For many Malayali travellers from Kerala and the Gulf, especially those living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia, Georgia has become one of the most exciting destinations to experience snow for the first time. Affordable flights, visa-friendly entry, and beautiful mountain landscapes make Georgia a favourite winter escape.
Some travel memories never fade. Even today, when I think about our trip to Georgia, my mind fills with those moments again. We travelled to Georgia on 22 February 2024, flying from Abu Dhabi with Wizz Air, a budget airline popular among Gulf travellers looking for affordable trips to Europe and the Caucasus.
For people like us who had never seen snow in our lives, the excitement started long before landing. During the flight, I kept looking out of the window hoping to catch a glimpse of snow-covered mountains. But because of thick clouds and fog, I couldn’t see the views I had imagined.
For a moment, I felt slightly disappointed. But soon the curiosity and excitement began to grow again. After nearly four hours of travel, we landed at Kutaisi International Airport.
Arrival in Kutaisi – First Touch of Georgian Winter
The moment we stepped outside, a sharp cold wind hit us. It was a kind of cold we had never experienced before. At that moment, I felt grateful for the jacket I was wearing. The airport procedures were simple and quick. In fact, the airport itself reminded me of home — small, calm, and easy to navigate. The officers only asked for our Emirates ID and passport, and within minutes we were outside.
Our rental car was already arranged. A man approached us who looked like a European, but we soon realised he barely spoke English. Somehow, using Google Translate, we managed to communicate. This trip had been planned for almost three months, so we already had a rough idea of where we wanted to go. We were four people — myself, my husband, and another couple.
Night Walk in Old Tbilisi
After taking a few photos, we headed to Old Tbilisi. By then hunger had returned again. Since we were looking only for halal food, we searched the area for something to eat. Food prices were slightly higher here because it was a city area. But Old Tbilisi at night felt magical. The buildings had a beautiful European charm that reminded me of the UK, even though I had never visited there. The old town sits along rocky hills and riverbanks and is often considered the cultural heart of Georgia.
Bridge of Peace – A Night to Remember
During our walk, we saw the glowing lights of the Bridge of Peace. Before heading there, we found a Malayali restaurant and enjoyed a delicious mutton dish. Then we walked across the Bridge of Peace — a stunning glass bridge illuminated with LED lights. Walking there at night, wearing jackets and caps in the cold, felt incredibly special.
The Snow Journey Begins – Gudauri
The next morning our Georgian host prepared breakfast — bread, cheese, omelette, salad, cake, and vegetables. For people used to dosa, puttu, or curry for breakfast, it felt like a new experience. After breakfast we drove toward Gudauri, a mountain region famous for snow. As we climbed higher, small patches of snow began appearing along the roadside.
I couldn’t control my excitement. We stopped the car several times just to touch the snow, play in it, and take photos.
✨ “For a Malayali traveller living in the Gulf, holding snow in my hands for the first time in Georgia felt like returning to childhood.”
Zhinvali Lake & Ananuri Fortress
Our next stops included Zhinvali Reservoir, a beautiful blue lake surrounded by mountains. Nearby we visited Ananuri Fortress, a historic castle overlooking the Aragvi River. The stone walls and towers looked like something straight out of a movie.
