For Americans, Tbilisi is the capital of the "other" Georgia -- the former Soviet republic with the Black Sea at its west, Russia to the north, and Turkey to the south. 

A true crossroads between Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it's a little out of the way for some.  But Tbilisi and all of Georgia are on the cusp of becoming a major tourist draw because of how the region blends an old, rugged lifestyle with sleek, modern independence. 

Mix of old and new

Tbilisi offers some cobblestone streets where tiny cars barely have enough room to pass through.  But nearby may be slick boutiques with clothes you could find in Milan or New York.  Visitors often are amazed at how clean the city is and how many people speak English and smile. 

Short drives from Tbilisi are winter hot spots for skiing in terrain that many dream of -- mostly untouched slopes in long valleys where peaks can reach 16,000 feet.  Visitors also enjoy food based on a Mediterranean diet -- roasted eggplant, succulent meat, salads of cucumbers and tomatoes, and homemade cheeses that melt in your mouth. 

The New York Times ranked the Republic of Georgia as #6 in "The 41 Places to Go in 2011."