Organizing a holiday in Georgia on your own is not at all difficult. Even a novice traveler can easily create a route and travel plan; you just need to take into account some nuances to make your vacation as comfortable as possible. We will talk about them in this article...

Prices in Georgia, how much money to take

A trip to Georgia can be either economical or incredibly expensive. It all depends on your financial capabilities! Naming a specific number and saying: “This is definitely enough for you” or “You need to take no less than ...” is not entirely correct. Therefore, I will tell you what costs you will have to face, and you can calculate the total amount yourself, okay?

Search for flights

For myself and my family I look for tickets to Aviasales, he always finds flights at the best price.

How to look for housing

Accommodation costs eat up the lion's share of the vacation budget, so you should approach your search carefully. First, it is important to decide where you want to live: in a hotel, guesthouse or rent a private apartment.

It is better to look for the first two options on booking.com. Its advantages:

But unlike booking, airbnb offers private housing from the owners: a room in a house or an entire apartment. That is, you will not find a hotel room or hostel here.

To calculate travel costs, you first need to plan your route. Made up? The next step is to decide on the type of transport you plan to travel with: taxi, hitchhiking, excursion group or by bus/train.

1. With hitchhiking, everything is extremely simple - they pick up fellow travelers without problems and, as a rule, do not take money from them. We ourselves have hitchhiked more than once, so I can confidently recommend this method to those who are limited in finances.
2. Excursions also seem to be easy. You can pay for the trip at one of the country's travel agencies or. In a previous article, I already talked about how best. It describes the pros and cons of each method.
3. Find a personal transfer (taxi) upon arrival or on the website
4. Buses and trains

• Regular buses (also known as minibuses) travel to both large and small cities. This type of transport is not comfortable, but it is inexpensive. Behind short trip(up to 2 hours on the road) you will pay no more than 4 $ if you travel across the whole country, the maximum I have seen is 8 $.

The schedule of these buses changes frequently. In most cases, you will have to go to the bus station and find out the details on the spot.

• Private transport company. Differences from regular buses: travel is more expensive, new buses, they travel only between major cities: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi and. You can find out the schedule, prices and pay for travel online.
• Well, the train... Official site railways It’s terribly inconvenient, so I look at the schedule and cost here. You can buy a ticket both online and at the ticket office at the station.

Food costs

Most cafes and restaurants offer menus at affordable prices. Our average bill was $14-17 for two people for 2-4 dishes + wine. You can eat both more expensive and more budget-friendly. I repeat - it all depends on your desire and capabilities. This is probably the beauty of a trip to Georgia - a tourist with any budget will not go hungry.

Based on our costs, this is what comes out:

1. Breakfast ≈ 5-10 $
2. Lunch ≈ 15 $
3. Dinner ≈ 20 $

In total, on average we made ≈ $40-45 per day. In my opinion, this is a comfortable amount for two. If the goal is to save, the daily budget can be reduced by ≈ 30-40%.

I wrote in more detail about prices in In it I talked about the cost of popular dishes and how much we usually spend on vacation.

Buying souvenirs

In Georgia, it’s hard to resist buying souvenirs; you’ll definitely take something with you. A huge advantage of this kind of shopping is that many of the purchases can be eaten or drunk. As a rule, people bring from here: spices, sauces, wine, churchkhela, magnets and pottery. What to buy is an individual matter! My shopping list will not suit everyone, but if you are interested, you can check it out.

So how much will a vacation in Georgia cost?

To find out how much your trip will cost, you need to calculate each item.

? — the cost of airfare/bus tickets from your city.

Living expenses. Find the desired hotel/guesthouse and multiply the cost per night by the number of days.

? — Based on what sights you want to visit, create a route around the country. All prices for transport/excursions can be viewed online. How and where to look, I wrote in the paragraph above.

? - Calculate how much food will cost. In Georgia it’s simple: if you have money, spend a lot, if you don’t have money, spend less.

? - souvenirs for yourself and your family.

? - insurance. This is not necessary, but I advise you not to skimp on it. After all, it’s a foreign country, even a small cold can cost you a pretty penny.

Unexpected expenses. I usually set aside $50-100 for emergencies. As a rule, this money is spent on an unplanned excursion, MK or souvenirs.

The cost of your trip. It's simple, right?

What currency should you take with you?

