Race Across the World welcomed its most unlikely contestants to date this series: in-laws Margot and Mark, who traveled from the streets of Palermo in Sicily to the shores of Lake Hövsgöl in northern Mongolia — without credit cards, phones, Wi-Fi, or plane travel. Their unconventional trip was part of a promise they made to Julia, Margot’s sister and Mark’s wife, who died three years ago. Her dying wish was that her zesty sister and straight-edged husband would become best friends. Indeed, there is no better way to give it their best shot than abandoning everything they know and working together in some of the world’s most challenging environments to try to win £20,000 — exploring cities and towns they had never even heard of weeks before. By the end of the contest, they will have traveled more than 12,000 km over 51 days and eight legs. Speaking to Metro, Margot reveals where she is desperate to return to.
Akhaltsikhe: Georgia’s Hidden Gem
For Margot, the highlight of the trip was Akhaltsikhe, a small city in Georgia’s southwestern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, with a population of just over 17,000 people. Best known as the home of Rabati Castle, an enormous 9th-century fortification, it is divided between an old city on the hill and a newer town on the plain, every inch packed with rich history and diverse culture. Viewers saw Margot enjoy a rare moment of downtime in Akhaltsikhe, tucking into a bowl of juicy dumplings and what looked like an endless supply of wine for the equivalent of £10. All while Mark was bedridden with a stomach bug, missing out on what was her favorite part of the entire adventure. “Akhaltsikhe had beautiful wine, beautiful dumplings. It’s so small and compact that you can explore it quite quickly, and there’s so much history,” she says. Akhaltsikhe might be small, but it is the perfect base from which to explore the rest of southwestern Georgia. While Margot did not have time or money to fully make the most of her short stay, she recommends taking a picturesque train ride to the country’s futuristic capital, Tbilisi. “It is just a fantastic and unexpected place – I’d never even seen pictures of it before. The sights there are easy to do, it’s a very simple city to walk around, live in, be in and experience, and it’s set on a lovely river. It was an absolute surprise. And it’s even more of a thrill when countries surprise you like that.”
How to Get to Akhaltsikhe
Travelling to Akhaltsikhe from the UK is fairly straightforward and can be reasonable, depending on the time of year. In winter, flights are often under £100, but are usually more than double during summer. The fastest route is a direct flight from London to Tbilisi, which takes roughly five hours, followed by a three- to four-hour drive. All in, it is an eight to ten-hour journey. But according to Margot, it is worth it: “Georgia is such a hidden gem. There’s something for everybody: the food, the wine, the history and the culture.”
Things to Do in Akhaltsikhe
If you have more time to explore Akhaltsikhe than Mark and Margot did, there is plenty on offer. The city is best known for Rabati Castle, a sprawling fortress complex that blends medieval, Ottoman, and modern architecture. Recently restored, Rabati offers a layered experience, with its mosque, church, synagogue, and palace structures all within the same walls. Walking through its terraces and towers gives sweeping views of the town and a sense of how different cultures have shaped the region over centuries. Inside the fortress is the Hotel Gino Wellness, a four-star spa hotel with rooms overlooking the castle grounds. But there is plenty more to explore. Its population is largely made up of Armenian and Meskhetian families, creating a cultural melting pot where the streets mix Soviet-era buildings with traditional Georgian homes. Wandering the local markets offers insight into everyday life. You can try regional foods like khachapuri, or Georgia’s most famous export: saperavi wine. The atmosphere is far more relaxed than in bigger cities, making it a great place to experience authentic Georgian hospitality. One of the city’s standout features is its location, ideal for exploring more of Georgia’s gems. A short trip beyond the city is Vardzia, a 12th-century cave monastery carved into the cliffs along the Mtkvari River, once home to hundreds of monks. Exploring its tunnels feels like stepping into a city frozen in time, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Elsewhere, there are plenty of ancient fortresses, remote villages, and scenic landscapes that remain largely untouched by mass tourism. In short, there is more than enough to keep nature lovers, foodies, and culture vultures busy over a long weekend.
Margot’s Most Memorable Meal
If you are up to date on the current series of Race Across The World, Margot’s favorite meal will be abundantly clear: it is the one time she got to bask in the sun with wine and dumplings in Georgia. But her most memorable meal will live with her forever, for all the wrong reasons. “We went to Kazakhstan and worked on the horse farm where they had a big banquet with all their family and relatives. They come to the table, and they bring a ram’s head. A blackened ram’s head, uncooked. This is an honorable thing, and a big platter of various horsey things – a horsey sausage, a horsey this, a horsey that – in front of us, and there’s a smell that’s maybe subconscious, but you think you can smell the horse. That’s one thing about Mark, he said, ‘I’m doing taking one for the team’ but I just couldn’t.”
Margot’s Top Travel Hacks
Margot did not pick up any new travel hacks along the race, but luckily she is well-versed in adventure and was already equipped with two tips she says everyone should swear by. “Always pack your lipstick – no matter what, lipstick makes you feel your best. When you’re feeling down, it gives you a boost. One time, a certain airline tried to bump me from a flight and I just put my lipstick on, my sunglasses, and carried on – so I think lipstick has its own power. And caftans – pack a caftan because you can wear them anywhere. As long as you have caftans and lipstick, you’re good to go.”
