Interesting facts about Georgia. Local transport of Georgia

Georgia is a country where your day begins with a smile and ends with a glass of wine. One visit to Georgia is enough to leave your heart here forever. He will be kidnapped by the stunning mountain panoramas of Kazbegi, the sea waves of Adjara, the view of Tbilisi from the Narikala fortress, hot khinkali with a glass of "Khvanchkara" and, of course, the friendliness of the locals. This will be confirmed by each of the 6 million tourists who annually visit the homeland of winemaking. Why is it worth going to Georgia? And what is worth knowing before the first trip? All answers are in the material Traveling. by prepared jointly with the specialists of the tour operator "Mouzenidis Travel".

The stunning beauty of the mountains, the purity and warmth of the Black Sea, aromatic cuisine and even wine traditions cannot overshadow one thing in Georgia - the boundless hospitality and responsiveness of local residents. Anyone here who you ask about the right way to a church or fortress will personally take you and tell you everything he knows about it. And every driver in Georgia is a guide at the call of his heart, he will tell you from the bottom of his heart everything he knows about every house, street, church on your route.

Georgians are a people with a wide open heart. Before you have time to look back, they already treat you to their chacha, wrap their homemade suluguni with them and invite their daughter to the wedding next year. And Georgians are like that in everything - they sing mesmerizingly, dance incendiaryly, make the world's best wine using the ancient technology, and cook in such a way that you will dream of a Georgian feast long after you return home. In this country, hospitality seems to be elevated to a cult. If you are lucky enough to get to a family dinner, the hostess will prepare her best meals to show that she is a skilled cook, and the owner will do everything possible to show that he is the head of the family and you are the most honored guest in their house.

WHAT IT IS WORTH KNOWING BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

The country, stretching in the highlands between the Caspian and Black Seas, at the junction of the West and the East, has more than 11 centuries of history. Whoever has visited the fertile Georgian lands during this time - Greeks, Turks, Armenians, Arabs, Russians. Georgians not only took all the best from these cultures, but also organically incorporated this heritage into their carefully preserved traditions.

Georgia also saved religion - almost 90% of the population today professes Orthodox Christianity, without challenging the right to other religions: there are mosques, synagogues, Gregorian, Catholic churches in the country. Pilgrims from all over the world flock to Orthodox churches and monasteries.

In addition to shrines, Georgia prepares for tourists walking excursions in Tbilisi and gastronomic tours to any of the 12 regions of the country, wine cellars of Kakheti, the mountain slopes of Svaneti, Gudauri and Bakuriani, the beaches of Batumi and the surrounding resort villages.

HOW TO GET TO GEORGIA

There are regular flights between Minsk and the airports of Georgia - you can get directly to Tbilisi (Belavia aircrafts fly every day) or Batumi (every day in summer, on Wednesdays and Sundays in winter). There are also direct flights from the nearby capitals - Moscow and Kiev.

VISA TO GEORGIA

Belarusians do not need a visa to Georgia, as well as citizens of 93 other countries of the world. To visit Georgia without a visa, you must have a passport, which will be valid for another six months after returning from a trip to Georgia. You can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days in half a year.

KITCHEN OF GEORGIA

One of the most delicious cuisines in the world is Georgian. She absorbed all the best that the gastronomic cultures of other peoples who at different times settled on the territory of Georgia could give her. Many people call Georgian cuisine one of the main attractions of the country - and it is impossible to argue with that.

The cuisine is based on an abundance of greens and vegetables, harmoniously balanced with meat. Thanks to this, it is almost impossible to get better from these dishes. For cooking, Georgian housewives always take only fresh products - nothing frozen or stored for a long time. They add cilantro to almost all of them - it is its flavor that will subsequently cause you persistent nostalgia for Georgia and a keen desire to return.

A feast in Georgia is a visiting card of the country. And if you find yourself at a table in a Georgian's house, then you are incredibly lucky - you will experience all the strength and depth of Georgian generosity. Dishes on the table for dear guests are placed here in several layers: lobio with corn tortilla mchadi, ajapsandali, khachapuri, khinkali, satsivi, shashlik, elarji porridge, shashlik with tkemali sauces, satsebeli, or - for those with a strong spirit - with Megrelian adjika. A bottle of chacha or wine will add the right notes and mood to any dish. By the way, it is customary to order wine here in bottles or jugs, you are in Georgia!

There are no restaurants in Georgia where the food is tasteless - the cooking skill of local chefs knows no bounds. And if such places appeared, they simply would not have withstood the enormous competition with all the abundance of cafes and restaurants that any Georgian city can boast of. The best of them can be found out, as a rule, by chance - on the recommendation of the locals. For example, about the Shavi Lomi (Black Lion) family restaurant on the ground floor of a house with a huge lion graffiti on 23 Amagleba Street in Tbilisi. Or about a bar in the Berlin spirit of Black Dog by Asatiani, 33 - with posters of cult westerns and portraits of the heroes of the movie "The Big Lebowski". About the classic restaurant Maspindzelo next to the Sulfur Baths or the Machakhela khachapur chain.

A hearty dinner for two in Georgia will cost 15 USD, a bottle of wine for it - from 8 USD to 50 USD, depending on the variety. Tipping in Georgia is included in the bill and amounts to 10-18% of the value of the check.

SHOPPING AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE IN GEORGIA

The monetary unit of Georgia is the lari (GEL), which is divided into 100 tetri. Other currencies are not accepted for calculations. You can profitably exchange money away from the tourist areas.

What is worth bringing from Georgia?

The best Georgian souvenirs for gourmets will be Suluguni cheese, better - Megrelian cheese. For it, go to the Aristaeus specialty store. Here, in addition to traditional cheeses, you can buy rare varieties with spices and additives - cheese aged in beer or wine, with honey and mint, with garlic, coriander, paprika and others.

And, of course, how can you return from Georgia without a bottle of good wine. One of the most famous is "Khvanchkara", which Stalin loved for its sweetness and richness of taste. A bottle of real "Khvanchkara" will cost about 70 lari (about 30 USD). To choose your favorite Georgian wine, do not miss the opportunity to taste the red wines "Saperavi", "Tsinandali" and "Mukuzani", among the whites - "Tvishi", "Rkatsiteli" and rosé "Aladasturi". This is only a small part of the wine variety; in Georgia, wines are also produced from rarer varieties of grapes, including using the most ancient technology - in clay amphoras "kvevri".

Spices are brought from Georgia (the most popular is Svan salt, a mixture of herbs and salt from the Svaneti region), sauces, jams and the famous Georgian tea (connoisseurs should look into the "Tea Museum" in Tbilisi at the intersection of Tabidze and Lermontov), ​​and as a more expensive souvenirs worth looking at jewelry made from the famous Georgian cloisonné enamel using the minankari technique and clothes of Georgian designers.