The national currency of Georgia is the lari, and all payments are made in it. You can easily exchange rubles, dollars or euros for lari at any bank or exchange office. It’s more difficult with hryvnias Ukrainian currency Not accepted everywhere.

On our last trip we took euros with us. At that time, this was the most profitable way to save money. But the Georgian currency is unstable, the situation changes from day to day, so I recommend doing the calculation immediately before leaving. How to calculate, I wrote.

Georgian cuisine, what to try

For those who are on a diet, it is better to choose a different vacation destination or take a time out from your planned weight loss. In Georgia it is very difficult to resist temptations, but they will find you, believe me!

Khinkali, khachapuri, famous cheeses, chkmeruli, ojakhuri and other mysterious names call for immediate indulgence in gluttony. And so that your expectations are more than met, I recommend reading about it in advance.

Do you need health insurance?

Border guards do not impose strict requirements for the availability of insurance, so theoretically the trip is possible without “extra” expenses. However, no one is protected from troubles that can not only ruin your vacation, but also hit your pocket.

When deciding to travel to Georgia without insurance, consider the risks and consequences - calling an ambulance will cost ≈ $20, and a daily hospital stay will cost ≈ 100-150 $. If danger is your middle name, I recommend taking out a policy. I buy mine at

Is it safe to travel to Georgia?

Do people steal on the street? No, they don't steal. Are they deceiving or are they openly trying to make money? We have never encountered such cases. Do Georgians harass girls? They are more likely to flirt if they see reciprocity on your part. If you are not in the mood for communication, things will not go further than smiles. Are you forced to do something against your will? And again no!

Neither we nor our friends have ever found ourselves in an unpleasant situation. The locals are very friendly, they try to do everything in their power to make your vacation memorable for many years. It’s not for nothing that the country is famous for its hospitality!

In my opinion, Georgia is perfect for traveling with children and for those who are just starting to travel on their own.

Do they understand Russian?

The fact that many Georgians speak Russian is a significant plus when traveling on your own. The older generation (40+) will understand you without any problems, but with young people it is more difficult, not everyone knows Russian.

In any case, there should not be any difficulties with communication. If a person sees that you need help, but does not speak Russian, he will immediately call someone who can help you. After all, Georgian kindness and responsiveness knows no bounds. And this is not a figure of speech, you should definitely come here to understand what I’m talking about!

How to get to Georgia by car in 2020 from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities? What is needed to cross the border? Travel nuances Required documents, as well as reviews and advice from tourists who traveled to Georgia in 2019-2020.

Traveling to Georgia by car - unforgettable journey along the Georgian Military Road, which has been repeatedly recognized as the most beautiful mountain route in the world. If you haven't driven it yet, it's definitely time. Read the article and hit the road!

Note: The only legal crossing of the Russian-Georgian border by land is through the Upper Lars checkpoint.

Rent a car- this is the best way to travel! - reliable and convenient car rental service in Georgia. Choose a car to suit your taste and budget - there is a wide choice. Car rental costs from $23 per day. Do you have any questions? The Russian-speaking support service will help you with everything.

Look for copyright interesting excursions on the Sputnik and . Individual and group, without crowds of tourists and in Russian.

Route to Georgia from Russian cities

How to get to Georgia by car

Road to Georgia from Moscow

From Moscow to Georgia by car, the route runs along the M-4 Don highway through Voronezh to Rostov-on-Don. This section of the journey, about 1100 km, is not very memorable. The highway is four-lane, with high-quality coverage and a couple of toll sections (30 and 55 rubles). According to reviews from tourists, leaving Moscow in the morning, you can cover this section in a day and stop for the night.

Further the path runs through Kushchevskaya, Oktyabrskaya to the intersection with the P-217 "Caucasus" highway (former M-29), through Kropotkin, Armavir, Nevinnomyssk, Vladikavkaz. From there, follow the A-161 "Vladikavkaz-Georgia" highway (formerly P-301) to the border. Here the mountainous terrain begins, only two lanes, in some places four. There are dangerous sections, descents and ascents. The whole route is about 2000 km. From the border to Tbilisi there are still about 200 km along a mountain road. The infrastructure on the Russian side is well developed, there are roadside motels, cafes and gas stations.

From Saint-Petersburg

It is optimal to travel along the M-10 highway "St. Petersburg-Moscow" through Valdai, Tver to Moscow. Then take the M-4 Don highway along the Moscow Ring Road and drive to the republic along the route described above from Moscow. Most likely, you will have to make two stops for the night - it’s 2,500 km to the border, another 200 km to Tbilisi, and crossing the border may take time.

