Georgia Things to Do Tips by lenoreva

Borjomi Mineral Water Park

Borjomi is about 2 1/2 hours from Tbilisi by car which means you could do this a day trip, or use it as a base for exploring attractions farther afield (such as the cave monastery complex of Vardzia which is what we did). The main attraction in Borjomi is the Borjomi Mineral Water Park - where the ubiquitous bottled Borjomi water comes from. It's a nice place to walk around and in the summer there are places you can swim. The walk from the train station to the water park is also very scenic as some impressive old houses line the streets.

Directions: Walk up 9 Aprilis Kucha on the north side of the river

Stalin Museum in Gori

The town of Gori, Stalin's birthplace, is about 1 1/2 hrs from Tbilisi by car. The Stalin Museum was built around the tiny house that Stalin lived in until he was 15 - which is lovingly preserved and protected from the elements. The museum itself is full of Stalin memoribilia and the tour guides (Russian language only) talk of him as if he were a hero which gives the proceedings a bizzare air.
The highlight for me was Stalin's train carriage (outside of the museum) which he actually used. It even has a tiny kitchen (which he probably did not use).
Admission is $1 for the complex and extra if you want to take pictures. They also sell picture postcards which make great gifts for all of your Stalin-admiring buddies. ;)

Address: Stalin 32, Gori

Phone: 22681

Kartlis Deda (Statue of Mother Georgia)

A walk in the Narikala Fortress area on the hill above the old town will take you past this 20m statue of Mother Georgia which is interesting in a kitchy sort of way. She holds a cup of wine in one hand (to symbolize Georgian friendliness) and a sword in the other (a warning to Georgia's enemies).

Abanotubani - Tbilisi sulphur baths

Apparently, going to the baths is a pretty popular social activity in Tbilisi. We rented a private bath for an hour at the "beehive" baths for $10. We also got massages (more like an elaborate bath ritual with kind of painful skin exfoliation) for $3 a person. There is a sitting room where you leave your clothes and are served hot tea and then the bath room with showers, the hot sulphur bath, a cold bath, a toilet and the massage area.
You can also go into the communal pool for a lot less, but we didn't do that.
The baths are definitaly a unique experience a relaxing activity for a dreary, cold day.

Address: Abanos kucha (Bath Street)

Directions: Near the old town

Jvari church

This is an easy day trip from Tbilisi. The outside of this 6th century church is lovely and you get a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. Jvari church is well visited by Georgians, as it is revered as Georgia's spirtual heart, and there are plenty of priests hanging around. So it is also a good place to people watch and get a feel for the christian tradition in Georgia.

Address: On a hill outside Mtskheta