Archives January 2025

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As San Francisco had one of its worst years for tourism and wildfires have decimated some of the most beautiful regions of Los Angeles, travelers may be opening their eyes to new destinations in the “Golden State”.

Home to new lavish resorts and world-class eats, there are 3 California getaways on the rise, perfect for a memorable vacation this year.

Whether it be wine country, small coastal gems, or the first-ever resort coming to an overlooked SoCal city, vacationers should keep an eye on this trio of up-and-coming gems to avoid the chaos of California’s major cities.

3 up-and-coming California getaways you should visit in 2025:

Elk: Northern California’s New Hotspot

A case of the winter blues can make you feel stuck in a rut, so what’s more fitting than paying a visit to Elk?

This blip on the map along the famous Pacific Coastal Highway (PCH) is more than a road trip pit stop for beef jerky and Big Gulps; it’s a place you’ll want to arrive hungry and stay a while.

Receiving 2 stars from Michelin Guide is Harbor House, anchoring the city’s surging food scene. Here, you’ll get the VIP treatment with divine entrees such as ‘Slowly-grilled Halibut‘ and ‘Abalone poached in sake, calhikari rice, offal‘.

Better yet, when you’re feeling overstuffed, you can head straight to your room as Harbor House, the restaurant, is located inside the Harbor House Inn.

Seen as Big Sur 2.0, this small town on the rise is one of California’s most picturesque coastal gems.

Albeit NorCal’s beaches can be a bit nippy, to say the least, the scenery is astounding. Check out Greenwood State Beach to see what I mean.

Nature is completely untamed here, and the town couldn’t be more authentic without the eyesores of fast food chains.

Instead, you can mingle with locals at dim-lit dives like Beacon Light By The Sea.

Chula Vista: San Diego’s Last Frontier

Chula Vista is more than a suburb; it’s soon to be a destination on its own, yet already boasting its own unique culture where chill San Diego vibes meet Tijuana delights without needing a passport.

Home to nearly 300,000 residents, including myself, I’ve never understood why I constantly get a stink-eye when I tell “San Diegans” where I live.

Truth is, I love it!

While many tourists visit downtown San Diego’s buzzing Gaslamp Quarter for late-night ragers, Chula Vista’s 3rd Avenue is a great alternative with a much calmer atmosphere for the “happy crowd” at numerous breweries and up-and-coming restaurants like locally hyped Tuétano Taquería, Canelo Alvarez’s recently opened lines-out-the-door taco shop El Pastor Del Rica, and my new favorite, Lime in the Coconut, for the city’s best cocktails.

There are countless Tijuana-inspired taco shops here, being so close to the border, and yes, it’s home to the O.G., Tacos El Gordo – so insanely delicious, it’s rumored to be raking in $5 million per month in their Vegas location!

Sorry, Gordon Ramsay.

As incredible as Chula Vista’s food scene may be, the claim to fame for 2025 will be the city’s first-ever resort, Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, overlooking the San Diego Bay and only 7 minutes from downtown San Diego.

It’s set to open in ‘late spring 2025′ at an undisclosed date.

Chula Vista is often mischaracterized as a border town, but that’s only if you haven’t been to the Eastlake district.

Check out Mountain Hawk Park, one of my favorite hidden gems overlooking staggering mountains and the scenic Otay Lakes that I would assume less than 1% of San Diego tourists know about.

Murrieta: SoCal’s New Wine Country Hideaway

Temecula is SoCal’s version of Napa, lined with chateau wineries and a charming downtown. Despite being more low-key than Napa, Temecula can draw a crowd, and traffic is unbearable.

The neighboring town of Murrieta is the place to be with a picturesque main strip, wineries like Wine Ranch Grill and Cellars with far fewer crowds, and a newly revamped resort that easily became one of my favorite California stays.

Here is what the perfect day in Murrieta looks like:

Take a nice stroll through downtown Murrieta and grab a delicious latte at The Crafted Scone, holding an impressive 4.6 Google Rating.

Head over to Toast for brunch, where they serve mimosa flights and sinfully delicious Crab Cake Benedict.

Relax for a few hours at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, whether as an overnight guest or Day Pass holder. Make use of over 20 pools open 24/7 to soak in or a Roman Spa just like you’d find in Europe.

Cap off your day with a flawless meal at the resort’s very own Talia Kitchen, which is truly one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

Ask for Isis and indulge in the chef’s latest dish I had the pleasure of sneak-previewing, Prime Back Loin Center Cut Local Swordfish.

