Tbilisi, Georgia: The Ultimate Christmas Celebration

Planning a Christmas Getaway? Consider the country of Georgia!

Tbilisi, Georgia goes all out for Christmas, while they celebrate Christmas on January 7th, according to the Julian calendar, festivities start well before January. In 2022, according to https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/5030 "The Christmas Village opened on Friday at the recently renovated Orbeliani Square, including the recreational areas of Dedaena Garden, April 9 Garden and Dry Bridge, with a concert of various Georgian performers, and will host events every day until January 13."

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  Christmas Train

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  Chichilaki

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Georgia had been on my travel list for quite some time, thanks to the blog Wander Lush we were inspired to spend a very memorable Christmas there! Lights, decorations, handmade crafts, food, mulled wine, chacha (strong Georgian spirit made of distilled grape pomace), and a festive spirit made for exciting night life. Additionally, there were Santa's, crafts, bands, dancing and, of course, an oversized Christmas Panda.

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During the day in Tbilisi the weather was oftentimes in the 40s and sunny. We took multiple tours, visited excellent coffee shops and restaurants, took an in home cooking class and did an incredible amount of walking as there is so much to see in the city and so many calories to burn from the stellar food. Below are our favorites, additional posts on Tbilisi to come.

Coffee: Kvarts Coffee (Free Portrait on your cup with purchase!)

Daily Grind

Unity Kava

Restaurants: Leila (vegetarian)

Tamara

Pasanauri

RadioCafe

Twenty step to freedom (Live music)

Lodging: TbiliSee Hotel (old Tbilisi)

City Heart Hotel (closer to Freedom Square)

Cooking Class: Chakandrila Georgian Cooking Class

Tours: Tbilisi Free Walking Tour

• Old Tbilisi

• Soviet Tour

Tbilisi Underground Secret Bunker USSR-Promenade Tour (best deal on Trip Advisor)

Sites: Meidan Bazaar

Narikala Fortress Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

Bridge Of Peace

Sulfer Baths

Anchiskhati Basilica

Mtatsminda Park (We took funicular up and hiked trail down)

Rike Park

Transport: Metro, taxi, bus, great city for walking, rental cars (driving is its own wild adventure so hiring a shuttle is a safer way to travel unless you are a very confident driver.)