Georgian Hospitality

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Georgian people have a saying, “A guest is from God”. And indeed, welcoming strangers is a point of pride all across the country. Mothers and grandmothers get the strange, excited urge to bring everything possible out of the refrigerator and set it on the dinner table, while the men of the house are already mentally filling the second jug of wine before they finish pouring the first. Georgian pride dictates that guests should experience the best of what a family (and indeed all of Georgia) has to offer, and they will spare no effort in trying to make their guests feel as content as possible, no matter whether they are close relatives who visit each other often, or if they just met you a few minutes ago. For me, this specific habit of generosity and hospitality was such a welcome difference from the suspicious, get-off-my-lawn culture I grew up in, and one of the most important reasons I chose to live here.

A visit to a Georgian family will inevitably involve quite a lot of food and drink, which will inevitably be very tasty and filling. The traditional feast, known as supra, has many different forms, ranging from lazy, casual get-togethers to massive festive occasions fueled by dozens or even hundreds of liters of wine, and everything in between. Each drink is typically accompanied by a toast on one of a number of traditional or relevant subjects, although philosophical improvisation on common forms is frequently enjoyed. Just like everywhere, different people take some traditions more seriously than others, and every region has its own specificities as well. It all forms a kaleidoscopic whole where the central pillar is the pure value of welcoming.

Over my many years in Georgia, I’ve made some great friends and felt at home with countless strangers. I vividly remember many special evenings, after hiking to some remote village, where someone insisted that I stay the night in their home rather than letting me put up my tent. It’s part of what kept bringing me back to the regions – the ease of making friendships and common connections with the ordinary people of those beautiful lands. As a guide, one of my favorite things to do is to bring guests to Georgian families and let the magic of Georgian hospitality take place. It’s the best way to experience the most heartfelt traditions of the country, and something that no visitor ever forgets. On my trips, you will have the chance to meet friends of mine all around the country, get a glimpse into the lives of ordinary folks, and feel at home in a way the package tours just can’t offer.

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Below: village views from different parts of Georgia.