.:Virtual Travel of City KUTAISI:.

Aia, the same as Kutaisi, used to be the capital of the Georgian United Kingdom in the years of 975-1122. By its size Kutaisi is the second city in Georgia. It is located on the banks of the river Rioni. The summer here is rather hot and dry. Kutaisi has a very special location. It is the centre of Georgia. Thus it is much easier to reach the various tourist sites from here than from the capital.

You can reach the Black Sea zone in just 1.5 – hours from Kutaisi, go up to the most important resorts of Racha, Svaneti, Guria and Imereti (Bakhmaro, Sairme). And even if you stay where you are, you can see a lot in Kutaisi and its environs.

As rule, tourists are first taken to Gelati and Bagrati Temples or Motsameta. The city is truly rich in historical and cultural sights. Though the tourists rarely have a chance to see any other sights.

The Ethnographical Museum of Kutaisi keeps about 146 000 artefacts. The exhibition starts with the department of palaeontology and ends up with the nineteenth century cultural heritage. As a rule the Golden Fund makes the greatest impression on the tourists. Here is a typical house of an Imereti peasant as well, telling the viewers how and in what conditions the peasant lived in Georgia. There is also a spot depicting the story of the Gergiev’s tractate; the first printed book of the 18th c.; the refrigerator brought from France by Mitrophane Lagidze; fragments of dinosaur’s spine, the scull of a cave bear, the ancient Colchic sheep anchor, tear bowls, which were buried with the dead and which, no doubt, will remind you of the Cinderella…

Though, before you start sightseeing, you have to get to Kutaisi. Micro shuttle buses start at 8.30 from the so-called “Okriba” bus station located near Didube undergraound station (Tbilisi), the last trip runs at 8 p.m. and the ticket price is 10 laris. There is only one bus trip that costs 7 laris. All the buses stop far from the centre, though there is a great variety of the so-called circular shuttle buses (No1 or No2) going downtown tha cost just 30 tetris. You’d better take a taxi. When the drivers realise you are a foreigner, they might charge you twice the actual price. So, keep in mind that the average price for the ride is about 5 laris. Generally it’s better to use special taxis. You can book them: 3-22-22; 6-60-05; 4-44-44-; 6-30-30. a kilometre costs 60-70 tetris. You can also get to Kutaisi by train.
After sightseeing within the town you can as well visit the outskirts and see very many interesting sites. For instance, it will cost you 5 laris to go to Sataplia by a taxi. It is worth doing as the dinosaur’s footprints and a rare prehistoric cave are awaiting you there. The visit is free. The cave possesses healing qualities. An hour a month per day spent in the cave cures asthma. The visitors often go there just to conceive a wish. For this it is enough to put your hand on the heart shaped stalagmite in the heart shaped hall. As it is known, it takes 1000 years to form a cubic centimetre of a stalagmite.
Besides Sataplia there are famous caves of Navenakhevi and Kumisi at about 45 minutes walk from there. According to experts these caves possess unique features. Vani, Tskhrajvari, Khoni are famous for their canyons, waterfalls caves, vertical caves and underground rivers. Relatively far form here is the village of Gorda, at about half and hour’s walk. Shuttle buses don’t go their, so it’s a little hard to reach it, though the place is truly wonderful. The waterfalls of 20-30 metres in height will never leave anyone indifferent.

In addition to being just interesting, the surroundings here may turn rather useful at the same time, e.g. the resort of Sairme (see: about Saireme) where people go from all over the world. It’s especially good for the chronic diseases of urinal and digestive system. The season here starts in May and lasts until November. The duration of the treatment takes about 10 days, for at least for two successive years. A sanatorium is also functioning there. The price for meals per day is 25-39 laris accordingly. There are private family houses available and you can contact them via Kutaisi Tourist Agency “Gelati”.

No doubt the tourists are willing to see the resort of Tskaltubo. More detailed information about the resort is given in the same issue.
As regards the hotels in Kutaisi, their price is rather high for the time being. The average price for a single room fluctuates from 50 laris to 100 dollars per day.
Some of the hotels serve meals as well. Though there are plenty of places in the city one can have delicious meals. Among such places are: the café “Almano”, No1 Tsereteli Street. It is distinguished by the cosy atmosphere.
(Tel: +995 231 4 45 27)
The “Flanimgo” is in the vicinity of the cinema. The service here is almost identical to “Nikala’s”. (Tel: +995 231 5 25 11)
“Bistro” is just on the central square, in front of the monument of David the Builder. It is a popular gathering place for the youngsters (Tel: +995 231 45176). Though they can be seen at the “Suliko”, located a little farther from the centre. The entertainment centre cobines an internet café, cinema, billiard parlour and a café. The other club is located in 23 Bukhaidze street. “Evrika” offers the customers a modern design and special evenings every week. Georgian and European dishes are equally represented here.

If you wish to have Georgian meals against the background of live Georgian music, you must visit “Delicatess” in 23 Chachavadze Street. The informational centre, headed by Kote Charkhalashvili is in 8 Kaukhchishvili Street.

Thus, everything is being done in Kutaisi to make the city always ready to welcome visitors. Recently the focus has shifted to other towns and Tskaltubo tourist potential has been forgotten, but respective services have been striving to achieve the best results and they hope for the better.

One thing is already clear: the situation is quite safe in the evening. However, we think you’d better not stay out too long.

P.S. under the leadership of Natela Kutivadze, the founder of the agency “Gelati” and the head of the city Tourist Service Merab Amaghlobeli, and also, on the initiative of the Pusta Knights’ Order a special route to Racha has already been organised. Tourists are now able to travel either on foot or ride a horse along the route which Pustan Knights used to ride in order to save the Georgian treasury during the invasions. The order-bearers can teach Georgian battle skills to the volunteers in case they wish. Concerning this issue you can address Vikto Chachava: +995 98 101-727

Special thanks for the information to Natela Kutivadze, the head of the Tourist Agency “Gelati”
… and the website www.kutaisi.com.ge  administration.
 

© 2006 Davisvenot.GE