If you want to really get under the skin of a country, ask a local. Staying with a family gives you a unique insight that you just don't get by booking into an hotel, as I discovered in Georgia. Thisana Dolidze brings me a breakfast of kharcho (spicy lamb stew), salty sulguni goat's cheese, peach juice, strong grainy coffee, a huge omelette "because English people like eggs in the morning" and porridge (in case I am a Scot, perhaps) followed by hunks of sticky cake covered with almonds and cinnamon. While I tackle the feast as best I can, my hostess helps me with some pointers for my first day...
photo: AP / Shakh Aivazov