From Yekaterinburg

The same long journey has to be made by car from Yekaterinburg - 2600 km to the border. Usually travelers start their journey along federal highway M-5 "Ural". The route runs through Kyshtym, Zlatoust, Ufa, Oktyabrsky to Togliatti. Here you can take the first break and stop for the night, then continue your journey along the P-228 "Syzran-Saratov-Volgograd" highway to Volgograd, and along the P-221 "Volgograd-Elista" through Kamyshin to Elista. The third day of the trip will pass through the Stavropol Territory (Budennovsk, Novopavlovsk), Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia (Maisky, Terek, Ardon) to Vladikavkaz, from there to the border along the A-161 highway.

From Samara

The drive to the border is 1700 km. First along the P-228 highway "Syzran-Saratov-Volgograd". You can spend the night in the Volgograd area. Further the path lies to Elista, Vladikavkaz to Upper Lars.

From Rostov

From Rostov to the border it is about 700 km. Theoretically, if you don’t get stuck in traffic jams, you can do it in two days, with one stop overnight. From Rostov to Vladikavkaz and Georgia you can travel along the described “Moscow” route (second part) through Kushchevskaya, Armavir, Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik.

From Perm

The drive to the border is 2500 km, the journey will take 3 days. From Perm you need to take the Krasnokamsk bypass road and head in the direction of Izhevsk, then the route passes through Naberezhnye Chelny, Cheremshan, Sukhodol, Togliatti. You can stay overnight here. Then continue the journey through Kamyshin, Sadovoye, Elista, you can stop here a second time. The third day of the journey will pass through Budennovsk, Novopavlovsk, Maysky, Terek, Ardon, Vladikavkaz and to the border.

Mountain serpentine, Georgia (Photo: unsplash.com / @dominik_jirovsky)

Passing the border

In 2020, to cross the border with Georgia by car, you must have the following documents with you: an international passport (for all passengers), a technical passport and a driver’s license (for the driver). International car insurance is not required to enter Georgia. Visas for Russians since 2012.

The procedure for crossing the border is quite simple and usually short - within an hour. There are delays on the Russian side. Tourists write that some particularly hasty drivers with region number 15 try to skip the line, which inevitably leads to clashes with other drivers. Car inspection is usually fast and impartial.

Roads in Georgia

The country is developing tourism, and this can be seen on the roads. Almost everywhere they are renovated, at least the main tourist destinations. There are areas of outright off-road terrain. Such areas exist on the Georgian Military Road due to mudflows that completely block traffic. And although the authorities eliminate the problem promptly, the quality of the road suffers greatly.

According to reviews about car trips to Georgia for 2019-2020, for some travelers the section of the route through the Cross Pass caused an outright shock: there is practically no asphalt from Kobi to Gudauri. This is an area with a high accident rate; it is easy to break through the bottom of a low-clearance car, so you have to drive at a snail's pace, and preferably in a high-riding car. However, the driver’s skill has not yet been canceled.

Road sign after Arsha (Photo: med_fassih / flickr.com)

Travel route around Georgia by car

The beginning of the journey through Georgia begins with the Georgian Military Road, where the beauty of the surrounding landscapes is simply amazing. Kazbek, Terek, Daryala Gorge, Arch of Peoples' Friendship, temples.

Usually all travelers begin sightseeing from the capital -. Further, the route around Georgia by car can be as follows: from Tbilisi to Mtskheta and Ananuri, from Ananuri to Telavi, from there to Gremi and Tusheti or to David Gareji.

You can go from Tbilisi to Gori with a visit to Uplistsikhe, from there to Kutaisi, then to Mestia and Batumi. Some go to Borjomi - 160 kilometers from the capital - to drink mineral water and visit nearby cave city Vadzia, Khervisi and the fortress at Akhaltsikh. In summer, the Black Sea resorts are very popular: Sarpi, Gonio, Kvariati,.