TRANSPORT (TBILISI)

Getting around Tbilisi is easy - there is a well-developed public transport network. You need to buy a card for 2 GEL in the metro and top it up. The metro pass is valid for travel in the metro (50 tetri / 0.17 USD), buses (50 tetri / 0.17 USD), minibuses (80 tetri / 0.27 USD), as well as for climbing the cable car to the Narikala fortress and by funicular to Mount Mtatsminda. It is necessary to keep the receipt of its purchase and return it at any metro ticket office at the end of the trip.

It is better to order a taxi in Georgia at the hotel. If you stop a taxi on the street, agree in advance on the cost of the trip.

REST IN GEORGIA WITH CHILDREN

Georgians are family people, they value everything related to family and love children very much. You will feel this immediately upon arrival in the country. You will meet groups of Georgian schoolchildren during each excursion - in castles, the stalactite Cave of Prometheus, in the rocky cave city of Vardzia and on the Martian slopes of Uplistsikhe. What child hasn't imagined himself to be a knight or a conqueror? It is these excursions that help develop imagination and captivate little travelers.

In Tbilisi, be sure to check out the Botanical Garden or the water park, which is open all year round. A special place is occupied by the Mtatsminda amusement and amusement park on the mountain of the same name - climbing it on the funicular will already become an adventure for the kid. And when your Ferris wheel booth is at its highest, remember that you are at the highest possible height above Tbilisi and observe the entire panorama of the million-plus city.

ENTERTAINMENT IN GEORGIA

Georgia is a country not only for wine and food tours, but also for exciting excursions into the history of small mountain towns. The city of love Singagi, the village of Kazbegi overlooking the majestic Kazbek, the restored Rabat fortress, the 6th century David Gareji complex in the mountains, Kutaisi in Imereti, the ancient Caucasian fortress Ananuri, the Alazani Valley ... Small hospitable Georgia is ready to give you everything it has: ski lovers and trekking - stunning beauty of the mountain, lovers of knowledge - 11 centuries of its history and the most valuable artifacts, pilgrims - the oldest monasteries and churches with relics, gastronomic admirers - wine from qvevri and full tables of food, lovers of nightlife - Batumi clubs and Tbilisi bars, those who yearning for the sea - the entire coast of the beaches, and for those yearning for human warmth - the Georgian soul, open and pure, like Georgia itself.

Choose your level of saturation of the excursion program:

Light: Eureka! Tbilisoba. Gifts of Autumn "

• Only two days - from 6 to 7 October 2018, the most popular Georgian festival will be held in the capital of Georgia. As part of the program, you will not only spend several unforgettable days in the world capital of winemaking, take part in wine and Georgian cuisine tastings, but also get a boat ride on the Kura River as a gift!
• Meals: breakfast
• Price: $ 484 for 5 nights

Standard: "All colors of Georgia" 1 / "All colors of Georgia" 2

• Route: No.1 Tbilisi - Uplistsikhe - Mtskheta - Gori - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Kakheti - Vinny Region
• Meals: breakfasts + 1 lunch
• Route: No. 2 Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Batumi - Martvili - Okatse - Prometheus Cave - Kutaisi - Sataplia
• Meals: breakfast
• Cost: No. 1 - $ 672 for 5 nights; No. 2 - $ 730 for 5 nights

In-depth: "Georgian Odyssey"

• Route: Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Batumi - Martvili - Okatse - Prometheus Cave - Kutaisi - Sataplia - Tbilisi - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe - Rabat - Kakheti - Wine Land (Bodbe - Signagi - Telavi) - Annanuri - Kazbegi
• Meals: breakfasts + 1 lunch
• Price: $ 1040 for 9 nights

Advanced: Wine and gastronomic tour "Gamarjoba, Georgia!"

• Itinerary: sightseeing tour of Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Uplikhtsikhe - Chateau Mukhrani - Kakheti - Wine Land - Alaverdi - Tbilisi
• Meals: breakfasts + 4 lunches with drinks + 4 dinners with drinks, culinary master classes
• Price: $ 732 for 5 nights

GUIDE TO CITIES AND RESORTS OF GEORGIA

Tbilisi

Georgians say: if you have not been to Tbilisi, you have not seen Georgia. It is this city that should be chosen for the first acquaintance with the country. It enchants with colorful houses scattered on the slopes of Mount Mtatsminda with carved balconies and garlands of colored linen on them, churches reflecting in the Kura River, cats in the narrow streets of the old city, the ancient Narikala fortress, from which the best panorama of the capital of Georgia opens. Tbilisi streets keep the love story of Alexander Griboyedov and Nina Chavchavadze, echoes of the steps of Tchaikovsky, Lermontov and Mayakovsky.

Be sure to check out the performance at the clock tower of the Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater. Right here you can have a cup of coffee in the Don't Cry! Cafe. - The interior of the cafe was completely created by Rezo Gabriadze himself, the creator of the films "Don't Cry!", "Mimino", "Freaks", "Kin-dza-dza!"

Where to dine in Tbilisi:

• Georgian house with an interesting interior,
• Mravaljamieri, where you can see fiery Georgian dances,
• Funicular cafe on Mount Mtatsminda,
• high-class restaurant Tabla,
• Tavadouri restaurant on the banks of the Kura.

Be sure to visit the ancient capital - Mtskheta. It is located just 20 km from Tbilisi - here an unusual panorama is created by the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers, the Jvari monastery of the 7th century flaunts on the mountain, and the tunic of Christ is buried in the grandiose Svetitskhoveli cathedral.

The pilgrimage program "Shrines of Orthodox Georgia" includes a visit to the main holy places of the country, temples of the most important spiritual and historical significance, places associated with the enlightener of Georgia, St. Nina. Tour cost - from 784 USD, 7 nights / 8 days, breakfasts + dinners, flight included.

8 things to do in Georgia:

• climb the cable car: in Tbilisi - to the ancient fortress Narikala, in Batumi - to Mount Anuria, from where you can enjoy the stunning panorama of the city;
• visit the sulfur baths in Tbilisi (the most beautiful bath is Orbelianovskaya, which was visited by Alexander Pushkin himself) and test for yourself their magical effect on the skin. By the way, next to them is a monument to the heroes of the beloved film "Mimino";
• listen to how Georgian men sing - Georgian polyphonic singing is included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List;
• take a funicular ride to Mount Mtatsminda in Tbilisi and taste donuts with cream in the cafe upstairs. Order the traditional "Logidze Water" lemonade with tarragon, cream soda, lemon or pear flavor;
• decide on your favorite variety of Georgian wine by going on a wine tour;
• to learn how to eat khinkali correctly - to hold by the tail, biting off carefully so as not to spill hot aromatic broth;
• choose your favorite type of khachapuri with cheese - Adjarian, Imeritin, Megrelian or other;
• visit the local market and bargain for homemade suluguni, churchkhela (a sweetness made from nuts strung on a string and grape or pomegranate juice) and walnut jam.

