Travel in city Tbilisi, Georgia

Georgia's summer season has begun but a significant share of visitors are missing: Israelis.

Last year, when Micha Pycke, 40, and Albane Paret, 39, bought an apartment in Ostend — a once run-down Belgian seaside town that, in recent years, has become a favorite of artists and designers — they knew they wanted the place to be, says Pycke, “something more than an Airbnb or holiday home.” Instead, the couple, who co-own the Ghent-based arts- and design-focused communications agency Club Paradis, envisioned what he calls “a new kind of space”: essentially, a gallery where guests could stay overnight. To that end, they’ve filled the 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom, which is on the eighth floor of a ’60s-era building overlooking the North Sea, with works by some of their favorite artists and designers, many of whom are also their clients. In the living room, a lacquered wood coffee table by the Dutch designer Linde Freya Tangelder’s studio, Destroyers/Builders, sits atop a limited-edition rug by the Swiss textile artist Christoph Hefti woven with images of foxes. In one of the bedrooms, a copper-colored, ruched-felt tapestry by Rooms Studio — a women-led company from Tbilisi, Georgia — hangs above a Duo seat by the Belgian team Muller Van Severen for Valerie Objects. And if you like something, you can probably take it with you; most of the pieces are for sale, and Pycke and Paret are also happy to connect guests directly with designers. . —

People like to ask travel and food writers about their favorite countries for eating. I name the usual suspects—Italy, Mexico, Japan. And then there’s my dark horse: Georgia (“the country,” I sometimes clarify, depending on my audience). The country is an ancient melting pot at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Russia and the Middle East; a place with a complicated history; a self-proclaimed capital of life, love, food and wine in the “forgotten backyard of Europe.”

Indian carriers now have the second-largest order book for new planes, with over a 6 percent share of the industry backlog, behind only the U.S., according to a recent Barclays report. Budget carrier IndiGo’s aircraft order for 500 Airbus A320neofamily planes – likely worth $50 billion – has eclipsed Air India’s 470 aircraft order made in February. When added to IndiGo’s substantial backlog totaling 480 jets, questions will arise whether the Indian market can accommodate this number of aircraft, noted IBA, an aviation market intelligence company and consultancy.  

Just over 140 miles to the west of Georgia's capital Tbilisi, Kutaisi is a city in flux, perfect for adventure , food and some exceptional spa time. Rough Guides writer Eleanor Ross explores the city as a base for outdoor activities and shows us the best things to do in Kutaisi.