A suggested Georgia and Armenia itinerary for independent travellers and backpackers to the Caucasus region including off the beaten path destinations.
former USSR Blog Posts
Off-the-Beaten-Track Abkhazia: Pitsunda Resort
Pitsunda Resort: Get off the beaten path in Abkhazia and explore the resort town of Pitsunda on the Black Sea Coast, including some history of the resort.
Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and the purpose-built Soviet city of Visaginas | Off-the-beaten-track Lithuania
Get off-the-beaten-path in Lithuania: Visiting Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and the purpose-built Soviet city of Visaginas.
Where to break the journey between Gyumri in Armenia and Borjomi in Georgia
A guide on where to stop between Gyumri in Armenia and Borjomi in Georgia, via the Bavra – Ninotsminda border crossing stopping in Vardzia and Akhaltsikhe.
The Best Day Trips from Yerevan, Armenia (and how to do them independently)
Day trips from Yerevan that can be done without taking an organised tour – ideas for days trips from Armenia’s capital you can do on public transport.
Where to break the journey between Tbilisi and Yerevan
Most travellers travel directly between Georgia and Armenia’s capitals. Here are some suggestions on where to break the journey between Tbilisi and Yerevan.
Abandoned Abkhazia: Eshera Sports Complex
Eshera Sports Complex, the former Central Olympic Base of the USSR, now lies abanonded on the outskirts of Sukhumi but it’s a good spot for Urbexers.
Abandoned Estonia: Rummu Prison
Visiting Rummu prison, an underwater abandoned jail in Estonia. How to get there independently and information on whether you can get inside.
Off-the-beaten-path Armenia: Where to break the journey from Yerevan to Gyumri or Vanadzor
Travel off-the-beaten-path in Armenia with places to visit on the journey from Yerevan to Gyumri or Vanadzor and how to do it independently.
What we got up to in the Baltic States and the Caucasus
Alternative things to see on our Baltic States and the Caucasus trip included street art, abandoned places, Soviet-era architecture, mosaics and monuments.
Our Worst Experience in a Decade of Travel: Getting Robbed in Abkhazia
Our experience of being robbed in Abkhazia: what happened when we got mugged in Tkvarcheli, and our thoughts on how safe is is to travel to Abkhazia.
Soviet ‘street art’ in the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr
In Zhytomyr we noticed these Soviet-era plaques on the side of the PJSC Ukrtelecom (Ukrainian National Telecommunications Operator) building.