Our first week in Tbilisi can probably best be described as: coming in hot.
After wrapping up our time in Türkiye, we boarded a 3 a.m. flight that felt like it existed in an entirely different dimension of exhaustion. You know the kind — where everyone is carrying backpacks, neck pillows, snacks, and just enough adrenaline to keep moving forward. By the time we landed in Georgia, we were equal parts exhausted and excited.
And somehow, despite the lack of sleep, we hit the ground running.
Tbilisi has a fascinating energy to it. It’s a city where centuries-old churches sit beside crumbling Soviet buildings, modern cafes, hidden wine bars, and colorful balconies hanging over winding streets. Georgia itself sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and has a history stretching back thousands of years. It has been invaded, conquered, rebuilt, and reshaped countless times by Persians, Ottomans, Russians, and Mongols, yet somehow still holds fiercely onto its own identity, language, and traditions. There’s grit and creativity here all at once. And we immediately liked it.
We also found pickleball. It’s definitely not big in Tbilisi yet. There are two courts in the city. But after seeing how quickly it spreads everywhere else, we’re convinced it’s only a matter of time.
In between activities, we’ve been exploring constantly. Tbilisi is the kind of city that rewards wandering. Every street seems to lead to hidden courtyards, tiny bakeries, dramatic architecture, or staircases that unexpectedly open to incredible views. Without even trying, we’ve been clocking 10,000–15,000 steps a day.
They also have street dogs! One of the small but meaningful things we noticed in Tbilisi is the street dogs with bright yellow tags clipped to their ears. They’re part of a city-run program where stray dogs are vaccinated, neutered, and monitored rather than removed. It’s actually quite common to see them wandering peacefully through parks and neighborhoods, generally well-fed, calm, and unbothered by people. The yellow tag becomes a quiet signal that this isn’t just a stray population — it’s a managed, cared-for part of the city’s ecosystem
Of course, no first week would be complete without at least one major unexpected event. Lucas had a mishap early on and ended up cutting his lip open badly enough that we found ourselves navigating the Georgian healthcare system almost immediately. Nothing says “welcome to a new country” quite like searching for an emergency room.
Thankfully, the experience was shockingly smooth. He was seen almost immediately, received six stitches inside his lip, and the total bill came to around $150. The doctors and staff were kind, efficient, and calm, and within a few hours, we were back home with a swollen-lipped teenager surviving primarily on soup and smoothies.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, our friend Renee stumbled upon an incredible little creative space run by a Russian/Ukrainian man named Dima. Within approximately five minutes of hearing about it, we signed Henry and his friends up for a full-day camp. And they absolutely loved it. Dima took the kids hiking, worked on travel journaling, guided visualizations, and creative exploration projects. It felt exactly like the kind of learning experience we hope our kids remember years from now — unconventional, thoughtful, outdoorsy, creative, and deeply human.
Meanwhile, our apartment has quickly started feeling like home. We found a cozy three-bedroom place with an amazing view of the mountains.
And then there’s the food. The food scene here is incredible. There are restaurants everywhere, and surprisingly, a lot of vegan options. I’m not exaggerating when I say I nearly celebrated when we found vegan butter at the grocery store. After not being able to find it in Fethiye, this somehow felt like a massive luxury. It’s funny how quickly little comforts become exciting when you live this lifestyle.
One week in, we already feel like Tbilisi is going to leave a mark on us. It’s chaotic and charming, historic and evolving, rough around the edges in the best possible way. And if this first week is any indication, we are off to a very strong start in Georgia.
