Georgia occupies the Central and Eastern parts of the Caucasus. Its neighbor countries are the Russian Federation (in the North), Azerbaijan (in the East), Armenia (in the South) and Turkey (in the Southeast). Its territory is about 69, 700 square kilometers, and the length of its borders totals 1969 km.

Georgia is a mountainous country. The Northern geographical boundaries run along the Great Caucasian Range, which includes the Main Caucasian Range, and its other chains stretching to the South. The Southern boundary stretches along the Small Caucasus, including the Meskheti - Trialeti volcanic plateau.

The Black Sea coast in the west, with its excellent climatic conditions is a popular resort area. Resorts located there, such as Gagra, Pitsunda, Akhali Athoni, Gudauta, Sukhumi, Batumi, Kobuleti, Makhinjauri, Mtsvane Kontskhi, Ureki, and some others are well known all over the former USSR.

The capital of Georgia is the city of Tbilisi with a population of about 1,300,000. It lies on the banks of the Mtkvari River, in a gorge surrounded by beautiful mountains. Having become the capital of Georgia in the 11th century, Tbilisi played a very important role in the country's history. The city is famous for its historical monuments among which is the ancient Narikhala fortress, Mrtrkhi Curch, situated on the right bank of the Mtkvari River, Sioni Cathedral (5th century), Anchiskhati Church (6th century).

Red Star Travel invites you to visit Georgia - a country of beautiful mountains and peaceful valleys, ancient towns and pristine nature. Walk the narrow stone-paved streets of the Old Town in Tbilisi, try some Georgian wine and experience the hospitality of local people, get away to a small village high up in the mountains and you are guaranteed that your problems and worries will clear out of your mind!

SHERATON METECHI PALACE HOTEL****

Located close to the city center. 12 km to the airport and 8 km to the railway station. Opened in 1991. 11 floors. All floors accessible by elevator. 7 rooms with modern decor and furnishings offered by Red Star Travel feature private bathroom with hair-dryer, satellite color TV, international direct-dial telephone, mini-bar. Room Service. Narikala Restaurant for 100 seats. King Gorgasali Restaurant for 40 seats. Lobby Bar for 80 seats. Slammers-American Pub for 80 seats. Night Club for 130 seats. Banquet hall for 350 seats. 2 conference rooms for 3 and 30 seats. Business center offering a comprehensive range of services to travelling business executives. Health Club: Sauna, swimming pool, gym, solarium, massage. Currency exchange. Beauty shop. Gift shop. Safety deposit box. Baggage storage. Laundry. Dry-cleaning. Towncar service. On-site parking. Security service. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $250

IBERIA INN HOTEL****

One of the most prestigious and comfortable hotels of Georgia. Conveniently located in one of the main districts of Tbilisi, in Bakhtrioni Street, 3 km to the city center. 20 km to the airport and 5 km to the railway station. Opened in 1996. Renovated in 1998. 5 floors. All floors accessible by elevator. 7 rooms with modern decor and furnishings offered by Red Star Travel feature private bathroom with hair-dryer, satellite color TV, international direct-dial telephone, mini-bar. Room Service. Dining room for 30 seats. Bar for 28 seats. Conference hall for 50 seats. Service bureau. Facsimile facilities. Safety deposit box. Baggage storage. Laundry. Dry-cleaning. Security service. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $250.

VERE PALACE HOTEL****

Located in the city center, within walking distance to the Parliament building and major tourist attractions. 20 km to the airport and 5 km to the railway station. Opened in 1999. 7 floors. All floors accessible by elevator. 21 rooms with modern decor and furnishings offered by Red Star Travel feature private bathroom with hair-dryer, air conditioner, satellite color TV, international direct-dial telephone, mini-bar. Room Service. Restaurant for 36 seats. 2 bars for 20 and 50 seats. Business center offering a comprehensive range of services to travelling business executives. Service bureau. Baggage storage. Laundry. Dry-cleaning. Towncar service. Security service. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $110.

SYMPATIA****

Located close to the city center, within walking distance to the market place and the Wine House. 22 km to the airport and 6 km to the railway station. Opened in 1996. Renovated in 1999. 4 floors. 11 rooms with modern decor and furnishings offered by Red Star Travel feature private bathroom with hair-dryer, air conditioner, satellite color TV, international direct-dial telephone, radio, mini-bar, refrigerator, balcony. Room Service. Restaurant for 20 seats. Bar for 16 seats. Facsimile and computer services. Service bureau. Health club: sauna, swimming pool, gym. Billiards room. Safety deposit box. Baggage storage. Laundry. Dry-cleaning. Towncar service. On-site parking. Security service. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $150.

