This day trip is a two-hour drive from the city and shows a different side of Georgia. Your journey starts in Asureti, also known as Elisabethtal, where 19th-century German settlers left their mark. You can still see this in the village's architecture and daily life, even though the German community was forced to leave during Soviet-era repression.
The main stop is Samshvilde, a site few travelers visit. On a plateau where the Khrami and Chivchavi rivers meet lie the ruins of an ancient city. You'll walk among fallen columns and old church walls, with views across the surrounding valleys.
Later in the day, you'll visit a small family farm in the hills near Kiketi, where you'll have a seasonal lunch under walnut trees in the garden.
Your guide explains the history at each stop, and your driver handles the journey through the changing landscape.
This trip takes you to a quieter, lesser-known part of Georgia.