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MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT TO GEORGIA TODAY TravelTravelTravel October, 2010 TodayToday Publication of The Department of Tourism and Resorts of Georgia TodayTodayToday www.georgia.travel II ♥♥ Tbilisi:Tbilisi: TbilisobaTbilisoba welcomeswelcomes everyoneeveryone p.2 If you visit Tbilisi, someone – be it a tourist guide, salesperson or Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Greeks and representatives of many other na- get lost. It allows you to wander through the winding streets and dis- taxi driver –will by all means tell you the story of the foundation of tionalities have for centuries lived as a single family, sharing one cover small tea houses, modern cafes, traditional bakeries turning out the city. Tbilisians are especially fond of this legend. It is a story of an another’s problems or joys. In such old quarters one can find Geor- their freshly baked loaves, then there are carpet shops and bath houses. event that happened some fifteen hundred years ago, during hunting: gian and Armenian orthodox churches, a synagogue, mosque, and This is today’s Tbilisi- a city built at the crossroads of cultures, in the the fifth-century King Vakhtang Gorgasali’s favorite falcon and the even a trace of an ancient Zoroastrian shrine. constant expectation of guests to share its little joys and secrets with peasant caught by it fell into water out of which the King’s attendants The best thing that can be happen to you in Tbilisi’s old towns is to them. both the prey and the predator cooked. The king liked the natural hot waters and ordered the building of a town here. This is how the capi- tal moved from Mtskheta to Tbilisi, some 25 km eastward, while the hot sulphur baths, built in the oriental style, have become one of the colorful sites of the city. In the Middle Ages these baths were as- cribed many medicinal properties. That is why many conquerors came here allured by these baths. Thus, apart from comfort, the natural hot sulphur waters created many problems as well. But the baths were not the only trouble. The multicultural city lying at the crossroads of caravan routes was a sort of key to Georgia, and often to the entire Transcaucasia. This city withstood numerous invasions and occupations –by the Byzantines and the Khazars, Turks and Persians. The Arabs came to Tbilisi in the seventh century and stayed here for five centuries, until expelled in the twelfth century by King David the Builder –the uniter of Georgia. Tbilisi was last burnt down by the Persians in 1795. Following the conquest of Transcaucasia in the nineteenth century, the Russians turned it into the centre of region, installing their viceroy in this city-in the building that today houses the Palace of Culture of the Youth. The impressions received from this city have been reflected in the diaries of many a traveler, while many writers have dedicated lines of admiration to it. The Russian Alexander Pushkin, the Frenchman Alexandre Dumas and the Norwegian Knut Hamsun travelled in Geor- gia at various times, each depicting this colorful city in his own way. Each must have found what he looked for but none stinted words of enthusiasm. Tbilisi with its million and a half residents is continuing to grow. Numerous modern apartment houses and hypermarkets are under con- struction. The city is changing but its main charm-cultural diversity – remains the same. The real soul of this city is hidden in the small balconied courtyards of old Tbilisi, where Georgians, Armenians, Jews, 2 OCTOBER, 2010 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT TO GEORGIA TODAY I ♥ Tbilisi: Tbilisoba welcomes everyone fights from all around the country. Those interested in traditional arts and crafts also have the opportunity to take part in a range of master classes, for example one can see how the famous clay pots for wine are made. Of course, one can also try a staggering variety of different wines at the wine festival in the old town near the sulfur baths. Rtveli, the traditional Georgian har- vest festival continues throughout Tbilisoba. All the grapes have already been gathered in and visitors can take part in mass winemaking, pressing grapes side-by-side with the city mayor in Old town. Another site worth visit- ing is Shardeni Street, where the an- Celebrating is arguably what Geor- Where else can guests find a hearty nual fruit festival takes place, the gians do best, and one of the capital’s supra right in the middle of a river? For Cheese festival at Rose Revolution biggest celebrations is Tbilisoba. The Tbilisoba, special rafts glide down the Square is also worth visiting. festivities bring people together from Mtkvari River where guests are invited During the celebrations everyone across the country and from overseas to join karachogeli and kinto for a fes- to celebrate the beautiful and hospi- tive dinner with traditional