If you decide to take a tour from თბილისი to the David Gareja monastery at the border to Azerbaijan than it will be probably offered together with a stop at the so-called rainbow mountains. They are actually directly in front of the monastery and not known by this name – but they’re nevertheless absolutely worth a visit.
The geological formations have been created by sediments and movements of the earth over time. It is a very colorful phenomenon and you can hike down from the parking area and have a tour in this place. If you discover small holes in the ground: this are actually snake pits inhabited by Vipera kaznakovi. They typically don’t show up during day time and an antiserum is available in the hospitals of თბილისი, not more than two hours away. That is at least the information my guide used to calm me.
Directly at the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan you can find different orthodox monasteries dating back to the 6th century CE. While the archeological sites on Azeri land are unused, the David Gareja monastery in Georgia is still active and often visited by tourists. It is a a wonderful cloister…
The Kykkos monastery is a special place located very secluded in the mountains, far away from civilization. It has a richly decorated church and many golden mosaics. That's because the monastery has been seen as the most powerful in Cyprus as it owns an ancient image of Mary, the mother…
Noravank is one of the most beautiful Christian monasteries in Armenia. It is located in the South of the country not far from the city of Արենի at the end of a valley. The different buildings are made from the red stone of the surrounding mountains which works a little…
