Masterclasses and Education

Who this is for

For travellers who want to learn something new besides touring, and for families looking for a shared experience with their children.

And for foreigners living here, companies and young people considering higher education in Georgia.

Where we fit in

We are not a school or a university: we choose the teacher, arrange the lesson and plan the timing and getting there.

The teacher or institution sets the fee for a lesson or course and you pay them directly. We take no commission from them, and we tell you the cost of our help in advance.

Why here

In Georgia cooking, wine, language and dance are part of everyday life, not museum exhibits.

The teacher is often a family member who learned from a grandmother or grandfather.

Such a lesson remains the most personal memory of a trip.

One lesson or a course

A one-off masterclass lasts two or three hours and fits easily into one day of a trip.

A course runs for several weeks or months and suits people living here or on a long stay.

University is a different scale altogether, which needs separate planning.

Cooking

A cooking lesson is the most popular masterclass, with tourists and companies alike.

A lesson often starts at a market, where the instructor introduces local produce and herbs.

We explain the details on the cooking page.

What you learn in the kitchen

Folding khinkali, the dough for Adjarian or Imeretian khachapuri and dipping churchkhela are the most common topics.

Some teachers also show you how to make pkhali, walnut sauces or regional dishes.

At the end of the lesson you eat what you have made together, with wine or lemonade.

Where it takes place

A lesson in a family kitchen is the warmest, and the host's stories become part of it.

A cooking school or restaurant has more space and equipment, which suits a large group.

In the countryside a lesson is often enriched by a garden, a tone oven or an open fire.

Wine education

Georgia is proud of an eight-thousand-year wine tradition, and learning about wine here includes history too.

A wine masterclass can range from a tasting to a full-day programme.

We explain the details on the wine page.

Qvevri

A qvevri is a clay vessel buried in the ground, in which wine ferments and matures.

The traditional qvevri winemaking method is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.

In a cellar the winemaker shows you how a qvevri is cleaned, filled and sealed.

Learning to taste

On a tasting course you learn to describe a wine's colour, aroma and taste.

Georgian varieties such as Rkatsiteli and Saperavi are little known worldwide, which makes them all the more interesting.

For professionals there are deeper programmes at sommelier level.

Joining the harvest

In September and October you can take part in picking and pressing grapes.

It is a physical and cheerful day that often ends with a supra.

Harvest places fill quickly, so we plan early.

The Georgian language

Georgian belongs to the Kartvelian language family and is not related to European languages.

Even three Georgian words - gamarjoba, madloba and gaumarjos - change how locals respond to you.

We explain the details on the language page.

The alphabet

Georgian has its own script, and the modern Mkhedruli alphabet has thirty-three letters.

The living culture of the three writing systems of the Georgian alphabet is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.

Many students say learning the alphabet turned out quicker and more enjoyable than they expected.

Course formats

Individual lessons give the fastest results, and you choose the schedule.

A group course means learning alongside other foreigners and making new friends.

Online lessons let you start before you arrive or carry on after you leave.

Language for everyday life

For people living here, the language makes everyday life at the market, in a taxi and with neighbours easier.

Many courses are built precisely around these practical situations.

Knowing the language also warms relations with Georgian colleagues and friends.

Dance

A Georgian dance lesson is very energetic and often amazes foreigners.

A lesson can be a one-off as part of a tour, or regular, at a studio.

We explain the details on the dance page.

Dance for visitors

In a one-hour lesson you learn the simple steps and arm positions of Georgian dance.

A musician often plays during the lesson, which makes it a lively and fun experience.

You need no preparation; comfortable clothes are enough.

Regular classes

Tbilisi has many dance studios that teach adults and children.

Some studios run separate groups for foreigners, with instruction in English.

A regular class is one of the best ways for people living here to stay active and find community.

Singing

In a polyphonic singing lesson a group learns a simple three-part song.

This lesson needs no singing experience and brings a group together remarkably.

We write about folklore in the events section.

Craft masterclasses

Masterclasses in enamel, ceramics, felt or carpet weaving take place in craftsmen's workshops.

In such a lesson you take home an object made with your own hands.

We write about handmade goods in the shopping section.

University

Many foreign students study at Georgian universities every year.

Some programmes, especially in medicine, are taught in English.

We explain the details on the university page.

Why students choose Georgia

Foreign students often mention a safe environment, affordable living and English-taught programmes.

Some are drawn by the country's closeness to their own region and simple entry rules.

Before choosing, it is essential to check the programme's quality and recognition.

Recognition and accreditation

The programme must be authorised and accredited in the country, which we check against official sources.

It matters whether your country recognises the diploma, especially in medicine.

The final answer to that question comes from the competent authority in your country, not the institution.

Admission

Admission requires documents, their translation and sometimes certification.

Deadlines and requirements differ from one institution to another.

We do not promise admission: only the institution makes that decision.

Student life

A student needs housing, a bank account, a phone and health insurance.

Our relocation and residence sections help with these questions.

Getting to know the city in the first weeks makes settling in much easier.

Residence for students

Long-term study often requires a study residence permit.

The rules differ by citizenship and length of study.

