Tbilisi

Tbilisi is Georgia's capital — population 1.2M in the South Caucasus mountains, founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang I after he found hot sulfur springs while hunting (the city's name comes from "tbili" meaning "warm"). Georgia is the world's oldest wine country — DNA evidence shows winemaking began here 8,000 years ago using the qvevri amphora method (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 2013). The country is the most underrated Eastern European destination — visa-free 365 days for most passports (not just 90 days like Schengen), one of the safest in the region, English-friendly young population, and one of the cheapest tourist cities in Europe.

Highlights: Old Town (Sololaki + Avlabari + Abanotubani sulfur baths district, where 4-12 GEL gets you a public bath), Narikala Fortress (4th-century hilltop ruins with 360° city panorama, free walk OR ¥2.50 cable car), Mother of Georgia statue (Kartlis Deda, iconic 23m aluminum statue holding sword + wine cup), Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba, 2004 — largest Orthodox cathedral in Caucasus). Day trips: Mtskheta (UNESCO 6th-century churches 20km west), Stepantsminda (Mt. Kazbek 5,054m + Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170m, 3h north), Kakheti wine region (Saperavi + Rkatsiteli grape varieties unique to Georgia, 2h east).

Iconic Georgian cuisine: Khachapuri (cheese-filled bread, $5-12 — Adjarian style is canonical: boat-shaped with egg + butter on top), Khinkali (soup dumplings, $1-2 each — eat 5-10, hold by stem, suck broth first), Khinkali at Pasanauri Restaurant (canonical), Mtsvadi (Georgian shashlik, $8-15), Lobio (bean stew, $4-8), Saperavi red wine ($8-25/bottle qvevri-aged), ChaCha (grape brandy, $5-15).

Bottom line: Tbilisi is canonical Caucasus + 8,000-year-old wine pilgrimage + cheapest European capital. 3-4 days hits Old Town + Mtskheta + Stepantsminda + Kakheti.