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 been attracting me for a long time with its khachapuri and mountain expanses, but so far I still couldn’t get to this dream country because of its Asia, Europe and Siberia.. Finally, it is getting closer and closer, and for now I decided to start with this Guest post. My Georgia specialist Victor is also a global traveler and photographer whom we met in Phuket. He lived in Batumi as a child and still comes to Georgia every summer. Victor’s website Georgiabest.ru turned out to be the most useful for me in preparing for my first trip, and in this article Victor briefly but succinctly tells all the most important things: information on how to get to Georgia, about visas, prices, interesting places in Georgia that are worth visit, etc.

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, closing your eyes, with a dreamy look, you can tell your friends how good, fun and soulful it is there. 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 discovering its amazing people and the breathtaking beauty of nature. What can we say about the cultural, architectural and historical monuments that are literally at every step here, and often right in people’s backyards, such as towers in Svaneti or ancient qvevri in Kakheti...

in winter people go to Georgia to have a fun and unforgettable meeting New Year: V New Year's Eve the whole country explodes with hundreds of thousands of fireworks. Also in winter people come here to ski and snowboard in Bakuriani and Gudauri. Well, considering that winter in Georgia is not so cold compared to Ukrainian or Russian, then sightseeing in different corners country, with the exception, perhaps, of the remote regions of Tusheti and Racha, and even more so, walking around Tbilisi and Mtskheta will still be comfortable and not cold.

Important information about winter in Georgia:

• IN winter time, and especially in March, there is a possibility of strong gusty winds, which usually last 2-3 days.
• In apartments and hotels in Georgia, the heating is not at all as good as in Russia - it’s cool.
• Due to snowfalls, the Georgian Military Road, the only highway connecting the country with Russia, may be blocked, and it will not always be possible to get to Stepantsminda to see the legendary Kazbek and the Gergeti Church.
• There are a couple of great ones in Georgia ski resorts with good slopes and open spaces for freeride: Gudauri 80 km from Vladikavkaz (for beginners and advanced) and Bakuriani 180 km from Tbilisi (more difficult trails).

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

But even in Tbilisi at this time it is quite comfortable. As a rule, it rains from time to time, the sun shines, but does not burn everything around yet, plus local vegetables and fruits appear on the shelves. You can eat to your heart's content, because the prices are quite reasonable compared to the megacities of neighboring countries.

End of summer. Well, if you are a lover 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 to Cape Verde(Mtsvane Konkhi). During this period, you will also be exposed to 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. Actually, not quite like that. In October it is still quite warm, and going on excursions is a pleasure, and the stalls are bursting with gifts of the Georgian land: grapes, persimmons, figs - these are just a few examples. The famous Georgian tangerines will begin in November. Also, in the fall they go to Georgia to attend such a colorful and unforgettable event as “rtveli” - the grape harvest. A visit to Rtveli is in itself a sufficient reason to go here in mid-autumn.

An important factor in favor of planning a trip at this time (as well as from February to March) is more low prices on accommodation and excursions than in high season. So weigh the pros and cons, and choose the perfect time for you.

Visa to Georgia (not needed)

Good news, if you are coming from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova and 88 other countries, you do not need a visa, they will simply put an entry stamp in your passport at the border. Moreover, citizens of Russia, if you suddenly want to stay longer (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?

Very often you can hear the question: “How safe is it for Russians to travel to Georgia?” Considering 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 it’s dangerous for Russians here?” - this is roughly what the answer to your question will sound like from the mouths of local residents.

Georgians, and everyone who lives in this southern country, for the most part, they are peaceful and hospitable, so you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The older generation in Georgia speaks excellent Russian, and so do some of the younger generation. Although young people usually know English better than Russian, as such, you will not have a barrier in communicating with the local population. There will definitely be someone nearby who knows Russian.

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

How to get to Georgia on your own

On this 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 travel here yet.

• Planes fly to Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi. They 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 best tickets.
• You can come by your own car - this gives you even greater freedom of movement and incredibly beautiful roads.
• Getting there by bus from Moscow to Tbilisi takes a long time, but is budget-friendly (about $60). There is a bus from Kyiv.
• You can get to Georgia from Odessa by ferry. Although it takes a long time and the price is close to air travel.

Prices in Georgia: for vacation and for life

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

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

→Rent housing for a long time The easiest way is to already be there, or write an ad in advance in a Facebook group (a group for the city where you want to live). In the winter season, many not cheap hotels rent out rooms for a long period of time very cheaply, you can find them around $200/month.

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

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

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

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

→Some restaurants in Tbilisi worth visiting:

• Gabriadze Art Cafe (Shovteli St., 13) is one of the most original establishments in Tbilisi, an original cafe created by artist and director Rezo Gabriadze, author of “Kin-dza-za”, sculptor famous monument"Chizhik-Pizhik" in St. Petersburg.
• Restaurant “House of Khinkali” (Rustaveli, 37, Rustaveli metro station). Open 24/7, the name speaks for itself :).
• Dukhan “Racha” (6 Lermontov St.). A place for locals, most of 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: aphazuri, lobiani, etc.
• Art cafe “Shevardnadze’s Garden” - the establishment combines a shabby chic cafe, a garden and a flower shop. Location: Latkini microdistrict. at the end of the street Khudadova, (near the police station).
• “Machakhela” (Meydan, 26) 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 voluminous inscription located in front of the entrance: I love Tbilisi. Sitting in a restaurant, you can admire the panorama of the city opening from a window, balcony or open terrace.
• Restaurant Samikitno (25 Merab Kostava St).
• Mirzaani (delicious beer, address: 140 Akaki Tsereteli Ave).
• Salobio.
• Hinkleys sakhli.