Batumi

Over the past few years, Batumi has changed a lot and is not inferior to other European cities - the resort has been declared a national project. Modern buildings and hotels of the world chains Sheraton, Hilton, Radisson and others appeared here. The Batumi embankment is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in Batumi. Both tourists and locals love to stroll past the palm trees against the backdrop of the sunset. You can rent a bike and drive along the promenade to see all the sculptures set against the backdrop of the sea. The most touching of them is the monument to Ali and Nino, the heroes of the book of the same name about eternal love. Giant figures move slowly, now converging and merging into a single whole, then parting again, as if forever. Some episodes of the famous Soviet film "Love and Doves" were also filmed on the Batumi embankment.

Recently, Batumi has gained the glory of the "Georgian Las Vegas" - at night the city burns with the lights of casinos, expensive hotels, the Alphabet Tower and the Ferris Wheel. It is good to enjoy the view of this spectacle from the terrace of one of the restaurants on the shore - to the sound of the waves and the cries of seagulls. Local seafood restaurants are renowned as the best in Georgia.

In the summertime, the same coast will give you sea baths, bronze tanning and water activities. In winter, rest in Batumi can be combined with skiing in the new resort of Goderdzi, which is just an hour's drive from the city.

Borjomi

This health resort in the mountains 800 meters above sea level is famous for its mineral water. In Borjomi, it is worth going for a pacifying vacation in the bosom of nature, walks in a local park, all the same amazing Georgian cuisine and health improvement - local sanatoriums and hotels are considered the best in the country, and Georgians themselves love to relax here.

Gudauri

Gudauri confidently takes the palm from other Georgian ski resorts - Bakuriani, Svaneti, Mestia. This young resort, 120 km from Tbilisi, was built by Austrian specialists using the most modern technologies. To the delight of skiers, 57 kilometers of excellent slopes. The best time to travel to Gudauri is from December to April, when the slopes are covered with the best snow cover, and in small cozy hotels they burn a fireplace in the evenings.

Why Georgia with Mouzenidis Travel?

General information and geography

1. Georgia is located on the Black Sea in the Transcaucasus and belongs to the so-called Western Asia.
2. Georgia shares borders with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia and Turkey.
3. The main religion of the country is Orthodoxy.
4. The ancient capital of Georgia is the city of Mtskheta.
5. The climate of the country is Mediterranean: dry subtropics have formed in most of Georgia, and humid ones on the coast.
6. Average temperatures in July and January in Tbilisi are + 25 ° С and + 2 ° С, in Batumi - + 23 ° С and + 7 ° С, respectively.
7. The best time to visit the country is May, June and September.
8. Popular resorts in Georgia, in addition to Batumi, are Kabuleti, Kvariati, Ureki, Gonio and Cape Verde (Mtsvane Kontskhi). Georgian beaches are pebbly, with the exception of the sandy beaches of Ureki.
9. There are a number of ski resorts in Georgia. The most famous are Gudauri and Bakuriani.

The documents

1. Citizens of Russia (as well as for Belarusians and Ukrainians) do not need a visa to visit Georgia for up to 1 year. It is enough just to have a passport.
2. Children to enter the country must have their own passport or can be entered in the passport of their parents.
3. Passports should not contain stamps about visiting Abkhazia (citizens of the Russian Federation should go there with a civil passport, in which no marks are put). Previously, criminal prosecution was promised for this - a fine of more than a thousand dollars or a prison term for several years, now there is a fine of about $ 160.

Language

1. As in many former Soviet republics, people of the older generation speak Russian well, while the younger ones speak English better. The official language is Georgian. There are very few inscriptions in Russian, mostly in Georgian and English.

People

1. The legendary Georgian hospitality really exists.
2. A bad attitude towards Russians is a myth. Georgians in general are benevolent and hospitable to everyone. For obvious reasons, you should not start talking about politics and military conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as joke about nationalities.
3. In Georgia, there is a very reverent attitude towards the family, and there is a special cult of children.

Currency

1. The monetary unit of Georgia is the Georgian lari (GEL), equal to 100 tetri.
2. At the moment, 1 Georgian lari is equal to 23.8 rubles, 0.4 US dollars and 0.38 euros.
3. You can exchange currency at exchange offices or banks. In exchangers, before the operation, it is imperative to clarify what commission is charged.
4. The most profitable is the purchase of lari for dollars, but you can also change both euros and rubles - the rate is adequate.

Laws and orders

1. Georgia is considered a country that has defeated corruption.
2. An attempt to bribe a Georgian policeman is punished very seriously - it is better not to try.
3. In Georgia, there is a radical struggle by the local criminal world. A person who calls himself a "thief in law" (even jokingly) has a term of up to 10 years.
4. Imprisonment for the purchase and storage of marijuana for personal use in small quantities (100 grams in raw form) has been abolished in Georgia.

Transport

1. The fastest convenient way to get to Georgia from Russia is by air. Direct flights from Moscow are operated by Aeroflot, S7 and Georgian Airways. You will have to fly from other cities with a transfer.
2. You can come to Georgia by train only from Baku and Yerevan. Trains do not run from Russia to Georgia.
3. You can get from Russia to Georgia by road through Vladikavkaz and the Upper Lars pass.
4. It is impossible to travel from Russia to Georgia through Abkhazia, as well as vice versa.
5. In the warm season (from April to November), a high-speed boat “Kometa” runs from Sochi to Batumi twice a week.
6. You can travel around the country by minibuses (they go often and inexpensively), buses or trains.
7. You can buy a ticket for Georgian trains online at website Georgian railways or using the resource biletebi.ge.
8. Comfortable high-speed sit trains run from Tbilisi to Batumi and Zugdidi.
9. It is believed that in Georgia there is a very good hitchhiking: they will bring you, feed, and, if necessary, give shelter.
10. The traffic in the country is chaotic and aggressive (especially in Tbilisi). Pedestrians are not allowed to pass, even with children.
11. Traveling without a ticket in city buses can be difficult, since controllers are often on duty on the routes.

Lodging

1. There is a fairly large selection of hostels and guesthouses in Tbilisi and Batumi. You can rent an apartment on a fairly budgetary basis (especially out of season), both online in advance and on the spot.
2. Couchsurfing in Georgia is not very common, and many Georgian hosts (often expats from other countries) prefer female guests.
3. Central heating is rather rare in Georgia. With the supply of hot water, accordingly, not everything is clear either.
4. Power outages are also common.
5. In multi-storey buildings, there are often paid elevators or with an individual key.

