Here’s the complete traveler’s guide to Vardzia, Georgia’s most mysterious cave city. In this guide, you’ll learn all about the historical background and legends about Vardzia, what to see and things to do in Vardzia, how to get there and much more!
Georgia is a small country located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It might be small in size but it’s a giant in historic stature!
This mighty nation in the Caucasus mountains is home to some of the world’s oldest communities and most unique languages, Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, ancient mountains villages like Svaneti and Tusheti, and it’s the cradle of winemaking!
Georgia is also home to some very remarkable and unique places like the Katskhi Pillar, one of the world’s most secluded and unusual churches, the gigantic pillars of the Chronicle of Georgia, and the unusual cable car city of Chiatura, just to name a few.
And then there is Vardzia, one of the most iconic attractions in Georgia.
This spectacular cave monastery near Aspindza in the south of the country is one of the oldest cave cities in the world. It looks like one of the movie sets of Lord of the Rings, but it is not the home of dwarfs but of many monks.
In this complete and updated traveler’s guide, I’ll tell you all about Vardzia, how to get there, what to expect, and the things to do in Vardzia. I’ll also share some very interesting Vardzia legends and a bonus tip that other blogs won’t tell you about.
Reading Tip: The 15 most beautiful and remarkable places to visit in Georgia
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What is Vardzia and why you should visit Georgia’s famous cave city
The architecture of Vardzia, a harmonious confluence of manmade and natural monuments, is truly very impressive!
In the late 1100s, the medieval kingdom of Georgia was constantly under threat from the Mongol Empire and this fortified underground city, together with several other major fortresses in the south of Georgia, was once part of a defensive system.
Vardzia was built in the 12th century, under the reign of King Tamar, the first woman in the history of Georgia that was ever crowned as a king (the word “queen” was used to refer to the wives of the kings in medieval Georgia).
To help her people avoid the Mongol onslaught, Tamar ordered the construction of an underground sanctuary and secretly they started building this fortress under the Erusheli mountain.
It was a gigantic job but the people worked hard with the determination that their culture and lifestyle should not be destroyed by the invading Mongols.
This underground fortress eventually had 13 levels constructed with natural caves and contained over 6000 rooms, including a throne room, a reception chamber, a meeting room, a bakery, a forge, chapels, and a huge church.
The only way to get to this underground city was through a secret tunnel that started at the nearby Mtkvari River.
You might wonder how they survived here. The land on the outside of the hidden monastery was extremely fertile.
The monks created a self-sustainable lifestyle by creating an irrigation system of terraced farmlands so they could produced their own food.
Some tunnels had irrigation pipes that still bring drinkable water. They weren’t short on wine either because the cave city had about 25 wine cellars containing 185 wine jars.
Sadly enough the glorious days of Vardzia didn’t last very long. It kept the Georgians safe from the Mongols but Mother Nature is unbeatable.
In 1283, only 100 years after its construction, a devastating earthquake literally ripped the place apart and destroyed more than two-thirds of the city and the remaining caves that were once hidden became visible.
It is not just the refined looks of Vardiza and its enigmatic caves connected with narrow tunnels that inspire thousands of adventurers, photographers and even TV crews to explore and document this mysterious medieval monument but also many legends.
Legends about Vardzia guides won’t tell you:
King Tamar’s persona, regardless (or maybe due to) being one of the most admired figures for Georgians, is surrounded by a big mystery and so is Vardzia. Maybe there is logic in it.
According to one legend, there were 365 rooms in Vardzia, so king Tamar could move to a new room each day throughout the year so her exact location would always remain unknown for invaders.
Another legend tells how curving Vardzia’s first caves started from the highest rock of the valley.
The rock was crumbling and it was getting harder to carry on with work. At the end of the exhausting day, workers left their tools at the construction site and went to get well-deserved overnight rest.
When they returned to the site the next morning, their tools were gone and they could only find them at where Vardzia caves are now. This curious event repeated itself several times, until they saw it as a divine sign, abandoned the place and started constructing the caves at its current location.
To finish the (hi)story of Vardzia, here’s the legend of how it got its name: one day Tamar went out hunting with her uncle Giorgi and got lost in the caves. When Giorgi called out to her, she replied “aq var dzia”, which is Georgian for “I’m here uncle”.
I hope that all these legends and stories already inspired you to pay a visit to Vardzia! Now let’s move to the essential travel info on how you can visit this phenomenal cave monastery and city.
