A Romantic Journey to Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi, Georgia, set the stage for our romantic story. I consider myself a hopeless romantic with spontaneous tendencies. During the height of the pandemic, I flew to Tbilisi to spend a week with my Russian pen pal, Anastasia, whom I had known for years but had never met in person.

In a world impacted by COVID-19, Anastasia kept me grounded. Her kind words and charming smile filled me with joy and affection, provoking my insatiable wanderlust. Thus, I knew I had to meet her in person. However, it was spring 2021, and most of the world remained shut down. Consequently, finding a country open for both an American and a Russian citizen proved challenging.

Then, I discovered Georgia, a country I knew almost nothing about. Moreover, provided Anastasia and I received a negative PCR test result, we could enter without quarantine. A visa was unnecessary. After a long journey with two layovers totaling 24 hours in the air, I finally met my pen pal in Tbilisi.

Exploring the City

The Georgian capital was full of surprises. We strolled along the futuristic Bridge of Peace lit with LEDs, climbed the crumbling Narikala Fortress, and passed slanted, Soviet homes. The city’s style was splendidly diverse, merging modernity with medieval charm. Hand in hand, we unearthed numerous secrets that Tbilisi had to offer.

Delicious Georgian Cuisine

One of the delightful secrets of Tbilisi was the food. From soup dumplings to nuts dipped in thickened grape juice, Georgian cuisine was a simple yet wholesome pleasure. You haven’t truly experienced Tbilisi until you’ve tried khachapuri, a soft bread generously filled with cheese, butter, and egg. Truly, the stomach is the way to the heart, and I found myself falling head over heels.

Visiting Khareba Winery

Everything is better with a glass of wine. Therefore, I decided to take Anastasia on a day trip to the Khareba Winery in Kakheti. Together, we blissfully tasted Georgia’s traditional wines and explored the winery’s impressive 4.7-mile-long tunnel system. Our intimate wine tasting experience quenched our thirst and fueled our connection.

The City of Love: Signagi

Still a bit tipsy from our wine tasting, we ventured to Signagi, affectionately known as the City of Love. Locals humorously claim that the title is overly promotional, yet the charming pastel houses and breathtaking valley vistas create an undeniably romantic ambiance. As we basked in the golden sunset over the stone walls of Signagi, love filled the air.

Exploring Kazbegi Mountains

The pinnacle of our Georgian adventure awaited north of Tbilisi, amidst the stunning mountains of Kazbegi. On a group trip with Gamarjoba Georgia Tours, we were mesmerized as magnificent green peaks surrounded us. Their rocky faces, adorned with spring flowers and babbling streams of melted ice, were breathtaking. Unforgettable views greeted us at every turn, from the Gudauri Ski Resort to the unnamed cliffs along the roadside.

To elevate our experience, the tour guide surprised us with homemade chacha, Georgia’s traditional hard liquor. Additionally, he decided it would be amusing to reenact “Dirty Dancing” during a cliffside photo shoot, leading to laughter and a shared thrill. Ultimately, nothing brings a couple closer than the adrenaline of adventure.

Conclusion

Thankful for adventures that didn’t lead to any tumbles from the mountaintops, I did, however, fall for Anastasia. Upon returning to the quaint cobbled streets of Tbilisi, I confidently shared my decision to move to Russia to be with her. My family questioned my choices, but this wasn’t a mere impulsive decision; Georgia’s rich culture and romantic landscapes had laid the foundation for our relationship. It turns out, Tbilisi was the perfect place for Anastasia and me to begin our next adventure together.