Mestia, Caucasus Mountains, Northern Georgia

The remote Svaneti region in North Georgia is becoming less remote by the year but remains relatively unspoiled for now. Framed by the Caucasus Mountains, rising up to 5,000m, and home to ancient stone tower filled villages, this is a pretty special part of the world.
Mestia is the main hub, once quite dangerous to get to but after spending $25m on the main road only a 2 & 1/2 hour drive. The town is obviously developing fast but has retained most of it’s charm, including freely wandering cows along the road.
The ~175 distinctive stone towers in the region date from the 9th to 11th century. There’s a only one in Mestia that can be climbed, a fairly precarious if memorable experience.
A good 15km walk offered stunning views of the Mestia valley and the many towers.
Mestia is home to the Museum of History & Ethnography, a surprisingly well presented and interesting history of the region, well worth a visit.
For views without much effort there is a chair lift up to winter ski fields 8km from Mestia.