Tbilisi, the old scent of an eternally new beginning
In Tbilisi time does not flow in a straight line, and it would not know where to start if you asked it to begin. The capital of Georgia is a kaleidoscope of colours, flavours, sensations and emotions that transcend physical time. A strong and stubborn city, conquered and invaded from ancient times until today, Tbilisi operates by its own rules, ensuring not only its survival but its flourishing in soil that is not always fertile. It is no small thing to lift your head from the dust century after century in your own land and find yourself in a place that is always new.
A strategic point on the famed Silk Road, Tbilisi quickly became a coveted treasure for neighbouring nations, who left their mark, little by little, on its identity. Yet they did not destroy its spirit; on the contrary, they contributed to its profoundly eclectic and multicultural reality, transforming it into a living mosaic of architectural, cultural and religious influences. Every street, building, mosque or synagogue tells a story of resilience and adaptability, of a city that has kept its soul alive despite countless trials. In short, Tbilisi is an old city, a city forever new, and everything you can imagine in between.
Velvet dreams in Tbilisi
We, the creators at Trufash, are among the conquerors of this eclectic spirit. We too saw in Tbilisi a diaphanous treasure, like a velvet dream with powerful sensory qualities. Thus was born Rêves de Velours (Velvet Dreams), an elegant fragrance inspired by this rich city at the crossroads between Europe, the Middle East and Western Asia.
Today this fragrance is found not only in scented candles but also in wax melts, reed diffusers and car fresheners, and will be integrated into other products in our portfolio. We wanted the notes of our perfume to explode into a luxuriant emotion of aromas that would transport you directly to the streets of Tbilisi. You smell it and take a deep breath, your mind’s eye prepared for a sensory experience. If you have been there, you will recognise it immediately; if you have not yet been, you will long to go soon.
Therefore, we used warm, spicy and earthy notes that evoke the rich traditions of the Middle East – frankincense, cloves, amber and musk, then the aromas that recall the romantic and floral traditions of Europe, such as plum, raspberry, jasmine and lily, without forgetting the natural notes of Western Asia – pomegranate, patchouli and cedar wood.
Embark on the sensory experience of a unique city
If Tbilisi were an image, it would be the endless green, velvety expanse of the Military Road that starts in Georgia’s capital and runs far to the Russian capital.
If Tbilisi were a scent, something to tickle your nostrils long after you have left or that you search for in the memory of your taste buds, it would be the absolutely extraordinary local gastronomy and the ancient wine, over 8,000 years old, produced in qvevri vessels buried deep in Georgian soil.
If Tbilisi were a touch, it would be the delicate, fragrant sensation of the steam in the sulphur baths, an experience unlike anything else in the world.
If Tbilisi were a sound, it would be the voice of the lady selling flowers in the rose market, the accordion of the elderly man with a bow tie and rather shabby clothes sitting on a stool next to carpets laid out in the sun, the laughter of children in the streets and the call to prayer from the synagogue.
Tbilisi is a city imbued with history and hope, a place where past and future dance together like two partners who do not need words.
3 sensory experiences not to miss in Tbilisi
Thermal Baths
Tbilisi is a warm city, a trait from which it takes its name (in Georgian the word t’bili means warm). According to legend, King Vakhtang Gorgasali discovered the area’s natural hot springs in the 5th century, and their heat and healing properties inspired him to found the city there. The sulphurous baths are unlike those in Istanbul, Marrakesh or Budapest; in fact, they are like nothing you have ever tried.
Modern touches, such as essential oils, woody aromas and herbs, enrich a tradition based on the therapeutic properties of sulphurous water. Imagine warm steam hugging your skin, with a subtle blend of cedar and frankincense in the air, delicate essences of jasmine and lily in the water, and spicy clove with sweet pomegranate evoking Georgian hospitality. The earthy notes of patchouli and musk complete a holistic experience of regeneration and calm.
You can enjoy these sensations in many baths across Tbilisi, especially in the historic Abanotubani district, or at home by using the Rêves de Velours fragrance in any of its forms: candle, wax melt, reed diffuser or car freshener.
Gastronomy and local wine
Georgian cuisine is one of the world’s most underrated; whether you dine in an elegant restaurant or eat from a street stall, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. A single plate may feature meat, cheeses, vegetables and fruit, and you will marvel at how natural this combination is.
Pomegranate, a symbol of fertility and abundance, takes pride of place. At first it might seem odd crowning sausages with onions, but soon it will seem odd to eat anything without the sweet–tart flavour of pomegranate.
Although the Michelin Guide does not officially cover Georgia, Tbilisi boasts high‑class restaurants such as Kalaki, which calls itself the first Michelin‑evaluated fine dining restaurant in the city, even though it does not yet hold a star.
A perfect meal must include Georgian wine – the cradle of wine‑making. Traditions link wine to national identity: babies’ lips are moistened with wine at baptism, Saint Nino carried a cross of vine wood and the statue of Mother Georgia holds a sword and a jug of wine. The qvevri wines, fermented and aged in large ceramic vessels buried in the earth, are recognised by UNESCO.
Nature and history
Nature and history intertwine in Tbilisi. The city sits at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains and is adorned with lush vegetation behind buildings painted like a mosaic. Driving the Military Road from Tbilisi to Moscow, considered one of the world’s most beautiful drives, you will want to stop at every turn to absorb the scenery.
The route passes through dramatic mountain landscapes and reaches the Jvari Pass at 2,395 metres, rewarding every traveller who undertakes the journey.
Rêves de Velours, your sensory journey in Tbilisi
On the streets of Tbilisi, life unfolds like an endless novel; each stone tells a story. The winding streets link the past and present, from carved wooden balconies to modern bridges glistening in the Caucasian sun. Colourful markets sparkle with mountains of spices, and the warm laughter of the people seems to ring from all directions.
Rêves de Velours aims to bring this vibrant, eclectic spirit into your home. Picture a tranquil walk through the Old Town, an intimate dinner in a traditional wine cellar and the view of city lights from the surrounding hills. It evokes pleasant melancholy and curiosity, like a perfect Georgian evening: old red wine, warm conversation, sweet‑tart pomegranate smiles and a breathtaking landscape. To experience this at home, the Georgian‑inspired fragrance from Trufash – available as a candle, wax melt, reed diffuser or car freshener, with more products on the way – is just a click away.
You are also welcome to visit our showroom in Râșnov, Brașov, to discover more than 60 other scents from dream destinations around the world.
Trufash. Every flicker tells a story, every scent is a journey.