Where is Vardzia?
Vardzia is located on the Erusheti mountain in the Samtskhe Javakheti region of Southwestern Georgia, close to the Turkish and Armenian borders. The highest point of Vardzia elevates to 1462m above sea level.
Be aware that there are two Vardzias in Georgia! The cave city is near Aspindza while the same-named town is near Zestafoni. You can find its GPS location here.
Distance and travel time to Vardzia from the main cities of Georgia:
- From Akhaltsikhe to Vardzia: 60 km – 1 hour
- From Tbilisi to Vardzia: 202km – 3,5/4 hours
- From From Kutaisi to Vardzia: 235km – 4,5 hours
- From Borjomi to Vardzia: 107 km – 2 hours
- From Batumi to Vardzia: 195 km – 3 hours
- From Batumi to Vardzia through Akhaltsikhe: 224km – 6.5h – Take this route if only you want to drive off-road.
How to get to Vardzia?
You could visit Vardzia as a day trip from Tbilisi or on your way to Kutaisi, Borjomi or Akhaltsikhe, both of which could also be a good base if you don’t want to stay near Vardzia itself. Have a look at my Georgian Travel Itineraries for more suggestions.
If you want to go to Vardzia by public transportation (in the form of mashrutkas – minivans), you’ve got to transfer in Akhaltsikhe, from where you’ll have to take another mashrutka or taxi to Vardzia.
How to get from Tbilisi to Vardzia
If you want to travel from Tbilisi to Vardzia by public transport, go to the Didube Bus Station.
The marshutka to Akhaltsikhe departs every hour between 8am and 7pm and costs 7 GEL. Read below how to get from Akhalstikhe to Vardzia.
To return from Akhaltsikhe to Tbilisi, mashrutkas leave at the same station every hour between 6:20 a.m. and 7 p.m.
How to get from Kutaisi to Vardzia
If you are traveling from Kutaisi to Vardzia by mashrutka, you will find them at Kutaisi’s Central Bus Station at the Mcdonalds.
There are daily 2 mashrutkas to Akhaltsikhe, one departing in the morning around 8.30 am, and one at 1pm. A ticket costs 15 GEL and it takes around 3,5 hours to reach Akhaltsikhe. Read below how to get from Akhalstikhe to Vardzia.
To return from Akhaltsikhe to Kutaisi, mashrutkas depart at 10:40 a.m., 3 and 6 p.m.
How to get from Borjomi to Vardzia
From Borjomi to Vardzia you have more options as you can hop on the Tbilisi marshrutka passing through Borjomi or on the ones departing from Borjomi.
You should be able to find a mashrutka from Borjomi to Akhaltsikhe every 30 minutes at the Borjomi Bus Stop, it costs around 4 GEL and the journey takes around 2 hours.
How to get from Akhaltsikhe to Vardzia
There are two mashrutkas that leave daily at 12.20pm and 5.30pm from Akhaltsikhe’s bus station to the main entrance of Vardzia caves. A ticket costs 7 GEL.
If you want to get there earlier, you can also take a mashrutka at 10.35 am from Akhaltsikhe’s bus station to Mirashkhani, which is a village at a walking distance from Vardzia. A one-way ticket costs 7 GEL.
To return from Vardzia to Akhaltsikhe, there are daily 2 mashrutkas leaving at 1 pm and at 3 pm from opposite the cafe.
Another option is to take a taxi to Vardzia from Akhaltsikhe. This should cost around 70-80 GEL round-trip including the driver’s wait time while you visit the cave city. f you’re just planning to visit Vardzia as a day trip, try to find someone at your hotel/hostel to share the costs with.
2022 Update: I highly recommend you to double-check any information regarding schedule and prices just short before your trip. Due to the ongoing inflation and crisis, prices change all the time. You can call the bus stations or if you’re in a small town and have time, I highly recommend you to walk to the bus station and check there.
Book a tour to Vardzia
If you’re short on time and you like to visit Vardzia with a guide, I’d recommend booking one of the following guided tours:
- Full day-tour from Tbilisi to Vardzia, Rabati and Borjomi
- Full day-tour from Kutaisi to Vardzia, Rabati and Borjomi
Driving to Vardzia
You could also rent a car and drive to Vardzia (and other destinations in Georgia) yourself.
