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Winter in Georgia 2020 - Birthday week getaway

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jillwondersandwanders

Planning for this trip was a whirlwind. It was a Birthday getaway for me. It was just right timing as my little boy was off from school on the same week. This was a spur of the moment decision since we could only plan once hubby got his leave approved. This was our first winter holiday. Experienced my very first try at skiing - didnt know those shoes are way heavy! 😅

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trip-journal-location
Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Tbilisi, T'bilisi, Sharjah

Day 1 Itinerary

Places visited: Sharjah International Airport - Tbilisi International Airport - Alphabet Hotel

Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport

Sharjah International Airport

We took Air Arabia as they offered a superb deal on flight + hotel, so we had to travel from Dubai to Sharjah. Travel time is not bad at all, except that the cost is a bit more steep as there’s a surcharge into Sharjah. I had very little or low expectations of Sharjah Airport as my officemate said it was not great, but I actually liked it! It’s one of those old airports that due to the size and age, it’s a breeze to get in and out. No frills - just how I like it.

They even have a playground which was clean and had a lot of options for kids. For a parent, that was a super plus point.

Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi International Airport

Tbilisi International Airport

Landed in Georgia!

The adventure begins from here. It has been a stressful couple of weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak 😷 (and ‘normal’ workload stress after that) so this was a much needed getaway. From a 19degree winter in Dubai to a 4degree winter in Georgia🥶

Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel

Alphabet Hotel

We chose this hotel based on the photos. It was one of the higher end hotels in the AirArabia package but with age and family, we are a little bit more conscious. It is as instagrammable in person as it looks in photos. I think perhaps in that sense this is a better choice for millenial single or group travelers. For a family, it would have worked better if we had a bigger or a double room rather than a combined twin bed. Cant be choosy - much as we got the flight + hotel at a steal.

Meanwhile, Just how hospitable are Georgians? A red bottle of wine for my husband and I (each) was handed to us by the Immigration officer just as we were stamped and heading out. talk about creating good first impression! we were impressed indeed :)

trip-journal-location
T'bilisi, Gudauri, Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Day 2 Itinerary

Places visited: Alphabet Hotel - Bank of Georgia Head Office - Zhinvali Dam - Gudauri - Jvari Monastery

Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel

Alphabet Hotel

Bank of Georgia Head Office

Bank of Georgia Head Office

I thought this structure looked very interesting - haven’t seen anything like it yet. It certainly catches your attention. I think this is one of Georgia’s charm. It has modernities introduced in subtle ways. It has old charm and structure from cultures past though it has bits of modern pieces as well. It was only on our last day that we found out this was actually the headquarters of the Bank of Georgia.

Zhinvali Dam
Zhinvali Dam
Zhinvali Dam
Zhinvali Dam
Zhinvali Dam
Zhinvali Dam
Zhinvali Dam
Zhinvali Dam
Zhinvali Dam

Zhinvali Dam

Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri
Gudauri

Gudauri

Jvari Monastery
Jvari Monastery
Jvari Monastery
Jvari Monastery
Jvari Monastery
Jvari Monastery
Jvari Monastery

Jvari Monastery

trip-journal-location
Sighnaghi, Telavi, Tsinandali, Tbilisi, T'bilisi, სიღნაღი

Day 3 Itinerary

Places visited: Shumi Winery Kakheti - Telavi - Lali - Sighnaghi Wall - Alphabet Hotel - Narikala Fortress

Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti
Shumi Winery Kakheti

Shumi Winery Kakheti

Telavi
Telavi
Telavi
Telavi
Telavi

Telavi

Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali
Lali

Lali

Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall
Sighnaghi Wall

Sighnaghi Wall

Alphabet Hotel

Alphabet Hotel

Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress

Narikala Fortress

We were able to go back to the hotel quite early after our trip to the City of Love so we decided to go around the city. There’s a cable car that can take you to the top to where Narikala Fortress stands proud. Take the cable car - This is a must do! it only cost about 6 Lari per person for a round trip ticket and for this price, you get this amazing view of the city.

trip-journal-location
Bakuriani

Day 4 Itinerary

Places visited: Bakuriani - Bakuriani - Borjomi

Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani

Bakuriani

Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani

Bakuriani

Borjomi
Borjomi
Borjomi
Borjomi
Borjomi
Borjomi
Borjomi

Borjomi

trip-journal-location
Tbilisi, Sharjah

Day 5 Itinerary

Places visited: Alphabet Hotel - Royal Baths - Old City Tbilisi - The Bridge Of Peace - Tbilisi - Alphabet Hotel - Sharjah International Airport

Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel
Alphabet Hotel

Alphabet Hotel

Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths
Royal Baths

Royal Baths

Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi
Old City Tbilisi

Old City Tbilisi

The Bridge Of Peace
The Bridge Of Peace
The Bridge Of Peace
The Bridge Of Peace
The Bridge Of Peace
The Bridge Of Peace
The Bridge Of Peace

The Bridge Of Peace

Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi

Tbilisi

Alphabet Hotel

Alphabet Hotel

Sharjah International Airport

Sharjah International Airport

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