A closer look
Some of Europe's most dramatic landscapes are in a country many travelers still confuse with a US state. Georgia, tucked between the Caucasus mountains and the Black Sea, offers snow-capped peaks, ancient stone towers, and wildflower valleys with far fewer crowds than the Alps. In regions like Svaneti and Kazbegi, you can hike from village to village, sleep in family guesthouses, and eat bread pulled from clay ovens while shepherds lead flocks across the hills. Soviet-era cable cars still creak above certain towns, and centuries-old churches cling to cliffsides overlooking rivers. It feels both raw and deeply lived-in. Practical bonus: generous visa policies let many nationalities stay for up to a year, and prices for food and accommodation remain relatively low. It is the kind of place you visit for a week and end up extending because leaving feels premature.