Reading Tip: 3 Awesome Travel Itineraries to see the Best of Georgia!
When is the best time to visit Vardzia?
You can visit Vardzia all year round. The weather in Vardzia is the best starting from April till October when the average temperature varies between 14 and 30°C. August is the hottest month.
However, while this is the best time to visit Vardzia, it’s also the busiest period as most people will travel to Vardzia during these months.
I visited Vardzia in January. While the cold weather can be tough as the temperatures often drop below zero, it was an awesome experience to be there in winter!
Vardzia looked so beautiful wearing its coat of snow! Despite the freezing cold, it was worth the visit! Especially since there was almost no one around, except for a few locals who visited the church to pray.
My visit to Vardzia was extra special as I was being followed by the film crew of the Georgian TV station Rustavi 2, who were making a documentary about my hitchhiking journey through Georgia.
Reading Tip: Georgia Travel Guide – Everything you need to know before traveling to Georgia!
Is it safe to visit Vardzia?
Vardzia is generally a very safe place to visit, just as the rest of Georgia.
Just bring some common sense and proper footwear, especially if you are visiting the cave complex during winter. Also, be careful when you’re climbing on the edges of the cliff rocks!
The tunnels in the caves are low and narrow but they aren’t too long, so unless you’re suffering from a severe form of claustrophobia, you should be fine.
While I was there in winter with the filming crew, the cameraman was struggling a bit while walking through the labyrinth of caves. We often had to take a break to let him catch his breath.
The people who lived here hundreds of years ago must have been very tiny to crawl through this network of tunnels, guided by the light of candles!
Vardzia opening hours and fees
Opening hours of Vardzia
Vardzia’s opening hours differ depending on the time of the year:
- 1 May -1 October: 10 am – 7 pm
- 1 October-15 November and 1 March-1 May: 10 am- 6 pm
- 15 November-1 March: 10 am – 5 pm
Recommended visit duration
If you are in a hurry, you can cover the whole place in about an hour but you can easily spend the whole day wandering around caves, enjoying the sunset from the top viewpoint or losing track of time capturing monastery kittens lazing in the sun.
A guided tour around Vardzia takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Vardzia entrance Fees + extras
The entrance fee to Vardzia is 15 GEL per person. Children under 6 are free of charge.
You can also get a guided tour with a Russian or English-speaking guide for 45 GEL. There’s also the option to rent an audio guide for 15 GEL. You can share this audio guide with 2 people as the devices are loud enough.
If you want to skip the initial steep uphill climb to the entrance of the cave city, there are golf carts at the ticket booths that will take you there for 2 GEL.
Places to see and Things to do: Vardzia Highlights
Exploring Vardzia is pretty easy as you have the whole complex in the palm of your hand! Below you’ll find an overview of all the highlights in Vardzia. I’ve also added extra tips for photographers and videographers.
Reading Tip: What’s in my camera bag – best cameras for travel photography and essentials
The photography journey of Vardzia starts as soon as you’re approaching the cave city.
If you’re visiting Vardzia with your own car or by private taxi, you’ll see how the caves start to reveal themselves on your right-hand side.
Don’t be shy to ask your driver to stop at the field just before reaching the main entrance as this is the best place to get wide landscape shots.
From this spot, you’ll clearly see how the Vardzia complex is carved in a massive 3-layer rock. The top black layer serves as a “roof” of the whole complex.
After getting your tickets, you can either walk or take a golf cart ride uphill. The path is paved and very clear. When you see the very first caves on your left side, it means you have reached the main part of Vardzia.
1. The Arc (Bell Tower)
The first stop is the Arc, also called the Bell Tower. The main entrance to the Arc is from the west side. If you start your visit to Vardzia early, the sun will be in front of you. This spot is the best for photos during sunset.
2. The irrigation system
The ceramic pipes that are part of the ancient irrigation system are easily noticeable if you look at the rocks on your left, just before reaching the Bell Tower.
The 3.5 km long channel used to distribute 166 000 liters of water in 24 hours, enough for about 50 000 people. A water reservoir curved in the central part of the caves could contain 630 000 liters of water.
3. The Church of the Dormition
As you continue west, your next stop will be The Church of the Dormition. This church is the spiritual and monumental focus of the site and the largest and most significant one out of the 15 churches of Vardzia.
On the wall, you will see one of the only fourth existing and earliest portraits of Tamar.
