National Geographic: "Why Tbilisi’s One of My Favourite Cities in the World"

The tumultuous, sizzling nature of capital city Tbilisi and its attractions make Georgia one of the best, most strikingly original cities in the world, says a world famous nature magazine.

In a new online piece for the travel section of National Geographic, author Tara Isabella Burton explains how the city charmed her with its eclectic, if chaotic atmosphere.

'East' and 'West' are all but meaningless terms here, where the ancient fortress lording over old town has been used both by and against each set of conquerors, where the horizon—and the snowcapped Caucasus beyond—is punctuated by smoky Soviet tower blocks," Burton writes while observing the status of the city as being on the verge of two cultures.

Sharing her impressions of the gems that can be discovered among the antiquities on sale at the Dry Bridge flea market, Burton found the place to be special for seller and buyers:

Slip across the Dry Bridge, past the ruined frescoes of the former Grand Hotel, to the flea market and bargain with bearded ex-professors for wooden icons, Soviet-era gas masks, and Turkish tea glasses. Come more than once and the vendors will remember you."

Neither did the culinary specialties of Tbilisi’s cafes go unnoticed in the story, with Burton noting everything from "chakapuli stew made with mussels instead of the traditional lamb" and "pomegranate-dusted river trout served a la tartare" to the "best" of bread in the city you can find across the Sioni Cathedral.

Another thing the article mentioned was the modern twist on classic themes, with the restaurant KGB on Erekle Street catching the author's attention with its tagline "We’re still watching you”.

Her impressions of Georgia's multi-cultural capital concluded with a line that will sound familiar to residents and visitors alike:

Sure, the electricity might still go out at times. But Georgians will light candles, shrug, and pour you another drink."