2-3 days in Georgia
 

Hello,
I am temporarily living in Istanbul and would love an opportunity to visit Georgia over an extended weekend, so essentially 3 day trip. I know it s a very short time because there is so much to see and experience in the beautiful country that the short duration is a crime, but I do have to make the best use of time that I have. I will be honest that I have not done thatmuch investigation about the country but I am curious to hear some thoughts from members here that if I had just 3 days, what would be the must see attractions in the time frame. I am 37 year old single male who will be using public transportation.

I prefer visiting architectural sights, nature, history and capture some beautiful pictures. Meeting cool fun people is of course on the agenda. I guess flying to Tbilsi would make most sense from Istanbul.

Hello
3 day is really short time, especially you're going to travel by public transport.
In this time you can see:
. Tbilisi
. Mtskheta - you can see Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, but you'll miss Jvari (Cross) Monastery because of transportation, which has quite spectaculer colation.
. Town Sighnagi - Where you can taste great Georgian wine :)

But if you'll not be depends on public transport your trip became more spectacular, you'll have possibility to travel in mountains, Kazbegi region (Gergeti trinity church).

With so little time I would settle for Tbilisi and day trips, or head straight for the mountains. You might find my trip helpful, although it was back in 2009. For Tbilisi see https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...st-in-tbilisi/

thanks guys of the info. I do not necessarily have to stick to public transport. Is it easy to hire a car with a driver who can take me to these places?

If I spend one day in Tbilisi, what would you recommend as must see places in other 2 days? I read about this drive on military road which is spectacular. Any recommendations or thoughts? I do not care much for wine or vineyards but like to see as much architectural sights and places as possible.

Hi, for one day, if you rent a car you can do a Mtskheta - Uplistsikhe day trip. Mtskheta is a UNESCO site, where you can visit Svetitskhoveli cathedral and Jvari Monastery (great views from Jvari by the way). and as for Uplistsikhe, it's an ancient archaeological site, dating from early iron age (ticket fee is 3 GEL per adult, about 1.5 USD). So it's worth going there.
On the same day you can stop in Stalin's museum located in Gori town (about 12 km from Uplistskhe, ticket fee is 15 GEL, about 7 USD).

On the next day you can take Georgian Military Highway and go to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) town, visit Gergeti mountain and little church standing on the top of it. But if you don't have a 4WD you cannot drive up to the mountain. You can either hike uphill (about 2 hours) or hire local 4WD (costs about 70 GEL, 35 USD per car).
And on you way to Stepantsminda make sure to stop near Ananuri fortress, which overlooks Jinvali reservoir and has really great views.
Hope this helps,
Mari