Tbilisi Podcast · Eat This! Food & Wine Tours Georgia

Day Trips From Kutaisi - Imereti Attractions Part 2

·34 min·3 clips

Discover why Emily calls Martvili Canyon a tourist trap and reveals a hidden swimming canyon nearby.

This episode features host Tom interviewing travel blogger Emily from Wanderlush about day trips from Kutaisi in Georgia's Imereti region. They discuss various natural, historical, and cultural attractions accessible within a day's drive. Emily recommends several alternative canyons, like Boulder Canyon and the Onioray waterfall, as less crowded options compared to the popular but touristy Martvili Canyon. She describes Prometheus Cave as impressive in scale but not a must-do, suggesting it might appeal more to families or those seeking a cool escape on a hot day. The Vani Archaeological Museum is highlighted for its recent European Museum of the Year nomination and its display of the original, delicate Tamada statue. A unique, undeveloped sulfur pool near Vani, formed naturally in a field, is noted for its isolated, open-air bathing experience. The Soviet-era spa town of Tskaltubo is presented as an urgent visit for its decaying sanatoriums, with one partially restored hotel offering a contrast between decay and preservation. The mining town of Chiatura is recommended for its Soviet history and architecture, along with new cable cars, while the nearby Katskhi Pillar monastery is a striking, inaccessible landmark. Zestafoni is highlighted for its massive, continuously operating ferroalloy factory, which offers informal tours showcasing molten metal and Soviet-era control rooms. The Racha region north of Kutaisi is praised for its underrated mountains, Shovi Lake, the Nikortsminda Cathedral, and local ham and wine. A steep hike to the Skhvavaari viewpoint, featuring nine crosses and panoramic views, is described as challenging but rewarding. Tea plantations near Kutaisi, like the Renegade farm run by Estonian and Lithuanian families, offer insights into Georgia's revived tea industry. For wine tasting, the area around Baghdati and Baia's Wine is recommended, with a caution that Georgian tastings typically involve full consumption rather than spitting. The Black Sea coast near Ureki and Shekvetili offers sandy beaches and a dendrological park with transplanted ancient trees. The Paliastomi and Kolkheti National Park provides boat tours through UNESCO-listed wetlands rich in birdlife. The tone is conversational and informative, blending practical travel advice with personal anecdotes and historical context. This episode is ideal for travelers planning a visit to western Georgia who seek detailed, off-the-beaten-path recommendations beyond major tourist sites. Listeners looking for a broad overview of Georgia or those uninterested in specific regional day-trip logistics might find the detail excessive.

As heard by us

A useful Kutaisi day-trip guide with Imereti stops that fit neatly into a single day.

Kutaisi reads as a solid base for day trips, and the piece turns Imereti into a clear, workable loop of monasteries, scenic stretches, and wine country that fits into a single day from the city.

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Why you'd press play

You want Kutaisi to actually pay off as a base.

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