You know that feeling when your home suddenly becomes too quiet? That is what happened when my daughter got married last year. Deep within, as a mother, there is a quiet shift – something changes. The house feels bigger and quieter. Evenings stretch longer.
There is love all around, yet a little emptiness sits with you. As a professional woman who has always juggled work, family, and work deadlines, the silence at home made me restless.
I needed to feel excited about life again – not by doing daily tasks or handling duties, but by finding moments that made me happy. So I decided it was time to do something we had put off for too long – take a trip with my partner, just the two of us.
We needed time to bond again, share some good laughs, and enjoy small adventures together.
I had travelled extensively for work. In fact, I had been to Georgia just last year, but that was a professional visit. This time, I wanted to visit Georgia and Azerbaijan with my husband. We decided to explore these stunning countries in the winter season.
Also Read: Georgia – The Budget-Friendly European Treasure!
I had a bucket list of experiences waiting to be checked off with my partner. From snowy mountains and flying through the air to enjoying pretty gardens and riding four-wheelers in the mud – I wanted to be outside in nature with him next to me. Free. Just being ourselves.
Back to Georgia – This Time for Us
Seeing the same place in a new way can surprise you. The first time, I explored Georgia through the lens of a manager. This time, we arrived with no agenda except मस्ती. There was no rush, no meetings – just us and the open road.
I still remembered the streets and the corners of Tbilisi, but with every step, it felt like I was rediscovering a place I thought I already knew. This was not just a second visit – it was a second chance.
Loading Packages...Tbilisi & Beyond – Exploring the Layers of a Timeless City
The first time I visited Tbilisi, I had seen all the main spots – Metekhi Church, the Old Town, and the Sulfur Baths. This time, we just walked around with no real plan. Tbilisi greeted us with open arms and warm smiles.
The old city charm, colourful balconies, and cobbled lanes made us slow down and soak it all in. We walked down the streets, stopped at small, cosy cafés, and checked out the old sulfur bath area, full of history.
What I loved most was how the city effortlessly blended the old with the new. The Peace Bridge sparkled at night, while the Narikala Fortress looked over the city like an old soul keeping watch.
In the evening, we took a cable car ride up to the fortress – watching the sun dip behind the hills with the glittering city lights. It was magic.
Snowy Adventures in Gudauri
High up in the Caucasus Mountains at 2196 meters, Gudauri is every bit of a winter wonderland. It offers an experience as good as the Alps with fewer people and more local charm.
The shimmering and soft snow turned everything into a fairytale. But what truly made this place unforgettable was not just the view from below… it was what we saw from above.
Paragliding had been on my list for a while. And this time, with my partner by my side, I decided to go for it in the most magical setting possible. The moment we reached the launch point, excitement and nervousness played tug-of-war inside me.
At Gudauri Paragliding Center, they explained in a simple way – about the gear, the wind, and what to expect. It made us feel safe and more confident. Before I could change my mind, we were running down a snowy hill and then – suddenly flying through the air. Not just me. Him too. Right next to me.
Two colourful wings soared side by side over snow-covered peaks, the wind brushing our faces and nothing but open sky between us. I looked at him while we were flying—he was smiling under his helmet, his eyes full of joy like a kid. We got it all on video, but the best part? That moment stayed in my heart.
From above, the world slowed down. The mountains stretched endlessly—ridges, valleys, light, and shadow blending like a dream. We shouted across the air, laughed, and pointed at sights too beautiful to explain.
The flight was barely 20 minutes, but it gave us something timeless. A quiet thrill. A shared memory that felt like flying through freedom itself. And after we landed – still buzzing with adrenaline, we sat down grinning like kids.
We did not need any words. We both knew we had just lived one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments together.
Batumi in Bloom – Ziplining Over the Black Sea & Botanical Wonders
From snowy peaks to the seaside breeze, Batumi was a beautiful contrast. This coastal city surprised us in the best way. Modern yet poetic, with a rhythm of its own.
