{"id":40313,"date":"2021-09-16T23:50:30","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T23:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/?p=40313"},"modified":"2021-09-16T23:50:34","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T23:50:34","slug":"7-discoveries-made-while-exploring-villages-of-the-south-caucasus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/7-discoveries-made-while-exploring-villages-of-the-south-caucasus\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Discoveries Made While Exploring Villages of the South Caucasus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"MIR's
MIR’s small group tour in the South Caucasus. Photo credit: Michel Behar <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Michel Behar<\/em><\/a>, one of MIR\u2019s most experienced and popular tour managers, recently led the July\/August 2021 departure of\u00a0MIR\u2019s small group tour, <\/em>Village Traditions of the South Caucasus<\/em><\/a>. Here, Michel reviews highlights from the tour and gives insights on why you, too, should delve deeper into the villages and traditions of this amazing region.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The South Caucasus<\/a> are incredibly diverse. While divided between just three countries (Armenia<\/a>, Azerbaijan<\/a>, and Georgia<\/a>), the area is home to dozens of languages, most of which are not even remotely mutually intelligible. These languages are spoken by adherents of myriad religions: Armenian, Georgian, and Russian Orthodox Christians; Jews with origins in ancient Persia; and Sunni, Sufi, and Shi\u2019ite Muslims. This mix of languages and religions, courtesy of the jagged mountains that separate one fertile valley from the next, are paralleled by a wide variety of traditions, foods, and stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even the geography of the region is diverse. Over the course of our three-week tour we visited two of the three countries in the region: Georgia and Armenia. Azerbaijan had not yet reopened for travel. Between those two countries we were able to visit a range of spectacular areas. We explored the verdant Black Sea coast, which is lush with tea plantations and subtropical forests. We ventured high up into rugged mountains, surrounded by snowy peaks and craggy rocks. We stayed in a scattering of classy and historically rich cities. And we enjoyed the scenery and produce in agricultural lands where grapes are grown for the region\u2019s fantastic wines and cows are pastured for the amazing cheeses produced all over the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is SO much to see and experience here that to do justice to the region one really needs to spend at least three weeks exploring it. That is why MIR offers multiple signature small group tours<\/a> through the region including the one I just led, which focuses on smaller villages and rural regions. We also offer another three-country tour \u2013 Treasures of the South Caucasus<\/a> \u2013 which highlights the cities and towns in a fifteen-day format, as well as an eighteen-day journey that ties Turkey in with the region called Eastern Turkey & Georgia: Crossroads of Ancient Civilizations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tour was packed with culinary delights, cultural treasures from the past 4,000 years, 4WD mountain adventures, and even hiking for those who were up for it.\u00a0 All are good reasons to come for a first (or second!) exploration of the region.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Here Are My 7 Favorite Discoveries:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1. Authentic Cuisine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • \n \"Adjarian <\/li>\n
  • \n \"Imeretian <\/li>\n
  • \n \"Georgian <\/li>\n \n <\/ul>\n <\/a>\n <\/a>\n