Although these are more likely to be eateries, they are clean, some of them have interesting Georgian-style interiors, and the food is almost like home-cooked food.

In general, you need to try hard to find an establishment in Georgia that serves Georgian cuisine poorly. Prices for shish kebab - from 12 lari ($5), Khinkali - 70 tetri piece. Five pieces - and out of habit, nothing else will fit into you. But we have to. Khachapuri - 7 lari ($3), kebab - from 6 lari ($2.5). Tea, coffee, lemonade - about 2 lari ($0.8) per cup/bottle.

Street food is also tasty and inexpensive: lobiani, kubdari, picini, khachapuri cost an average of 2 lari.

Georgian cuisine. Must try

One can write endlessly about Georgian cuisine. But it’s even better to come and taste everything yourself. We can only guide you so that you do not completely get lost in the novelty, diversity and unusual names.

Khinkali

Khinkali– the most famous dish of Georgian cuisine. They look like bags made of thick dough, filled with minced meat and herbs, including cilantro. A proper khinkali should have at least 16 folds, according to knowledgeable people. It is important to eat them correctly: with your hands or a fork (a compromise for non-locals), grab the leg, carefully bite it, drink the delicious juice, and then eat everything except the leg. You can pour satsebeli tomato sauce into the hole of the khinkali. For vegetarians they prepare khinkali with mushrooms.

Khachapuri

Khachapuri. A lot of them different types: Imeruli, Ajaruli, Megruli, and, of course, Ajaruli. Adjarian khachapuri in the shape of a boat and with an egg broken into a cheese filling and butter is a real feast of taste. This is a must try. Some establishments serve huge ajaruli, nicknamed the Titanic - enough for a whole company or family. You need to pinch off pieces of dough on the sides of the khachapuri and dip them into the hot filling.

Lobio and Mchadi. A simple, satisfying and very tasty dish. Red beans cooked with spices in a ketsi (clay pot) and an unleavened flatbread made from corn flour. There are even establishments called “lobiynaya” - for example, the Salobio cafe, which has already become a separate landmark 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 tastes and unusual combinations, also try the following very colorful dishes:

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

Hashi– very much for an amateur. If you are that kind of fan, you will be delighted. In Georgia, khashi is so respected that separate establishments have been created for them: khash houses. And they open very early in the morning - at approximately 4:00. Because this fatty, hearty, scalding hot soup made from offal and with a lot of garlic has a very beneficial effect on hangovers. They usually eat it with chacha.

For vegetarians in Georgia there is also complete freedom. There are all kinds of cheese, kindzmari (fish in cilantro sauce) and pkhali - paste made from spinach, cabbage, beet tops or beets with spices, and nadugi with mint, and various soups, and champignons fried in ketsi, and ajapsandal - stew from tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplants 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 and cucumber salad is turned into a work of art here, because they add aromatic regani (red basil) and add nut sauce. Nuts are put in fried eggplant rolls, in satsivi, in bazhi, and in kharcho soup.

Wine in Georgia. Special wines and gastronomic tours, Georgian cuisine is so tasty and original, but there’s no need to say anything about the wines - come and taste it.

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 attractions and beautiful corners. It would probably take several months or years to explore everything Georgia has to offer! So you’ll have to make a plan, choosing the most interesting thing for you. But there are places that every self-respecting traveler to Georgia must visit. We will list them for you to take note of.

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

No matter how far to go, there are many such places in Tbilisi itself:

• Narikala fortress,
• Sameba Temple,
• Meydan (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 renovated city and its surroundings you will see many beautiful, important and holy places: 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, churchkhela, and it’s just nice to stroll 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 original and unlike anything else region in Georgia is Svaneti - a historical mountainous region in North-West Georgia (coordinates 42.904220, 42.503335). It attracts tourists from all over the world. Svaneti has never been conquered or conquered throughout its history. And the people who live here are special - the Svans, real harsh mountaineers. Many people still have ancient defense towers in their yards that once belonged to their ancestors and were built about 1,000 years ago.

Prometheus Cave near Kutaisi (42.376771, 42.600971), discovered in 1983, is located next to the Sataplia nature reserve, where there is also a smaller cave and dinosaur tracks. A very spectacular place. Inside there is a cave with beautiful lighting, huge stalactites, and it will not leave either adults or children indifferent. You can even take a boat ride on the underground lake.

Martvili Canyon is one of the most beautiful in the Megrelian Region

Definitely worth a look and incredibly beautiful Martvili Canyon (Northwest Georgia, coordinates: 42.457356, 42.377148). If you are in Georgia during the hot season, be sure to visit this picturesque place, sail from the upper to the lower canyon by boat and swim at the waterfall.

Rabat Fortress 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 time.

Black sand of Ureki (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, unique beach with magnetic sand in Ureki. This black sand is famous for its healing properties for joints and the cardiovascular system.

