The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Tbilisi Exploration Arrive in Tbilisi and settle into our hotel. We’ll start our trip in the afternoon with an initial exploration of the city's streets, leading into a dusk and night photography session. We’ll capture Tbilisi’s main cathedral, street scenes, details and textures plus will take in sunset views over the city.

Day 2: Soviet Modernism & Tbilisi Street Scenes A full day dedicated to the capital's architectural diversity. We will track down some of Tbilisi’s most iconic ex-Soviet structures - including Brutalist monuments and unique architectural experiments - mastering lines, angles, and framing. In between, we will explore the backstreets to capture street photography, local characters, and the city’s atmosphere. We will visit the city's outer residential districts including the famous interconnected Soviet skybridge apartments.

Day 3: Travel to Kutaisi via the Central Plains We travel west toward Kutaisi, Georgia’s historic second city. Along the way, we’ll keep our eyes open for rural Soviet relics, mosaic-covered bus stops, and changing landscapes. Upon arriving in Kutaisi, we’ll check in and begin to explore the spas and sanatoriums of Tskaltubo in the afternoon.

Day 4: The Spas and Sanatoriums of Tskaltubo A bucket-list day for architecture and urbex photographers. We spend the day just outside Kutaisi in the semi-abandoned spa town of Tskaltubo. We will explore the massive, decaying Sanatoriums (such as Medea and Metalurg) and the circular, overgrown bathhouses. You will learn how to handle challenging, high-contrast interior light, frame geometric ruins, and capture the haunting beauty of nature reclaiming grand Soviet-Empire design.

Day 5: Kutaisi to Tbilisi In the morning we explore Kutaisi and photograph the local market, excellent for candid street and documentary photography. Then we depart Kutaisi and head back to Tbilisi for our final night. Back in the capital, we will spend some time reviewing and editing images before exploring Tbilisi a little more.

Day 6: Departure Head to the airport for your flight home which is usually very early if flying to London!

What’s Included?

5 Days of Expert Tuition & Guidance: On-the-ground support focusing on architectural framing, capturing urban decay, mastering tricky interior lighting, and composition.

• Curated Locations: We know the exact sanatoriums in Tskaltubo that offer the best access and light, and exactly where to find Tbilisi's hidden Soviet gems.

• The Perfect Balance: A highly productive photography trip that still feels like a holiday, featuring great food, local wine, and time to socialise with like-minded photographers.

• Accommodation: Mercure Hotel in Tbilisi and Newport Hotel in Kutaisi, both with breakfast.
• Transport between all locations and destinations, plus airport transfers if travelling on the recommended flights.

Who Is The Trip For?

• Urbex & Architecture Lovers: Anyone fascinated by 20th-century history, Brutalism, and the aesthetics of beautiful decay.

• Street & Travel Photographers: Those looking to capture a blend of street culture and life in Georgia.

• All Skill Levels: Whether you want to master manual settings and long exposures, or you are an experienced photographer looking to add a truly unique, world-class destination to your portfolio.

Equipment Required

• Camera and lenses (a wide-angle lens is highly recommended for the grand interiors of the sanatoriums, and a versatile prime/zoom for street scenes).

• A sturdy tripod (essential for dark sanatorium interiors and night shoots in Tbilisi).

• Optional: A polarising filter or ND filters for long exposures.