Does a Nordmann fir tree decorate your living room for Christmas? The seed from which your tree grew likely originated from Georgia. In 1835 the Finnish biologist Alexander von Nordmann discovered this special tree species in the Caucasus. The dense needles and uniform branches make this fir the most popular tree for the holidays. To grow the very best fir trees, many tons of cones are harvested in Georgia every year, their seeds then exported to Christmas tree plantations all over Europe.
This year, we are spending time with Sveta’s family in the Ural Mountains. With plenty of snow and ice around, Babushka is especially excited to see her grandchildren Olivia and Felix again.
We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season, good health, and all the best for the coming year!
Andreas and Sveta

Hazelnut makes a Christmas tree?
This tree is called Chichilaki, and it is traditionally set up in Georgia for the New Year. Elaborate curls are shaved from a hazelnut branch, meaning to resemble the beard of St. Basil the Great. He is the one in our region who distributes gifts during the New Year celebrations.

Georgia becomes EU Candidate.
After the collapse of the USSR, the Rose Revolution in 2003 set Georgia on a pro-Western course. According to our local friends, the politics of the last 20 years can be best described as taking many steps forward and some back. Especially the younger generation certainly views EU membership as a big opportunity to finally break away from the Soviet heritage.
Join our unique 4x4 self-drive tour across the Caucasus
Two slots are left for our unique journey from Georgia to Dagestan in 2024. Travelling in our UAZ Offroad Camper, you will independently discover the most beautiful places in the whole Caucasus. The border crossing will be done as a group, the rest of your journey will be an amazing 4×4 self-drive tour.

Finnish/Russian border closures
Although far from the Caucasus, this is still relevant for world travellers who plan their journey across Russia or back to Europe with their own vehicle. It is advisable to keep an eye on current developments in 2024. If this border is shut, the alternative route would be the Baltic states or via Georgia.
Travel & Visa
The Georgian Military Highway (main connection between Russia and Georgia) is sometimes temporarily closed after heavy snowfall. For current information, you can check this Telegram group (in Russian). Construction work at this border is now almost complete, and the number of counters, especially on the Russian side, has been significantly increased.
The easiest way to travel to Georgia is by flying into the capital, Tbilisi (airport code “TBS”). No visa is needed.
To Dagestan (airport “MCX”) flyredwings.com flies regularly from Istanbul. You can now apply for your Russia visa (up to 16 days) online.
Longer Russia tourist visa are of course still available in your home country.
Our very best Caucasus UAZ Bukhanka travel pictures 2019-2023
We dug deep in our photo archive and selected 80 photos from the most beautiful places in the Caucasus.
Many of these photos were taken by our guests, big thanks for letting us share your stunning impressions.
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