CONCRETE GIANTS
LOST MOSAICS
MOUNTAIN DREAMS
A comprehensive eigth-day journey across central and western Georgia, from the Soviet-era architectural and monumental wonders of Tbilisi, Rustavi and Kutaisi to the steampunk atmospheres of the former mining town of Chiatura, from secluded mountain hamlets to hill-perched Caucasian churches, all across a land of awe-striking sceneries, crystal clear mountain lakes, towering peaks, eternal history, USSR vibes, and endless hospitality.
September 04 ⇾ September 13
Tjark Metzner — known as @travelproof_tjark on Instagram — is a Munich-based Soviet architecture aficionado, photographer, and traveler. His passion for Soviet-era design began at nineteen, after an unforgettable Trans-Siberian Railway journey in winter. That adventure sparked a lifelong obsession with hidden architectural gems, brutalist buildings, and forgotten mosaics across the former USSR.
“Every rose will fade and wither, no matter though it once was fair.
The dry rose falls within the garden, a new rose arises there.”
BESPOKE EXPERIENCES
Full Soviet cultural immersion in an archetypical USSR-era mshakuyti tun (House of Culture), traditional Armenian dinner in an authentic farmers’ house, and afternoon tea with the Russian Molokans.
THE ROUTE
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DAY 1 to DAY 3 • SOVIET Tbilisi
Meet-and-greet at Tbilisi International Airport and transfer to our hotel of choice in central Tbilisi.
We’ll devote three full days to Tbilisi, visiting both its most famous landmarks and its less glamorous but then even more beguiling side: crumbling buildings, brutalist concrete shapes, socialist modernist gems, Soviet mosaics, bustling bazaars, improvised street stalls, hidden bakeries and not a single tourist around!
On our third day in town, we’ll also take a short half-day excursion to Rustavi, a grey-blocks-and-wide-alleys Soviet satellite city, completely forgotten by all tour operators bar us.
Overnights in Tbilisi.
Travelproof Tjark and our local tour leader Nikita will accompany you throughout your gallivanting in and around Tbilisi and all across Georgia for the entire duration of the tour, enriching your days with essential knowledge, additional inputs, quirky stories, travel anecdotes, cultural insights, and photography tips. In the evening you may then spend a few more hours together feasting on delicious Caucasian food while sipping local brews or a glass of classy Georgian wine.
DAY 4 • Military Road
After an early breakfast, we’ll head for the astounding mountains of the mighty Caucasus, the impervious range that marks the border between Europe and Asia, Christianity and Islam, the former USSR and the Middle East.
Stretching from the Black Sea to the Caspian shores, the Caucasus is home to both Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe at 5,642 metres (18,510 ft) above sea level, and Mount Kazbek, a dormant stratovolcano located on the tense frontier separating post-Soviet Georgia from Mother Russia.
Driving along the legendary Georgian Military Road, a strategic route connecting Tbilisi with the border town of Stepantsminda and further to Vladikavkaz (the elegant capital of North Ossetia), we will travel through a majestic landscape of high peaks, intimidating ravines and idyllic mountain pastures while slowly approaching the Kazbek.
Once in Stepantsminda, we’ll also allow ourselves a more touristy detour to visit the postcard-like Gergeti Trinity Church, which offers spectacular views over the city and the surrounding mountainscapes.
Overnight in Stepantsminda.
DAY 5 • THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY
We will leave Stepantsminda early in the morning and head westwards to Chiatura, a steampunk city famous for his extensive network of rickety but still functioning cable cars from the Soviet 50s.
En route to Chiatura we’ll call at the pretty Soviet-classicist town of Gori, the birthplace of Stalin and the last Georgian-controlled outpost before the contested border with the internationally unrecognised but de facto suzerain Republic of South Ossetia.
After having enjoyed a comprehensive Soviet tour of Chiatura and its many socialist-era wonders, we’ll conclude the day with a visit to the isolated Orthodox monastery of Katskhi, famous for being scenically and precariously built on top of a natural rock pillar.
Overnight near Chiatura.
DAY 6 • MOUNTAIN RETREATS
On the fifth day of our [post] Soviet Georgia Tour we will focus on the little-travelled mountain region of Racha-Lechkhumi, a superbly Caucasian concoction of breath-taking natural gorgeousness and charming anthropic quaintness that also happens to be the birthplace of Prokofy Alyosha Japaridze, a prominent Bolshevik revolutionary and Red Army commissar.
From Chiatura we’ll drive to the main town of Oni, said to have been founded by King Parnajom of Caucasian Iberia in the 2nd century BC, and then further north towards the far-off hamlets of Shovi and Gebi.
Overnight in Racha-Lechkhumi.
DAY 7 • FADING GLORIES
Today we’ll descend towards lovely Kutaisi, the third-largest city in Georgia, driving through the southwestern Caucasian foothills past lush sceneries and remote mining settlements, such as Orpiri and Tkibuli.
We’ll then spend the rest of the day exploring Kutaisi and the nearby Soviet resort town of Tskaltubo, home to a vast plethora of grandiose USSR-era sanatoriums partially still inhabited by the internally displaced refugees.
Overnight in Tskaltubo.
DAY 8 • MESMERISING MOSAICS
From Kutaisi we’ll transfer to Zugdidi, the capital of the ethnically heterogeneous region of Mingrelia, touring the little-known town of Khobi and other obscure Soviet gems along the way.
In the late afternoon, we will eventually reach Zugdidi, where we’ll spend the final hours of our journey searching for what we love most: Soviet architecture, colourful market stalls, and mouthwatering local delicacies.
Overnight in Zugdidi.
DAY 9 • FAREWELL TO GEORGIA
After sharing a last Georgian meal together, we'll take care of your transfer to either Tbilisi International Airport or Kutaisi International Airport.
End of the tour.
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1990 €
INCLUSIONS
Double/twin-room accommodation (breakfast is always included), private transport in Georgia (minivan), all entrance fees, English-speaking guiding service (local guide for the entire duration of the trip), tour leading and storytelling in English by Tjark Metzner for the entire duration of the trip, some traditional meals, 24/7 on-site and remote assistance by Soviet Tours.
EXCLUSIONS
Single supplement (350 €), international flights, most meals (lunches and dinners), extra drinks, visa fees (if required), tips, personal travel insurance.
“Every Georgian is a poet”