A dream vacation in the green heart of Georgia – and no, it’s not what you thought

From the airplane window, above the capital Tbilisi, the endless greenery of beautiful Georgia began to peek through. This is a country of nature, food, culture, and welcoming people. Everything you need to enjoy a special vacation.

From Tbilisi Airport, I continued on a two-hour drive to the Lopota Resort & Spa in the east of the country. The winding road is almost uninhabited, with small villages peeking here and there, some nearly abandoned, and one relatively large town called Telavi. The town is located in the Kakheti region and is considered the capital of the country’s wine region, with about 300,000 residents. I will return to the town later, but I will note here that the green forests lining the winding roads are a true feast for the eyes.

The early 2000s. For years, Mr. Goga Maisuradze, a Georgian, went fishing with friends at the natural Lake Lopota, about a 25-minute drive from Telavi. The guys joke around while sipping a bottle or two of wine, spend long hours in peace, and sometimes catch fish on their rods. In the distance, the Caucasus Mountains rise, and the lake is surrounded by a chain of densely forested hills. Vineyards stretch for kilometers along their slopes. This landscape inspired Maisuradze to come up with an idea: He would try to build a small family hotel here and attract tourists to the pristine surroundings.

Indeed, the idea became a reality. In 2008, the plan came to life. A building with eight small apartments was established near the lake, and tourists began visiting. The initiative gained momentum, and Goga continued to develop the area. Today, Georgia’s Lopota paradise includes over 300 rooms, several swimming pools, restaurants, a jazz club, a water park, and many other attractions. Unfortunately, Maisuradze passed away from a serious illness four years ago at only 49, but his family continues his vision.

Upon arriving at the resort, one can feel slightly disoriented, as the reception building sits among trees with the lake behind it – so where exactly do you sleep? Around the lake, there are several well-maintained wooden buildings and countless paths among vineyards, open botanical gardens, flowerbeds, and trees. Within the silence, one can only hear the chirping of local birds, a sort of soundtrack to absolute tranquility. It seems Israeli tourists have also discovered the place, seeking a quiet spot to embrace the peace that has been lost in their home country after years of stressful life.

Lake Lopota is surrounded by forested slopes. Pedal boats move slowly on the water, and various bird species live nearby. At times, it feels like a fantasy picture. One of the hiking trails, accessible from the resort, starts behind the Italian restaurant building. It is essentially a short climb up a fairly steep hill, rated easy to moderate, taking about half an hour one way. Along the trail, there are plants, some slightly thorny (long pants recommended), as well as fruit trees and natural woodland. The goal is to reach a small, ancient white chapel and enjoy a view of the lake and its surroundings. Despite its modest appearance, this small chapel has significant history. It was built in the Middle Ages as part of a network of churches in the area, among local villages. Its simple design, with white stone walls and small windows, reflects local Georgian architectural style. Its elevated location also gave it the role of a lookout tower, and today it serves as a peaceful spot for hikers. Indeed, the climb is worth it! At the end, a charming view unfolds, with the lake at the center.

Another excursion from Lopota is via ATVs. This is an energetic and thrilling trip lasting about an hour, venturing into the surrounding forests, passing through Kakheti vineyards, all under guided self-driving. The route includes water and mud crossings, so it’s advisable to dress accordingly. The experience is fun and is definitely a must-do for visitors. Another option is simply cycling along the maintained paths around the lake.

Historically, Georgia’s Kakheti region is considered the birthplace of wine in the world, with a winemaking tradition spanning thousands of years. Archaeological excavations have uncovered clay vessels called Qvevri, in which wine was fermented. This unique method has received worldwide recognition by UNESCO. Even today, Kakheti is the main center of Georgian wine production, with hundreds of wineries operating using both traditional and modern methods, attracting wine lovers from around the globe. At Lopota itself, a local winery was established under the brand Château Buera, producing more than 20 types of wine, and visitors can join a comprehensive wine tour including tastings.

The local winery is considered fascinating, sometimes described as a unique “gem” in the Georgian wine industry, combining modern and traditional techniques, including wine fermentation in underground clay Qvevri as done for thousands of years. Some wines have received high praise. A tour with a sommelier in the winery’s cellars is a special and educational experience, even for those who don’t usually drink wine. Below a large, striking white building that houses a local Georgian restaurant, there are underground spaces with tens of thousands of bottles aging for several years, alongside giant clay vessels buried underground. One of the intriguing local wines is Amber wine. This wine is made similarly to red wine, fermenting grapes with skins and seeds for a long period, giving it the amber color and a deeper, stronger taste. In addition to wine, Georgia produces a strong alcoholic drink from grape skins called Chacha, considered a traditional Georgian beverage. For Georgians, Chacha is associated with Georgia just as whiskey is with Scotland or sake with Japan. Some make Chacha from other local fruits, like figs, apples, and pears.

Along the resort paths, beautiful environmental sculptures appear every few meters. The idea is to create an experience of nature and artistic inspiration, while giving local and international artists a respectful platform in a beautiful setting. On one of the paths I walked, small wooden log structures appeared. This place is a Slavic-style bathhouse. A couple from Ukraine living in one of these structures brought the spa culture with them. I decided to try it – and I must say, it’s not for everyone, especially those with blood pressure issues. How does it work? First, you change into a swimsuit and sit on a bench inside an extremely hot sauna. After a few minutes, you go outside, breathe fresh air, sip tea, and return to the sauna. After the second round, you stand under a freezing stream of water, and your body temperature drops immediately. It’s an intense experience, yet somehow relaxing – a kind of restart for the body. Later, you lie on a treatment bed while a therapist gently taps your body with fragrant linden leaves and strikes Tibetan bowls producing calming sounds – all to improve blood circulation. Honestly, it was a unique experience, and at the end, all I wanted was to sink into a peaceful sleep.

Don’t miss: A one-hour ATV ride into the nearby forest. Wear simple clothes as they might get muddy. This is an extraordinary experience, with the right amount of action.

Lopota has four restaurants: Traditional Georgian, modern Georgian, Asian, and Italian. Favorites were the Italian (pizza and tiramisu were exceptional) and the traditional Georgian, featuring signature local dishes.

If you meet a German Shepherd wandering freely at the resort, that is Bobby, 12 years old. He is an integral part of the place. Although he struggles to move and is hard of hearing, he is considered a symbol of the resort, and all staff adore the senior dog.

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