Date: 13-14th May 2026
Travelled: 350 kms from Telavi to Gudauri in Georgia
Visited: Alexander Chavchavadz Museum, Russia Georgia Memorial.
Stayed: Marco Polo Hotel, Gudauri
A quiet evening in Telavi after an excellent meal at a nearby restaurant. We were up early for one of Pamโs forced marches hoping to catch a good coffee but nothing open. The town is clean and tidy but the Batoni Fortress across the road from our hotel looks interesting but it closed till later and weโll be gone by then.
Back in the coach our first stop is the Alexander Chavchavadz House Museum (and winery). The house is furnished as Alexander had lived in it. He is considered the โfather of Georgian Romanticismโ, which even after the guided tour means little to us however the house, garden and ground are beautiful making a lovely walk.
Cannot say a wine tasting works at 9.45 in the morning in our opinion.
Surprisingly we go to a second winery only 5 kms further up the road. Thatโs 3 Georgian wineries in two days, thatโs at least one too many.
Back on the bus what was supposed to be a 170 km drive to Gudauri is now a 350 km journey as our driver considers the direct road unsuitable. So itโs a 6 hour trip. It is an interesting journey given the narrow roads, being passed by cars on blind corners and passing oncoming trucks whist dodging huge crater like potholes.
We spend a quiet evening in Gudauri. The place is basically a ski resort, there are a couple of other smaller hotels and numerous chalets, but most seemed closed as itโs off-season. Breakfast and dinner are included in our package but the buffet is limited. However the drinks are reasonably priced.
Next morning Pamโs keen for a walk, there is a church an a hill, so cardio time it is with a reasonable steep walk. Note the Georgian chapels and churches have their bell towers in a seperate structure.
The heart rate slows whilst we have breakfast before loading on the coach once again. The weather is post card perfect as we continue on to the Russia Georgia Friendship Memorial which stands above the snow line overlooking Devilsโ Valley. Some pictures below.
Back on the coach we continue through the mountain passes enjoying the views. Slowing briefly our guide points out an orange coloured mineral deposit from an underground stream, however Iโm not sure if itโs good for your ailments or not, pictured above. Then we continue onto Stepantsminda where we transfer to some 4×4 vehicle for the relatively short but very bumpy drive to Gveleti waterfall.
From Stepantsminda we can see a church high on the mountain behind us, it looks amazing.
Our vehicles stop some 500m from the falls and we walk the rest of the way. The walk is easy enough with a couple of short rocky sections. The falls are no Niagara but pretty enough and well worth the walk.
Once back in the 4×4 we bump and sway our way back to the main road and turn back towards Stepantsminda. Half way back we turn again for the steep climb up to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church high up on Mount Kazbegi.
The Church is renowned for itโs 14th century alter.
Our visit to the Church done, itโs back in the 4×4 cars to return to our bus. Then the short trip into Stepantsminda for lunch. The guide recommended a local Georgian restaurant and it was excellent.
So after a late lunch we make our way back to the Marco Polo and a quiet evenings in the mountains..
Michael + Pam
