Since you arrive today and it's early afternoon locally, take a relaxed late-morning turn into the leafy Sololaki neighborhood: wander past elegant 19th-century balconies, pop into the cozy Café Leila for a late breakfast of khachapuri and strong Georgian coffee, then stroll up to the Nearby Freedom Monument and Rustaveli Avenue to get your first feel for the city’s rhythm and architecture before checking into your hotel and freshening up for the afternoon.
After freshening up, head toward the atmospheric Old Town: wander along the cobbled Shardeni Street for gallery-hopping and artisans, then ride the funicular up to Mtatsminda Park for panoramic city views and a gentle loop among winter-lit attractions. As dusk falls, descend to the banks of the Mtkvari River for a relaxed riverside walk past the illuminated Bridge of Peace and stop for an early dinner at a nearby restaurant like Café Littera to try seasonal stews and local wine.
As night deepens, warm up with a cozy meal in the atmospheric Meidan Bazaar area—try slow-cooked chakapuli or pkhali at a family-run restaurant, paired with a glass of local qvevri wine. After dinner, take a short taxi to the illuminated Narikala Fortress cable car for sweeping nighttime views, then descend through the lantern-lit alleyways toward the riverside for a final stop at Fabrika’s lively courtyard bar for a nightcap and friendly local vibe.
Begin with a hearty breakfast at the atmospheric Pur Pur on Meidan Square, then weave through the labyrinthine streets toward the 18th-century Anchiskhati Basilica to admire its frescoes and calm interior. From there, take a short walk to the Tbilisi History Museum on Atoneli Street for a concise grounding in the city’s past, followed by a visit to the nearby Leghvtakhevi waterfall and the sleepy botanical terrace above it for a peaceful winter morning and coffee at a riverside café before lunch.
After a morning steeped in history, cross to the lively Meidani and wander through the wooden balconies of the Salt Market (Dry Bridge area) to browse antique stalls and local crafts, then stop for a warming bowl of kharcho at a family-run eatery nearby. Continue to the contemporary side of town with a visit to the Georgian National Gallery on Rustaveli for Georgian art spanning centuries, then finish with a relaxed tea and pastries at the elegant Orbeliani House café while watching locals drift by — a calm, culture-rich afternoon that sets up an evening of traditional music or wine tasting.
As twilight falls, head to the charming Meidan Bazaar’s nearby Chardakhi lane for a dinner of smoked trout and khinkali at a riverside Georgian tavern, followed by an intimate folk music recital at the small-but-legendary Tbilisi Concert Hall (Gudiashvili Theatre or a local kafedoni depending on the night's program). Finish the night with a short walk across the illuminated Rike Park footbridge to sample artisanal Georgian desserts and mulled wine at a cozy stall while soaking in the bridge and fortress views — a gentle, music-filled close to a day of culture.
Depart Tbilisi early for the Georgian Military Highway and stop at the scenic Ananuri fortress viewpoint for a quick walk and photos of the Zhinvali Reservoir, then continue over the high pass with a short stretch at the Jvari (Jvari Pass) lookout to drink in frosted mountain panoramas. Arrive in Stepantsminda mid-morning and, instead of the main uphill trek, hire a local 4x4 to climb the ridge to the less-crowded plateau near the Gergeti Trinity approach, where you can enjoy a leisurely tea with shepherds, short snow-side walks and unobstructed views of Mt. Kazbek before lunch in town.
After a hearty lunch in town, take a short drive to the serene Gveleti Waterfall for a crisp winter walk across snow-dusted trails and a chance to peer into the frozen gorge. Follow this with a visit to the small local ethnographic exhibit at the Village House museum where you can sample homemade chacha and learn about highland shepherd life, then warm up at a riverside café in Stepantsminda while watching clouds drift around the towering peaks.
As daylight softens, head to a cozy local guesthouse like Rooms Hotel Kazbegi for a warming dinner of mountain-style khachapuri and lamb stew beside a crackling stove, then step outside to the hotel terrace for one of the region’s best sunset views of Mt. Kazbek framed by frosted pines. After dinner, join a short guided stargazing walk or a folklore evening at a nearby taverna where you can sample honeyed churchkhela and a dram of homemade chacha while listening to highland stories—an intimate, fireside close to your alpine day.
