Blogs from Georgia, Asia - page 6

The other day I had a friend ask me about how we decided where to stay when we were traveling internationally. My friend wondered how we found the places and knew the hotels would meet whatever standards we may have for that moment or that experience. I have booked international hotels hundreds of times, but when she asked this question I sort of stumbled over my response. How do I explain something that I have not really thought about, but rather just done? Sometimes you do lots of research. Sometimes you ask seasoned friends. Sometimes you call in the local experts. Sometimes you concede that where you lay your head that night is not much of a big detail. And sometimes you simply take a leap of faith and hope for the best. However, all the ... read more

Day 4 I am up and out on the street by 7 AM, while Kris is still sleeping. Security in the hotel is already annoying everywhere I walk in the building exploring what the hotel offers I am met by a stern and unfriendly “may I help you”. My reply is no thank you just exploring the hotel. That seems to annoy them, it appears just looking around is unacceptable; you must have a destination in mind. Lots, and lots of staff with nothing to do but watch you, it’s a bit uncomfortable. Outside the hotel at 7:15 am its already 82 degrees. This part of the city is very hilly with steep inclines and declines every direction, no idea which way to go with no map so I walk up hill looking to get an ... read more

Day 5 Same routine for me, I am out walking in the am, while Kris wakes up and gets ready for breakfast. I do same thing every morning and see the same unfriendly staff asking if in need any help. I am really tired of this and ask the first interrogator “Really? This is my third day here do I fing look like I need any help”? He was quite unhappy with my response. I go to the check in counter and plainly ask “why am I met everyday with your scowling staff like I am stealing something or have a bomb in my backpack. What is up with the patrolling natzy like staff watching my every move? He explains security is tight for reasons he cannot divulge, and that the staff truly wants to see ... read more

We started our exploration of Georgian wine country by spending the day in Sighnaghi. It seems to be an obligatory stop for anyone visiting Georgia’s wine country and it had been labeled ‘The City of Love,” so why not. The ancient walled city sits high on a ridge with incredible views across the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains. With its high walls and towers, Sighnaghi used to be a trading center on the Silk Road. I find this quite ironic since we couldn’t even find one cute boutique for shopping. Like many old cities, Sighnaghi offers a quaint little city center, cobblestone streets and winding alleys. As we continued to find a proper generalized label for how to describe Georgia, this little village sitting upon the mountain ridges added another complication. Many might describe Sighnaghi ... read more

When we were in Tbilisi, we stayed at The Stamba Hotel and were blown away at the aesthetic pleasure and artistic delight that it presented in every corner of the hotel and restaurants, so it is only natural that we stayed at it‘s sister location in Kazbegi, The Rooms Hotel. Owned and decorated by the same group, The Rooms Hotel is definitely the place to stay in Stepantsminda. The hotel itself is beautiful and creative, but it’s location is also superb. Surrounded by the Caucasus Mountain range, the hotel is situated with unobstructed views of the glory of Northern Georgia. To be fair, one could spend the entire visit sitting on the observation deck simply staring at the ever changing views provided by the mountains, clouds and sunlight. The rooms were equipped with balconies and views ... read more