We write about residence in detail in the immigration section.

Summer schools

Some universities and organisations run summer schools on language, culture or wine.

Such a programme lasts a few weeks and combines study with travel.

Summer school dates and terms are renewed every year.

Families and children

A family cooking lesson appeals to children most, especially the khachapuri dough.

Children also love short dance and singing lessons.

For children we plan a lesson that is short and safe.

Corporate groups

A joint cooking or dance lesson is a popular team-building format.

The group is split into small teams, and sometimes a friendly contest is held.

For a large group we choose a suitable space and several instructors.

The instructor's language

Many instructors teach in English or Russian.

For other languages we send an interpreter who keeps to the rhythm of the lesson.

When learning with your hands, much is clear without words.

Group size

In a small group the instructor gives each participant more attention.

A large group needs more space, more equipment and sometimes a second instructor.

We fit the group size to the format and the goal.

Length

Most masterclasses last from two to four hours.

A harvest or full wine day takes up the whole day.

A language course is measured in weeks or months.

Seasons

Cooking and language lessons run all year round.

The liveliest time for wine is the harvest, though a cellar is interesting in winter too.

Open-air dancing and village cooking are best in the warm months.

Accessibility

For a participant using a wheelchair we check the entrance, the height of the worktop and the space.

We adapt a dance lesson to physical abilities.

For hearing or sight impairments we brief the instructor in advance.

Dietary needs

At a cooking lesson a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free option is often possible.

We report allergies in advance, as walnuts and dairy are common in Georgian cooking.

We check halal or kosher requirements with the instructor separately.

Alcohol

At a wine lesson swallowing is not compulsory, and spitting is normal at a tasting.

For participants who do not drink we offer grape juice or tea.

Minors do not take part in wine tastings.

Safety

A kitchen has knives, fire and a hot oven, so the instructor explains the rules from the start.

Children do only safe tasks, under adult supervision.

A short warm-up before a dance lesson reduces the risk of injury.

Touch and consent

A dance or cooking instructor sometimes corrects a posture or movement by hand.

This happens only with your consent, and saying no is entirely normal.

We agree this rule with instructors in advance.

Certificates

Some masterclasses give a certificate of participation, which makes a nice souvenir.

Such a certificate is usually not an official qualification.

If you need an official document, we look for a suitable accredited programme.

Online lessons

Language and sometimes cooking lessons can also be online, before arrival or after departure.

For online cooking we send you the ingredient list in advance.

We take account of the time zone and your schedule.

A masterclass on tour

On many of our tours a masterclass is one part, often in Kakheti or at a family guesthouse.

That way the tour becomes not just sightseeing but taking part.

We describe our tours in a separate section.

What to bring

In the kitchen comfortable clothes and closed shoes are best; the instructor gives you an apron.

For dance, soft shoes and loose clothing will serve you well.

For a language lesson a notebook and a phone to record sounds are enough.

Photos and video

Filming during a masterclass is usually allowed, and many instructors take photos for you too.

In a family home we ask the hosts' consent before filming them.

If you would like a professional photographer, we invite one separately.

Individual or group

An individual lesson follows your pace and interests.

A group lesson is fun and brings new acquaintances.

We offer both, and the choice is yours.

Choosing a teacher

We choose a teacher by experience, communication and guest reviews.

We often attend a lesson ourselves before recommending it to guests.

If something did not suit you, tell us, and next time we will suggest someone else.

The rhythm of the trip

We plan a cooking lesson for the first half of the day, so the dish you make becomes lunch.

After a wine masterclass we schedule no demanding activity and no driving.

We do not put a dance lesson on a long hiking day, so your legs can rest.

Gift voucher

A masterclass makes a good gift for a birthday, an anniversary or a colleague.

The date on the voucher stays open, and the recipient uses it at a convenient time.

We agree the voucher's validity and terms with the instructor in advance.

Getting to the lesson

In the city you reach a lesson on foot, by taxi or by metro, and we send the exact address in advance.

For a lesson in a village or a cellar we arrange a transfer, as public transport is rare.

The driver waits until the end of the lesson, especially after a wine tasting.

For people living here

Foreigners living here often choose regular language and dance lessons.

A cooking lesson makes a good gift for a family member or a visitor.

We are happy to recommend language and dance clubs for children.

Timelines and booking

We often book a masterclass a few days ahead, and a week ahead in season.

A language course has its own start dates, while individual lessons can begin any time.

University deadlines start months ahead, and we track them separately.

Cancellation

An instructor prepares ingredients and time in advance, so a late cancellation is a loss for them.

We explain the cancellation terms before booking.

In case of illness or weather, moving to another day is often possible.

Common mistakes

A cooking lesson shortly after a big lunch, when nobody is hungry any more.

A wine lesson at the end of a day tour, with no driver.

Choosing a university without checking recognition.

What we need from you

What you want to learn, at what level and for what purpose.

How many participants there are, their ages and language.

Dates, city and any dietary or health considerations.

Price

The teacher or institution sets the price of a lesson or course, by group size and length.

We add nothing to this price, and you pay it directly.

Our fee for helping is agreed separately and in advance.