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Last Updated 21 hours ago

Sunny San Diego. Well, most of the time…

“America’s Finest City” isn’t immune to occasional rain showers and a couple of months of gray skies. Vacationers are often disappointed by “May Gray” and “June Gloom,” as locals have dubbed them.

Besides checking the weather forecast, there are 4 exciting new things every traveler needs to know when visiting San Diego in 2025.

First, you might want to double-check the airport you’re flying into.

Second, before booking your stay, there’s a pair of lavish new ‘firsts’ hitting San Diego shores.

Lastly, crossing into Mexico is about to get a whole lot easier. You can bypass the ‘busiest border in the world’ without stepping foot in neighboring Tijuana – and no, it’s not locals’ favorite travel loophole, the Cross Border Xpress.

So, without further ado, here are 4 exciting things travelers should know when visiting San Diego in 2025:

1) American Airlines Now Flies To Carlsbad

San Diego is often categorized into 4 quadrants: North County, Central, East County and South Bay.

As such, sometimes visitors miss out on North County’s delights, given the headache-inducing traffic through a cluster of pristine beach towns.

Well, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore, especially since Carlsbad, in particular, should be a destination city in its own right.

McClellan-Palomar Airport is reopening for commercial traffic, where American Airlines is betting big on Carlsbad’s potential with the first and only flight (for now) set to launch February 13th from Phoenix.

Located less than half an hour from Orange County and roughly 40 minutes from San Diego’s main attractions, Carlsbad can be used as a gateway to other cool spots or your base as it’s home to beautiful beaches, upscale resorts, and LEGOLAND, a popular spot for families who don’t want to deal with all that comes with giggly oversized rodents of Anaheim.

Travel Tip: American Airlines now also flies nonstop to Tijuana, the city’s only U.S.-based airline.

2) Avoid LEGOLAND Crowds! San Diego’s First Adults-Only Resort

On second thought, if you’re not traveling with the kiddos in tow and prefer to avoid the under-18 bunch altogether, there’s exciting news just for you.

A few miles down I-5 lies the coastal paradise of Encinitas, home to numerous celebrities hiding out from Hollywood (smart move!), a close-knit surfers community, and multiple stunning beaches such as one of my favorites, Moonlight Beach.

What you may not know is Encinitas is home to Alila Marea Beach Resort, which is transforming into San Diego’s sole adults-only resort.

As such, could there be a better re-opening date than Valentine’s Day? Just don’t come back home with a bun in the oven…

Kinda defeats the purpose, no?

3) A New Era of Tourism With Chula Vista’s Inaugural Resort

Chula Vista is typically way off tourists’ radar and more often seen as one of the best San Diego County cities to score cheap(er) rent.

Heck, that’s what got me to move here! Honestly, Chula Vista has been a pleasant surprise with scenic mountain-view parks, an underrated downtown, and endless Tijuana-style taco shops without having to step across the border.

Soon, Chula Vista will be casting San Diego’s often-overlooked South Bay in the spotlight with the grand opening of the city’s first-ever resort, Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, boasting 1,600 rooms and 12 restaurants and bars.

Gaylord scored prime real estate as this area is the last frontier of San Diego’s untouched shores along Chula Vista’s San Diego Bay, with epic coastal views facing west over popular vacation spot Coronado.

According to local news source NBC 7, there will be a soft opening in mid-May, followed by an official grand opening in July.

4) Skip The Border! New Direct Ferry Into Mexico’s “Napa”

I go to Tijuana every month. Despite having a SENTRI card, crossing the border can still be a grind, which is often a deterrent for fellow Californians and tourists alike who want to see what Northern Baja is all about.

Plus, Tijuana has a sketchy reputation. Not everyone wants to take that chance. The neighboring town of Tecate (yes, that Tecate you might have in your fridge) is widely considered much safer, serving as a gateway into Mexico’s gorgeous Valle de Guadalupe, commonly dubbed Mexico’s “Napa”.

Stretching from Tecate to Ensenada is the Ruta del Vino, a scenic wine route passing numerous vineyards, luxe resorts, and bucket-list Airbnbs.

While most Americans start their wine adventures in Tecate, a new direct ferry capable of carrying up to 330 passengers from San Diego is set to change that.

