Georgia Slow Travel: Tbilisi, Kazbegi & Kakheti Food, Wine, and Hiking

Georgia (Tbilisi, Kazbegi, Kakheti) · 10 days · Solo traveller or couple, slow pace, high food and culture interest, countryside focus · Mid-range (local stays, authentic experiences) budget

Day 1 — Arrival & First Impressions in Tbilisi

Old Town, Tbilisi, Georgia · Wed, 16 Sep 2026

Tbilisi (Old Town)

  • 09:00 — 🛬 Collect rental car and settle in — Tbilisi Intl Airport. Pick up your full-size SUV rental at Tbilisi Intl Airport, perfect for your 10-day road trip. Comfortable for luggage and countryside drives ahead.
  • 14:00 — 🏛️ Explore Tbilisi Old Town walking tour — Old Town, Tbilisi. Wander through narrow, cobbled lanes visiting landmarks like Narikala Fortress, the sulphur baths district, and Sioni Cathedral. Small group guided tours offer rich historical context.
  • 19:30 — 🍽️ Dinner at Shavi Lomi — Old Town, Tbilisi. Enjoy authentic Georgian dishes in a stylish, local-favourite setting. Must-tries are pkhalis (vegetable pastes) and slow-cooked lamb, paired with qvevri wine.

Day 2 — City Food and Culture Exploration

Sololaki, Tbilisi, Georgia · Thu, 17 Sep 2026

Tbilisi (Sololaki & Rustaveli)

  • 09:00 — 🥾 Guided food market and morning walk — Dezerter Bazaar, Tbilisi. Discover Georgian fresh produce and spices at vibrant Dezerter Bazaar. Sample local cheeses, honey, and churchkhela while tasting seasonal fruits and breads.
  • 14:00 — 🏛️ Visit Georgian National Museum — Rustaveli Avenue. Explore Georgia’s rich cultural heritage through its archaeological artifacts, medieval treasures, and Soviet-era exhibits in a modern museum setting.
  • 19:00 — 🍷 Dinner at Barbarestan — Sololaki, Tbilisi. Dine in this acclaimed restaurant featuring recipes from Queen Barbare Jorjadze’s 19th-century cookbook, serving authentic, hearty Georgian dishes with a wine pairing.

Day 3 — Markets and Wine Bar Discovery

Marjanishvili, Tbilisi, Georgia · Fri, 18 Sep 2026

Tbilisi Markets & Wine Bars

  • 9:30 AM — 🛍️ Trip to Dezerter Bazaar — Dezerter Bazaar, Tbilisi. Explore Tbilisi's bustling Dezerter Bazaar for fresh produce, local spices, and authentic Georgian snacks in a lively market atmosphere. Great immersion into daily life and food culture.
  • 2:00 PM — 🥘 Cooking Class at G.Vino Culinary Studio — Marjanishvili, Tbilisi. Join a hands-on cooking class with a top local chef, learning how to prepare traditional Georgian dishes paired expertly with local wines. Small group ensures personalized experience.
  • 6:30 PM — 🍷 Wine Tasting at Vino Underground — Old Town, Tbilisi. Enjoy tasting a curated selection of natural and traditional Georgian wines in a cozy underground cellar, with expert guidance on qvevri winemaking techniques.

Day 4 — Scenic Drive to Kazbegi via Mtskheta

Stepantsminda, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia · Sat, 19 Sep 2026

Mtskheta & Kazbegi Drive

  • 9:00 AM — 🏛️ Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta — Mtskheta, Georgia. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, a 11th-century cathedral famed for its striking architecture and spiritual significance in Georgian Orthodox tradition.
  • 11:30 AM — 🥾 Leisurely Hike to Jvari Monastery — Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta. Enjoy a gentle 2 km uphill hike to Jvari Monastery, offering stunning views over Mtskheta and the confluence of two rivers, enriching both nature and heritage appreciation.
  • 2:00 PM — 🍽️ Lunch with Local Flavors at Salobie Bia — Mtskheta center. Savor traditional Georgian dishes including khachapuri and pkhali in a warm family-run setting, capturing Mtskheta’s culinary charm.

Day 5 — Kazbegi: Hiking in the Caucasus Mountains

Stepantsminda, Kazbegi, Georgia · Sun, 20 Sep 2026

Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)

  • 9:00 AM — 🥾 Hike to Gergeti Trinity Church — Gergeti Trinity Church, Stepantsminda. A scenic 7 km round-trip hike ascends from Stepantsminda village to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church, offering breathtaking views of Mount Kazbek and the surrounding peaks. The trail is well-marked and moderately challenging.
  • 1:30 PM — 🍽️ Lunch at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi Restaurant — Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Stepantsminda. Enjoy a meal of traditional Georgian mountain dishes prepared with local ingredients in a cozy setting with views of the Caucasus. The lamb stew and freshly baked bread are local favorites.
  • 4:00 PM — 🏞️ Visit to Gveleti Waterfall Trail — Gveleti Village, Kazbegi. Short drive to Gveleti village followed by a gentle hike (about 3 km round-trip) to the stunning twin Gveleti waterfalls surrounded by lush forest. An easy walk that suits a late afternoon outing.