Customs

1. The storage of weapons is allowed in Georgia.
2. When visiting, it is customary to stay in street shoes. Do not ask for slippers - the owners may be offended.
3. Never refuse a treat, and even just tea - they will definitely be offended.
4. Men in Georgia, like in other regions of the Caucasus, kiss when they meet.
5. The custom of stealing the bride is sometimes still practiced, but only with the consent of both newlyweds.
6. Temples may not be allowed in shorts, with bare shoulders and bare head.
7. Toastmaster at a Georgian feast is an absolute authority. No matter how long the toast is, never interrupt the toastmaster!

Gastronomy

1. Georgian cuisine is characterized by the contrast of spicy and spicy.
2. It is customary for Georgians to eat khinkali and shashlik with their hands.
3. In addition to the many variations of khachapuri, there are a number of delicious flour dishes in the country. The most famous of them are lobiani (flat pies with beans) and kubdari (pies with meat). Less popular, but also very tasty are gwezelis (cheese and egg pies).
4. Many dishes include legumes, eggplants, beets, cabbage, walnuts. Greens are necessarily used.
5. Georgia is the birthplace of "Tarhun" and "Borjomi". There are a number of other lemonades and mineral waters in the country.
6. Alcoholic drinks in Georgia are wine, chacha and cognac. There are some mediocre beers. The most famous of them is Natakhtari.

Souvenirs

1. In addition to gastronomic gifts, the choice of which is huge (alcohol, sauces, spices, cheeses, churchkhela, etc.), minankari (cloisonné enamel jewelry) and products with stories by the artist Niko Pirosmani will become wonderful souvenirs from Georgia.

HOLIDAYS

If you are planning a trip to Georgia, then this information, kindly provided to our portal by the travel company MyGeorgia, will be very useful to you. What a tourist needs to know about Georgia?

1. A tourist in Georgia has no nationality. He is primarily a Guest. That's right, with a capital letter. The guest, according to Georgians, was sent by God, and spiritual values ​​for this people are perhaps the most important thing in life. Therefore, do not look for a catch in their sincere disposition, but just enjoy what is happening while traveling to Georgia.

2. Do not try to "keep up" with the Georgians during the feast - they have been training to eat and drink for many years. In Georgia, saperavi (dry red wine) and khvanchkara (naturally semi-sweet red wine) doctors prescribe even to children - to strengthen the immune system.

3. During a serious feast in Georgia, they mainly drink white wine, as red increases blood pressure, and you won't drink much of it. And if short friendly gatherings are planned, where 1-1.5 liters per person, then Georgians can put red on the table. Be sure to drink it with a toast that comes from the very heart.

4. Georgians drive cars like real horsemen, so traffic on the roads at first can be very frightening. But at the same time, the percentage of car accidents in the country is extremely low - although the drivers are emotional, they are neat. When planning a trip to Georgia, it is better to take a ready-made excursion tour with a transfer.

5. For Russians and citizens of the CIS countries there is a visa-free regime for visiting Georgia. Since June 2015, residents of 94 countries can stay in the country without a visa for a year. The hospitality of Georgia begins to manifest itself immediately upon arrival: often customs officers who arrive in the country give a bottle of excellent Georgian wine.

6. The area of ​​Georgia is 69,700 sq. Km. This means that, if you wish, in just three to four hours you can drive from the sea resort of Batumi to the ski resort in Mountainous Adjara to go downhill skiing.

7. The UNESCO World Heritage List currently includes four sites in Georgia: the historical monuments of Mtskheta, the Bagrat Temple and the Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi, as well as Upper Svaneti. Another 16 properties are on the list of candidates for inclusion in this list.

Why you need to come to Georgia in autumn

8. No need to believe someone who says that one person cannot eat 20 khinkali at a time. Maybe we checked. Moreover, the experiment involved a young girl who did not even frown. Any Georgian in a good khinkali with a good lemonade or strong drink can easily master a couple of dozen khinkali.

9. On the power of spiritual traditions. In Georgia, the public statement in 2007 by Patriarch Ilia II that he would personally baptize every third child in a Georgian family, in whatever part of the country he was born, played an important role in raising the birth rate. As a result, over the next five years, the birth rate in Georgia increased by more than 20%.

10. Thanks to the reforms carried out in Georgia, now there is practically no crime, local residents often do not even lock their houses and cars.

What you need to know when going on a trip to Georgia. When and where to go to Georgia, do you need visas, what to see and visit in Georgia. Food and prices, etc.

Georgia has long attracted me with its khachapuri and mountainous expanses, but so far I still could not get to this dream country because of my Asia, Europe and Siberia .. Finally, it is getting closer and closer, and while I decided to start with this Guest post... My Georgian specialist Victor is also a global traveler and photographer whom we met in Phuket. He spent his childhood in Batumi and has come to Georgia every summer to this day. Victor's website Georgiabest.ru turned out to be the most useful for me in preparing for the first trip, and in this article Victor briefly but succinctly tells all the most important: this is information about how to get to Georgia, about visas, prices, interesting places in Georgia, which are worth visit and so on.

Victor, traveler, guide in Georgia: Georgiabest.ru

Yes, Georgia is on everyone's lips these days. And not in vain, oh not in vain. Come and see for yourself. So that later, too, closing his eyes, with a dreamy air, broadcast to friends how good it is, fun and sincerely. Of course, there are exceptions among the happy crowds of tourists, but they only prove the rule. And the rule is that this country will not leave anyone indifferent. And you have no reason to deny yourself the pleasure of getting to know Georgia and discover its amazing inhabitants and the breathtaking beauty of nature. What can we say about cultural, architectural and historical monuments, which are literally at every step, and often - right in the courtyards of people, such as towers in Svaneti or ancient qvevri in Kakheti ...

In winter they go to Georgia to cheerfully and unforgettably celebrate the New Year: on New Year's Eve, the whole country explodes with hundreds of thousands of fireworks. Also, in winter they come here to go skiing and snowboarding in Bakuriani and Gudauri. Well, given that the winter in Georgia is not so cold in comparison with the Ukrainian or Russian, then it will be all the same to see the sights in different parts of the country, with the exception, perhaps, of the remote regions of Tusheti and Racha, and even more so, to walk in Tbilisi and Mtskheta comfortable and not cold.