A selection of popular excursions in Georgia:

Hotels and apartments in Georgia

See how much hotels cost in Georgia in the summer of 2020:

Type	Price per day (RUB)	Example
Budget guest house in Kutaisi	from 600 ₽	White House Kutaisi
Budget guesthouse in the center of Tbilisi	from 1200 ₽	Guest House Kato
3* hotel with breakfast in Old Tbilisi	from 3000 ₽	7 Baits Hotel
Hotel 3* by the sea in Batumi	from 1700 ₽	Cozy Corner Hotel
5* hotel by the sea in Batumi	from 9300 ₽	JRW Welmond Hotel & Casino

Prices for rooms, apartments and houses in Georgia in the summer of 2020:

Type	Price per day (RUB)	Example
Inexpensive room in the center of Kutaisi	from 800 ₽	Room in Kutaisi
Apartment with a courtyard in the center of Tbilisi (2 bedrooms)	from 3000 ₽	Tips and reviews about traveling to Georgia by car When traveling to Georgia by car, drivers will need a lot of patience. According to tourists' reviews, Stavropol region, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia many faced blatant extortion of money from local traffic police officers. Therefore, the best way not to get into such a situation is not to violate it. There are serpentines in the mountains, so drive carefully. In addition, the driving style in Georgia is disgusting. This can be seen especially clearly in Tbilisi. Changing lanes from the far left to turn right, failing to use a turn signal, cutting off another car, running a red light - all this is par for the course. Gasoline is a bit expensive - on average, a liter of 95 costs 2.20 lari (52 rubles at the current exchange rate). According to reviews from tourists who traveled to Georgia in 2019-2020, they will not be allowed into the country with canisters, but you can fill a full tank in the Vladikavkaz area. By the way, there are no gas stations on the road right after Upper Lars, and there is no currency exchange either. The first gas station will appear only in Gudauri. The food is not the cheapest, but very tasty and the portions are large. Lunch at a cafe - 30 GEL per person. Very good Georgian wine costs 25-30 lari per bottle. Remember that you can import no more than 3 liters of alcoholic beverages per person into Russia. In general, the country is safe, you can safely travel with children. The main highways are patrolled by police officers, and they will help if there is a problem. The population is friendly, many speak Russian, so there is no language barrier. (Photo: sergi2190 / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC 2.0) First photo: vampa_ / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Address: Tbilisi and Batumi cities

1-3 Aleksandr Pushkin St, Tbilisi, Georgia

If you are reading this article, then most likely you have decided to visit Georgia for the first time. Congratulations! An unforgettable trip awaits you in one of the most beautiful countries peace.

To make your trip productive and comfortable, you need to think through your route in advance. Simply put, decide where you will stay and schedule by day where you plan to visit. And the shorter your trip, the more specific your plan should be, because you need to see as much as possible!

V-Georgia offers its own version of the route for those who find themselves in Georgia for the first time.

Inspection of Georgia from Tbilisi

Most guests arrive in and begin their exploration of Georgia from here.

There are no problems with housing in Tbilisi, here a large number of hotels and hostels - everyone will find accommodation to their taste and budget. Hotels are not cheap (from $60), more budget option there will be a hostel, apartment or guesthouse room (from $20).

Have you chosen comfortable accommodation? Great. Start exploring the amazing Georgian capital from. This is the very center of the old city, many cultures are intertwined here: 50 meters from the square there is a synagogue, 100 meters away is one of the main Orthodox churches of Sioni, 70 meters away is the church that Georgians share with Armenians every day. A minaret can also be seen here.

On the way to Mtskheta (if you are by car) visit the temple located on the mountain. From here you can go down to Mtskheta itself.

Another attraction 80 km from Tbilisi, which almost every tourist visits, is the ancient cave city. This is a very ancient cave complex, its history goes back more than three thousand years. Take a guided tour for a completely different experience.

Don’t want to limit yourself to Tbilisi and its surroundings? Welcome to .

When in Telavi, you can’t help but visit Cathedral, which is located in the village of the same name, 20 km from the city.

Alaverdi is monastery and a complex of buildings attached to it - the Church of St. George, a 16th-century refectory, a bathhouse, a bell tower, an episcopal palace, a winery and a huge ancient qvevri assembled from the rubble. At the monastery there is a museum of grapes - more than 500 varieties of grapes grow here, including rare and once lost ones.

There is also one nearby, which you should definitely visit. It is located on the top of a mountain near the side of the main road. Already from afar, its towers and domes are clearly visible against the sky.

If you have time, take a look at, also located in this area.

Since you are in those places, it would be a sin not to visit “” and not go down to the Kvareli tunnel - a national landmark of Georgia. One of the entrances to the tunnel is made specifically for tourists; exciting excursion and tasting.

