Telavi (Georgia)
Things to do in Telavi
Around Telavi is one of the most important wine regions in Georgia situated. The wine is not only for export because locals love their wine as well and make it also by themselves at home. Homemade wine is also very good in my opinion. It’s 100 % natural without artificial additions, so no headache. A place to stay at least for two nights.
The area around Telavi with its monasteries and the vineyards is best visited by taxi. To rent a taxi by the hour was in 2014 about EUR 5 to EUR 6,- for each hour, cheaper than renting a car by yourself. Renting a car by yourself is not recommended because of the driving skills of the Georgians.
Another good option for a beautiful day trip from Telavi is a visit to the monastery and ruins of David Garedzja. It’s about two hours to drive one way before arriving at the countryside road for the last 50 kilometres of which 10 kilometres are on a gravel road. Before attending to David Garedzja it’s advisable to buy enough food and water. At the sight, there are no shops that sell food or drinks and in the summer of 2014, the temperatures reached 43 degrees. Decent shoes are also needed because of the gravel and the presence of snakes.
Connections
A trip by marshrutka (minibus) from bus terminal Didube connects Tbilisi with Telavi. From Telavi there’re marshrutka’s and also shared taxis back to Tbilisi. The trip back costs by shared taxi only EUR 4,- a person in a full car with three other passengers. Thanks to Georgian driving habits the trip to Tbilisi can be done in less than 1,5 hours.
