Telavi - Georgia

Following our getaway in Menavi, we arrived in Telavi, also in the Kakheti wine region of Georgia, which was the perfect stopover as we slowly made our way to the mountains in Georgia.

We base our destinations on accommodation, as it is imperative to us as full-time travellers. Telavi presented a stunning, quaint boutique hotel called Communal Hotel in the old town, which we couldn't pass up, so it was on the list.

Telavi is home to 20,000 Georgians, and the first settlement on its territory appeared in the Late Bronze Age, and developed in the Hellenistic period. In the late Antique period, a city-type settlement emerged, and according to written sources, Telavi has been inhabited since the 11th century. So, it is a prime spot for history lovers as it is rich in cultural monuments of different periods.

The town, surrounded by the beautiful Alazani Valley, is the centrepiece, accompanied by "Batonis Tsikhe", a castle that was the residence of the kings of Kakheti remains, and is the only Royal Palace in Georgia, now called House-museum of King Erekle II, a museum of local lore since 1927.

As we arrived mid-afternoon, we quickly checked in and hit the pavement to explore the city with only one night up our sleeve. We wandered by the impressive palace and enjoyed the beautiful boulevard decorating the castle with all the locals soaking up the last of the autumn sun, and continued exploring the city. It was busy with locals being midweek, so the community's energy was flowing, providing us with a local vibe.

We busily captured the town's essence and soon found ourselves devouring more Georgian food in a German-themed restaurant, would you believe, which was highly ranked on Google and didn't disappoint. It was a lovely restaurant just outside the hub of the city with warm service and full of locals, so you know you are onto a winner!

The evening took us back to the hotel to enjoy the beautiful accommodation and prepare for the next few weeks in the mountains, knowing this would be the last of the larger cities, to ensure we were equipped for the remoteness and knowing we needed to source some layers for the below-zero temps that would be upon us.

Telavi, you needed more time to fully explore and appreciate the city, the nearby wineries and the Alazani Valley. Next time, we must arrive a little closer to the high season, as it would have been magical to take a balloon flight over the valley. We only had the option for a private flight at 850 USD, as it was low season, and there were no other customers to form a group flight.

Date visited: 8 November 2023