If you can’t decide on where to go on your next holiday, one globetrotter has got you covered after sharing her travels to what she has dubbed ‘the most underrated’ capital city in the world.
As summer is almost here, you might have started to day dream about your next holiday. While Brits prefer to go to places like Spain or Turkey to chase the sun, it might not always seem appealing to go to a tourist-packed resort to enjoy the sunshine. Instead, one globetrotter is urging people to considered an ‘unkown’ city where you can expect averages highs of 34C in the summer months.
Travel enthusiast Dasha Kofman took to TikTok to share insights to her recent holiday to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia located in the Caucasus region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The country is thought to be the place where wine was first invented in 5000BC.
“I just visited one of the most underrated capital cities,” Dasha said. “It is Tbilisi, Georgia, and in my research, it was very hard to find TikTok videos on what to do there, so here’s my version of it.”
She went on to list the long list of activities you can do in the historic city, having something for everyone no matter what you want to do on your holiday.
1. Drybridge market
“Number one is the Drybridge market,” Dasha said. “It is the flea market of all flea markets. First of all, these watch rings are under $5 (£3.74). They had the most beautiful jewellery finds here. They also have tons of antique and vintage posters, clocks, cameras.”
She went on to explain: “Georgia has literally experienced every type of culture due to trade or being conquered, and this flea market shows you that entire history from medieval times to Soviet.”
Underneath the market, there’s a park where the artwork of local talents are showcased and sold.
2. Walk along the Kura river
“Number two is strolling along the water,” Dasha said. “I think any romantic city needs its little river running through it, and it’s so romantic to just walk along the water or take a boat, or just sit and admire as the water flows.”
She urged people to walk along the river until you get to the third spot on her list.
3. Walk over the Bridge of Peace to cable cars
“Walk along until you get to number three, which is to walk over the Bridge of Peace,” Dasha said. “It’s definitely more modern, it doesn’t really fit quite into the Old Town, but it sends the message that Georgians just want peace.”
The bridge, which stretches 150 metres over the Kura River, was commissioned by the City Hall of Tbilisi to create a contemporary design feature connecting Old Tbilisi with the new central parts of the city. It was opened in 2010.
Dasha urges people to walk over the bridge to get to cable cars to take you up one of the mountains for ‘amazing’ views of the city and the historic Mother of Georgia which is said to protect the country from conquerors.
4. Relax in bath houses
“Next activity is going to be a moment of relaxation,” Dasha said.
She went on to explain: “Tbilisi actually means warm waters, and that name is because of the sulphuric waters that are found in the city that help people operate these bath houses that were very popular during the time of the Silk Road, where people would come to relax after trading.”
Tbilisi sulfur baths have provided therapeutic and social benefits since the 5th century, becoming a core part of local culture and heritage with a host of healing properties.
5. Explore Old Town and Meidan Bazaar
For the the next point, Dasha said: “Next on the list is exploring the Old Town. From the clock tower to the stunning architecture to the Jewish quarter, and more and more, there is so much to explore.”
She went on to recommend people go on a guided tour, but later also letting yourself get lost in the historic streets as you’ll never know what you might come across.
“On the Old Town they actually have the meeting place back when the Silk Road was extremely active. It’s Meidan Bazaar,” Dasha said. “Today, it’s a tourist shop, but back in the day it’s where all the traders would meet and sell everything that they’ve brought from all over the east. So it’s definitely a cool place to check out.”
6. Go shopping
Next, Dasha recommended people to go to her two favourite neighbourhoods for shopping: Vera, and Shota Rustaveli Avenue.
She went on to say: “[Vera] is the more hipster, young, trendy neighborhood. They have tons of really cool shops. [..] But honestly you can spend a couple of hours just cafe and shop hopping, you’ll definitely find things.”
” And then in contrast to the more independent shops is to walk down Shota Rustaveli Avenue,” she continued. “This is the main avenue of the city with beautiful architecture, so many museums, big retail shops, chain restaurants, but you can also find some amazing local hidden gems, restaurants and cafes, as well.”
7. Go wine tasting
“And then last but not least, as Georgia is the place where wine was created, you have to go on a wine tour,” Dasha said. “Whether that’s self-guided or with a tour group, I made a video on all my favourite wine bars so you can do it on your own.”
“But honestly, pop into any wine shop, you’ll probably get a free taste,” she said.