Important about winter in Georgia:

• In winter, and especially in March, there is a chance of strong gusty winds, which usually last 2-3 days.
• Heating in apartments and hotels in Georgia is not as good as in Russia - it is cool.
• Due to snowfalls, they may block the Georgian Military Road - the only highway connecting the country with Russia, and it will not always be possible to get to Stepantsminda to see the legendary Kazbek and the Gergeti Church.
• Georgia has a couple of excellent ski resorts with good slopes and open spaces for freeriding: Gudauri, 80 km from Vladikavkaz (for beginners and advanced) and Bakuriani, 180 km from Tbilisi (more difficult tracks).

May June- a good period for those who do not like the heat. There are still no such high temperatures, because of which Tbilisi is practically empty in summer: everyone is trying to leave, and even more so, to take the children somewhere in the forest or in the mountains. In general, in Georgia it is an almost indestructible tradition - to take children in the summer to 3, or at least 2 resorts in order to change the air and raise immunity. So, in the period from May to early July, locals usually go to the mountains or to coniferous forests. Pines bloom in May, and this pine air is very useful for both adults and children.

But in Tbilisi at this time it is quite comfortable. As a rule, it rains from time to time, the sun is shining, but not yet burning everything around, plus local vegetables and fruits appear on the shelves. You can overeat from the heart, because the prices are quite reasonable in comparison with the megacities of neighboring countries.

End of summer. Well, if you are a fan of the scorching sun, sea, beach and watermelons - come to Georgia in July-September. You can fly straight to Batumi, go to Kobuleti, Kvariati, Shekvetili, Ureki, Sarpi or Cape Verde (Mtsvane Konkhi). During this period, you will also find yourself in an incredible abundance of local fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs.

Late fall. It may seem that from October to December in Georgia it is gray, uninteresting, cold, and there is nothing to do. In fact, not entirely true. It is still quite warm in October, and it is a pleasure to go on excursions, and the counters are bursting with the gifts of the Georgian land: grapes, persimmons, figs - these are just a few examples. The famous Georgian tangerines will start in November. Also, in autumn they go to Georgia to see such a colorful and unforgettable event as "rtveli" - grape harvest. A visit to rtveli is in itself a sufficient reason to come here in the middle of autumn.

An important factor in favor of planning a trip during this time (and also from February to March) is the lower prices for accommodation and excursions than during the high season. So weigh the pros and cons and choose the perfect time for you.

Visa to Georgia (not required)

Good news, if you are traveling from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova and 88 other countries, you do not need a visa, at the border they will simply put an entry stamp on your passport. Moreover, citizens of Russia, if you suddenly want to stay, (and this is a very possible scenario, as practice shows), you can stay for a whole year, you will not need a visa.

Is it safe for Russian-speaking tourists in Georgia?

One often hears the question: "How safe is it for Russians to go to Georgia?" Given the tense relations between these two states, the question is quite understandable.

But among Georgians, it causes either laughter or bewilderment. "How could you even think that the Russians are dangerous here?" - this is how the answer to your question from the lips of local residents will sound like this.

Georgians, and everyone who lives in this southern country, is mostly peaceful and hospitable, that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The older generation in Georgia speaks excellent Russian, and some of the young people too. Although young people usually know English better than Russian, as such, you will not have a barrier in communicating with the local population. Someone who knows Russian is sure to be found nearby.

And in the field of tourist services, even more so: sellers, guides, drivers, hotel staff speak Russian.

How to get to Georgia on your own

At the moment, you can get to Georgia either by air or by land, or, if you are coming from Ukraine, by sea - by ferry. Trains, unfortunately, do not run here yet.

• Airplanes fly to Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi. People fly to Kutaisi, so this is a good option, especially since there are also many interesting places in this part of Georgia, you can even stay there for a couple of days. A Moscow-Tbilisi air ticket costs around $ 80, you can find the most profitable tickets.
• You can come by your own car - this is even greater freedom of movement and unrealistically beautiful roads.
• It takes a long time to get there by bus Moscow-Tbilisi, but on a budget (about $ 60). There is a bus from Kiev.
• By ferry you can get to Georgia from Odessa. Although it is long and at a price close to air travel.

Prices in Georgia: for recreation and for life

Another topical question is how much will it cost to rest or live in Georgia. This is understandable - you want to have an idea in advance, at least roughly, how much money to take with you and what to be prepared for.

As for housing prices- then here, as luck would have it, well, what conditions do you prefer. - from $ 4 per night per person, clean and in the city center - from $ 10. Apartments for rent during the season cost $ 30 and more. Usually a nice renovated apartment with a good location costs $ 50-60.

→ Rent an apartment from local residents through the site it is possible for $ 20-40 / day, weekly and monthly payments will be at a discount - in the region of $ 400-500 / month for a normal 2-bedroom apartment in Tbilisi.

Taxi around the city- from 5-15 lari (2-7 $). Guide services - from 100 GEL ($ 40) per day, car rental - from $ 50 per day. Gasoline costs 2.35 lari ($ 1).

Entrance to many historical places is free, or within 3-7 lari ($ 1.25-3).

Look at examples of food prices if you have the strength and desire to cook on your own in a country where there is delicious street food and fairly reasonable prices in restaurants:

• Sugar 1 kg - 2 GEL ($ 0.75)
• Bread - 70 tetri ($ 0.25)
• Local apples - 1.5 GEL (0.6 $)
• Potatoes - 80 tetri ($ 0.3)
• Georgian cheese - from 6 lari ($ 2.5)
• Grain coffee 100 g - from 1.5 lari (0.6 $)
• Milk - 2.50 lari ($ 1)
• Churchkhela - 3 GEL ($ 1.15)

→ Some restaurants in Tbilisi worth visiting:

• Art Cafe Gabriadze (Shovteli St., 13) is one of the most original institutions in Tbilisi, an author's cafe created by the artist and director Rezo Gabriadze, the author of "Kin-dza-za", the sculptor of the famous monument "Chizhik-Pyzhik" in St. Petersburg ...
• Restaurant "Khinkali House" (Rustaveli, 37, Rustaveli metro station). Works around the clock, the name speaks for itself :).
• Dukhan "Racha" (Lermontov st. 6). This place is for locals, most of the visitors are men. The place is very atmospheric, you can order Georgian national dishes here, but it is best to try dishes typical of the Racha region: apkhazuri, lobiani, etc.
• Art Cafe "Shevardnadze Garden" - an institution that combines a "shabby chic" style cafe, a garden and a flower shop. Location: Latkini microdistrict. at the end of st. Khudadova, (not far from the police station).
• Machakhela (26 Meydan) is a chain restaurant, one of the best is the restaurant on Meydan Square, in the very center of the old city. It is easy to recognize by the volumetric inscription located in front of the entrance: I love Tbilisi. Sitting in the restaurant, you can admire the panorama of the city from a window, balcony or open terrace.
• Samikitno Restaurant (25 Merab Kostava St).
• Mirzaani (delicious beer, address: 140 Akaki Tsereteli Ave).
• Salobio.
• Hincklees sahli.

