Caucasian destination

[Photo provided to China Daily]

If you go

Eat

Cafe Littera is the delicious creation of Tekuna Gachechiladze, the owner chef who also has a TV show and a small restaurant group called Culinarium. Cafe Littera serves dishes in the charming garden behind the Georgian Writers' Union building; it moves inside in winter. 13 Machabeli St, Tbilisi.

Drink

Vino Underground celebrates natural wine made in Georgia's traditional way, in huge ceramic urns (qveri) set underground. Georgia has 525 indigenous grapes, and while this wine bar doesn't have them all, it does have a mind-blowing selection: ask for suggestions. www.vinounderground.ge; 15 Tabidze in Old Town Tbilisi; the Georgia Tea museum is next door.

Lounge Bar Funicular requires a short ride up a mountain for one of the best views in town. The oval bar is cool, as is Koka Ignatov's 1960's fresco Tribute to Piromansi. Funicular complex, Mtatsminda.

Winery Khareba is like a wine theme park: You can get a cooking and bread-baking lesson, taste wines, explore tunnels carved out of rock for storing wines, and then go up to a viewing deck with a restaurant. www.winerykhareba.com; in Kvareli, about 5 km from the town center.

Do

Wine bars and wineries offer a variety of tasting experiences; ask a hotel concierge or tourist information office for options. Hiking is a national sport, with mountains and river valleys offering routes from casual touring to strenuous climbs. Guides can arrange kayaking and boat trips.