It is ironic, given its geographical positioning in the Caucasus how little-known the mountain state of Georgia is as a cultural break destination.

Emerging from the kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia (not to be confused with the similarly named peninsula on the opposite side of Europe), the country has since endured, welcomed, and weathered, the influence of myriad empires from the Byzantines, to the Mongols, to the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Nowhere is this history more evident than in the capital city of Tbilisi.

All discerning travellers should spend time discovering Georgia’s capital city. Established in the fifth century, the city was and has since been coveted for its sulphur springs which can still be enjoyed in the ornate bathhouses of the city’s Abanotubani district. The most famous of the city’s baths, Chreli Abano with its vibrant Islamic mosaic façade welcomes travellers to enjoy their private sulphur baths and traditional Georgian spa treatments.

Elsewhere, traditional Georgian eateries spill out into the streets of the Old Town beneath the conical roofs of the city’s many churches. Here Georgian delicacies such as Khachapuri, baked bread filled with cheese and egg, and the signature Khinkali, spiced-meat dumplings can be enjoyed. In the evenings music enthusiasts head towards Shota Rustaveli Avenue, connecting the old town to the new, for an opera or ballet at the ornate theatre or to the Avenue buzzing jazz bars, such as the 1984 or Tatuza.

But Georgia’s appeal stretches far beyond the city of Tbilisi. Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia lies just 30 minutes north by car. Here, one can find the most impressive of the countries’ rich religious history at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, surrounded by local markets and inviting restaurants. Uplistsikhe, to the West, is not to be missed either. Literally translating to “The Lord’s Fortress”, the cave-city which served as a major hub along the famed Silk Road, bears remnants from its Iron Age founding right through to its abandonment in the Late Medieval Period. However, perhaps Georgia’s greatest historical monument is its wine.

Widely regarded as the birthplace of wine, the Kakheti region to the East still produces wine as it has done for the past 8,000 years. The region’s amber wine, produced in “Qvevri” (clay pots set in the ground) can be found in all corners of Kakheti, from the gardens of local families to the vineyards of wine-producing centres such as Tsinandali. The wine is characterised by an amber colour, hence the name, a full body, and distinct aromas of apricot, honey, and spice to name a few. More recently wineries in the region have embraced the European tradition and produce some excellent white and red wines to sample alongside the more obscure amber wine.

Whether exploring the patchwork architecture of Tbilisi, the rock carvings of Uplistsikhe, or a glass of amber wine in Kakheti, Georgia is an excellent choice a cultural break off the beaten track.