Other wall paintings are episodes from the life of Christ and other biblical episodes and characters. Unfortunately, many paintings were lost in the earthquake in 1283.
The church is sometimes closed during the low season and you will have to ask a monastery member to open it.
4. Holy Spring of Vardzia a.k.a Tears of King Tamar
Close to the Church of Dormition, you will find another rock-carved chapel. The left tunnel will lead you to the Tears of King Tamar, a pond of “Holy Water”, hidden in one of the deep caves.
The water leaks drop by drop from the deep layers of rocks. Its temperature remains the same all year.
Many locals still believe in its miraculous healing so they come to drink the holy water, pray for health and wealth, and hope their wishes will come true.
5. Old Church
As you return to the chapel, carry on walking through the tunnel in front of you. It will take you to one of the widest caves with the wall remains of the Old Church and a small grave.
This spot is where they started reconstructing Vardzia after the death of King Giorgi III, following Tamar’s order to change Vardzia’s original designation as a fortress and introduce it as a massive, fortified monastery.
6. Defense Gate
The next tunnel is the narrowest. It ends with what used to be the Defense Gate. During invasions, this gate would be closed and it was impossible to open it from the outside.
7. King Tamar’s Room
King Tamar’s Room is one of the highest and furthest caves on the east side of the monastery complex. The view from there is spectacular.
There you will find what’s believed to be the Throne of King Tamar. Many tourists wonder if it was a proper seat for a monarch but one can only wonder.
If you are there during sunset, you will see how the Golden Hour changes the color of the rocks from golden beige to dark gray.
8. Wine Cellars
There are 28 wine cellars with 235 Qvevri (earthenware vessels used for making, aging, and storing wine) with a total capacity of 100,000 liters scattered around Vardzia. I think this already says a lot about the importance of viticulture in Georgia…
Reading Tip: Oh Georgia, Sweet Mother of Wine!
The Vardzia complex further includes a meeting room, reception chambers, a pharmacy, a refectory with a bakery and ovens for baking bread, chapels, and many (many!) tunnels.
In order to explore everything, you will need some stamina to walk up and down all the staircases but it is all worth it.
Your trip is ended when going through a tunnel leading you to exit at the bottom of the caves.
During your visit, you might wonder about the weird cables and devices installed on the walls.
Vardzia is built in a seismic active zone. These ultra-modern devices are there to measure temperature and collect data about seismic activity, which are crucial for the massive preservation work that has been carried on by Georgian and international geologists.
Bonus Tips for visiting Vardzia
Don’t forget to bring some chewing gum with you when you visit Vardzia.
There is a special ‘bubble gum tree’ where people make a wish and stick their chewing gum to the tree.
As there are many staircases in Vardzia, the complex is unfortunately not accessible with a wheelchair. Although, if you’re eager, you might make it to the very first tower and still enjoy the view.
For footwear, in summer sandals will do but comfortable and stable footwear is recommended. The stairs might be slippery, especially in winter.
WhAt and where to eat in Vardzia
You can find water at a couple of places on the site but it’s always a good idea to bring a refillable water bottle with you and maybe some snacks if you are planning to spend long hours there.
In summer or while it’s warm enough, there are a couple of cafes/restaurants operating at the base of the cave city. There you can chill by the river and enjoy some local dishes.
Don’t leave the Samtkhe-Javakheti region without trying the following dishes as they are hard to find anywhere else in Georgia:
- Apokhtis Khinkali: dumpling filled with dried and salted meat of lamb, beef, goose or duck. The meat preserved in this manner was the main sustenance for soldiers. Apokhtis khinkali is usually smaller in size than normal khinkali, but really filling, so keep that in mind while ordering.
- Batis Shechamandi: soup made of goose
- Snails : yes, Samtskhe-Javakheti is known for its snails, definitely an unexpected twist of the Georgian cuisine you don’t want to miss!
- Rdzis Korkoti: wheat grains boiled in milk
- Tenili Cheese: made of threads of rich cow’s or sheep’s milk, briefly brined before being pressed into a clay pot. Inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, Tenili Cheese is distinguished not only by its exceptional taste but with its complicated and hardest technology to make!
Reading Tip: 10 dishes from the Georgian Cuisine you absolutely have to try!