A Gentle Pause at Makhuntseti Waterfall and Makhuntseti Village
Before heading back into nature’s wild side, we took a peaceful detour to Makhuntseti. The waterfall was not loud or dramatic. Its gentle flow through the greenery felt calm and beautiful. We stood quietly, just watching, breathing, and holding hands. The village around it felt like a scene from a simpler time – no noise, no rush. Just a quiet moment that did not ask for anything, yet gave us so much.
Back to Nature and Adventure at Batumi Gardens
We visited the Batumi Botanical Garden, one of the largest and the most iconic in the region. Walking hand in hand amidst lush greenery, with the Black Sea on one side and forested trails on the other, felt like stepping into a dream.
The big surprise was at the highest point of the garden. Two zip lines run from there down to the lower parts, with the Black Sea in the background. Side by side, we flew over the tops of rare trees, feeling the wind all around us. We forgot everything else. This experience filled us with pure, unfiltered joy.
We reached the other side and high-fived like teenagers. After the ride, we walked through Batumi’s Botanical Garden, still full of excitement. It felt like a storybook – green hills, flowers everywhere, and sea views through the trees. We held hands, took photos, and enjoyed the fresh air.
At that moment, Batumi gave us the perfect mix of thrill and peace. Batumi gave us just what we needed. A bit of fun, a bit of calm. It is one of those places that quietly stays with you, even after you leave.
Off-Roading, Shooting, & Quad-Biking in Borjomi
Borjomi has always been featured in our Georgia tour packages, known for its mineral water and picturesque national park. But there is a wild side to this place that you should not miss. Borjomi felt like the perfect place to slow down and enjoy all the adventure activities I wanted to do with him by my side.
Vardzia Cave City Tour
After all the excitement, Vardzia showed us a different kind of magic. This old cave city, carved into the cliffs of southern Georgia, felt like a story from long ago. As we walked through narrow tunnels and stepped into caves where monks and kings once lived, everything felt calm and quiet.
The old paintings, silent chapels, and the soft sound of an underground river made it seem like time had slowed down. It was a moment to stop, think, and feel a deeper side of Georgia – one that speaks through silence and history instead of adventure.
Off-Roading
Driving through the wild forest in a tough 4×4 felt like being right in the middle of wild, untouched nature. The road was bumpy, muddy, and unpredictable, and that is exactly what made it thrilling. Every turn took us deep into the dense forest and winding mountain paths.
We held on tight, laughing out loud, feeling like we had left the world behind. It was not just a drive – it was us enjoying the wild, messy fun of going where the path disappeared.
Shooting
We wanted to do something completely out of our comfort zone – shooting. At a local shooting range, with help from an expert, we tried shooting at targets. Holding that rifle, aiming the target, and pulling the trigger with steady hands felt surprisingly strong.
What made it better was watching him aim next to me, both of us cheering each other on. It was not about hitting the bullseye – it was about sharing the thrill, the laughter, and walking away with yet another memory stamped in bold.
Quad Biking
Quad biking was unique and fun. With our helmets on and engines loud, we sped through pine-filled trails, throwing up dirt as we rode through trees and bumpy turns. I remember looking over and seeing him speed ahead, smiling wide – like two kids having the best time in the coolest playground in the world. My heart was racing, and my face hurt from smiling so much. It was just us, riding freely and enjoying every moment.
Baku – The City of Fire That Stole My Breath
Travelling from Georgia to Azerbaijan feels like going between different worlds. Baku’s skyline looks like something from a science fiction movie – the famous Flame Towers change colours at night, and the very modern Heydar Aliyev Center curves in ways that seem impossible against the sky. Exploring the Old City felt like stepping back in time.
Cobblestone streets took us to ancient sites, each one telling stories from long ago. A trip to Baku is not complete without a visit to the iconic Nizami Street. It is a popular street with a lively vibe. Nizami Street has several fancy stores, local shops, restaurants, and cultural spots.
