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“What you give is yours, what you keep is lost."
Georgian proverb, from Shota Rustaveli
The Man in the Panther’s Skin (12th century, translated by Marjory Scott Wardrop).
Georgia is a land of legend; Greek myths talk about Jason and his Argonauts who came here in search of the Golden Fleece. Myth has always been mixed with a colourful history in Georgia; the Arabs, the Mongols, the Ottomans, Russians and Soviets have come and gone, leaving behind a legacy of fortresses and monuments which today are being visited by more peaceful adventurers.
Georgia is a tapestry of different cultures, but the Georgian people themselves have kept their distinctive identity; you can see it in their ancient language, their Christian churches and monasteries, and in their food and wine.
The landscape is as dramatic as the history; from the beaches along the subtropical coast of the Black Sea to the foothills and mountains in the heart of Georgia. Palm trees, citrus and tea plantations give way to mineral springs and mountain mists.
Tbilisi has been the capital of Georgia for fifteen hundred years. The city was founded on the site of a natural spring, and the sulphur baths have been visited by conquerors and tourists alike, including Alexander Pushkin and Alexander Dumas.
In the Old Town, one can think that you have arrived in the Mediterranean, what with the varied architecture and the melting pot of nationalities. Sights not to miss are the Sioni Cathedral and the Anchiskhati Basilica. The Narikala Fortress, first built by the Persians in the fourth century AD, and rebuilt in the 17th century, is the best vantage point for views over the old city. In the evenings, the Opera House is a must; it is a neo-Moorish extravagance, with a first-class repertoire.
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