Ashes in the Light

After a few days in Tbilisi, it was finally time to leave the city behind and make our way to Kakheti, Georgia’s famous wine region.

We had arranged for a private transfer, and to our surprise, the driver who arrived was the very same driver who had taken us to Jvari a few days earlier. It was a small thing, but there was something comforting about seeing a familiar face again.

The journey itself was fairly straightforward at first. After about an hour on the road, we made a short stop at Ujarma Fortress to stretch our legs and take in the surroundings.

The stop only lasted five or ten minutes, but it broke up the drive nicely before we continued on our way.

Not long after, the roads became increasingly winding as we headed deeper into Kakheti. Unfortunately, the curves proved a little too much for Daniel, who started feeling carsick. We ended up making an unscheduled stop so he could get some fresh air before we continued the journey.

The views outside the car were beautiful, though.

Mist hung over parts of the landscape, and as the scenery gradually changed, it felt as though we were leaving the city behind and entering a quieter side of Georgia.

By the time we arrived at Tsinandali Estate, we were more than ready to settle in.

We were staying at the Tsinandali Estate, A Radisson Collection Hotel, which sits within the historic estate itself. The property was much larger than I had expected. Beyond the hotel, there were gardens, walking paths, a museum, and plenty of grounds to explore.

Fortunately for us, we arrived earlier than the official check-in time, and even more fortunately, our room was already ready.

After the long drive, it was perfect timing.

Daniel was able to rest and recover from the winding roads, while I took the opportunity to enjoy being somewhere completely different from the busy streets of Tbilisi.

Once we had settled in, we headed out for lunch at The Library.

Despite its name, it was far more than a simple restaurant. The space was huge, with cosy seating areas and even an entertainment corner tucked away inside.

Like many meals we had throughout Georgia, the portions were incredibly generous. We quickly realised that ordering with our eyes rather than our stomachs was becoming a recurring theme of the trip.

What struck me most about Kakheti wasn’t any single attraction.

It was the atmosphere.

Tbilisi had been lively, energetic, and full of things to see and do. Kakheti felt different.

Slower.

Quieter.

More peaceful.

The estate itself seemed to encourage that slower pace. People wandered through the gardens, sat beneath the trees, and took their time enjoying the surroundings.

As someone who enjoys quieter destinations, I found myself immediately drawn to it.

There were still attractions to visit and places to explore, but there was also space to simply be still.

And sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of holiday I enjoy most.

Little did I know that one of my favourite memories from Tsinandali would come later that evening over dinner.

As much as I’d love to tell that story now, I think it deserves an entry of its own.

So for now, we’ll leave Kakheti on a peaceful afternoon and pick up again over dinner in the next post.

Thank you, as always, for reading. Until then, take care and don’t forget to slow down every now and then.