BEAUMONDE HOTEL***

Located in the city center, within walking distance to the Parliament building and major tourist attractions. 18 km to the airport and 5 km to the railway station. Opened in 1970. Renovated in 1999. 5 floors. 9 rooms offered by Red Star Travel feature private bathroom with shower cabin and hair-dryer, air conditioner, satellite color TV, international direct-dial telephone, mini-bar, refrigerator, balcony. Room Service. Dining room for 15 seats. Facsimile facilities and computer services. Safety deposit box. Baggage storage. Laundry. Dry-cleaning. Towncar service. On-site parking. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $150.

MORKINALI HOTEL**

Located close to the city center, within walking distance to the Zoo and the market place. Sport Hall, casinos and a night club nearby. 21 km to the airport and 3 km to the railway station. Opened in 1997. Renovated in 1999. 2 floors. 24 rooms offered by Red Star Travel feature private bathroom with shower cabin and hair-dryer, air conditioner, satellite color TV, international direct-dial telephone, tea-maker. Room Service. Restaurant for 60 seats. Service bureau. Hair salon. Casino. Safety deposit box. Baggage storage. Laundry. Dry-cleaning. Towncar service. On-site parking. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $85.

KOLKHI HOTEL**

Located in the city center, within walking distance to the Parliament building and major tourist attractions. 20 km to the airport and 5 km to the railway station. Opened in 1989. Renovated in 1999. 4 floors. 24 rooms offered by Red Star Travel feature private bathroom with shower cabin, color TV, international direct-dial telephone. 12 twins and 3 junior suites are additionally equipped with air conditioner and mini-bar. 10 rooms with balcony. Room Service. Dining room for 25 seats. Facsimile facilities. Service bureau. Safety deposit box. Baggage storage. Laundry. Dry-cleaning. Towncar service. English-speaking staff. Room rates - from $70.

Tbilisi Museums

The State Museum of Georgia. Operating hours: 9am - 5pm, closed on Monday. It was founded in 1923 on the basis of the former Caucasian Museum. The museum has rich collection of archeological finds of the early Stone Age and the Bronze Age and the period of the Georgian slave-owning states, which were discovered in various corners of Georgia. The ethnographic exhibition featuring the economy, life style and culture of Georgians has up to 1300 exhibits on display. The ethnographic exhibition of the peoples of the Caucasus is also of interest. On display are interesting specimens of Azerbaijanian, Armenian, Georgian and Daghestan carpets and felt articles, ancient and modern ceramics, goldsmith's handicraft, copper ware, national costumes, etc. The numismatic collection contains up to 80000 coins and medals, primarily of Georgian minting. The museum safes hold rare precious relics of inestimable material and cultural value: the famous Akhalgori hoard, ancient icons and unique jewelry discovered in excavations of ancient tomts in Trialeti, Armazi and Vani. These masterpieces are held in a special room.

Georgian Art Museum. Operating hours: 9am - 5pm, closed on Monday. Georgian Art Museum, housing in the building of the former seminary, displays a vast collection of paintings and works of graphic art by Russian, Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish artists. The museum has the most complete collection of pictures by the brilliant Georgian self-taught artist Niko Pirosmanashvili. The exhibits give one a comprehensive idea of the main periods in the history of the Georgia fine art from the 4th century to our days. The art of the feudal epoch is represented as a coherent whole: stone tracery, wood carving, sculpture, fragments of mosaic painting of the 5th and 7th centuries, original and copied 11th to 12th century frescoes. The museum has a special repository of outstanding works of old Georgian gold and silver wares, cloisonne enamels, jewelry and embroidery. Many of them are of world significance. Part of the exhibits in the department of Oriental art and culture are also unique. Especially rich is the collection of signed miniatures of Iranian court artists - images of court beauties, and portraits of shahs and court dignitaries in festive attire. Hand-made shawls and fabrics from India, Turkey, Bukhara and Samarkand, caskets, cases for mirrors and bindings of manuscripts stand out for their excellent workmanship. In their number and scientific and artistic value the exhibits of this department are the second only to those of two other museums, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and the museum of art of Oriental arts in Moscow.