Cities in Georgia that are worth visiting

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

A guide to Tbilisi can be studied

Colonnade on the seaside boulevard - Batumi

Batumi is a lively and charming city 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 will be cooked before your eyes, and much more awaits you to surprise and delight.

Sighnaghi - the city of love

Sighnaghi- restored, romantic, cozy city with red roofs and views of the Alazani Valley. There is a 24-hour wedding palace here, where couples from different countries can get married by first submitting the necessary documents.

Auto tourism in Georgia

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

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

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

The introduction of new system fines. Under this bill, a driver would have 100 points per year and a certain amount would be deducted for violations. If the limit of points is reached, you will have to retake the exam to obtain your license. Special “smart” video cameras are being installed throughout the city.

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

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

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

• Along the entire route there are Georgian ancient monuments: cathedrals, fortresses, watchtowers. On the Georgian Military Road there are Mtskheta, the Jvari temple-monastery (late 6th - early 7th centuries), and the Zemo-Avchala hydroelectric power station.
• The village of Chmi, where the complex is located archaeological sites 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, equipment, and household items of the Alans were found.
• Mount Kazbek (5033 m).
• Daryal fortification, built in 1804 in the Daryal Gorge to protect the road.
• "Tamara's Castle" - the ruins of an old tower on the opposite bank of the Terek.
• Zion Grove - green oasis among the snowy peaks of the Caucasus.
• Cross Pass is the highest point of the Georgian Military Road.
• Gudauri abyss and the highest mountain village of Gudauri on the Georgian Military Road.

What a tourist should know about Georgia

• Georgia is a patriarchal country with living traditions, respect for elders, and strong nepotism.
• Has great influence in the country Orthodox Church. When visiting churches and monasteries, be prepared for the fact that women may need to cover their heads or wrap themselves in a scarf if they are not wearing a skirt. Not all places inside temples allow photography.
• Children are treated with reverence here, they are allowed a lot, they are bathed in love and attention. Strangers may try to kiss your baby's hands and squeeze your cheeks, and in a restaurant they may well pick you up and take them, for example, to the kitchen, or walk with them around the hall. To some parents, such increased attention seems 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 respond adequately.
• 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 may encounter harmless but annoying gypsies and beggars.
• People smoke in many public places, although the ban has already been practically passed.
• The streets are not always perfectly clean and restored, although many visitors consider the latter to be a plus.
• People for the most part are friendly and hospitable, not because they expect monetary rewards from you, but because they are naturally like that, and have not yet forgotten those qualities that are considered important for every worthy resident of this amazing country.

Georgiabest.ru is Victor’s website and the most complete guide to Georgia, I highly recommend bookmarking it to everyone who is planning a trip to this country. You can rate this article:

Background. Two tourists from Kazakhstan, who once went on vacation abroad through a travel agency, very quickly wanted to be independent. It's decided! This year is my first independent trip.

The country was chosen immediately - Russia. This was the perfect place to start: no language barrier, incredible number of attractions, greatest cities— Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan. Preparations for the trip lasted almost six months: maps, routes, transport, accommodation. The last days of waiting and we are finally... in Georgia!

How is this possible? And it’s all very simple, a month before the trip we looked at photographs of Georgia and were already there in our minds, but a month later we were no longer there in our minds. Why waste time on trifles?

Express retraining for the trip to Georgia took less than a month. Again maps, routes, transport, housing.

Housing

We didn’t book in advance, we looked for it on the spot, or rather, it was always there. There are a lot of guest houses in Georgia, before you even have time to get off the minibus, there is already “housing” nearby! Kidding! The one who offers it is worth it: owners, brokers. We looked at the hotels in advance on booking, chose the ones that were suitable for price and location, read the reviews, marked them on the map and with 100% confidence that there would be free rooms, we just went to the address. In all cases, we checked in without any problems.

Tickets

We didn’t bother with air tickets - we bought them at the ticket office (flight Astana-Baku, Air Astana, the journey takes 3 hours, ticket 118,000 tenge, that’s $336, purchased 5 days before departure). From Baku to Georgia we traveled by night train to Tbilisi (the price of a Baku-Tbilisi reserved seat ticket is 32 manats, to Baku from Tbilisi - 40.27 lari reserved seat).

Cards

We used a printed Openstreetmaps map with additions from Google maps and the MAPS.ME application. There are no completely panoramic maps of Georgia, where all the streets are visible, on the Internet, so we had to be content with point panoramas on Google maps.

Route

Born in pain. He did not get ready, did not adjust, did not become ringed. During the trip, due to our own stupidity, Racha, Zugdidi, Svaneti: Mestia, Ushguli dropped out of the route (later we regretted it many times), because we were afraid of the road - the mountain serpentine road is very poorly tolerated. And here's ours plan for the greatest conquest of Georgia standard route for 19 days (the actual one, the planned one looked more beautiful and more logical), the numbers in the first column are the dates of September:

6 Tbilisi (by train from Baku)

7 Tbilisi – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi

8 Tbilisi - Batumi (night train)

9-12 Batumi + surroundings

13 Batumi - Kutaisi

14-16 Kutaisi + surroundings

17 Kutaisi - Borjomi

18 Borjomi - Bakuriani - Borjomi

19 Borjomi - Tbilisi

20 Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi

21 Tbilisi - Kazbegi

22 Kazbegi - Tbilisi

23 Tbilisi - Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Akhaltsikhe - Tbilisi

24 Tbilisi - Baku (night train)

Traveling to Georgia on your own is no more difficult than traveling to Sochi. The only significant difference is that you need a passport. The post is general information about the nuances of holidays in Georgia. Comprehensive answers to all the most popular questions that arise when preparing for a trip.

