A MAN who’s racked up over 31,000 hours in the air has revealed a lesser-known holiday destination in Europe is one of his favourite places to visit.
Fred Finn, 84 is the Guinness World Record holder for being the most travelled man – his time in the air equates to one hour for every day he’s been alive – and among the lesser-known places in the world he recommends visiting is Georgia.
Kutaisi is one of Europe’s oldest cities so is full of history[/caption]
Batumi is a beautiful city by the sea known for its beaches and casinos[/caption]
Having crossed hundreds of borders and flown in some of the most iconic aircraft of all time, including 718 flights on Concorde, the travel fanatic has a fair few recommendations when it comes to places to visit.
Fred’s travelled to all corners of the globe, but Georgia is one of the places in Europe he enjoys most.
He told Sun Travel: “People don’t really know about Georgia.
“Kutaisi has tremendous history and Batumi on the coast is like the Monaco of the Black Sea.
“The food is good, the dancing they do is fantastic. It’s got the highest mountain in Europe, it’s got villages and lakes. It’s also very hospitable there.
“And it’s the oldest wine producing country in the world, they’ve been doing it 5,000 years.”
The Saperavi grape is a native Georgian grape variety that is used to make many of the country’s most well-known wines.
Fred explained its a red grape that’s red or black the whole way through.
Not like grapes you get in the UK that are white in the centre.
He said: “This is what makes the wine superlative.”
Georgia also has a local drink called Chacha, a distilled white wine drink.
Fred explained: “It’s probably about 80 percent proof, but it’s actually quite pleasant.”
Georgia is considered a budget-friendly destination with cheap food and low-cost activities, especially compared to Monaco.
Ukraine was another one of Fred’s favourite lesser-known places to visit before the war started.
He said: “I love it because of its tremendous history and my family are also from there.
“It’s lots older than its neighbour that’s causing it a war – it’s 700 years older than Russia – so the history there is fantastic.
“Kyiv turned 1500 years old a month or so ago, I think it’s probably the most beautiful city in Europe. I love it.
“When Ukraine wins this war, it will be another nice place to go.”
Fred has now written a book called Sonic Boom where he shares the incredible journeys he’s undertaken over the years, as well as the evolution of commercial aviation and its impact on global culture.
The book is available for pre-order now here.
Georgia’s must-see places
Tbilisi – Georgia’s capital city is known for its diverse architecture, history, and culture, as well as its natural attractions and nightlife. Tbilisi was a hub on the Silk Road, and its history and culture reflect its diverse ethnic makeup. And its Old Town is a picturesque area on the Mtkvari River, with Georgian and Armenian churches, mosques, synagogues, and the Leaning Tower of Tbilisi.
Kutaisi – it’s one of the oldest cities in the country. The city has impressive architectural monuments, including medieval cathedrals and a futuristic parliament building. The Kutaisi botanical garden features many beautiful trees near the Riono River. And you can take a ride on one of the four new cable car lines for great views of the town.
Batumi – a popular coastal destination in Georgia, Batumi has lush landscapes and orange groves make it a haven for nature enthusiasts.The Batumi Botanical Gardens are a must-see, with a great view of the sea at the top.
Fred also rates Ukraine and said Kyiv is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe[/caption]
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