Sighnaghi days

After our long car and train journey the day before (Ushguli to Kutaisi to Tbilisi) we had bedded down at the Tbilisi Stay Hotel which is basically right next to the Tbilisi Central Railway Station. The hotel was a bit of a mistake in the end (see previous post) - almost epitomised by the rubbish weather when we awoke to torrential rain! - but we live and learn! We declined the free breakfast and decided to move on as soon as possible!

So, on Tuesday 12th August, we headed out for 2 nights in the Sighnaghi and Kakheti wine region. There are options to get to Sighnaghi which are to take marshrutkas (from Samgori) or shared taxis (from Isani station). I thought that the latter might be a bit quicker and better for us so we first took a Bolt to Isani (9.2 GEL, £2.53) just before 9am and started asking around. We were offered a taxi for 100 GEL (£28) but we knew there should be shared taxis for about 15 GEL. In the end we found one for 20 GEL (£5.50) per seat. We were two passengers and didn't have to wait long for two more - maybe 20 minutes - and a French couple came along. It was quite amusing that we were told our driver was a "good drive" (big thumbs up!) yet we were pretty glad of our seat belts in the end!

We arrived in Sighnaghi at about 11:30. We actually had declined a ride up the hill to our hotel as I'd thought we could walk it and we could but beware Sighnaghi is extremely hilly! We walked slowly, and via ice creams and the lovely playground to the very lovely Guesthouse Maria where we would be staying for 2 nights in a deluxe AC double room (one single bed, one double bed) with a bath (200 GEL, £54).

Well, this is the most stunning place. We never actually went to the monastery here, but rather we roamed around just enjoying ourselves. First of all, the guesthouse was perfect. Maria, the Grandmother who runs it, was fabulous. We had a lovely room, good bathroom, and a window opening onto a side street but the most gorgeous view from the balcony, along with a fridge to store things in and beautiful kittens to play with! At our second visit to the park later in the day we met a lovely family who invited us to dinner at their holiday house which was next to the park. They made us a BBQ and we drank wine while the kids played. Just lovely!

The next day was Wednesday 13th August, we walked down to the supermarket and pharmacy (very important shopping list items included thread worm treatment for Tiger, hair dye and conditioner!). I've included a photo here where you can see also how well stocked they are for baby/child items. I honestly could not get over how beautiful the town was!

We had spotted two hotels with swimming pools and had enquired at Guesthouse Marani the previous day if we could use the pool without being a guest. The answer was yet but you had to pay - I think around 45 GEL (£12.50) so after lunch, we got our costumes and headed for a swim and some food!

Sighnaghi was truly a fantastic place, we absolutely loved it - so beautiful!