Why go to Georgia?

The majority of people here are hospitable and peaceful with their beauty. The official language of Georgia is Georgian. Nevertheless, Russian is still understood here, and Russians are loved. No matter what anyone says.

If you suffer from the so-called "excellent student complex", then Georgia is an ideal place to learn healthy not giving a fuck. To better assimilate the material, I recommend combining this with tastings of Georgian wine.

Prices for holidays in Georgia

What to see in Georgia in a week

Tbilisi (2-3 days), Kazbegi and the Georgian Military Road (1 day), Kakheti (1-2 days), Mtskheta and Jvari (1 day).

What to see in Georgia in 2 weeks

Tbilisi (1-2 days), Kazbegi and the Georgian Military Road (1 day), Kakheti (2 days), Gori and Uplistsikhe (1 day), Borjomi (1-2 days), Vardzia (1 day), Batumi and surroundings (2-3 days), Svaneti (2-3 days).

Transport in Georgia

Prices for food in supermarkets in Georgia

The only thing worth warning about is the carelessness of local drivers. In Georgia they drive as if they imagine themselves to be cats with seven lives. Dashing, careless and insanely dangerous. When crossing the road, you should look first to the left, then to the right and, just in case, up.

Accidents happen here with enviable regularity. Here is one of the last ones that was written about in the media.

Finally, guys, the final article on our weekly independent holiday-travel in Georgia. Regular readers already know, this means that today I will briefly but to the point outline such main points as: our route with a map, costs for the entire trip, prices, and we will also talk about transport, housing and other useful nuances.

Total budget for a holiday in Georgia.

And as always, let's start with how we got to Georgia. The trip to Georgia was planned for the beginning of June, unfortunately, at that time the airlines did not have any promotions, so I had to scour the Internet. One of the most inexpensive options seemed to me to be the plane + bus (or hitchhiking) option. I have already mentioned that this is not my first time in Georgia, and several times I had to cross the border with this country on foot. You have experience, so you can try. I bought a cheap flight from Pobeda Airlines to the city of Vladikavkaz, closest to the border with Georgia. And then it was planned to cross the border by land (by bus or hitchhiking). Read more about this in the articles below.

And now briefly about the costs:

1. Days in the country – 7 days
2. Financial expenses for two:
   - transport Kirov – Moscow and back – 7300 rubles.
   - air tickets Moscow – Vladikavkaz and back – 14,200 rubles.
   - expenses in Moscow – 0 rub.
   - expenses in Vladikavkaz – 0 rub.
   - expenses in Georgia for everything – 432.3 lari (~12,700 rubles)
   - total for two– 34,200 rub.
3. We were unlucky with the weather at the beginning of June; it was too unusual even for Georgia - mostly rainy, cloudy days, only 1-2 sunny days. Unfortunately, we weren’t even able to swim. However, I repeat, this is anomalous for Georgia; at this time of year you can safely lie on the beaches.

Current air tickets Tbilisi

Current air tickets Vladikavkaz

Timezone.

UTC+4 (1 hour ahead of Moscow).

Language.

Locals speak Georgian; there are three dialects in Georgia, which differ from each other and Georgians, for example from Svaneti, no longer understand Mingrelian at all. There are fewer and fewer inscriptions in Russian every year, as well as people who know our native language. This is mainly the Soviet generation; young people already speak either Georgian or English. “Americanization” is doing its dirty work.

Religion.

My tongue will soon get tired of repeating that Georgia is one of the first countries to adopt Christianity (after Armenia). There are no Muslims there, nope (even if there are, it is such an insignificant part that they can be ignored)!

Visa.

For Russians, a visa is not required for 90 days.

Money and exchangers.

The currency in Georgia is called lari(GEL), equals 100 tetri.

It is very convenient that Georgia accepts rubles for exchange. Moreover, there are exchangers in almost every city and they can be recognized by the corresponding bright electronic display. The exchange rate in banks will be worse than in street exchange offices. Be sure to check if there is a commission. A nuance: if you ask the exchange office what the exchange rate is for the ruble, they often say the rate is not for 1 ruble, but for 1000 rubles. At first I was very confused about this. Personally, I noticed the most favorable rate in Kutaisi (possibly in Tbilisi, if you visit several exchange offices).

The exchange rate at the airport is not very favorable; it is better to exchange small amounts there. In many places you can pay in rubles credit cards. They say that in hotels in Georgia it is forbidden to pay in non-local currency, and you will be fined for this. I always paid only in lari, so I can’t say anything about the reliability of the information. I’m not specifically writing anything about the current exchange rate; it’s better to check its relevance using an online converter (if you’re interested, at the time of travel, 1 lari was approximately equal to 32 rubles).

Transport and hitchhiking in Georgia.

This is not the first time I have visited this country, and I have managed to ride on almost all types of available transport. In Georgia, like everywhere else, there are trains, planes, buses and taxis. However, the country is not large enough to choose anything larger than a bus or minibus.