Slated to launch in May (if necessary tests go according to plan in April), the Azteca Ferry will give travelers the ultimate loophole to bypass the hectic border, which often has 3-hour wait times at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Tickets are not sale as of yet, but last we reported prices were expected in the $100 range. However, there is a schedule posted on Azteca Ferries’ website:

Travel tip: If you complete the whole Ensenada – Tecate wine route, I can’t recommend 4-star Santuario Diegueño enough to rest up and enjoy sensational eats at on-site restaurant, Asao.

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Last Updated 16 mins ago

According to the United Nations, France is once again the most popular country in the world, having returned to 99 percent of its pre-crisis levels of tourism, with over 100 million visitors recorded last year alone.

As a local, I can’t say I’m surprised or too thrilled about it, if I’m being honest:

I live in Paris, by default, the world’s most visited capital, and compared to two or three years ago, it definitely feels a lot busier:

You can barely go for a stroll in Montmartre without bumping into someone too distracted taking pictures to notice, and if you plan on browsing the Louvre’s art collection or going up the Eiffel Tower, you better book in advance, as the line outside the door is going around the block.

As much as I love my city and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, I wouldn’t be encouraging friends to come and visit me in 2025, especially when those numbers are expected to grow exponentially––but hey, it’s not like the Eiffel Tower is all that France has in store.

You can still gorge on delicious food, admire the architecture, and practice your savoir-vivre skills in these 5 alternative, equally-beautiful destinations… without the crowds:

Provins

Ile-de-France

If you have 3 to 5 days in Paris, chances are you’re planning on taking a day to explore Versailles or maybe Disneyland for the nostalgic feel and thrilling adventures, so before tickets are booked and your plan is set in stone, let me first introduce you to Provins:

Located in the capital region, this much-overlooked town dating back to the Middle Ages still has its walls intact, stone-built houses that have survived the passing of time unscathed, albeit partially claimed by ivy, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at that.

Other than strolling the marketplace and getting lost in the cobbled streets, something I love Provins for is its food scene, from sweet shops where you can get the original 600-year-old macaron recipe to the rustic Crêperie La Malouiniere––hands down the best crepes in town!

Oh, and if you plan on making the most out of your visit, get a Provins Pass: it costs only $18, and grants entry to all of the paid attractions, including La Tour César, a medieval tower commanding an idyllic panorama of the surrounding countryside, and its underground tunnel system.

Rouen

Normandy

Sitting only two hours north of Paris, in the heart of Normandy, Rouen is one of my favorite day trips from the capital mainly for two reasons: it is deeply historical––it is here Joan of Arc met her tragic fate at the stake––and its medieval center is largely preserved.

Centered around a beautiful Gothic cathedral, with not two, but three soaring spires, each of them unique in design, the historic center is a maze of alleyways flanked with askew, half-timbered 15th century houses, and it holds a gem or two:

The Gros-Horloge, arching over the Main Street, is an astronomical clock that rivals Prague’s in beauty, at least in my book, and in summer, the charming, runnel-lined Eau de Robec is a great spot to visit for coffee or an early-afternoon aperitif.

For something truly unique, though, make sure you don’t miss place du Vieux-Marché, or Old Market Square, where Joan was burned, and a modernist, stained-windowed church I always believed to be shaped like a witches’ now stands.

Honfleur

Normandy

Up on the Normandy Coast, Honfleur is what I like to describe as Amsterdam and Copenhagen’s lovechild: it is a timeless historic port lining the English Channel, famous for its seafood and Monet associations.

Indeed, it is an Impressionist painting come to life, with a picture-perfect harbor front made up of somber-colored, skinny edifices, and a maze of back streets flanked with shops and brasseries serving moules-frites and other traditional seafood.

The harbor is undoubtedly Honfleur’s pride and joy, though you shouldn’t miss out on the gorgeous Église Sainte Catherine, the oldest and biggest wood church in France, built in the 1400s, or the canal at Vieux-Bassin, where some of the best restaurants are.

Only have time for one? The centrally-located Bistro du Port has menus or lunch deals, starting from only $23.55 and typically includes a main dish, a drink, and a choice of starter or dessert. just so you know, their Camembert fondue is to die for.

Orange

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

We’re going to the deep French south for the next one, and this one’s for my fellow Roman Empire enthusiasts: in case you didn’t know, this region of France is littered with remnants from what’s arguably the greatest period of Western civilization, and this includes Orange.