We also recommend that you definitely visit the monastery. This is a monastic complex, partly consisting of caves, partly of above-ground buildings. Although the monastery is active, tourists are allowed to enter here (except, of course, for the part where the monks live).

David-Gareji Caves

And, of course, the Georgian Military Road to Kazbek. If you drive to Georgia from Russia through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, you will move along this picturesque route. If you travel by plane or by sea, find a way to visit the Georgian Military Road. It is indescribably beautiful here at any time of the year.

If you drive from Tbilisi towards Mtskheta along the Georgian Military Road, the first attraction worthy of attention will be. This medieval, but very well-preserved building will be of interest to all lovers of antiquity. In addition, incredible landscapes open up from here at any time of the year. Just look at the view of the Zhinvali reservoir, surrounded by picturesque mountains!

When approaching Gudauri along the Georgian Military Road, you will not be able to pass by the Arch of Friendship of Peoples. Here, from a height of 2384 meters, there is a stunning view of the mountains and the small emerald lake below.

Since you are near Gudauri, do not miss the opportunity - you will remember the impressions for a lifetime! Flights are carried out at any time of the year if weather conditions are favorable.

Next, your path will lie through the highlands. Few tourists can resist the temptation to stop here for a photo shoot. After the pass you will see a source of mineral water - Narzan - where you can safely replenish your drinking water supplies.

The next stop is , or Kazbegi (old name). In particular, the famous one deserves attention. If you're in an SUV, great. If not, you will have a two-hour walk up the mountain.

Sightseeing in Batumi and surrounding areas

If you are staying at , no less awaits you exciting program sightseeing visits. Perhaps we should start by visiting Batumi itself.

And the embankments are some of the most beautiful and well-groomed in the whole Black Sea coast. But we will not dwell on them in detail.

The central place of Batumi is the square - a small Venice in the city center. It's definitely worth a walk here.

Take a walk around Old Batumi, because it is one big attraction. What are the cozy courtyards, streets and front doors worth! And all this antiquity next to skyscrapers is impressive.

Be sure to visit the Singing Fountains and the Park of Miracles. We recommend that nature lovers go to, it is fabulously beautiful and you can walk all day, after which you can swim on the wild Cape Verde beach.

Visit, especially if you are with children. The mesmerizing performance of dolphins and swimming with them will leave an impression for a long time!

After walking around the city to your heart's content, go on a trip around - this is a wonderful region with fabulous nature and many attractions.

What to see in Adjara?

Queen Tamara Bridge. An old stone arch bridge over the river, built nine centuries ago. Very popular tourist place.

Nearby is a beautiful fifteen-meter high. There is even a plunge pool downstairs where you can take a swim.

Fortress . These are the ruins of an ancient fortress that was built two thousand years ago and served as an outpost for the Romans. Everything here breathes with antiquity and there is a museum with impressive exhibits. Overall, history buffs will enjoy it.

Peter's Fortress. Located near the resort. Dates from the sixth century. The fortress itself is a museum; here you can see the remains of the buildings of the city that once existed here. In 2016, reconstruction of this place began, but the fortress is open to the public.

If you have time, go to. There are many beautiful places worth seeing.

For example, . A real treasure of Georgia. Many tourists claim that they have never seen anything more beautiful in their lives!

The next canyon is . Amazing place, and it’s not clear what makes you feel more dizzy here—from beauty or from fear?

In the vicinity of Kutaisi there is another shrine - a monastery. Shrouded in legends, this temple has always aroused interest among tourists. The monastery is famous for the fact that King David the Builder is buried here, and even, according to one version, Queen Tamara. There are also the ancient gates of the city of Ganja and the old academy with an observatory.

And for a snack - . Without exaggeration, this is the most desirable place for tourists in the vicinity of Kutaisi. This is the most beautiful cave in Georgia, in addition, a unique light show- the sight is simply mesmerizing.

Now you know all the must-see places for a tourist arriving for the first time in Tbilisi or Batumi. We hope you will have time to visit all the interesting places during your trip and get the most out of Georgia! And if you seasoned traveler and this is not the first time in Georgia - read on for ideas for your next travels to this amazing country.

Do you want to come here? The Viva-Georgia team will organize an excursion or tour for you, create the optimal travel route and provide any other assistance during the trip.

