Tbilisi — The capital is a genuinely rewarding city. The Old Town's tangled alleys, wooden balconied houses, and Persian-era sulfur baths survived Soviet planning with enough character intact to feel unique. Add good restaurants, a lively wine-bar scene, and easy day trips to Mtskheta and beyond.
Kazbegi — The mountain town in the Greater Caucasus, three hours north of Tbilisi via the Georgian Military Highway. The Gergeti Trinity Church, perched at 2,170m with Mount Kazbek (5,047m) behind it, is one of the most photographed views in the Caucasus. The hiking here is excellent.
Kakheti — Georgia's wine country in the east. Telavi and Sighnaghi are the main bases. Dozens of small family wineries practice the traditional qvevri method. In autumn the whole region smells of fermenting grapes. The Alazani Valley views from Sighnaghi are beautiful.
Mtskheta — The ancient capital of Georgia, 25 km from Tbilisi. The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari monastery (perched above the junction of two rivers) are among the finest religious sites in the Caucasus and are UNESCO-listed.
Vardzia — A cave monastery complex carved into a cliff face in the southwest, built in the 12th century. More than 600 rooms, churches, and corridors remain. Remote but worth the effort.
Batumi — The Black Sea resort city, with a good beach, 19th-century boulevard architecture, and a backdrop of subtropical vegetation. The botanical gardens above the city are excellent.
Borjomi — Famous for its mineral water, Borjomi is also the gateway to the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Europe, with fine walking trails through forested hills.
Gelati and Kutaisi — Western Georgia's answer to Mtskheta. Gelati monastery, founded by King David the Builder in 1106, is a UNESCO site with remarkable mosaics. Kutaisi, Georgia's third city, is nearby and has its own cathedral (Bagrati) also listed by UNESCO.