Each region of Georgia is renowned for its culinary delights. For example, Tbilisi serves the best khinkali and khachapuri in the country. The best Adjarian khachapuri are made in Batumi and Kobuleti. Mtskheta, Georgia’s first capital, is famous for its lobio, and Kakheti is worth a visit for a local wine tasting.
Types of Gastronomic Tours
Group culinary tours are typically designed for small groups of up to 10 people and most often begin in Tbilisi, with the itinerary varying according to the program. Shorter tours, up to 4 days long, typically include a trip to Mtskheta and sometimes Kakheti. Longer programs offer trips to more remote regions, such as Batumi, and include not only excursions but also the opportunity to relax on the beach.
A culinary tour program necessarily includes a traditional Georgian dinner, with music, toasts, and dancing. Tourists also meet chefs who share the specialties of Georgian cuisine and the secrets of their preparation.
Wine Tours in Georgia
Wine tours in Georgia primarily focus on Kakheti and the Alazani Valley, where famous wine varieties such as Tsinandali, Mukuzani, Kindzmarauli, and others are produced. Of particular interest for wine tasting is the right bank of the Alazani River from the city of Telavi to Sighnaghi, home to the village of Mukuzani and where the Saperavi grape variety is grown. Not far from Telavi is the village of Tsinandali, with its local winery, which regularly offers free tours and tastings, as well as a shop selling factory prices.
Almost all wine tours include a visit to the ancestral estate of Alexander Chavchavadze, a Georgian prince and renowned Romantic poet who lived in Tsinandali in the 19th century. The wine cellars of his home still contain over 16,000 bottles of wine from the 19th and 20th centuries. This house museum is open to visitors not only as part of a tour but also on any day. The introduction to Georgian winemaking also includes a visit to the medieval monasteries of Ikalto (6th century) and Alaverdi (9th century), which were key centers of winemaking, following their own ancient recipes.
