World / Europe / Georgia

Since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, this little country has gradually emerged to become an exciting new destination for both business and leisure. In Georgia, tourism is still in its infancy, but it's starting to flourish. The capital Tbilisi has recently undergone a major facelift and this surprisingly sophisticated city is ripe with business opportunities. With a good range of top-notch hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, and an attractive Old Town, Tbilisi is an appealing destination for business and leisure visitors alike. The hinterland beyond is also well worth an excursion too.

For those wishing to stray off the beaten path and explore spectacular scenery, adventure holidays in Georgia offer a variety of options for summer hiking, winter skiing and climbing. East of Tbilisi, the winegrowing region of Kakheti has attractive towns like Sighnaghi, which hosts a lively wine festival in autumn. To the west, Batumi, situated on the Black Sea coast, is a magnet for domestic tourists in the warm summer months but equally enjoyable off-season. North of the capital, where the landscape rises in lush, green folds to reach the seemingly impenetrable barrier of the Caucasus range, you'll discover the true soul of the country. Here, in the mountainous reaches of Tusheti, Khevsureti and Svaneti, ancient watchtowers mark isolated villages, some of the highest in Europe, where the facilities may be rudimentary but the hospitality, like the landscape, is overwhelming.