One of the best feelings is waking up on Christmas Day, opening the curtains to a beautiful snowy mountain view before fueling up with breakfast and hitting the slopes in your Christmas onesie. Bakuriani captures the essence of Christmas joy magnificently, officially starting when the Christmas lights are switched on at the beginning of December.
Winter is the most magical and enchanting season of the year. It is a time characterized by warm drinks, being with friends and family, and snuggling up under warm blankets. But it is also a time that many people dislike and try to stay indoors to avoid the colder temperatures. Well, it is time to change the mindset that winter is a season for hiding away.
Bakuriani is an easy drive or a bus trip from Tbilisi, making it perfect for a quick winter getaway. While you could easily spend your days snuggling up under warm blankets there are loads of winter activities to keep you busy. There are ski slopes for all levels, but if you are new to skiing, don’t worry. You can rent all the necessary gear and get a ski or snowboarding course with a private instructor if you need one. Among other things, you can enjoy snowmobiles, horseriding, and sleigh rides. Even if you do not want to go skiing, you can take the cable car to the start of the slopes and enjoy a hot chocolate in the sun.
Bakuriani has various accommodation available. One of my favourites by far, which I’ve stayed at quite a few times is Villa Mtashi. If you are travelling with family then Villa Mtashi is undoubtedly for you. It is right next to the beginner ski slopes and within walking distance to the restaurants. Villa Mtashi is owner managed, and made sure that my family and I had an absolutely flabbergasting experience while staying there. The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Georgian, Russian and Turkish, and is always more than happy to help with whatever will make your experience more pleasurable. I can’t even imagine staying somewhere else while being there. Villa Mtashi definitely cared for a relaxed and unworried stay in Bakuriani.
As far as treats and food, if you have a sweet tooth like me, there are a plethora of stalls offering churchkhela and other treats. But, even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, there are tons of other options like khatchapuri and khinkali! On top of these delicious treats and delectable food, you can’t go past the amazing wines available at every restaurant, shop and café. Georgia has a huge history of wine making and the traditional method involves fermenting the wine in large terracotta pots. The wine produced is more dense and stronger tasting than wine made the ‘European’ way. But both are available in abundance and wine tastings and tours are a popular activity for tourists.
Georgian food is some of the best in the world. A bold statement, I know. But after a few weeks there I never met a dish I didn’t like and some of them have left a permanent mark on my heart and stomach! The only downfall is that Georgian cuisine generally involves a lot of bread, pastry and cheese. Not so healthy but oh so satisfying. A trip to Georgia is not complete without gorging on the local delicacies that Georgia offers.
If you’re looking for a fairy-tale winter destination, Bakuriani ticks all the boxes. The landscape looks magical wreathed in snow and ice and illuminated by a wintry sapphire glow and the food is definitely something to try. A winter getaway in Bakuriani will have you coming back each year craving the food, the activities and the magnificent landscape!