Georgian Open-Air Museum of Ethnography. Operating hours: 9am - 5pm, closed on Monday. Situated in the open air on a picturesque hill, the museum offers a magnificent view of the city. Its main exhibits are arranged in ten zones, presenting ancient dwellings and outbuilding of Eastern and Western Georgia. Here are can see ancient East Georgian dwellings, so-called "darbazi" and "baniani sakhli", massive stone structures with a fiat roof, a light and smoke hole and a pillar in the middle. Among the exhibits are watchtowers from Khevsureti and Tusheti. Openwork wooden houses with gable roofs of straw or boards, the famous Svan tower and dwellings represent Western Georgia from Abkhazia and Adjara. Outhouses surround each dwelling. There are Megrelian and Imeretian wattle maize storages, Kakhetian marani (wineries), and water mills from Kartli. Especially interesting are old-time household articles: distaffs, knitting-frames, churns, various clothes, gay-colored carpets, wooden and ceramic vessels and furniture made by skilful craftsmen. The museum's eleventh zone displays historical and archeological relics. Among them is the Tianeti Sioni basilica, an underground family burial vault with the 6th-7th century sarcophagus, etc.

Tbilisi City Tour

Rustaveli Avenue. On the large southern side of the Freedom Square, all along its front, rises the building of the City Hall with a clock tower (architect P. Stern). From the viewpoint of the history of city architecture the building originally intended for the headquarters of the Caucasian Special Corps. Built in 1824, in the style of Russian classicism, it has survived without alterations. The Pupil's palace was built in 1807 and reconstructed in 1865 to a design by the architect O. Simenson. In the past the palace was the residence of the Tsar's vice-regent in the Caucasus. In Soviet time there was a Pioner's Palace. The Kashveti Church was built in 1904-1910 as an imitation of the Samtavisi Church, a classical example of early Georgian architecture, built in the 11th century 60-km northwest of Tbilisi. The frescoes in the church were made by Lado Gudiashvili - the Georgian artist. The State Art Gallery was built in the 1880s for a military history museum whose exhibits were to glorify military success of Russian Czarism in the so-called Caucasian War. The architecture of the art gallery is based on motifs of the renaissance and baroque. It has two exhibition halls with skylight. In the middle part of the avenue is the "Tbilisi" Hotel built in 1915. It is directly adjoined by the Georgian Drama Theatre named after Shota Rustaveli, built for the Artistic Society in 1901. Its architects drew on the forms and motifs of the late baroque. The building is crowned with a tall garret. Next door is the entrance to the Concert Hall seating 300 and the Theatrical Institute. A short distance away is the Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Z. Paliashvili, an example of stylized Moresque architecture (1896). The theatre which was severely damaged by a fire in 1974 has been restored to its original aspect while the stage and auxiliary premises have been reconstructed and widened.

Metekhi church. At a bend in the Mtkvari River, the Metekhi church (1278-1289) is the focal point of Tbilisi. This rocky outcrop had strategic importance from the earliest days of the city's history; on this site in the 5th century Vakhtang Gorgasali, the city's founder, built one of the first five churches that Tbilisi possessed. Here, her husband buried one of Georgia's most beloved saints, St. Shushanik, when she refused to convert with him to Zoroastmianism in 544. When David the builder drove the Arabs out of Tbilisi in 1122, he moved the royal residence from the are enclosed by the walls of Narikala fortress to this plateau on the left bank of the Mtkvari. In this palace Queen Tamara married her second husband. In 1235 the Mongols destroyed the Metekhi palace complex and cathedral. The palace was re-erected after several decades and the palace church, the present Metekhi Church, was built by Demetre II (the Self-sacrificer) from 1278 to - 1289. Metekhi was captured and damaged during a Turkish invasion in the 17th century and reconquered and reconstructed by Herekle II in 1748.A Persian invasion of Tbilisi in 1795 brought about the final destruction of the palace. In 1819 the Tsarist regime used the site to build the infamous Metekhi jail, which housed many revolutionaries. The jail was turn down in 1937. In 1958, to mark the1500th anniversary of the founding of Tbilisi, the equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali was unveiled next to the church. The Metekhi church is a cross-cupola church. While this style was the most common throughout the Middle Ages, the Metekhi church is somewhat anachronistic with its three projecting apses in the east facade and the four freestanding pillars supporting the cupola within. The church is made of brick and dressed stone. The restoration of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries mostly employed brick. The facade is for the most part smooth, with decorative elements concentrated around the windows of the eastern apses. Horizontal bands below the gables run around all four sides and serve as a unifying element. The north portico of the main entrance is not a later addition but was built at the same time as the rest of the church. Having been turned into a state youth theatre in the 1970s, Metekhi is once again functioning as a church. From here there is magnificent view of the Old Town and Narikala fortress.

