Though I’d expected the day to be a short outing, we were on the road for over half an hour before I realized that I was in for an adventure. My main objective for the day was to visit the peaceful, mountaintop Sapara Monastery. It was a relatively short drive from Akhaltsikhe’s city center. But …
Akhaltsikhe: Visiting the Scenic Monasteries of Sapara, Chulevi & Zarzma Read More »
In the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of southwestern Georgia, the unassuming town of Akhaltsikhe is home to one of the country’s most unique – and also controversial – ancient fortresses. But perhaps ‘ancient’ isn’t the right word to describe Rabati Castle. Despite being over 1,000 years old, much of what visitors encounter today was hastily constructed in …
The climb to Gergeti Glacier is arguably the most challenging, but also most scenic, day hike in Georgia’s Kazbegi region. Standing at over 3,000 meters above sea level, the glacier can be reached via a steep hike from town in about five hours. Despite the difficulty and lack of signage, hiking to Gergeti Glacier is …
Georgia’s main tourist attractions can pretty much be summed up in two words: mountains and monasteries. It’s no wonder then, why the mountaintop Gergeti Trinity Church has become an icon of the country. Located in the town of Kazbegi, just a few hours’ drive from Tbilisi, hiking to Gergeti Trinity Church deserves a prominent spot on …
Uplistsikhe is as fascinating to visit as it is difficult to pronounce. The ancient cave city may be as old as 3,000 years, and it long served as one of the major religious centers of pre-Christian Georgia. It then continued to thrive for nearly a millennium after the country’s conversion, ultimately meeting its demise at …
While just 20 kilometers outside of Tbilisi, Mtskheta feels like a world away. This charming little town, in fact, predates Tbilisi by nearly a thousand years. And it long served as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Iberia, the precursor to modern-day Georgia. Most day-trippers come to enjoy the excellent views from Jvari Monastery, …
Mtskheta: Touring the Monasteries of Georgia’s Ancient Capital Read More »
Walking up the steep dirt path, I stopped to look at a vulture flying over the otherworldly desert landscape. Meanwhile, a large lizard, seeking shade, dashed across a nearby pile of rocks. I was on my way to see some religious frescoes painted by cave-dwelling monks who once lived here centuries prior. But first, I …
Crossing Country Lines at the David Gareja Cave Monastery Read More »
When learning about the history and development of street art, it would be impossible to overlook New York City’s huge role in it. While public art, in the form of murals or sculptures, has been around since the birth of civilization, many credit 1970’s NYC youth culture with the creation of what we now call …
Designed back in the 1850’s, Central Park often tops the list of places to see in NYC, with millions visiting each year. But if you’re the type of traveler who generally avoids crowds and touristy places, you may be wondering if there’s more to explore beyond the top highlights. Fortunately, there is. From the secluded …
Back in the early 19th century, New York City was completely lacking in vast, open green spaces (Central Park wasn’t established until 1853). So when Green-Wood Cemetery, which stretches out to 478 acres, opened up in 1838, it was a pretty big deal. New Yorkers flocked there for family picnics and leisurely strolls – completely unconcerned about …