Day 6 — Gergeti, Villages & Truso Gorge Adventure

Truso Gorge, Kazbegi, Georgia · Mon, 21 Sep 2026

Kazbegi (Gergeti & Truso Gorge)

  • 9:00 AM — 🛻 Guided 4x4 Tour of Truso Gorge — Truso Gorge, Kazbegi. Explore dramatic Truso Gorge’s stunning landscapes and ancient towers in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle, stopping for short walks at scenic viewpoints and historic villages, enjoying fresh mountain air and heritage sites.
  • 2:00 PM — 🍷 Wine tasting and lunch at Khareba Winery — Khareba Winery, Kakheti. Travel to Kakheti for an afternoon indulging in Georgia’s oldest wine region traditions, tasting qvevri wines paired with traditional dishes in a welcoming estate cellar setting.
  • 5:30 PM — 🌾 Stroll through historic Stepantsminda Market — Stepantsminda Town Center, Kazbegi. Leisurely walk through the local market stalls offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and regional delicacies, absorbing the vibrant rural culture and friendly atmosphere.

Day 7 — Drive to Kakheti Wine Region

Telavi, Kakheti, Georgia · Tue, 22 Sep 2026

Telavi (Kakheti)

  • 08:00 — 🍇 Drive through the Caucasus to Telavi — Along Georgian Military Highway, Georgia. Enjoy scenic views as you drive from Kazbegi down to the Kakheti region, passing valleys and mountain foothills, arriving in Telavi in time for lunch and settling in.
  • 13:00 — 🍽️ Lunch at Pheasant's Tears Winery — Sighnaghi Road, Telavi, Kakheti. Savor a traditional Georgian lunch paired with organic wines at this famed winery, known for its natural wine-making methods and delicious local cuisine.
  • 16:00 — 🏞️ Stroll Telavi Old Town and Shuamta Monastery — Telavi, Kakheti, Georgia. Explore Telavi’s cobbled streets and visit the nearby Shuamta monasteries, a peaceful complex of historic churches with great mountain views.

Day 8 — Wineries and Monasteries of Kakheti

Alaverdi, Telavi, Georgia · Wed, 23 Sep 2026

Telavi & Alaverdi

  • 09:00 — 🍷 Alaverdi Monastery and Winery Visit — Alaverdi, Kakheti, Georgia. Visit the historic Alaverdi Monastery with its impressive architecture, then tour the adjoining Alaverdi winery to taste traditional Georgian qvevri wines made on-site.
  • 13:00 — 🥾 Hike in Tsinandali Estate Gardens — Tsinandali, Kakheti, Georgia. Enjoy a gentle hike around the historic Tsinandali estate and its botanical gardens, appreciating the fusion of nature, culture, and wine heritage in this peaceful setting.
  • 18:30 — 🍽️ Dinner at Schuchmann Wines Chateau Restaurant — Telavi outskirts. Dine on refined Georgian cuisine paired expertly with estate wines; the elegant atmosphere ensures a relaxing end to your day.

Day 9 — Hill Towns & Vineyards of Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi, Kakheti, Georgia · Thu, 24 Sep 2026

Sighnaghi

  • 09:30–11:30 — 🍇 Explore Sighnaghi Historic Centre — Sighnaghi Old Town. Wander the beautifully preserved cobblestone streets of Sighnaghi, known as the ‘City of Love,’ with panoramic views over the Alazani Valley. Visit local artisan shops and historic walls.
  • 12:00–15:00 — 🍷 Kakheti Wine Tasting at Chateau Mere — Chateau Mere, near Sighnaghi. Enjoy a guided tasting of Kakheti’s signature Qvevri wines at a family-run winery. Learn about traditional clay fermentation and savor local cheese and fresh bread.
  • 16:00–18:00 — 🥾 Gentle Hike in Bodbe Monastery Gardens — Bodbe Monastery, Sighnaghi vicinity. Stroll the peaceful trails around Bodbe Monastery, with views of vineyards and the Alazani plains. Visit the monastery’s chapel and shaded gardens for a quiet cultural experience.

Day 10 — Return to Tbilisi & Departure

Old Town, Tbilisi, Georgia · Fri, 25 Sep 2026

Tbilisi (Return/Departure)

  • 08:30–11:30 — 🏛️ Leisurely Old Town Stroll & Café Stop — Tbilisi Old Town. Explore cobblestoned streets, colorful balconies, and charming squares. Stop for Georgian coffee and nut pastries at Café Leila, a local favorite near Freedom Square.
  • 12:00–14:00 — 🍽️ Lunch at Shavi Lomi — Shavi Lomi, Vera district, Tbilisi. Savor authentic Georgian dishes with modern presentations focusing on locally sourced ingredients in a rustic yet elegant setting.
  • 14:30–16:30 — 🛍️ Visit Dry Bridge Market & Relax in Rike Park — Dry Bridge Market & Rike Park, Tbilisi. Browse antiques and crafts at the famous Dry Bridge Flea Market, then unwind with a peaceful riverside walk in Rike Park near the cable car station.