If you are researching your trip to Georgia, no doubt you will have stumbled across tourist information about Svaneti, a stunning region located in the north-west corner of the country. Here at PArent.ge, we always aim to offer the most concise, up-to-date information for our customer’s, which is why we have written this article to offer you the most useful information, should you decide to visit this remote yet pretty part of Georgia.
Location
Svaneti is fairly remote in terms of location. Nestled in the far north-western tip of the country, there is only one road in and out of this region, and it’s not a road for the faint of heart! The winding mountain road can make even the most seasoned traveller feel queasy, which is why it’s important to take your time driving here, on the road that leads up from the city of Zugdidi. What’s great, though, is that your PArent.ge rental car will be fully equipped to make this journey and offer all of the comfort you need to reach Svaneti. The biggest town you’ll hit after arriving in Svaneti is Mestia, the region’s capital, which is a quaint, pretty little town offering some great restaurants and hotels.
Things To Do
Where to start? The list is endless! Due to Svaneti’s location and altitude, you are surrounded by picturesque scenery here. Mestia is definitely worth a visit, where you can try local, Svan cuisine such as “Kupdari” (a mince-meat stuffed bread infused with local spices) and Tashmujabi (mash-potato with local cheese).
If you’re a keen skier, Svaneti won’t disappoint. The region offers some of the best slopes in this part of the world and all at refreshingly cheap prices compared to that of Western Europe.
Also a must-visit while in Svaneti is the area of Ushguli. Although the road leading up here is only open during warmer months, your jaw will drop at the sheer beauty of this place! Especially ideal for those who love a bit of off-road driving!
When To Go
While the sole road leading up to Svaneti very rarely (if ever, nowadays) closes, wintery, snowy conditions can make this journey a lot more treacherous. Is it normally better to plan your trip to Svaneti between the months of May-October, although that’s not to say you cannot visit during winter months, also; just be prepared that not all roads while in Svaneti may be open at this time. On the same subject, don’t forget the road leading to Ushguli will most probably be inaccessible during winter months.