The Gudauri stretch of the Kazbegi region consists of a few well-marked bastions of history dating to the Soviet era—the Friendship Monument is the most popular, and it sits atop a hill and is symbolic of the peace treaty between Georgia and Russia as the USSR disintegrated into individual nations.
The semilunar arc is embellished with the most colorful murals retelling the stories from antiquity to the current era. One could even wander off into the verdant slopes that ring the structure to get up close and personal with nature, but some do require official permits to explore.
A short drive away is the town center which has a profusion of hostels and budget stays where hikers and naturalists from all over the world congregate. The Gergeti Trinity church—the most famous viewpoint here, was in a state of partial renovation but not really taking away the charm—is spectacular and imposing, and the surrounding hills match the main attraction in prettiness.