Where to stay in Vardzia
Note: due to the pandemic, please check any information and requirements regarding accommodation prior with owners
Places to stay in/near Vardzia
If you like to have a real Georgian family experience and taste some amazing family food (see section above), there are several budget-friendly guesthouses in the nearby villages. They have a good reputation and are located within 7-8km from Vardzia:
If you prefer to stay in a hotel, there’s only one in the area: Vardzia Resort.
This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, restaurant, seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a bar and shared lounge, free WiF and a children’s playground, a garden and a terrace.
This is the closest and most comfortable accommodation near Vardzia.
Click here to check prices and availability for Vardzia Resort.
Wild camping in or near Vardzia is also an option when it’s warm enough.
Places to stay in Akhaltsikhe
In case you choose Akhaltiskhe as a base for Vardzia, the best and the most budget-friendly place to stay in this city located one hour from Vardzia is the Old Town Akhaltsikhe.
Located in the very center of Akhaltsikhe, Old Town Akhaltsikhe gives you the comfort of a nicely decorated hotel and the coziness of a home thanks to its kind hosts.
Chilling with a glass of wine at the fireplace in winter or on the terrace with a breathtaking view over Rabati castle in summer, you might not want to leave this place!
Click here to check prices and availability for Old Town Akhaltsikhe.
Top Places to visit near Vardzia
If you have extra time, here are some places near Vardzia that are worth visiting.
1. the Upper Vardzia monastery (nunnery)
Dated back to the 11th century, carved in the highest rock of the valley, the ancient sanctuary of Zeda (Upper) Vardzia is located just a couple of kilometers to the northwest from the cave city of Vardzia.
There you can see the monastery life, beautiful flower gardens and unique samples of traditional handmade craft by nuns, who are also busy with farming, beekeeping, etc.
2. Vani Caves
The Vani Caves, or as locals call them “Vanis Kvabebi”, are just a 3 km drive from Vardzia.
The Vanis Kvabebi is an 8th-century cave monastery in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia, so don’t mix it with the Vani Hot Spring pools located near Kutaisi.
The Vani monastery consists of two churches, a defensive wall built in 1204, and a maze of tunnels running on several levels on the side of the mountain.
3. Khertvisi fortress
The Khertvisi fortress lies just on the side of the road to Vardzia, a 16 km/20 min drive before. You won’t even need to detour to explore this amazing medieval fortress.
It’s first mentioned in chronicles in the 10th-11th centuries. The church was built in 985, and the present walls were built in 1354.
According to a local legend, Khertvisi was once destroyed by Alexander the Great, though it has then been reconstructed and invaded on numerous occasions through the centuries.
4. Tmogvi Castle
The Tmogvi Castle is just 10 km away from Vardzia, another pitstop worth making.
The name “Tmogvi” comes from the Georgian word mogvi, meaning “pagan priest” or “magus”.
The fortress was mentioned for the first time in sources from the 9th century. It was built as a defensive work controlling the ancient trade route between the Javakheti plateau and the Mtkvari gorge and became an important defense center of medieval centuries.
5. Akhaltsikhe and Rabat
Akhaltsikhe is the closest city to Vardzia. Its main attraction is the newly renovated fortress called Rabat.
The original name of the fortress in the 9th century was Lomsia, which can be translated from Georgian as “Lion”. At the end of the 12th century, Lomsia acquired the new name Akhal-tsikhe, which literally translates as “New fortress”.
Reading Tip: Georgia on a budget – How much does it cost to live and travel in Georgia?
I hope this guide was useful and inspired you to visit Georgia’s most mysterious cave city! If you have any questions or you like to share your experiences visiting Vardzia, let me know in the comments below!
More Georgia Travel resources
- Guide to Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital city
- Visit the 15 most beautiful and unique places in Georgia
- Plan your trip with these 3 awesome Georgia travel itineraries
- Discover the Chronicle of Georgia, Tbilisi’s hidden gem
- Guide to Batumi, Georgia’s most quirky beach city
- Hiking in Georgia: 7 beautiful off-the-beaten path hikes
- Visiting ghosts of the past in Chiatura, the cable car city of Georgia
- Visit Katskhi Pillar, the most incredible cliff church in the world
- Travel Guide to Vardzia, the ancient cave city of Georgia
- Visit Svaneti, the wild heart of Georgia
- Visit Tusheti, Georgia’s most remote region
- Visit these 10 beautiful historical places in Georgia
- Everything you need to know about skiing in Georgia
- 10 Georgian dishes you absolutely have to try
- Georgia, motherland of wine
- From Past to Present, a guide to Georgian Tea
This looks amazing, we are looking forward to seeing it soon. have they finished making the documentary about your journey? Ben and Amrita
Hi Ben and Amrita!