Minibuses. Yes, minibuses are perhaps the most common, fast and not too expensive form of transport. To a greater extent, tourists move within one region (and even beyond it) precisely on them. True, drivers of this type of transport really like to drive, as a result of which they often violate traffic rules, and in Georgia even bus drivers can easily (and more than once) be stopped by the police and issued a fine.

What I DO NOT like about minibuses is the lack of any schedule (with the exception of some directions from Tbilisi), the car leaves the bus station as the bus fills up. This is precisely what becomes a problem in particularly distant regions (for example, Svaneti), which can only be easily reached by this type of transport.

But it also has its advantages. It's easy to bargain with minibus drivers. They are more willing to give a discount when they understand that you are from Russia or simply speak Russian; you can easily knock off a few lari from the standard price, and in some cases even travel for free, since Georgians are very warm-hearted people.

When pricing minibuses, they follow the rule of 1.5 rubles per kilometer, which means you can travel 20 km for about 1 lari. It is logical that prices have their own error for some areas where there is no alternative transport or, due to the distance from the central part, gasoline is more expensive, then the cost of travel for the same distance will be higher. The cost of buses and minibuses around the city is approximately 0.5 GEL.

Metro. The Tbilisi metro has two lines and operates from 6.00 to 23.00. Convenient because it connects historical Center town with a railway station and both bus stations (Ortachala and Didube). All inscriptions are duplicated in English, as well as station announcements inside the cars.

Entrance to the metro is carried out using plastic cards purchased at the ticket office. The price of the card is 2 lari, you can deposit the amount of money for any number of trips, and if you have not used all the money, you can get a refund at the box office using a check or passport. The fare is 50 tetri (0.5 lari). The same card is used to pay for travel on the cable car (1 lari), in the capital's city buses (50 tetri) and large yellow city minibuses (80 tetri).

If you need to use the metro once, you can simply ask any passing Georgian to use the card and give him the amount spent in cash. That's what we did.

Trains. In my opinion, trains are only beneficial if you need to travel more than 300 km (for example, Tbilisi-Batumi) and preferably by night train, in order to kill two birds with one stone: do not spend money on accommodation and travel a long distance. However, again, not all regions can be reached by train, especially in mountainous areas such as Svaneti.

The cost of a train ticket depends on the class of carriage, just like in Russia: from 8 to 40 lari. There is one inconvenience - all the information on the ticket is in Georgian, however, when buying a ticket, the girl at the operator will tell you everything and, if necessary, even write with a pen on the same ticket. It is better to ask the conductor for linen in a reserved seat, otherwise you may not get it. But I was greatly amused by the linen in the compartment when they brought us packaged disposable sheets, which we usually give out in hospitals.

Transport communications in Georgia have developed well in recent years; branded buses (on a schedule) like geometro.ge with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and the ability to purchase tickets online have begun to appear. True, the destinations are still the most touristic, but let’s hope for the expansion of route lines. The same applies to trains; you can purchase a ticket online on the official website of Georgian RealWay. True, in my opinion, the site is still very weak in terms of convenience, and it’s not so easy to grab a ticket for current destinations, but everything is developing.

Hitch-hiking. Personally, I like this particular way of traveling around Georgia. Not because I’m used to freebies when traveling, but because only this method gives me more chances and opportunities to communicate with sincere Georgians. I have loved this nation since my very first trip. The people of this country get into your soul and stay there for a long time. Those who don’t believe can check for themselves. And it’s logical to assume that hitchhiking in this country is simply amazing. Literally 1-2 cars, and you are already being taken in the right direction. Sometimes hitchhiking is much faster than taking a minibus, and the people are so hospitable that they can treat you, if not with food, then at least with a trip to some unplanned attraction.

Housing in Georgia.

We didn’t bother with this issue, fortunately it’s the 21st century outside. We open the Internet, find a hotel search engine, for example RoomGuru. Next, everything is according to the standard, we score required dates, the desired direction and book a hotel or hostel that is favorable in price and comfort. In some cases, due to the constant change in direction of the route, it was necessary to book rooms on the fly (using a smartphone).

By personal experience I can say that if you are traveling together, then in a hostel it is easier to take not a bed, but a whole room for two. Firstly, the price will be either cheaper or the same as 2 beds in a shared room. And secondly, in Georgia, rooms even in guest houses look quite decent, almost like an economy class hotel with a separate shower, toilet, and air conditioning. For two of us, such hostel rooms cost about 27 lari (800 rubles). Moreover, if we had rented the same room on the spot, then, as it turned out, we would have paid a couple of lari more. Here, for example, is a good selection of cheap hotels in the center of Tbilisi:

Food.

Having traveled around Georgia in various ways, I can say the following. If you eat purely in cafes, then the dishes you actually come across are quite spicy. But if the locals treat you to homemade food, then you are unlikely to consider Georgian cuisine spicy.

What do I recommend trying first in Georgia? No, not wine. I have no attitude towards alcohol, so today we will only talk about food. Of course khachapuri! Only in Georgia can you taste real khachapuri; you won’t find such khachapuri either in Russia or even in Abkhazia! Why? Yes, because it is difficult to make a national dish without national ingredients. There is one Georgian restaurant in our city, and so I tell you with 100% confidence - everything that is called khachapuri there and costs 3 times more than in Georgia is just a bun with store-bought Russian processed cheese.

