Akhaltsikhe and Vardzia

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Akhaltsikhe, which litteraly means new castle, is the capital of the region Samtskhe-Javakheti and is definitely worth a visit. Usually the city is used as a springboard to places of interest outside the city such as Vardzia or the monastery complex Sapara but it also has something to offer for itself. For example, there is the medieval old town built on top of the hill Rabati which has several architectural delights. The whole is completely walled and is somewhat reminiscent of a fairytale complex for children but this is by no means. For the rest, the city is itself not very interesting for tourists - although most Soviet blocks have been replaced by "ordinary" houses.  

The cave complex of Vardzia should be on every sight list of a visit to Georgia - an authentic cave church with beautiful frescoes, tunnels, stairs and viewpoints. Vardzia was first a fortress, then a monastery and was built against a rock face and consisted of no less than 13 floors and contained about 400 rooms. At the peak it was inhabited by some 2,000 monks. Now it is again active as a monastery but it also became a popular tourist attraction for locals as also international tourists. 

Vardzia:

At about 60 kilometers from Akhaltsikhe lies the picturesque cave complex Vardzia. Built under the reign of King Giorgi III as a fort it was transformed by his famous daughter Tamar into a monastery where some 2,000 monks lived. In the 13th century many facades of just as many caves were damaged by a devastating earthquake and in the 16th century it would be destroyed by the invading Persians.

Nevertheless, there is still a lot to see of the once 13 floor high complex which is further subdivided into 120 groups and some 400 rooms. The whole complex of Vardzia hangs against the rock with a fantastic view over the valley and the surrounding mountains and is still a cultural highlight for every Georgian.

The center of the cave-complex is the church that is adorned by many frescoes from the 12th century, including the wedding of Queen Tamar and Bible stories from the New Testament. Entrance is 3 Gel. 

Other attractions:

• The Sapara monastery (unfortunately no public transport here, ie you are forced to take a taxi) - 30 Gel for a trip.

The bus station is on the north side of the river near the bridge and the police station. There is a waiting area with two ticket offices where you can also get information, it is not really busy.

Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia: there are a number of minibuses per day, but the first is only at 10:30. You have to get a ticket inside and it costs 5 Gel. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The last one leaves at 15:00 and leaves from the parking lot of Vardzia.

Akhaltsikhe - Tbilisi: marshrutka's drive approximately every 45 minutes to the capital (08:40, 09:20 and 10:10 for sure). The price is 8 Gel and the journey takes about 3.5 hours. You will be dropped off at the busy "Didube" station.

• Name: "Homestay"

Price: 20 Gel (single)

Content:

The lady picked me up from the bus station and we walked into a street between the large supermarket building (on the other side of the bus station) and the police station. Second row of houses on the left with a blue gate. In the room on the first floor there are three beds, one of which is a double. It is a large room with wooden floors, a table in the middle and a mirror on the wall.

In the room next to it is a PC with internet that you can use (WIFI is not there). The young family lives in the room next to it. Downstairs the parents live and the shower and toilet is actually the problem. In the whole city they have water problems and therefore there is no shower but a bucket that you can use. Even after your toilet visit you will have to rinse it.

You can get 5 Gel breakfast and 10 Gel dinner served at a small table under the concrete roof in the garden. The people are very friendly, the son speaks German and the son in-law speak some English. The man is a taxi driver and offers tours.