When will you be in Georgia? You’ll definitely find a lot of ‘Lost Places’ here!! 🙂
Yes, the documentary was shown on the Georgian Television. We got a copy of it now and will look to upload 🙂
Looking forward to the upload. We just left Georgia yesterday unfortunately. Now enjoying Armenia though…
Beautiful photos, it looks great in snow! Putting it on my map 🙂 Did you have to pay an entrance?
The snow made it look very magical but even without its white coat, Vardzia is pretty impressive 🙂 You should definitely visit it!! We didn’t have to pay any entrance as we were with the film crew but the entrance fees in Georgia are very cheap: between 5 and 10 lari (which is maximum 4 euros 😉 ). I think Vardzia was 7 lari, but not sure.
It looks so interesting! I can’t believe it actually had 13floors and 6000 rooms. It just sounds so crazy. I hope to visit it sometime.
Think about the amount of work they must have had to build this whole city!! I would definitely recommend to visit it 🙂
This is the first time am hearing about this city. Looks stunning in winter and 6000 rooms is so freaking awesome. Never knew that Mongolia invaders at Georgia on target too.
We had never heard of it either before we came here. Vardzia is definitely unique!! Georgia has been a target of many empires and kingdoms but they were able to maintain their culture and traditions, thanks to the mountains. By the time the invaders found them, they were too exhausted and cold for a proper fight 😀
Never heard about this place, looks awesome and because of you is already on my list when I go to Georgia next year. The pictures are amazing!!
Thank you Fabio! I’m sure you’ll love it there! When will you visit Georgia and which other places are you planning to visit?
Not a great plan yet, I will meet my friends in Tiblisi, they are from there. After it we will go to hiking and camping in some mountains and valleys that they know 🙂
Oh, camping and hiking during the summer in Georgia is so great! You will love it, it’s a beautiful country!! Have you been here before?
I spent last summer in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Unfortunately, due to the busy schedule, I didn’t have a chance to visit Vardzia. I was that close to going there, but something always got in a way. Looking at your photos makes it even sadder. Well, at least I could read about what I missed. Happy travels and thank you for sharing!
Thank you! How long did you spent in Tbilisi and how did you like Georgia?
Happy travels 🙂
I stayed in Tbilisi for 4 months. I wholeheartedly think that Georgia is a great place to visit. There are so many amazing things there: different culture and traditions; delicious local food and wines; interesting architecture and historical sites, you name it. A vacation or a 2-3 weeks trip throughout the country would be the perfect experience. Living there for extended periods of time is a different story. There are pollution issues, water quality, western-quality medical care is available in Tbilisi and it still a stretch… I am glad that I experienced the truly local way of living in Tbilisi. It was an ultimate learning experience.
We’ve been living in Georgia for six months now and we can definitely agree with you! It’s a great country for a trip, whether you like hiking during the summer or skiing during the winter. We loved Tbilisi – stayed there for 5 months – and we didn’t only see the beauty of it but also the poverty. This is even more visible in the little villages. The Georgians are trying to get back on their feet but yes, a lot needs to change in terms of social well-fare! Hopefully this will improve very soon!
What a gorgeous time! I usually hate winter but I could get down with this.
I’m not a big fan of cold weather either but this was definitely worth the freezing toes 😉 Snow can make a place look so different and beautiful!
Have y’all been to Matera, Italy? That’s an amazing cave city destination. I’ve seen such cave dwellings in Greece (Meteora and Santorini). Really interesting post and interesting to learn how the land was quite fertile. Seems like it would be a cold winter though!
It’s definitely cold in winter 😀 Don’t know how the people used to live in this cold, I guess the caves must have kept them warm! We also visited Meteora, was also a very stunning place. We’ve never been to Matera, never heard of it actually, will look it up. Thanks for the tip!
Indeed this ancient city covered in snow is looking great. I never thought of Georgia as a place to visit.
Not many people consider Georgia as a travel destination, it’s still an off-the-beaten-path place. It’s a stunning place, both in winter (perfect for winter sports and super cheap) and summer, if you like hiking!