mtsvadi has the opportunity to try traditional table, centuries-old city of Tbilisi. (meat on a skewer) and delicious Geor- mtsvadi at the outdoor stalls around the Traditionally, celebrations were held gian wine, cheese and hand-made city. Villagers bring their best meat and for just one weekend in late October, sweets. While the karachogeli play and wine, as well as home-made sweets for but this year the organizers decided that sing beautiful old Georgian songs and guests and residents alike to try. One this would be too short a period for all the kinto dance and toast on the raft, can also watch Georgian women make the activities they had planned. So this visitors can enjoy delicious food as well churchkhela - a sweet desert made from year, for ten days Tbilisoba will up the as breathtaking views of the town. wine juice and walnuts. streets of the capital, and there is plenty Tbilisoba is a centuries-old celebra- This year’s celebrations coincide to do and see. tion of Georgian arts and culture dur- with the 100th anniversary of the ac- ing which numerous concerts and ex- claimed Georgian ballet dancer and hibitions are held around the city, giv- choreographer, Vakhtang Chabukiani. ing visitors a chance to get to know the Ballet lovers from across the world will city and its history better. During the gather to salute the master at the Shota celebrations, the city displays some of Rustaveli Theatre, where leading bal- its hidden treasures – ancient and for- let stars from Georgia and abroad will gotten maps of old Tbilisi, traditional celebrate his jubilee on stage to the end- costumes and national musical instru- less applause of the public. Stars from ments will be on display; visitors can the American Ballet Theatre, the En- see residents dressed in a variety of tra- glish Royal Theatre and St. ditional and theatrical costumes; one Petersburg’s Mariinka will perform to- can also find precious books about the gether with their Georgian counter- city at the book fair in Dedaena garden parts. as well as the gala literary awards cer- Further events taking place this th emony. Tbilisoba is the 13 Tbilisi Interna- While sightseeing in Old Tbilisi, tional Jazz Festival, the annual Motor one can not only enjoy the scenery but Show, Tbilisi Fashion Week and also learn more about traditional dance Altervision Newcomers - a live concert and martial arts. Walking down the with young local stars of pop and rock. winding streets and squares, visitors Whatever you choose to do during can see beautifully dressed young la- Tbilisoba, be sure to enjoy the welcom- dies and gentlemen showing their grace ing and friendly atmosphere – you will and might by performing dances and want to come back every year for more! NEWS Vouchers for Georgian Georgian restaurant Oval awarded five stars Tour Operators Global Star is a Georgia-based Oval in Tbilisi has been awarded the end of the year. company working to bring interna- the prestigious top rating of five stars Oval was opened at the beginning tional standards to restaurants, cafes after a thorough assessment of its staff, of 2009 and it is famous for its signa- and hotels across the company. Glo- management and services. ture dish - American steak. The meat bal Star uses FORBES standards to Global Star grades businesses for is brought into the country fresh via evaluate any business which chooses one year only. Throughout the year aircraft without any freezing, mean- to put itself forward for assessment. the Global Star team performs regu- ing that steak you ordered in Oval is Before a grade is awarded, Global lar visits to ensure standards are exactly the same as you can have in Star tests the business’ employees, maintained. If a company lets its stan- the USA. For the first year of the and carefully examines its manage- dards slip, then Global Star reserves restaurant’s operation, the head-chef ment and level of service. the right to re-grade the business at was American who was able to pro- vide all the national staff with high- quality training before he left. The restaurant takes its name from the shape of a Rugby ball and it prides itself on being a great place to watch sport. Whilst the customers enjoy their delicious food, they can watch the top rugby or football games on plasma screens placed throughout the restau- In a joint initiative, the Georgian Na- prices and improved services. rant. tional Tourism Agency and the National In 2010, the number of tourists vis- The development of tourism in Agency for Cultural Heritage Preserva- iting cultural heritage sites increased Georgia is one of the government’s tion, will issue vouchers to Georgian 56% on last year. The new voucher key priorities. It is therefore essential Tour Operators to make cooperation be- system, allowing discounts on ticket for facilities to meet the highest inter- tween operators and the agencies easier.

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