Tbilisi: Georgia's surprising capital for gay travellers

Tbilisi is raw, beautiful and complex. Here's why Georgia's capital deserves a spot on every gay traveller's list. Why Tbilisi? Tbilisi is not the obvious choice. That's exactly the point. Georgia's capital sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The city is ancient, layered and genuinely surprising. Crumbling Soviet blocks stand next to wooden balconied houses. Sulphur baths steam in the old town. Natural wine flows cheaply in every corner bar. For gay and lesbian travellers who want something real — not a theme-park version of queer travel — Tbilisi delivers. Yes, there are tensions here. Georgian society is conservative in many places. The Orthodox Church holds significant social…