A traditional ocher-colored town of Provence, it is a storied municipality of many cafe-bordered places (that’s French for square) and ancient landmarks that never seem to get the level of praise they deserve, starting with the UNESCO-protected Théâtre antique d’Orange.

A 1st-century theater in an impressive state of preservation, it continues to host festivals and live performances in summer, and on non-event days, it welcomes guests as an open-air museum for around $10––remind me how much it costs to access the Roman Colosseum again?

For other must-sees in Orange, add the equally Roman Triumphal Arc, the ruin-dotted Parc de la Colline Saint-Eutrope overlooking the theater, and a whimsical Château de Beaucastel, a winery centered around a centuries-old country manor surrounded by vineyards to your list.

Menton

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

My sneaky addition, as it is neither not-crowded nor necessarily a hidden gem, Menton features here simply because there is no prettier town in France, lemon gelato that’s more deliciously bitter or creamier, nor coastal views elsewhere that can rival it:

It straddles the Franco-Italian border, and as you’d expect of a border town, it has elements of both cultures, with trattorie galore and rows upon rows of warm-colored facades, contrasting with your usual boulangeries selling fresh croissants and locals’ undeniable provençal accent.

Menton is quintessential French Riviera and has been many times over the years; I can confirm it never loses its appeal––in fact, I keep stumbling upon more reasons to love it, be it viewpoints of the Jaune townscape from surrounding hills or new swimming spots along its turquoise waterfront.

Before I go, I must add no trip to Menton is complete without strolling the extent of its palm-strewn promenade, a mango or lemon sorbet from Tutti Frutti Glaciers in hands, pass the lush Val Rameh gardens, all the way into Italy.

The walk to the border takes 45 minutes to complete, and at the very end, you can reward yourself with dinner at the world-class Mirazur restaurant, run by a Franco-Italian chef who certainly knows how to knead fresh pasta into shape.

And those views of Menton in the distance? Mamma mia… c’est juste la huitième merveille du monde !

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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One city in Italy has been dubbed the world’s new “Silicon Valley”.

Unlike San Francisco (actually Silicon Valley’s base), there’s no sign of sky-high rent rates and a spattering of crime waves pushing remote workers away – quite the opposite, actually.

While Rome, Venice, and the jaw-dropping Amalfi Coast will always be travelers’ go-to spots to immerse themselves in Italy’s renowned cultural delights, ranging from bucket-list wonders, phenomenal eats, and postcard beaches, one city in Sicily, which is somehow overlooked, is now proclaimed as the country’s latest digital nomad hotspot.

That’s right; the vibrant capital of Sicily, home to pizzas and piazzas, has become a haven for remote workers who’ve embraced the opportunity to reside in this laid-back, blue-water paradise.

More Americans Setting Up Shop In Palermo

It’s estimated Palermo, a city of nearly 700,000 people overlooking the stunning Tyrrhenian Sea, has already drawn in 1,000 new “residents,” with many Americans leading the charge.

Sicily is a name we all know, but you’d be surprised that most travelers favor the mainland’s aforementioned icons.

Digital nomads are discovering what others have been missing out on. First and foremost, Palermo (and all of Sicily, really) is splendid to visit any time of year for the views alone, but right now, heading into spring, the weather is hovering comfortably in the 60s and topping out in the high 80s in summer.

As you can see, as digital nomads begin to wrap up their winter sun needs, there’s no need to pack up and go in a hurry, especially with a welcoming community beginning to bloom with new co-working spaces popping up such as PMO Coworking, highlighted by Nomad Capitalist among the best in Europe.

Of All the Italian Cities To Make Your Base, Why Palermo?

Some of Europe’s most renowned cities can be the most costly, and Italy is no different.

Coming full circle, Palermo is a great spot for digital nomads not only because it’s embracing a new identity as a startup hub but also because you can experience Italy’s captivating culture, unmatched cuisine, and astounding scenery without breaking the bank – typically numero uno on digital nomads’ list of concerns.

Long-term stays on Airbnb can be found under $900 for a private apartment, and most are within walking distance to the beach and Palermo’s timeless city center.

Better yet, oftentimes local agencies are even cheaper than major platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.

Known for epic seafood and cheap pizza, digital nomads’ savings on rent will likely go toward dining out since the food scene is impossible to pass over.

During downtime between work tasks, there are plenty of things to do and see. Obviously, Sicily’s breathtaking beaches are the top attraction.