You can shop from street stalls, try local and international food at restaurants, and see famous places like Fountain Square. This street is also a nice place for a walk, watching street shows, and relaxing.
We grabbed coffee, window-shopped, laughed over nothing, and let the city vibe wrap around us. It felt like Baku was whispering its stories through every step we took.
Loading Packages...Ateshgah Fire Temple & The Wall That Still Breathes Flames
Land of Fire is not just a nickname for Azerbaijan – it is really true. At the Ateshgah Fire Temple near Baku, there were holes in the ground where natural fires used to come out. The word Atesh means fire in Persian, and Gah means bed. Long ago, there was a natural gas field under the area, which caused the fires.
In ancient times, fire was sacred in Zoroastrianism, the main religion then. People believed the flames in Azerbaijan were magical, making it a place of mystery and pilgrimage. What surprised me most was how fire shaped everything here – religion, culture, and architecture.
But nothing prepared me for Yanar Dag – a hillside that has been burning for as long as anyone can remember. This burning mountain is one of the must-visit sites in Azerbaijan. A 10-meter fire wall burns day in and out at the bottom of the hill. It looks especially spectacular at night.
The Apsheron wind makes the flames move in strange shapes, adding to the mystery of the place. Yanar Dag burns all year, no matter the weather, so it is seen as a sacred place. Long ago, its fire inspired beliefs like Zoroastrianism. Even today, people from Azerbaijan, India, and Iran visit it as a holy site.
The warmth of the fire mixed with the cool evening air, made the moment feel unreal – one that we will remember long after the trip was over.
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Gobustan & The Mud Volcanoes – Where the Earth Speaks
Just 1 hour and 20 minutes from modern, fancy Baku, we decided to explore another stunning place. Visiting Gobustan National Park felt like stepping into a place where history and nature meet.
The old rock carvings showed scenes from prehistoric life – people hunting, dancing, and gathering together. Some of these drawings are over 12,000 years old and give us a glimpse into how people lived long ago.
Besides the rock carvings, Gobustan’s mud volcanoes looked like something from another planet. They are not like regular volcanoes with hot lava. They are stranger and interesting – bubbling cones of clay and muddy water pushed up by natural gas from deep underground.
We watched, amazed, as cool mud bubbled and popped, shaping the land around it. Have you ever seen anything like this in all your trips? My partner asked. Never, I answered.
A Final Surprise – Falling in Love with Carpets at the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
After days filled with mountains, mud, and thrill, we found ourselves in a space so calm, that it almost slowed time. The Carpet Museum in Baku turned out to be such a beautiful surprise. If you had told me before this trip that I would spend hours in a carpet museum and still want more time, I would have laughed. But the Carpet Museum, in a building shaped like a rolled carpet, totally amazed me.
Inside, we were immersed in a tapestry of colours, patterns, and stories. Each carpet tells a story, reflecting the diverse regions, traditions, and histories of Azerbaijan. What started as a simple visit turned into a deep respect for this art.
As we walked through the museum, watching the artists and looking closely at the patterns, something made me stop and think. These carpets were not just for display; they were full of stories and memories.
I did not expect a museum to feel this special. But in that quiet moment, holding my partner’s hand, I realized travel is like weaving — small moments coming together. And sometimes, the quiet moments stay with you the most.
Back Home, With a Heart Full Of Stories
As our trip came to an end and we returned home, the memories stayed with us. It was not just about the places we visited, it was about feeling alive after a quiet time. Visiting Georgia and Azerbaijan again made me see how special it is to come back. Revisiting these countries, but this time, hand in hand with my husband – made everything feel new.
We laughed more, paused more, and truly soaked it all in. Somewhere between the snow, the silence, and the smiles – we found a spark I did not know I was missing.
If you feel stuck in routine or your home feels quiet after the kids have left, do not wait for the perfect time to travel. The mountains of Georgia and the fire lands of Azerbaijan have been there for ages – but we will not be here forever.
The world is out there, waiting. Maybe it is your turn to go.