The Sulfur Baths. The baths are an inextricable part of Tbilisi's history- responsible, recording to legend, for Vakhtang Gorgasali's decision to move his capital here. Rich in hydrogen sulfide, these waters have curative effects that have been commented upon by numerous travelers. In the 12th century, according to historians, some 68 bath used these waters. By the 17th century, however six were left. Like all the sulfur baths in Tbilisi, the baths themselves are below ground. The domes serve the bath as a cupola does a church, providing wonderful oblique illumination that adds to the near mystical experience of it all. Anyone fortunate enough to have enjoyed the pleasure of bath in Tbilisi will have an immediate sense of deja vu, especially if you have a massage. The massage is an absolute must. A small, wire masseur will lay you down on a stone slab, thwack and rub your back, legs and arms, stand on your back and walk up and down your spine. Take off your dry skin with a horsehair mitten and show you to a shower. A most extraordinary balloon of soap is created from a piece of old material with which you are given washing of delicious refinement. Lying down on the slab again you are gone over with a lighter mitten and receive another massage. Buckets of warm water are unceremoniously thrown at you to finish you off. Few pleasures in life are better.

Narikala Fortress. Runnings along the crest of the Sololaki ridge, prominent above the Old Town, are the mighty ruins of the Narikala Fortress. The Persians built the first fortress on this location at the end of the fourth century. Vakhtang Gorgasali moved his capital here from Mtskheta in the fifth century and erected additional fortifications to protect his new city. The foundations of the towers and the walls of both the upper and lower fortresses that we see today, however, stem from the work of the Arab lords of Tbilisi in the eighth century. The Arab emirate of Tbilisi lasted until David the Builder reconquered the city in 1122 and the emir's palace was within the fortifications of the Narikala. Though King David moved his palace to Isani on the opposite bank of the Mtkvari River, he recognized the Narikala's strategic position over the narrowest portion of the river valley and as his primary defense against attack from the south. He, like the Mongolians, Turks and Persians who came after him, continued to rebuild destroyed sections of the walls. Each conqueror built according to his own ideas on military fortifications. This process continued until 1827 when gunpowder stored in a section of the fortress was struck by lightning. The subsequent explosion was of such magnitude that it is now difficult to get a clear picture of the layout of Narikala.

Sioni Cathedral. Named after Mt. Zion in Jerusalem and called Sioni by the townspeople, this cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin. Prince Guaram of Kartli founded the original church on the site between 575 and 639. The cathedral has been destroyed, looted and reconstructed many times. Sultan Gjalal Eddin's invasion of Tbilisi in the 13th century was responsible for the destruction of the dome. The cathedral suffered further damage at the hands of Tamerlane in the 14th century, of various Persian shahs in the 16th and 17th centuries, and of the Turks in the 18th century who attempted to convert it into a mosque. The basic elements of the existing structure date to the 13th century. The addition of the southern chapel and significant restoration of the cupola took place in 1657 under the direction of Bishop. King Vakhtang VI carried out additional restorations of the cupola and cathedral walls in 1710. The interior frescoes are the work of the Russian artist Grigory Gagarin, who executed them between 1850 and 1860, covering the older Georgian frescoes in the process. The stone iconostasis dates to this period as well. It replaced the wooden iconostasis burned by Agha Mohammed Khan in 1795. Of the sacred objects that have survived the numerous pillages, the most important and venerated is St. Nino's cross, to the left of the altar. Tradition has it that Nino, the Apostle of Iberia who brought Christianity to Georgia in the fourth century, made this first cross from vine branches and her own hair on her way to Mtskheta. King Vakhtang III gave the reliquary itself in the early 14th century. Sioni is a typical example of a cross-cupola church with projecting polygonal apses in the east facade. The yellow tuff from which the cathedral was built comes from the area of Bolnisi, southwest of Tbilisi. The golden hues of the stone work to great effect in infusing the structure with warmth and welcome. Although architecturally unremarkable, Sioni is distinguished by begin the seat of the Catholicos of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Ilya II, whose residence is just north of the cathedral (left of the entrance), above the rose garden. Also north of the cathedral, within the courtyard, is a three-story belltower dating from 1425. Agha Mohammed Khan destroyed all but the ground floor of this structure in 1795. It was restored to its present condition in 1939. Of greater architectural interest is the three-story belltower across the street from the cathedral; built in 1812, it is the oldest example of Russian classical architecture in Tbilisi. If you're interested in taking the spiritual pulse of the Georgian people, you cannot do better than to come to Sioni. Here His Holiness Ilya II celebrates Liturgy, and the largest number of Tbilisians come to pray; wimpled, black-habited Georgian nuns attend to the rose garden in the Catholicos, and visiting church dignitaries from other parts of Georgia come to discuss church business.