In general, Georgia is worth satisfying your stomach national cuisine, and there is no point in advising anything specific, because the dishes are really tasty, made from natural products, made with soul, and also not too expensive.

Price examples:

• khinkali 1 piece – from 0.6 lari
• lobio – from 5 GEL
• kharcho – from 5 lari
• kubdari – from 4 lari
• khachapuri – from 1.5 GEL (depending on size)

On average, the two of us managed to eat in a cafe for about 10 to 15 lari.

By the way, if you, like me, do not like to bring from other countries all sorts of unnecessary trinkets collecting dust on the refrigerator or sideboard, then from Georgia you can grab khachapuri, smoked suluguni (cheese), churchkhela (nuts in grape juice) as a souvenir, wine and other sweets. Really, make sure you have good packaging, otherwise, for example, my backpack is still scented with suluguni.

Your family and friends will definitely not try this anywhere in Russia.

That's all, friends! A short but very eventful independent holiday in Georgia has come to an end. Until new routes!

Georgia invariably attracts tourists with its historical and cultural monuments, picturesque landscapes and original cuisine. Help to make your future trip to Georgia interesting, informative and independent virtual tour through the cities of this amazing country.

Georgia is located in the central and western parts of Transcaucasia. It is bounded by the Greater Caucasus ranges from the north, the Lesser Caucasus from the south, and the Black Sea from the west. The state has common boundaries with Russia (in the north), with Azerbaijan (in the east), with Turkey and Armenia (in the south). The capital is Tbilisi.

Other features of the country:

• official language– Georgian;
• religion – Orthodoxy;
• currency – lari (1 lari = 24.74 rubles (end of 2018 exchange rate. Tetri – Georgian “penny” 1 lari = 100 tetri);
• time in Tbilisi – Moscow + 1 hour;
• The country's population is more than 37 million people.

The Georgian language is mainly used, but all inscriptions (names of streets, shops, bus stops), which can be found in major cities, must be duplicated in Russian and English languages. The older generation is fluent in spoken Russian, the younger generation prefers English.

If necessary, you can always ask passers-by for help. However, to feel more confident, you can memorize the pronunciation of several of the most frequently used phrases in Georgian:

Traveling to Georgia on your own will require you to prepare the following documents:

1. international passport. It is important to check its validity period: it must be valid not only at the time of entry into the country, but also upon departure.
2. Medical insurance policy. It is not necessary to have one, but it is advisable, since calling an ambulance in Georgia is paid.
3. Visa needed only for those who plan to stay in the country for more than a year.
4. If a child is traveling, it fits into the international passport of one of the parents (necessarily with a photo).
5. Baby's birth certificate. May be necessary, although not required when crossing the border.

How to get there by public transport

There is currently no direct railway connection between the countries.

The route starting in Rostov-on-Don could be as follows:

1. Evening train No. 392C departs from the city every 4 days, traveling to Baku, and arriving at its final destination in the morning the next day.
2. In Baku you can take the daily night train from Baku to Tbilisi, leaving at 21.10 and arriving at 10.25.
3. Traveling from Tbilisi to any city in Georgia is not a problem.

You can travel to Georgia independently by train or bus.

Approximate prices The most popular tourist routes starting in Tbilisi are:

• you can travel to Batumi in a seated carriage (2nd class) for 19 GEL;
• ticket to econom-class train to Zguridi you can buy for 8.5 GEL, a coupe will cost 18 GEL;
• travel to common carriage to Kutaisi it costs 9 GEL.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online. Children under 5 years old travel free of charge, children from 5 to 10 years old travel with a child ticket, and everyone over 10 years old will have to pay for the trip in full.

Traveling to Georgia on your own by plane is an easier and faster option. Direct flights to Tbilisi depart from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, the average price is 6 thousand rubles (round trip). From other Russian cities you will have to fly with transfers.

The only road for travel by bus is through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, located in the mountains, between Vladikavkaz and Kazbegi. There are buses going directly from Moscow to Tbilisi, but it is better to get to Vladikavkaz by any means, from where there is a direct minibus to Tbilisi.

You can use the following (cheaper) route:

1. Get from Vladikavkaz to Upper Lars (price - 40 rubles).
2. Take a minibus going to Stepatsmindy (it is prohibited to cross the border on foot).
3. Take a bus to Tbilisi (price – 10 GEL).

In winter, snow drifts are possible in the mountains and, accordingly, problems with crossing the border.

How to get there by car

The owner of his own car will also have to go to Georgia through Upper Lars.

On the Russian side you will need to present:

1. A foreign passport valid for the entire stay in Georgia (driver and passengers).
2. Passport vehicle.
3. Driver's license (for the driver).

A green card and insurance policy are not needed. After customs checks, you must travel through neutral territory and present the listed documents on the Georgian side.

The rules of behavior on the road in Georgia are approximately the same as in Russia, but the punishment for violating them is more severe.

For example, if you cross a solid lane or exceed the speed limit, you will have to pay a fine, which in ruble equivalent will exceed 1,000 rubles.

Where to stay

Like any other country in the world, Georgia offers tourists accommodation in a wide range of prices:

1. Hotels and inns from the most luxurious where you can enjoy maximum comfort, to economy class establishments with a minimum range of services.
2. Guest houses where guests will feel at home for a reasonable fee.
3. Inexpensive hostels that give travelers the opportunity to stay comfortable and save on housing.