Although these are rather eateries, they are clean, some of them with interesting Georgian-style interiors, and the food there is almost like homemade.

In general, it is necessary to try to find an institution in Georgia where Georgian cuisine is poorly prepared. Barbecue prices - from 12 lari ($ 5), Khinkali - 70 tetri little thing. Five pieces - and nothing else will fit into you out of habit. But we have to. Khachapuri - 7 GEL ($ 3), kebab - from 6 GEL ($ 2.5). Tea, coffee, lemonade - about 2 lari ($ 0.8) per cup / bottle.

Street food is also tasty and inexpensive: lobiani, kubdari, pichini, khachapuri cost 2 GEL on average.

Georgian cuisine. What you should definitely try

You can write endlessly about Georgian cuisine. But even better to come and taste everything for yourself. We can only guide you so that you are not completely lost in the novelty, variety and names that are unfamiliar to the ear.

Khinkali

Khinkali- the most famous dish of Georgian cuisine. They look like sacks of dense dough, stuffed with minced meat and herbs, including cilantro. A correct khinkali should have at least 16 folds, according to knowledgeable people. It is important to eat them correctly: grab the leg with your hands or a fork (a compromise for non-locals), bite gently, drink the delicious juice, and then eat everything except the leg. You can pour tomato sauce satsebeli into the hole in the khinkali. Khinkali with mushrooms is prepared for vegetarians.

Khachapuri

Khachapuri. There are many different types of them: imeruli, ajaruli, megruli, and, of course, ajaruli. Adjarian khachapuri in the form of a boat and with an egg broken into a cheese filling and butter is a real celebration of taste. This is a must try. Some establishments serve a huge ajaruli, nicknamed the Titanic - enough for a whole company or family. You need to pinch off the pieces of dough on the sides of the khachapuri and dip them into the hot filling.

Lobio and mchadi... A simple, hearty and delicious dish. Red beans cooked with spices in a ketsi (clay pot) and unleavened cornmeal flatbread. There are even establishments that are called "lobiynaya" - for example, the Salobio cafe, which has already become a separate attraction of the city of Mtskheta, where Alexander Sergeevich himself once treated himself to the famous Mtskheta pies and lobio.

If you are not afraid of new flavors and unusual combinations, try the following very colorful dishes:

Chakapuli- young meat stewed with herbs and spices, as well as sour green tkemali.

Hashi- very much an amateur. If you are that lover, you will be delighted. In Georgia, khash is so respected that separate establishments have been created for them: khash. And they open very early in the morning - at about 4:00. Because this fatty, nourishing, scalding hot giblet soup with a lot of garlic is very beneficial for a hangover. It is usually eaten with chacha.

For vegetarians, Georgia is also full of freedom. There are all kinds of cheese, and kindzmari (fish in cilantro sauce) and phali - pasta made from spinach, cabbage, beet tops or beets with spices, and infusion with mint, and various soups, and mushrooms fried in ketsi, and ajapsandal - stew from tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant and potatoes, and a variety of pickles.

All kinds of spices, herbs, herbs, and nuts are generously used in Georgian cuisine. Even an ordinary tomato-cucumber salad here turns into a work of art, because they put aromatic regani (red basil) and add nut sauce to it. Nuts are put in fried eggplant rolls, in satsivi, in baji, and in kharcho soup.

Wine in Georgia. Special wine and gastronomic tours are popular, the cuisine of Georgia is so delicious and distinctive, but you don't need to say anything about wines - come and taste.

What to see in Georgia, where to visit? Top 7 interesting places

Georgia, although small in territory, can compete with the largest and most ancient countries in terms of the number of sights and beautiful corners. It will probably take several months or years to see everything that Georgia has to offer! So you have to make a plan, choosing the most interesting for you. But there are places that every self-respecting traveler in Georgia must visit. We list them for you to note.

Metekhi Church of the Mother of God and the monument to King Vakhtang in Tbilisi

It's far to go, there are many such places in Tbilisi itself:

• Narikala fortress,
• Sameba temple,
• Meidan (one of the central squares of Tbilisi),
• sulfur baths ...

Ancient city of Mtskheta(20 km from Tbilisi, coordinates: 41.840922, 44.707233) . Near Tbilisi is Mtskheta - the ancient capital of Georgia. In this renewed city and in its surroundings, you will see many beautiful, important and holy places: the Jvari monastery on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Shiomgvime monastery, and many others. Also, the city itself has been restored, there is a large selection of souvenirs, spices, churchkhel, and it's just nice to walk along its cozy streets.

Vardzia(240 km from Tbilisi, coordinates: 41.381223, 43.284173) - not the only ancient cave city, but perhaps the most spectacular. 8 "floors", about 600 caves. An incredible place where people lived for many centuries, hiding from numerous enemies.

Svaneti. Also a very distinctive and unlike anything else region in Georgia - Svaneti - a historical mountainous region in the North-West of Georgia (coordinates 42.904220, 42.503335). It attracts tourists from all over the world. Svaneti throughout its history has never been conquered and conquered. And special people live here - the Svans, the real harsh highlanders. Many of the courtyards still have ancient defensive towers that once belonged to their ancestors and were built about 1000 years ago.

Prometheus cave near Kutaisi (42.376771, 42.600971), discovered in 1983, is located next to the Sataplia Nature Reserve, which also has a smaller cave and dinosaur footprints. A very spectacular place. Inside there is a cave with beautiful lighting, huge stalactites, and it will not leave indifferent either adults or children. You can even go boating on the underground lake.

Martvili canyon - one of the most beautiful in the Megrelian Region

It is definitely worth seeing and incredibly beautiful Martvili Canyon (North-West Georgia, coordinates: 42.457356, 42.377148)... If you are in Georgia during the hot season, be sure to visit this picturesque place, swim from the upper to the lower canyon by boat and swim near the waterfall.

Fortress Rabat in Meskheti (coordinates: 41.642829, 42.977166)- a restored medieval Turkish fortress with an area of ​​7 hectares and modern infrastructure. Beautiful, majestic, convenient for visiting and family entertainment.

Ureki black sand (41.987783, 41.760103). If you visit Georgia in summer or early autumn, be sure to take the opportunity to visit the Black Sea coast, on the unique beach with magnetic sand in Ureki. This black sand is renowned for its healing properties for joints and the circulatory system.

Cities of Georgia worth visiting

Tbilisi- a unique capital, the heart of Sakartvelo, where narrow streets, old carpets, openwork grilles on windows and balconies, the aroma of coffee and a special relaxed atmosphere, so unusual for big cities, await you in the old city. You can walk in Tbilisi not a day or two, discovering new interesting places and institutions every day. Historical and cultural monuments are presented here in abundance. It is unforgivable to come to Georgia and not get to know Tbilisi.

