It was on Friday morning, which was a public holiday in Georgia, as it turned out, there is a good reason not to visit the office today, we started to figure it out, maybe go and visit Batumi by train for a couple of days.
On the other hand, we didn't want to spend 3 days absent from home and decided to limit our impromptu trip just as an easy day trip, and agreed to visit Tianeti.
Tianeti has been on my travel list since the end of 2016, the region is not yet very popular among tourists, and that's one of the reasons I love this region. On the other hand, day trips to Tianeti (region of Mtsketa-Mtianeti) are quite possible and really easy doable. See: Day Trip to Tianeti in Georgia
Said done! A quick call to the driver and after 40 minutes we are on the way to Tianeti.
View towards Mtskheta town from Jvari monastery
First stop - Jvari monastery - a scenic place with great views towards Mtskheta town and Mtkvari / Aragvi delta. Next stop Mtskheta, with quick khachapuri and Turkish coffee at Kartuli Ezo, a short visit to Svetiskhoveli cathedral. If you would love to spend more time in lovely Mtsheta, take a look at this indie travel guide: Independent Travel Guide to Mtskheta
Next stops Annanuri Castle and Zhinvali Water reservoir.
Zhinvali water reservoir in Winter
From here we head straight to the Tianeti town, take another quick coffee break at Cafe Vanessa - and head back to the Tbilisi via Gombori pass.