After your mountain morning in Kazbegi, ease back into city life with a relaxed museum circuit: start at the Open Air Museum of Ethnography on the hill above Turtle Lake to see traditional rural homes and winter crafts, then head to the Museum of Fine Arts on Rustaveli to admire Georgian painters and decorative arts. Finish with a warming late-morning stop at Stamba Hotel’s café for pastries and a tasting of local teas before a short walk toward the historic Abanotubani district to arrange an afternoon sulfur-bath experience.
Step into the artistic side of Tbilisi with a visit to the Fabrika neighbourhood: browse contemporary galleries like Artarea and small design shops, then warm up with a late lunch at the nearby Retro Café serving modern takes on Georgian classics. Afterward, head to the cozy Ortachala Bookshop for a quiet read and pick up a local cookbook, then cross to the nearby Orbeliani Square to experience a traditional hammam session at the historic Gulo’s Thermal Baths—followed by a restorative herbal tea at a teahouse opposite before evening plans.
As night falls, wander to the atmospheric Sololaki neighborhood for dinner at Barbarestan, where revived 19th-century recipes and inventive wines make for a festive pre-Christmas meal; follow with a short walk to the nearby Mziuri Garden for a quiet stroll among twinkling lights. Finish the evening with a cocktail or Georgian brandy tasting at the intimate Wine Gallery on Shota Rustaveli Avenue, or — if you prefer live music — catch a late set at Cafe Gallery for a soulful, local close to your museum-and-bath day.
After an early coastal transfer from Tbilisi, settle into Batumi with a restorative walk along the lively Batumi Boulevard, stopping at the Alphabet Tower and the seaside Piazza for coffee and fresh pastries at Café Adjara. Continue to the Batumi Botanical Garden for a crisp winter morning among subtropical terraces and pine-clad viewpoints, taking the garden’s panoramic trail down toward the Black Sea and pausing at the viewpoint café for hot tea and views of the dramatic coastline before lunch.
After your morning in the Botanical Garden and boulevard, head into Batumi’s compact Old Town to explore Europe Square and its mosaic-faced buildings, pausing for a warm lunch of adjika-spiced seafood or chanakhi at a popular local spot like Retro and Wine. Follow with a stroll to the lively Batumi Piazza for live piano or an espresso at a café terrace, then venture to the seaside Ali and Nino sculpture and the nearby Batumi Lighthouse for sunset views and a brisk walk along the pier before evening plans.
For a relaxed Christmas evening, wander the recently renovated Batumi Boulevard extension toward the Miracle Park area and pause at the modern Ferris wheel for panoramic, illuminated views of the Black Sea before dinner. Dine at a nearby seafood-focused restaurant such as GastroLab or Laguna, then finish with a stroll through the nearby Piazza Garden where street performers and cozy cafés offer live music and mulled wine to round out the day.
Start your final morning with a brisk walk through Batumi’s seaside Dolphinarium area to watch trainers ready the animals, then cross to the nearby Europe Square Park for a last chance to photograph Batumi’s eclectic sculptures and mosaic facades. Finish with a leisurely breakfast at the café inside the Batumi Art House, sampling Adjarian cheese pastries and strong local coffee before collecting luggage and transferring to the airport.
Spend a relaxed afternoon discovering the contemporary side of Batumi: visit the ARGO Cable Car for sweeping coastal and city views, then wander the nearby seaside Miracle Park sculptures and the modern Batumi Boulevard extension toward the Alphabet Square for photo stops. Finish with a leisurely lunch at the waterfront café Kafe Piano on the quay, sampling freshly caught Black Sea fish and adjika-spiced salads before collecting your bags and heading to the airport.
Before your flight, enjoy a final leisurely evening tasting menu at a well-regarded local spot like Chacha Time where you can pair small plates of smoky local cheese and grilled Black Sea fish with a sampler of Georgian chacha and local wines; linger on their heated terrace to watch the coastline lights. Afterwards, take a short stroll through the nearby Piazza Garden’s quieter lanes to pick up last-minute souvenirs from artisan stalls, then return to your hotel to collect bags and head to the airport, warmed by a final cup of spiced Georgian tea.