Last year, my boyfriend and I had the chance to travel to Kutaisi, a city in Sakartvelo (Georgia). It's not the capital, but still a pretty big city—full of charm, hills, history, and surprises. We didn’t go with a strict plan, just the intention to explore and see what the place had to offer.
One of the first things I noticed (and loved!) were the street animals. There were so many friendly dogs wandering the streets, and right under our hostel balcony, there were two kittens who clearly lived with the hosts. They were young, super sweet, and always hanging around in the sun. Honestly, that little detail made my whole stay feel warm and welcoming—those kittens were my favorite part.
During our stay, we also took a trip to Imereti Cave, which was a bit nerve-wracking for me because I’m a little claustrophobic. The cave walk is under 2 kilometers, so not terribly long, but still—being underground like that was a challenge. Luckily, the short guided tour helped me focus and enjoy the fascinating natural formations inside. I was proud of myself for going through with it!
Instead of heading back by car, we decided to hike all the way back to the city from the cave. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful walks I’ve done—untouched, mountainous landscapes, quiet valleys, scattered houses, and even free-roaming cows along the paths. Although, walking past those cows was a bit scary—they just stared at us, totally unimpressed by our presence!
Another memorable stop was the Motsameta Monastery, perched on a hill with stunning views. We went there by taxi, and then—just like before—hiked all the way back. The scenery was peaceful and dramatic at the same time. There’s something about walking for hours through such natural beauty that just settles your mind in the best way.
Later, we took a taxi to visit the Broliskedi Waterfall, which is a bit off the beaten path. After hiking around and enjoying the view, we were planning to call a taxi back… but no luck. Our apps didn’t work, our calls failed, and we didn’t speak Georgian, so we were completely stuck in the middle of nowhere with the sun starting to set. It felt like a small disaster in the making.
But just as we started walking back, thinking we’d have to do the whole 10+ kilometers to Kutaisi on foot, a random car suddenly stopped near us—even though we hadn’t tried to wave anyone down. The driver asked (in very basic words) if we were going to Kutaisi, and just like that, we got a ride back. They didn’t speak English and we didn’t speak Georgian, so we rode mostly in silence, but I was just so, so grateful and relieved.
Overall, Kutaisi completely surprised me. It has this raw, hilly beauty, the mountains are always in view, and the energy is relaxed and genuine. Plus, I’ll never forget our kitten neighbors—they made the trip extra special. Georgia has its own rhythm, and I feel really lucky we got to be part of it, even just for a short while.
