personal and a little more connected to Georgia itself. Those kinds of small, local moments always stay with me.
And even if the stops were brief, the scenery the whole way through was stunning. Winding roads, mountains in every direction, and so much green. Coming from Dubai, where that kind of landscape feels so far removed from everyday life, it all felt a bit surreal.
So while I do think the tour was a great option, especially if you don’t drive and want to get to Kazbegi, I also left feeling like places like Zhinvali, Ananuri, and Gudauri deserve more time than a quick stop allows.
If I ever go back, I’d probably do it differently. Fewer stops, slower pace, and more time to properly take it all in.
Kazbegi: Slowing All The Way Down
Back to Tbilisi
After Kazbegi, I headed back to Tbilisi by taxi. You can also get a shared bus, but the taxi was just easier.
This time, I stayed at Glarros Old Town, which was perfectly located.
I spent my last days exploring places like Gabriadze Theatre, wandering through flea markets, and walking across the Bridge of Peace.
Nothing structured. Just moving through the city at my own pace.
What Georgia Taught Me
This wasn’t a perfectly planned trip.
And I think that’s exactly why it felt so good.
It reminded me that not everything needs to be organised to the smallest detail.
Not every place needs to be fully explored.
Sometimes it’s enough to:
- wander without a plan
- say yes to something last minute
- and just be where you are
Georgia felt like a mix of everything.
A bit of movement.
A bit of stillness.
A bit of chaos.
A bit of calm.
And somewhere in between all of that, I felt more present than I had in a while.
If You’re Thinking About Georgia
Go.
But don’t overplan it.
Leave space to wander.
Leave space to slow down.
That’s where the best parts seem to happen.
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If you’re thinking of going soon, I’m putting together a guide with:
• where I stayed
• how to get to Kazbegi without driving
• what I’d do differently next time
You can download this here.