Most Russians associate Caucasian hospitality with Georgia. Everyone should visit this mountainous country with picturesque landscapes, amazing cuisine and hospitable Georgians at least once in their life. Although official language Here Georgian and Russian are understood by the majority of the adult population. That is why traveling to Georgia on your own will not be difficult.

Entry into the country

On a note! To visit Georgia, a visa is not required, but a foreign passport is required. It must not expire during the trip.

You can stay in the country for a whole year. The Georgian government has simplified entry rules, thereby increasing the flow of tourists into the country. Thanks to this, tourism has recently begun to develop rapidly.

The only difficulty may arise at the border if the passport contains notes about visiting South Ossetia or Abkhazia. Entry may be denied.

How to get there

The easiest and most popular way: direct flight from Moscow, St. Petersburg or Rostov-on-Don to Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi. Moreover, a direct flight to Tbilisi will cost much less. And from there you can take a bus or train to wherever you want - it will be more profitable. You can also fly from Moscow to Vladikavkaz on Pobeda, and then by bus or minibus to Tbilisi. This is the most cheap option, if you buy tickets in advance on sale.

Airplane is the easiest way to arrive in Georgia

You can get to Georgia by land transport from Russia, Armenia or Azerbaijan. In Russia there is one checkpoint to Georgia - Upper Lars. You can get here from Vladikavkaz along the Georgian Military Road. IN summer time There can be huge queues at the border every year, and in winter the road is often closed due to bad weather conditions.

You can find a travel companion on blablacar or sail by water on a comet from Sochi to Batumi.

What money to take

The national currency of Georgia is the lari. It is not profitable to change rubles, so it is advisable to exchange them for dollars or euros in Russia, and then exchange the latter for lari on vacation.

Where to stay

In Georgia, as in any country with actively developing tourism, you can rent housing to suit every taste and budget. There are both expensive and budget hotels guest houses. Private owners rent out rooms for a small fee. Here, in addition to everything else, you can feel unforgettable hospitable hospitality and taste home-made Georgian cuisine. In provincial towns there are also inexpensive hostels with several beds.

It is better to look for accommodation and book in advance: this way you can save money, because accommodation on site will cost more than, for example, through booking.

On a note! You shouldn’t trust reviews; it’s better to trust acquaintances and friends who have already been there. Very often tourists leave laudatory reviews for not so comfortable and good rooms simply as a token of gratitude to the owners for their kindness and warm hospitality.

In small towns, housing can be found locally: usually there are signs and signs on the streets, like on our Black Sea coast.

How to get around

The most ideal option for traveling around Georgia is a rented or your own car. Especially for a large company or family with children. This way you can get to any point, even to places you don’t go to. public transport. You can rent either a passenger car or a small jeep. Tourist roads to the main attractions are in good condition.

The average price for renting a passenger car per day is 1.5 thousand rubles, an SUV - 2.5 thousand.

Public transport is also available here.

By train you can get to any city or resort quite quickly. There are usually daytime seated trains, but there are also night reserved seat trains.

Buses run frequently, so you can comfortably get from one tourist route to another.

Minibus taxis are not as comfortable as buses, so they are suitable for short distance travel. Interestingly, they do not depart according to a schedule, but when they are full.

A taxi can be ordered anywhere: many locals earn extra money as a cab driver, and also, if they’re lucky, can spend private tour. They know everything about their country.

What to see in Georgia?

There are a lot of interesting places that are worth watching. You can make your own in advance a tourist route, based on the number of days of rest. In a couple of weeks you will be able to see the main key attractions and surrounding areas of the main cities.

Georgia is rich in picturesque views, indescribable beauty and antiquity Orthodox churches and monasteries, fortresses. There is a beach and ski resort s. It seems that a lifetime is not enough to explore and visit all the interesting places of this hospitable country.

Usually, getting to know Georgia begins with Tbilisi. To get around the old and new town two days is enough.

What to do in Tbilisi?

1. Visit cable car and admire the views of the city from the observation deck.
2. Monument to Mother Kartli (meaning Mother Georgia) on Sololaki Hill, which also overlooks the city. The mother is a woman holding a jug of wine in one hand (to welcome guests) and a sword in the other (to repel the attack of enemies).

