It is impossible not to love cities that have preserved their history and face. Gyumri is like that in Armenia. In Georgia, for the tourists, the capital Tbilisi seems to have its aroma and taste.
Employees of Radisson Blue Hotel, a complex in the city center belonging to the “Silk Road Group” investment group, say that the hotel is full of Armenians on New Year’s Day. Well, it is clear that Georgia is one of the main tourist destinations for Armenians; there is no visa problem, there is still some facilitation to be done, and you can cross the border with just an identification card.
Read also
But in this case, there are additional advantages, thanks to the design implemented by the German architecture firm Graft, enjoying the swimming pool and spa services in the high-floor rooms of this hotel or under the roof, you mentally transform the poem: “Here is Tiflis under my feet, I alone above.”
And we recorded a fantastic fact. Although the experts advise us to avoid shopping at the hotel as much as possible, it turns out that in a 5-star hotel, for example, the pedicure service can be more affordable than in many salons in the Center of Yerevan. The same is the case with restaurants.
Filini is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city; Umami is one of the best Asian restaurants in the town; Iveria cafe is popular among tourists. Every cuisine fan will find dishes that satisfy his taste here, where you can enjoy the sound of high-quality music. The tunes are played softly, allowing people to chat without raising their voices.
And in one of the restaurants, Republic, you will admire the mural created by Tamara Kvesitadze.
We heard that artist’s name again concerning the interior design of the Radisson Collection Hotel, another hotel complex belonging to the “Silk Road Group” investment group.
Since 2008, Gevorgy Ramishvili, the founder of the Silk Road Group investment group, in partnership with Yerkin Tatishev, helped to restore the Tsinandali estate, which became a ruin after the collapse of the USSR, returning it to its former glory.
It is time to make a little historical reference.
Founder of Georgian romanticism, poet, translator, and military leader, Prince Alexander Chavchavadze inherited the Tsinandali estate from his father, which he turned into the cultural-intellectual center of Georgia. Alexander Pushkin and Alexandre Dumas were once hosted in Alexander Chavchavadze’s country house. By the way, in 1828-1829, Alexander Chavchavadze was the Head of the newly created Armenian Region Department. He helped the Persian Armenians in 1828-1829 in organization of migration and their settlement. 1828-1829 During the Russian-Turkish war, a small detachment of Russian troops under his command liberated Bayazet and Alashkert. With the retreating Russian troops, he migrated hundreds of Armenian families from Mush province, settling them in the Alashkert valley and Armenian region. Alexander Chavchavadze maintained close ties with the Armenian military and cultural, spiritual, and public figures. Georgian, Russian, and Armenian writers, and public figures, including Alexander Griboyedov, who married his daughter, Nina, gathered in his Tiflis house.
This is a beautiful love story. Nina was already a beauty at an early age. Griboyedov often visited Prince Chavchavadze and gave music lessons to his daughter. They got married when Griboyedov was 33, and Nina was 15. That marriage lasted barely a few weeks, Gribeyedov was brutally murdered in Tehran, and Nina, who was widowed at the age of 16, remained faithful to her husband until her death, becoming a legend who was called the “Black Rose of Tiflis.”
Now, in the vast garden of the Tsinandali estate, where Nina and Alexander first met, there is a “path of love.” According to legend, if a couple walks through that path with their eyes closed, they will be happy.
This garden is truly a miracle. It is said that Chavchavadze involved European gardeners in creating it. Prince, Lieutenant General wonderfully combined the true Georgian spirit with the brilliant European education he received.
And those traditions seem to continue to this day. It was hard to imagine that a high-class 5-star hotel could successfully operate in the Kakheti wine region, not far from Telavi, well known to us from “Mimino.” Still, here, Radisson Collection Hotel combines traditional architecture and international quality service.
Several tens of millions of dollars have been invested here. The view from the outdoor pool is the Caucasus mountain range. The halls have a medieval and fairy-tale look.
It looks like it is from the Harry Potter movie series.
Master classes in Georgian cuisine are held here for tourists.
And from some point, they start singing around the tables.
Tsinandali is not only a museum, garden, hotels, restaurants, but also is a winery.
Vineyards have been restored.
The oldest Georgian wine bottle, “Saperavi,” bottled in 1814, is stored in this cellar.
The collection of Chavchavadze wines, more than 15 thousand bottles, is kept here.
And most importantly: Tsinandali still plays a significant role in the cultural life of Georgia. Exhibitions and concerts are held in this complex.
And although the streets of Tiflis are full of anti-Russian graffiti and Ukrainian notes, here in Tsinandali, Russian and Ukrainian, Armenian, and Turkish musicians perform together in the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra and the annual festival.
In a conflict region, this estate is characterized by its music festival as an oasis where people come together.
Photos: Silk Hospitality
