I travelled to Tbilisi for a business trip and decided to stay for a few extra days to explore the historical Georgian city. For its natural landscapes and rich architecture, Georgia and its cultural epicenter Tbilisi are greatly understated. Everywhere you turn your head, you see a bookshop and an art gallery. The people are so kind and welcoming. It’s also one of the cleanest cities that I’ve ever been to.

Tbilisi is known for its history, food, art, architecture, pottery, and nature. We walked for hours every day to explore the beautiful city. The restaurants are Michelin-star quality and there’s something to satiate every palate. Each restaurant has its own charm and beautiful interiors.

We stayed at Stamba Hotel, which is located in an area that’s similar to SoHo in Manhattan, New York. The neighbourhood is known for its art galleries, concept stores, street art and book stores. In fact, Stamba Hotel used to be an old Soviet Union publishing house. 

The 5* hotel houses two sensational restaurants. When you enter the lobby, you feel like you’re in an old library with a retro-chic aura. The rooms are specious  and beautiful. 

Tbilisi is surrounded by beautiful mountains and stunning sceneries. On day one, we drove up to the mountains and hiked, whilst soaking up views of the historical monuments. As it was winter time, it wasn’t very green, but it’s supposed to be even more picturesque when flowers bloom in the summer.

Tbilisi’s old town is magical. The old cobblestone streets, small coffee shops, and restaurants are lovely. They’re also known for their Friday markets where you can buy anything from art to antique furniture.

If you’re looking for a quick getaway in an ethereal setting, I highly recommend Tbilisi. Below are few of my recommendations. 

Hotel: Stamba

Restaurants: Iasamani, Keto & Kote, Barbarestan Lolita, and Café Stamba 

Activities and landmarks: Mountain hiking, old town visits, hot air balloon ride, Narikala Fortress, and Mother of Georgia

Happy travelling!

Love,

Nina

Nina Zandnia is a Persian-Swedish luxury lifestyle icon and a media maven who is based in Dubai. She has worked for major global media networks for over 20 years. She’s the founder of one of the first lifestyle online TV channels in the Middle East called Lifestyle-Dubai.com. She’s also a fashion designer and has housed her collections at Galeries Lafayette. Among her many accolades is bagging a prize at the Great Woman Awards 2016 Middle East. With a following of over 415k on Instagram, Nina has been a key voice in the luxury lifestyle landscape of the UAE and beyond. Follow her @Ninazandnia on Instagram.