THERE’S PROBABLY no avoiding Tblisi, as the Georgian capital is both the principal gateway and the transport hub to other parts of the country. Fortunately, there’s no reason to avoid this likable city, which has plenty to see and do, and several must-do day-trips nearby.
All roads lead to Tblisi. Even if you don't fly in to the capital, you'll have to pass through to get to other parts.
Set on the Kura River and home to 1.5m people, Tblisi has been capital of various states for centuries.
A large historical centre reflects its largely Orthodox Christian character, and has grand European boulevards of grand European buildings.
Served well by a subway and bus system, the city is a pleasant place to walk and explore.
You'll need transport to get to some of the attractions around town, such as the Deserters' Bazaar.
When Georgian soldiers began returning from USSR's disastrous Afghan war, it was here they sold whatever they had- uniforms, boots, Afghan hashish, anything for cash.
It now takes over several city blocks, with section for electronics, manufactured goods, fresh produce.
Georgia's proximity to the ancient silk roads meant Tblisi has always been a junction of trade, culture, and flavours.
Another place worth jumping on a bus for is the 1960s Expo Georgia grounds.
Now being transormed into cafes and conference rooms, many modernist Soviet buildings are interspersed among gardens. The mosaics and statue here are some of the city's best of that era.
Other striking architectural pieces around the city include the brutalist Bank Of Georgia building.
Meandering along streets, through parks and across a bridge in the town centre, the Dry Bridge Market sells all manner of decorative goods, from vases and porcelain bears, rock albums and clocks and paintings, to Soviet and war-era memorabilia.
Several of Georgia's must-see attractions are located outside Tblisi, and can be visited relatively easily as day trips.
20km north is Mtskheta, a UNESCO listed town, home to many of the country's most important monuments, including 6th-century Jvari Monastery perched on a cliff, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, 4th-century Samtavro Monastery, and Armaz-Tsikhe Castle Ruins.
Shiomgvime Monastery, founded by the 6th-century monk Shio, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia as Christian missionaries, noted for its paintings, is a little way from the town centre.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dominates the town centre, and can be clearly seen from the hills of Jarvi Monastery.
Believed to hold the robe of Christ, it is considered one of Georgia's most sacred places. Despite attracting plenty of tourists and pilgrims, the town feels easy going and relaxed.
In the other direction, and requiring a full day to see if arguably Georgia's most important religious site.
Carved directly into the rugged, sun-baked cliffs of Mount Gareja, located on the remote, semi-arid Iori Plateau, Gereja David was founded in the 6th century by Assyrian monk, David.
As the Kingdom of Georgia prospered from the 11th to the 13th centuries, the economic and cultural development of David Gareja reached its peak.
The complex, which sits on and over the border with Azerbaijan, includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face.
In summer, very reasonably priced vans run to the site, with stops at a couple of other places, like Natlismtsemeli Monastery.
Churches and monastic cells are carved into the mountain, which is topped with a bell tower. The views of the dry, sparse landscape are worth the short hike up.