Full-day trip to the ancient capital of Georgia Mtskheta

RED STAR TRAVEL invites you to visit the ancient capital of Georgia Mtskheta and its most interesting sights: Jvari church and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Explore Uplistsikhe cave town, visit Ateni church and Stalin's museum. You will have lunch in the beautiful Venice restaurant near Gori and return to Tbilisi in the evening.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral represents not only the main architectural monument but also the religious centre of the country. The temple is remade several times and its first face is considerably lost. The temple was decorated with frescoes that could not reach up today. The fragments of later decorations are preserved here and there. On the Svetitskhoveli territory the coat of Jesus Christ is buried brought by Georgian Jews to Georgia. According to the historical testimonies Sidonia (sister of Elioz) who was a Christian, saw the coat, embraced it and died immediately. She was buried with the coat in the place where Svetitskhoveli is located now. For many centuries Svetitskhoveli was the place where Georgian kings were buried. The temple is located in the heart of a big yard surrounded with the 18th century fortress wall. There are the remnants of the palace on the southwest part of the territory and 11th century two-storey fortress located just on the top of the gate. The fortress is entirely decorated with polished stones.

Jvari Monastery is located on the edge of the cliff. Its western facade is almost hanging over the precipice and is supported by special wall. It is blended with the mountain silhouette and looks as if its ending. As the relief writings and the sources of historians inform us, Jvari Monastery was built in 586-604. There are the spring and the small lake in front of the monastery. There are tomb chambers located in its basis, which, unfortunately, are partly destroyed. The temple represents a cross in plan, but outside it is quadrangle. From the Northern there is built a small port. The walls are furnished with polished stones; the apsede was covered with mosaic from which just a small fragment is saved. From Jvari Monastery one can see a fantastic view of confluencing two rivers Aragvi and Mtkvari. From here, Mtskheta - the first capital of Iberia is seen as on a palm.

Stalin's Museum. Gori came to the world's attention along with Joseph Stalin: Gori is his birthplace. Stalin's House Museum is located in the center of a garden in the middle of Stalin Prospect, where he was born on December 21, 1879, and resided until 1883. Stalin's Museum houses numerous photos, documents, and personal memorabilia relating to Stalin's political and military career. Particularly chilling is the rotunda on the second floor in which Stalin's death mask is displayed surrounded by red velvet. The museum has been closed, reopened, closed again in 1989, and since reopened. The museum is very interesting, with lots of photos of Stalin, often with other leaders airbrushed out. You can get a guided tour by a respected historian who is a great admirer of Stalin. To this day Stalin is regarded by many of the older citizens of Gori as a hero, a favorite son.

Ateni Sioni church resembles Jvari Monastery. It was built in the first half of the 7th century. Inside the walls are furnished with clean-cut quadrangle stones, which were not convenient for painting. The frescoes appeared only in the latter half of the 11th century. Light colours are used in the wall paintings. Ateni Sioni wall painting is one of the best works of Georgian art school. The facade of the temple is furnished with neat stones, rich decorated ornaments and relief. There are many inscriptions of different periods on the church facade. There are also historical inscriptions remained on the inside walls of the church. Ateni gorge is distinguished not only with the historical monuments but also with the famous wine.

Uplistsikhe - cave town. Uplistsikhe represents the town with the caves hewed in the rock. It was originated in the 1st century BC and had been existed until the 13-14th centuries. Similar cave towns can be found in the Minor Asia. But Uplistsikhe is unique with its planning and architectural conclusion. According to the archeological excavations the life in this place existed from the end of the 2nd century BC. Town with the area of 8 he is located on a little sloped rocky mountain. Uplistsikhe got special political importance in the 9-10th centuries when Arabs invaded Tbilisi. It became the centre of the country in the fight for the uniting of Georgia against the invaders. Uplistsikhe stopped its existence as a town after the Mongol invasion. The town has been badly damaged, but you can guess about the greatness of its planning and architectural features.