According to TripAdvisor, these are Palermo’s top 3 beaches to visit:

• Spiaggia di Mondello
• Lido Valdesi
• Lido Sferracavello

Inland from the coast, you’ll discover picturesque ornate piazzas home to inviting street markets, staggering cathedrals like the unmissable Palermo Cathedral, and numerous cafes to start your day or use as an office with a warm cappuccino in hand.

Overall, Palermo ranks 22nd globally as top digital nomad destination.

Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa

Sure, you could just stay in Palermo to escape the frigid cold of much of the world, but what’s the fun in that when you can stay all year?

Italy launched its official digital nomad visa last spring. Obviously, travelers had a lot of questions like “what took so long?!”.

For real though, like most visas, there’s an expansive list of requirements, which you can read all about here, but we’ll cover the basics.

Basic requirements:

• Prove earned income of roughly $30,000 to ensure you’re exempt from healthcare costs
• Purchase a comprehensive health insurance policy valid for your entire stay
• No first-timers; must have worked remotely for 6 months prior to Italy arrival
• No criminal record in the last 5 years

Digital nomad visas are valid for a full calendar year and have the possibility for an extension of up to 2 years.

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If you’re a U.S. citizen who has had it with the incendiary world of politics, regardless of where you stand, not to mention the high cost of living across most urban centers, you might be thinking whether now isn’t the time to contemplate a move to Europe, but where?

After all, moving abroad isn’t as simple as packing your bags, grabbing your passport, and heading to the next airport: staying long-term in Europe usually involves being required to apply for a visa, and if you’re a low to middle-income earner, we’re sorry to say, it won’t cut it for the financial threshold.

Still, not all hope is lost: there are a couple of options if you dream of moving to the Old Continent with lower levels of bureaucracy and financial strain.

More specifically, they are two hugely underrated countries that, despite being farther to the East than you might have envisioned, offer Americans a decent quality of life, the infusion of culture they may be missing, and even more safety than Paris, London, and the like.

The best part? You can stay for a whole year visa-free by virtue of being a U.S. passport holder only:

Albania

Have you ever been to Italy or Croatia, and the second you landed, the first intrusive thought that popped into your mind was… ‘should I move here?’

Well, you might encounter some hurdles trying to settle in those particular countries as a non-European with fewer qualifications and no job offer, but your future lounging by a Mediterranean beach, exploring picture-perfect coastal towns, and gorging on fresh seafood isn’t lost:

How about Albania instead?

Located directly opposite Italy, in the Balkan Peninsula, and south of Croatia and north of Greece, it is an ancient land, one of Europe’s oldest nations, at that, hugged by the turquoise Med waters and boasting historical wealth like no other.

Albania is best represented internationally by its quirky little capital, Tirana, a sea of communist-era apartment blocks and bunkers-turned-museums that has its fair share of cozy cafes and laptop-friendly eateries––shout out to our fellow digital nomads out there!

If you’re heading straight for the coast, however, you’re probably thinking of the resort city of Vlora, home to a long, golden-sand beach and a pastel-colored Old Town, or maybe the laid-back village of Ksamil, at the heart of the Albanian Riviera, and a feature on Travel Off Path’s Top Lesser Known Destinations for last year.

Albania is not as developed as other European states, lying both outside the European Union and the Schengen Area and suffering from concentration of capital at an elite level, though it is part of NATO and strongly Western-aligned:

Walking the streets of Tirana, you won’t find hints of Western Europe’s ongoing illegal immigration issue, nor will you feel as if you must walk with keys between your knuckles as a woman, especially in the Downtown area.

Along the coasts, settlements are largely peaceful and crime-free, and despite Albania’s struggle with the formation of smuggling gangs and circulation of illicit drugs, tourists aren’t targets for criminals, and levels of violence are extremely low.

Additionally, you can live in Albania for much cheaper than the average European country: in Tirana, going out for a meal at a local restaurant will set you back by a round $10, as per Numbeo data, and we’re talking a sumptuous presentation, with a meat-heavy soup for starter and a main.

As for renting, a one-bedroom apartment in the center costs $607 per month, approximately 58% less than in New York, considerably less than the average rent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, found to be the cheapest city to live Stateside.

In case you’re wondering, that would run you up roughly $1,233 per month on rent alone.