Specific prices largely depend on the “stardom” of the establishment, its location and season. When booking a hotel or any other type of accommodation, you need to inquire about the range of services, their cost and which of them are included in the room fee.

What to visit first

Traveling to Georgia on your own should be filled as much as possible with interesting trips and excursions. To do this, it is better to decide on the route in advance. The first acquaintance with the country will most likely begin from its capital.

Tbilisi

This is one of the oldest cities in the world with a population of 1.11 million people, today occupying an area of ​​726 square meters. km. It was founded back in the 5th century AD. It is incredibly interesting for tourists for its history and culture. You can stay at inexpensive hotel, guest house or a hostel that will be happy to provide guests with decent living conditions:

Taxi and public transport

Tbilisi has a wide variety of means of transportation.

Public transport in the city the following:

1. Metro. The cost of the trip is 50 tetri.
2. Buses. The price of one ticket is 50 tetri.
3. Minibuses. For travel, depending on the route, you have to pay from 50 to 80 tetri.
4. Cable car. You can use it for 1 GEL.
5. Taxi. Trips within the city will cost about 3-6 GEL, and a trip to the airport will cost 25 GEL.

What to see

Historical and cultural monuments, most interesting places in a city that is already one and a half millennia old, you can find it at every step.

In the center of Tbilisi you can try the following route:

1. Abanotubani. Or the bathhouse quarter, famous for its complex of bathhouses built on sulfur springs. The complex is located on the Kura embankment, you can get to it by buses 31, 44, 50, 55, 71, 80 and 102, the stop is called “Abanotubani”. Then you can walk.
   
   
2. Canyon and waterfall. The picturesque section of the Tsavkisistskali River with a waterfall flowing through the very center of the city is called the Tbilisi Canyon. The attraction is located near the botanical garden, not far from the sulfur baths.
3. Meydan Square. One of the central squares of old Tbilisi, from which, according to legend, the history of the city began. It is not difficult to reach it on foot from the baths.
4. Shardeni street. It was once a center of handicrafts, but today it is cozy street, where after a small walking tour from Meydan Square you can relax, enjoying the atmosphere of the old city and aromatic coffee.
5. Metah and Darejan. In the ancient Metakh quarter, located a few steps from Sharden Street, it is easy to find the palace of Queen Darejan, standing on the Avlabari Hills.
6. Cable car. From Darejan Palace you can go down to Europe Square. Here, next to Rike Park, is the lower station cable car. You can take the funicular and then have a short ride over the river and the old town.
7. Narikala Fortress. From the upper station of the cable car to this ancient defensive structure (more than one and a half thousand years old) is just a stone’s throw away. Having risen to the very high point near the cross, you can admire Tbilisi spread out below.
8. Statue of Mother Georgia. You need to go by foot, to the very top of Salakak Hill - to where the majestic statue of “Mother of Kartli” stands.
   
   
9. Betlemi Stairs. Built in the mid-19th century, it starts from the statue and has 120 steps. Along it, stopping at observation platforms, you can go down to the old Sololaki district.
10. Sololaki and the Kaleidoscope house. Sololaki was once the most respectable quarter of Tbilisi. A traveler should definitely go to the Kaleidoscope house, the front door of which is decorated with amazing stained glass windows.
11. Freedom Square and Gabriadze Theater. Noisy and busy place. Here you can admire the standing monuments to the lamplighter and sculptor, and then approach the building of the Gabriadze Puppet Theater. In his tower there is a door from which an angel appears every hour to strike the bell with a hammer.
12. Bridge of Peace. The bright glass majestic structure, built quite recently, during the reign of Saakashvili, is located near the Gabriadze Theater. That's why pedestrian bridge You can quickly walk to Rike Park.
13. Rike Park. A green and cozy seating area where you can sit quietly and even take a photo with Ronald Reagan himself, peacefully sitting on a bench.
14. Mimino. Not far from the park there is the Avlabari metro station, and next to it is a monument immortalizing the heroes of the film “Mimino,” popular in Soviet times.
    
    
15. Tsminda Sameba Cathedral(Church of the Holy Trinity) It is interesting both for its external architecture and interior decoration. On its territory you can have a snack at the Lagidze water cafe and enjoy Adjarian khachapuri, which will be a worthy finale to the excursion.

Mtskheta

The capital of the Mkhtseta-Mtianeti region, Mtskheta, is located north of Tbilisi, its population is 10 thousand people. Today this small town is a holy place for the inhabitants of the country and is very interesting for tourists, and inexpensive accommodation here is represented by guest houses, hostels, and hotels.

For example:

What to see

The abundance of hotels and hostels in a small town already says in itself: there is something to see here, and this is true.

You can start your tour of Mtskheta by visiting the following neighborhoods of the city:

Kakheti

Kakheti is a historical region in the eastern part of Georgia, near the upper reaches of the Alazani and Iori rivers. A picturesque region with a rich, centuries-old history - real paradise for tourists, therefore, the first thing you need to do is look for housing. Hostel prices, guest houses and hotels in Kakheti are quite moderate, although if you wish, you can stay in a luxurious, expensive hotel.

Several options in different price categories:

What to see

The most striking sights of Kakheti and how to get to them:

1. Telavi. A small town that is historical capital Kakheti, was known as the largest shopping mall, located on the route of caravans coming from the East. Outlandish temples and monuments are at every turn here, but the main advantage is the cleanest, healing air. You can get to Telavi by bus, the distance from Tbilisi is 95 km.
   