Colonnade on Primorsky Boulevard - Batumi

Batumi Is a lively and charming town on the Black Sea. Beaches, musical fountains, old and new houses, a moving monument to lovers, an alphabet tower, bicycles for rent, a fish market where the fish of your choice is cooked in front of your eyes, and much more awaits you to surprise and delight.

Sighnaghi - the city of love

Sighnaghi- a restored, romantic, cozy city with red roofs and a view of the Alazani Valley. There is a round-the-clock wedding palace here, where couples from different countries can get married after submitting the necessary documents.

Car tourism in Georgia

Gasoline cost in Georgia - a little less than a dollar per liter.

About movement. Be prepared for the chaotic traffic on the roads of Georgia, everyone honking, cutting off, violating, so keep your eyes open. There are problems with parking in the center of Tbilisi - there are not enough places, there are paid parking lots near Rike Park and on Meidan, as well as underground parking lots at large supermarkets, you should be guided by them, because in the central districts of the city in most places you can park only if you buy from the mayor's office such a service.

There are several autobahns in Georgia - this is part of the Tbilisi-Batumi road, as well as the Rustavi and Gori autobahns. The government plans to build new roads and restore existing ones.

Now in Georgia, the introduction of a new system of fines is being actively discussed. According to this bill, the driver will have 100 points per year, and a certain amount will be charged for violations. If the point limit is reached, you will have to take the license exam again. Special “smart” video cameras are being installed around the city.

The road patrol is more loyal to tourists than to the locals, moreover, it helps if you turn to them.

The most beautiful roads- this is the road to Racha, Svaneti and Tushetia, although the latter can be reached only from June to September.

Georgian military road by which we enter Georgia from Russia is incredibly beautiful, but the quality of the road pleases much less than the landscapes. However, this is not so important, let's see what sights you will pass immediately after entering Georgia along the Georgian Military Highway:

• All along the route there are Georgian monuments of antiquity: cathedrals, fortresses, watchtowers. On the Georgian Military Highway there are Mtskheta, the Jvari temple-monastery (late 6th - early 7th centuries), Zemo-Avchal hydroelectric power station.
• The village of Chmi, where there is a complex of archaeological monuments from the Bronze Age to the late Middle Ages and a large Alan burial ground of the 6th-9th centuries, where a large number of weapons, implements, and household items of the Alans were found.
• Mount Kazbek (5033 m).
• Darial fortification, built in 1804 in the Darial Gorge to guard the road.
• "Tamara's Castle" - the ruins of an old tower on the opposite bank of the Terek.
• Zion Grove is a green oasis among the snowy peaks of the Caucasus.
• The Cross Pass is the highest point of the Georgian Military Highway.
• Gudauri abyss and the highest mountain village on the Georgian Military Highway Gudauri.

What a tourist should know about Georgia

• Georgia is a patriarchal country with living traditions, respectful attitude to elders, strong nepotism.
• The Orthodox Church has a great influence in the country. When visiting churches and monasteries, be prepared for the fact that women may need to cover their heads, wrapped in a scarf if they are not wearing a skirt. Not all places inside temples can be photographed.
• Children are treated with awe, they are allowed a lot, they are bathed in love and attention. Strangers may try to kiss your baby by the arms and squeeze on the cheeks, and in a restaurant they may well pick up and take away, for example, to the kitchen, or walk with them around the hall. Some parents find such heightened attention tactless, while others rejoice and admire. Be that as it may, these are the nuances that you need to be prepared for in order to adequately respond.
• Georgia is a mixture of east and west, and this is its zest and charm. This is not a "sleek" tourist country.
• On the central streets and in the metro, you can meet harmless but annoying gypsies and beggars.
• People smoke in many public places, although the banning law has practically been passed.
• The streets are not everywhere perfectly clean and restored, although the latter is considered by many visitors to be just a plus.
• Most people are benevolent and hospitable, not because they expect a monetary reward from you, but because they are by nature, and have not yet forgotten those qualities that are considered important for every worthy resident of this amazing country.

Georgiabest.ru - Victor's site and the most complete guide-guide to Georgia, I highly recommend it to bookmarks to everyone who is going on a trip to this country. 4 assessments, average: 5,00 out of 5)

Georgia is a small and very ancient state in the western part of the Caucasus, located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. It has long attracted tourists from different countries. Every year the flow of tourists only increases. And this is understandable. Georgia is stunningly beautiful, amazing, fabulous, so many-sided and unusually hospitable. Sakartvelo - this is how the Georgians affectionately call their beloved country. They fill everything with love for their beautiful country - incendiary dances, soulful polyphonic songs, poems and pictures, attitude to the incredibly beautiful nature and monuments of such an ancient culture, traditions and national flavor.

No matter how many times you come to Georgia, there is always something new and not open for yourself. She delights and surprises again and again. There are about 10,000 different sights and monuments of ancient history in Georgia. Many of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It will take a lot of time to travel around and see the beauty of all of Georgia, but if you are faced with the question of what to see in Georgia in a week on your own, then you can choose a tourist program for yourself from the list of Georgia's attractions with descriptions and photos that we have selected for you.

Sights of Georgia

The oldest cities and fortresses of Georgia

Everyone who decides to visit Georgia should visit his heart at least once. - the capital of sunny Georgia, located on the banks of the Kura. Tbilisi plays an important role in the history, culture and politics of Georgia.

Left in Tbilisi many historical monuments, including very ancient ones, theaters, squares, parks, fountains, ancient temples, bridges. Tbilisi is an unusually beautiful city, but its old part is especially popular among tourists, which will certainly leave an unforgettable mark on your heart. Here you will find (VI century), the Legvtakhevi waterfall, you will see from which a stunning view of the city opens, and next to it is a monument to Mother Georgia, walk along the central Rustaveli street and Freedom Square.

The architecture is striking, so unlike other cities, which is a mixture of styles and directions of different eras. Walking along the stone-paved narrow streets of the old city, you can admire for a long time the carved colored balconies - the hallmark of Tbilisi, beautifully restored buildings and houses, magnificent squares and parks.

Another wonderful view of the city opens from the observation deck: in the center of the city, the Georgian flag flies proudly on the parliament building, the round roofs of sulfur baths are fancifully scattered, and the famous Peace Bridge beautifully curved with a blue arch over the eternal Kura.

Be sure to visit this amazing, warm and welcoming city. The power of its magnetism is great. And although in recent years Tbilisi has become noticeably European, it still has not lost its originality and peculiarity. A city with an amazing aura and energy, where you will definitely leave a part of your heart. A city that is always glad to see you.

