Svaneti – Mestia, Ushguli Georgia

Svaneti is probably the most beautiful region of Georgia and the essence of what country can offer to the foreign tourists. All those stunning photos of historical stone villages, lush green valleys and snow-covered mountain.
Mestia is the central town of Upper (Zemo) Svaneti, at 1,500 meters above sea level, the city is the starting point for many trips throughout the region. From the center of Mestia, you can hike up to glaciers at the bottom of Ushba, ride a horse to alpine meadows, learn the Svan culture, and ski if you visit it during the winter months.
Georgia is home to some gorgeous lakes, and one of them is located in the vicinity of Mestia. Koruldi Lake lies at the base of Mount Ushba, at 2,200-meters above the sea level and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The track is very well marked and takes about four hours of hiking.
Svaneti is known for some of the tasty food in Georgian cuisine, with kubdari being widespread in the country. This beef or pork-and-beef filled meat pie is seasoned with onions and Svaneti salt — a mixture of dry coriander, cumin, red pepper, fennel, salt, and garlic.
In Svaneti, you can find many churches, many of them being 1000 old. These buildings are often unassuming and many tourists pass them, not knowing about the antique frescoes they treasure. Yet, it shouldn´t be that hard to get inside — even if the church is locked, if you ask around, you should be able to find someone to unlock it and show you around.