Tbilisi among CNN travel’s list of European cities “magical at Christmas”

The Georgian National Tourism Administration on Friday said CNN travel had included the country’s capital city of Tbilisi among its list of European towns and cities that are “magical at Christmas”.

The list covers towns and cities ranging from Austria’s Vienna to Sweden’s Gothenburg that “revel in Christmas like no other place”.

The travel section of the outlet describes Tbilisi as a “number one festive destination” with a “vast” Christmas tree unveiled on the central Rustaveli Avenue, nearby Christmas Village and markets among festive highlights.

The main day of celebration here is December 31, when locals exchange gifts and a wild, impromptu fireworks display lights up the city”, the website said.

It also notes Christmas is celebrated in Georgia on January 7 instead of December 25, as the Orthodox Christian followers in the country follow the Gregorian rather than Julian calendar.