I guess it’s the perfect time to reveal that, as an American citizen, you’re eligible to stay in Albania a whole entire year without visas! You read that right:

One of Europe’s cheapest, most fascinating Mediterranean countries is essentially beckoning you to make the Transatlantic voyage and settle for a while, and if you end up falling in love with Albania and you do decide on extending your stay––why not? It’s the perfect base for exploring Europe––you can try and call up the immigration service to see about a residence permit application.

It’s not like they’d be opposed to the idea of Americans moving there permanently, anyway.

Georgia

The second one is a tad controversial, as many do not consider Georgia a European country, but allow us to explain:

It is located east of Turkey, directly south of Russia, and very close to the Middle East, which would in theory place it in Western Asia, but before you fret and close this page already, hear us out:

Georgia is considered European by its staunchly Orthodox populace and post-Soviet culture, and unless you run a DNA test on Georgians, you’d have a hard time telling them apart from most Eastern European populations.

Before we delve into some of the reasons why you should consider Georgia for relocation, however, let us address the elephant in the room: yes, it is within firing distance of some of the unfriendliest countries right now, and no, it’s not protected by NATO.

That being said, Georgians are in their vast majority strongly anti-Russian and oriental influences, so much so massive protests have erupted in the capital, Tbilisi, in recent months to denounce Russian interference in local elections, and their main goal is to one day join the European Union.

As a matter of fact, the country has already taken one step further towards that goal, as the EU has granted them official candidate status, regardless of the geographical isolation.

On the Russia issue, their Slavic neighbors tend to mess with the world of Georgian politics more than they tend to launch full-scale invasions affecting regular people––in reality, Georgia is a surprisingly safe destination with low crime and low terrorism.

Political upheavals are a whole ‘nother ball game, but it’s not like they affect the future of foreigners who aren’t citizens, anyway.

As for Tbilisi, the vibrant, largest city and administrative center, it is an architecturally eclectic hub where you’re as likely to stumble upon Persian and Ottoman-inspired monuments as you are Orthodox churches and European-style medieval fortifications.

The Old Town is particularly scenic, with a row of brightly-painted facades and protruding balconies lining narrow, cobbled lanes, and as it’s the standard rule in Europe, a hilltop fort––Narikala––dominates the cityscape.

For digital nomads out there, Tbilisi is a well-known name in the community, thanks to its plethora of incredible cafes––think a well-frequented Fabrika or the gorgeous brunch spot that is Coffee Lab in Kazbegi Avenue––and affordable prices.

Now, we must note that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the flocking of Russians and Ukrainians alike into Tbilisi, those once-dirt-cheap room rates have soared compared to what they once were.

On the bright side, by American and Western European standards, Tbilisi remains inexpensive.

A single-dish meal in the Old Town will cost an average $10.49, while a three-course meal for two is an acceptable $41.96––when it comes to rent, you’re looking at a minimum $685 for a modest Downtown rental, or $1,365 for a three-bedroom apartment in the same area.

There are other cities to consider in Georgia, such as Batumi, on the Black Sea Coast––black in all but name––an equally fascinating cultural center distinguished by its innovative skyscrapers, pebbly beach straddling azure seas, and stately squares.

Or maybe you’re looking to beat the crowds and truly cut down costs: in that case, the inland Kutaisi, where Georgia’s low-cost flights operated by WizzAir arrive, is the ideal option (just don’t expect the same exciting nightlife and established international community as in the other two).

In your free time, you can explore all of Georgia’s natural and manmade wonders, including deep gorges filled with turquoise waters and densely forested areas, fairytale castles and monasteries perched atop snow-capped peaks, and peaceful spa towns nestled up in the mountains.

Ready for it?

Similarly to Albania, you can stay in Georgia for a year as an American citizen: while you may find the journey there troublesome, as it is of course far, far East, there’s nothing a layover in Amsterdam or Paris can’t solve, and there is no need to apply for a visa in advance.

You can enter as a regular tourist, and you’ll be issued a 365-day stamp.

There is more: if you choose to stay longer, all it takes is doing a border run, either to the neighboring countries of Turkey or Armenia––we wouldn’t be going to Russia at the minute, mind you––or flying to ‘mainland’ Europe and back, and there you go, another 365 days.

Naturally, this is at the discretion of border officers––between us, they’re very receptive to Americans, unlike Russians, so it’s not like you’ll face major problems renewing your tourist stamp through this loophole.

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