For those who want to get to know this wonderful city better, it is best to take a walking tour. The best options are: Fall in love with Tbilisi in one day and Harmony of the old city. I have been on several excursions. I liked these two the most. Both Tata and Lera know their city very well and its many amazing stories.

Mtskheta and Jvari

Mtskheta

Ananuri fortress

Thanks to its beauty and antiquity, it has long become one of the most popular places for tourists to visit; its image is on many souvenirs, advertising booklets and postage stamps. Ananuri is located 70 km from Tbilisi and 97 km from Upper Lars, which is on the border with Russia.

Ananuri fortress looks like a large fairytale castle, standing on the banks of the Zhinavalsky reservoir with clear, bright turquoise water. The reservoir lies in a huge saucer among the picturesque sloping mountains covered with evergreen vegetation.

In ancient times, the fortress served as an outpost from invaders' raids and was a reliable defense for local residents. The first buildings of this military fortification date back to the 13th century; the churches were built in the 17th century. At present, only the upper castle remains of the huge fortress, consisting of three churches, several watchtowers and a fortress wall. One of the towers can be entered and climbed up, from where views of extraordinary beauty open up. You can wander around the territory of the castle, go to churches, breathe in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and ancient Georgian culture, and also enjoy the beauty of unforgettable views.

This trip can be combined with a trip to Kazbegi, because Ananuri is located just on the way to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi).

Proud peaks of the Caucasus

Kazbegi

This area is located at an altitude of 1744 meters above sea level in the central part of the Greater Caucasus Range at the foot of the proud and majestic Kazbek. From Tbilisi to Kazbegi 165 km, and from Vladikavkaz - 43 km.

The main purpose of the trip is to visit the observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 2170 m above sea level. The current Gergeti monastery was built in the 14th century. To this day, it is a stronghold of faith, located high and far from civilization and worldly vanity, among the splendor of the silent Caucasian mountains, under the endless azure sky. Looking at this stunning beauty, one does not leave the feeling of freedom, inner purity and belonging to the pristine nature. It is impossible to describe in words this powerful energy, which fills with emotions of delight, joy, admiration and admiration for this island of human creation among the silent and proud mountain kingdom. The monastery is literally surrounded by mountains, so there is an impression of a three-dimensional three-dimensional image 3 D. Above is only the sky, birds fly at eye level, and Kazbek is visible at a glance.
Kazbek is no less famous than Elbrus. Its height is 5033 m. Whoever has not praised it in their works and canvases. The cold eternity of its snow-capped summit, valley glaciers on the slopes covered with coniferous forests, the seething Terek at its foot are mesmerizing and eye-catching. I would like to endlessly look at the imperturbable blue mountains of the Caucasus, their jagged peaks, covered with eternal snow, on which are strung white clouds of the most bizarre shape. Enjoy eternity and peace that reigns here.
Undoubtedly, the Gergeti monastery in Kazbegi is one of the most beautiful and impressive sights of Georgia. This is the place that is definitely worth a visit to take with you unforgettable memories, and the desire to come back here again.

The most convenient way to get to Kazbegi, like Ananuri, is from Tbilisi. Tour options:

Budget group - Ananuri-Gudauri-Kazbegi (From December to April, the road to Kazbegi is closed for buses, so in winter the excursion is conducted only to Gudauri)

Southeast Legends of Georgia

Vardzia

The Vardzia cave complex stretches out a hundred kilometers from the town of Borjomi. It is hard to believe that it was built in the XII-XIII centuries during the reign of George III and Queen Tamara, whose images have remained here until our time on old frescoes. In those years, it was also a fortress that reliably protected against invasion of the Gentiles. This is a whole city, 900 m long, carved into the rock of the mountain above Kura.

Oldest religious centers

David-Gareja Monastery

There are two options: either stay in Kutaisi itself. Or go from Batumi.

Excursions from Kutaisi: 7 route options

From Batumi: Kutaisi - the ancient capital of Georgia or in search of Prometheus

Modern corner of Georgia - Adjara and Batumi

Another unusually beautiful region of Georgia is Adjara. It is worth visiting if only because this region is washed by the sea and always remains green due to its subtropical climate. Adjara has excellent national parks:, Kintrishi and. The area of ​​Adjara is also rich in health resorts.

The capital of this region attracts more and more tourists from all over the world. cannot but surprise you with its versatility, originality and modernity. It is a city of contrasts, in which theaters, attractions, singing and dancing fountains, clubs, art statues, modern monuments and squares are harmoniously combined. where a friendly and warm atmosphere reigns.

Batumi has always attracted and attracted many, including many famous classics of literature: Yesenin, Chekhov, Bulgakov, Ilf and Petrov, Gorky and many others lived and worked in this wonderful land. A huge number of famous films were filmed here. You can find out about all this if you order a walking tour of the city: From Batumi with love or the secrets of the seaside city or Soul of Batumi.

Mountainous Adjara was once part of the famous Colchis. A huge number of fortresses and ancient bridges have been preserved here. Your imagination will be amazed by waterfalls and gorges, a huge variety of fruits and snow-capped mountains. There are many good excursions from Batumi to explore this region. For example: Stunning Machakhela - a unique excursion with a real Georgian feast or Makhuntseti - acquaintance with mountainous Adjara.

Canyons and natural attractions

Martvili canyons

One day excursions from Tbilisi are long and tiring. There is such: Group excursion to Prometheus cave and dinosaur park Sataplia .

From Batumi, drive closer - 2 hours one way. Good excursion option: Canyons of western Georgia.

Sights of Georgia on the map

In order to make it easier for you to navigate and draw up routes in Georgia, we have compiled for you a map of all the sights, about which there are descriptions on our website. At the moment, there are more than 80 of them (this is the largest and most detailed map for tourists with a detailed description of interesting locations). The map will be constantly supplemented and updated. I hope our many days of work on drawing up this map will be useful and will help you on your trip.

If you click on the icon of the attraction, the name, photo and a link to the article with a description will appear. The map can be opened in google maps and pave routes to selected attractions.

For greater convenience, the points are collected by region (edge), as well as different icons and colors are used.

Color hint:

Green - natural attractions (mountains, canyons, parks, resorts)

Red - historical monuments (churches, fortresses, ancient cities)

Blue - modern buildings and cities (museums, fountains, observatories)

Attention! The sights of Tbilisi, Batumi and Adjara are not marked on the map. Separate detailed maps are available for these locations.

Georgia is undoubtedly a special country and there is always something to see. Wherever you go, whichever of the attractions you choose, you will never be left without vivid and unforgettable impressions and the desire to take home that piece of love, warmth and beauty that Georgia gave you.

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