   
2. Chateau Mere. A wine hotel located near Telavi in ​​the village of Vardisubani. This is a 3-story palace built in the ancient Georgian style. At guests' disposal are wine cellars filled with delicious wines of Kakheti. The hotel is located 7.3 km from the city center, and a walker can get here in an hour and a half.
3. Shuamta. A complex of monasteries located near Telavi on the Tbilisi side. Directly from the highway you can see the New Shuamata Monastery, where a dirt road leads. If you drive along it a little further, you can visit the Old Shuamata monastery.
4. Tsinandali. A legendary village in Kakheti, located 10 km from Telavi. Here was the estate of Alexander Chavchavadze and the ruins of the church in which his daughter Nina and Griboyedov were married are still preserved. You can take a taxi or walk, admiring the breathtaking scenery.
5. Shumi Factory. Produces the best Kakheti wines, located right there in Tsinandali. You can visit the factory museum, where samples of ancient winemaking equipment are collected.
6. Ikalto. A monastery complex consisting of three churches, located in the village of the same name, which is located 10 km from Telavi. You can get there by minibus, taxi, or on foot.
7. Alaverdi. Monastery and cathedral located in the vicinity of Akhmeta. The monastery is located right next to the highway connecting Telavi and Akhmeta, and the cathedral is 9 km away from it. You can get there by hitchhiking or by car; buses run very rarely and irregularly.
8. Gremi. The fortress, which was once the royal residence, is located in the village of the same name, located near Kvareli. It is located near the Telavi-Kvareli highway, and you can get to it by any minibus going in this direction.
   
   
9. Lake Lopota. The picturesque reservoir, located in the village of Naparuli (Telavi district), is surrounded by forests and mountains. There is a hotel near it, you can ride horses or rent a boat, and in the summer enjoy swimming in cleanest water.
10. Nekresi. The monastery complex, standing above the Alazani Valley, is located near Kvareli. Those wishing to get to Nekresi must walk or drive 7 km from Kvareli towards Gremi to the road sign. Further along the steep mountain road, there is a special bus.
11. Kvareli. A small town located 150 km from the capital, in eastern Georgia. An ideal place for those who like peace and quiet, who love walking along mountain trails and who will not refuse a glass of fine wine.
12. Graneli Factory. It produces exclusive wines designed for VIP buyers; they are sold only on the territory of the plant. Wine lovers are also offered a tour of the plant and wine tasting. The plant is located just 2.5 km from Kvareli. You need to drive along the highway to south direction, turn off at the Wine Route sign and drive about 700 m.
13. Sighnaghi. A tiny ancient town located in a picturesque mountain valley 100 km from Tbilisi, which can be walked around in a day. Around the town there are vineyards, temples, fortresses, monasteries, which can be reached on foot or by car.
    
    
14. Bodbe. monastery, which stands 2 km from Sighnaghi. Famous for the fact that the tomb of St. Nino is located here. The holy spring and font are located below the monastery, at a distance of 5 km from Sighnaghi.
15. David Gareja. The unique mountain monastery complex, which includes 9 cave monasteries, is located 60 km from Tbilisi, on the border with Azerbaijan and stretches 25 km along the Gareji Ridge. You can get here along the route Tbilisi - the city of Sagarejo - the village of Udabno. From the village there is an asphalt road along which you will have to cover 13 km.

Kutaisi

The second largest city in the country, located on the Rioni River, can be reached from Tbilisi by car, train, plane, minibus. There are plenty of tourists here at any time of the year, so it is better to book a hotel or hostel in advance.

What to see

Most Popular tourist places Kutaisi is:

Svaneti

Traveling to this corner of Georgia has become available for independent exploration by tourists. Svaneti is often called lost world, because its pristine beauty has been preserved here. Tourist center Mestia is considered to be a town with a population of 2.5 thousand people, where most of the hotels of different star levels are located.

What to see

The most famous tourist sites of Svaneti are:

Batumi

Situated on the Black Sea coast, the city is popular resort, economic and cultural center Georgia, and is very attractive for tourists. Accommodation in Batumi is represented by hostels, guest houses, hotels of all levels of comfort.

What to see

Diversify beach holiday You can visit the following outstanding places of the city:

Main excursions

Traveling to Georgia on your own doesn’t always work out, and if you don’t have enough imagination, develop a tourist route, you can use the services of the TRIPSTER tour desk.

It offers the following routes in Georgia:

Pros and cons of holidays in Georgia

Unfortunately, such a holiday has its drawbacks:

1. In hotels and hotels, “surprises” may lie in wait in the form of a lack of water, electricity, and cold radiators.
2. Many architectural monuments are in deplorable condition.
3. Mountain walks are not always possible due to bad weather.
4. Many are surprised and frightened by the hot Georgian temperament of local drivers.
5. Non-smokers may not like the widespread smoking practice here.
6. The disadvantage can be considered the noisiness and some extravagance of Georgians.

As for the advantages of traveling to Georgia, everything is obvious: the opportunity to learn a lot of new things, enjoy independent hiking, unforgettable experience from fabulous beauties.

Article format: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about traveling to Georgia on your own

15 rules have a good travel to Georgia: