The Caucasus is magnificent and fascinating, far and near, it has a rich history but also a lively geopolitical situation. All this makes us want to go there for tourism.
The Caucasus has recently become an increasingly interesting destination for Polish tourists. The main reason for this is the European aspirations of Georgia, which has become a gateway to the Caucasus for many Poles through its search for allies among the countries of the Western world and its openness to tourism.
Personally, I particularly recommend trekking in Georgia and Armenia. Thanks to direct plane connections from Poland, you can get to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi or Yerevan after about 3.5 hours. This is a time comparable to flying to Scotland or Portugal.
Georgia offers a whole spectrum of attractions to the trustees. From the country’s history, dating back to antiquity, to the modern geopolitical issues of the region, which are of great interest, as well as magnificent landscapes and a rapidly developing tourist infrastructure.
Georgia’s northern border runs along the ridge of the Greater Caucasus. Along it are beautiful lands far from civilization such as:
– Tushetia with a fascinating trekking route from Omalo to Shatilia
– Kazbek – not the highest but the most popular peak in Georgia
– Gudauri – the ski capital of Georgia
– South Ossetia – a region that does not recognize the sovereignty of Tbilisi
– Svaneti – a magnificent high-mountain region with the towns of Mestia and Ushguli and Georgia’s highest peak – Mt. Shkhara 5068 m above sea level.
– Abkhazia – a region that does not recognize the sovereignty of Tbilisi.
Kakheti, on the other hand, is a famous region in western Georgia from which great wines come, with vineyards intertwined with views of high mountains and semi-desert landscapes.
One of the coastal regions is Adjaria. Its capital is Batumi, known from the song of the Filipinas about tea fields. Here the hills of the Lesser Caucasus, overgrown with subtropical vegetation, almost enter the Black Sea.
Those who have met Georgia will want to go further into the Transcaucasus. He will certainly go to Armenia, which, like Georgia, has a direct plane connection to Poland and does not require us to have a visa.
Armenia is the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a national religion. This took place in 301. Hence the numerous beautiful medieval monasteries scattered throughout its territory.
Wherever there are Armenians there are also khachkars, or richly decorated stone crosses. There are thousands of them in Armenia, and new ones are being produced all the time.
Armenia’s emblem includes Mount Ararat. It is clearly visible from many corners of the country including Yerevan but, interestingly, it is not on the territory of Armenia but Turkey. Over the centuries the territory of the Armenian state has changed, formerly the mountain was located in the center of Greater Armenia.
Armenia is also famous for sites several thousand years old such as Karahunj and Ughtasar.
Visiting Azerbaijan or Russia poses a bit more of a challenge for the Polish tourist due to the lack of direct flights to these countries, but also as a result of visa requirements.