   

3. Visit the Botanical Garden.
4. Ride the Ferris wheel and see the city at night from above.

   

5. Visit the pantheon on Mount Mtatsminda.
6. Wash in the sulfur baths (Abanotubani).

   

7. It is better to start your walk around the city from the Avlabari metro station, which is located in the center. Here you can also see the monument to Mimino.
8. Visit the Tsminda Sameba Church on St. Elijah Hill, 5 minutes from Avlabari.
9. See the Armenian Church of Etchmiadzin, built in the 18th century.

   

10. Visit the Metekhi area with the church standing on the banks of the Kura River and admire the picturesque views from there. At the Mekhet Temple there is a very interesting story, rooted in the depths of centuries.
11. Take a walk in Europe Square and Rike Park.
12. Go glass bridge Mira, which was built in 2010 by an Italian architect and a French designer by order of the then President of Georgia.

    

13. See the presidential palace in the city center.

    

14. Take the funicular up or walk down the streets of the old city to the 1,500-year-old Narikala fortress. It was damaged many times, the worst was during the earthquake in 1827. The fortress is considered the main attraction of Tbilisi.
15. Walk to the Tabori Church (it can be seen from anywhere in the city).

    

One day is enough to explore all these places. On the second day, if finances allow, you can attend excursions:

1. By museums by architectural monuments.
2. Sightseeing tours of the city and surrounding areas.
3. Gastronomic excursions, where they taste chacha, wines, cheeses and learn the peculiarities of production.

Attention! The most important thing that distinguishes holidays in Georgia from other countries and thanks to which tourists return from there inspired and full is Caucasian hospitality and cordiality. Therefore, in order to feel the atmosphere of Georgia, you need to talk to people. Ask for directions to the desired place and learn a lot of interesting things.

Video – Tbilisi

Georgian Military Road

Today it is calm mountain track, only the name remains from the “past life”. The 208 km road connects Vladikavkaz and Tbilisi. If you go to Georgia along this route, then everything Beautiful places You can see along the way: fortresses, a monument to the friendship of peoples, a reservoir and the Cross Pass. The road and inspection will take the whole day. You can stay overnight in the village of Kazbegi.

Mtskheta

It was about this place that Lermontov wrote his famous work “Mtsyri”. Ancient city located 20 km from Tbilisi. Here it is main temple country - the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, as well as fortresses and churches on the hill, from which you can see the confluence of the Aragva and the Kura.

Gudauri

Winter ski resort. In summer there are few tourists here, although there are tourist walking routes over the mountains. You can also take the lift to a height of 3300 m and admire the beautiful scenery: the lifts are open all year round.

Kazbegi and Gergeti

Picturesque villages at the foot of Mount Kazbek. There is a Trinity Church here that is worth a visit, but you can only get to it by jeep or on foot.

Kakheti

Eastern region of Georgia with grape valleys and wine factories. The grape harvest begins in early September and lasts until mid-October.

Here they taste wines, visit the sights of the Alazani Valley: monasteries, castles and fortresses, as well as cave monasteries (David Gareji) near the border with Azerbaijan.

You can stay overnight in Telavi - the main center of Kakheti or Sighnaghi - the city of love.

Tusheti

Northeastern region of Georgia with beautiful landscapes. The road is closed most of the year. This not-so-touristy place can be interesting.

You can travel from Tbilisi to Batumi, seeing some places along the way:

1. Gori, where Stalin's house-museum is located.
2. Uplistsikhe cave monasteries nearby.

Borjomi

Recuperation place with mineral springs, sanatoriums and outdoor hydrogen sulfide pools.

On the way to Batumi you will also meet the fortresses of Rabat, Khertvisi and cave monastery Vardzia.

Kutaisi

It makes sense to stay for a couple of days to explore the main attractions of the city and surrounding area. Visit the cable car, Prometheus Cave, temples and monasteries, Okatse Canyon, Kinchkha waterfalls.

Svaneti

Region in northwestern Georgia. Two days will be enough to do walking or horseback riding. Glaciers and lakes add special beauty to the area. You can visit the high-mountain villages of the Svans and see their life with your own eyes.

Attention! From November the weather deteriorates: rains and fogs begin, so it is better to plan your route before autumn.

Adjara

Region beach resorts and national parks.

Most main resort- Batumi. Located nearby small towns. There are cleaner beaches, water and relaxing holiday, which is suitable for romantic couples and families with children.

Beach holidays can be alternated with exploring the surrounding area: visiting nature reserves and National parks, monasteries and temples, fortresses, neighboring resort villages with beaches.

What time is best to go

Despite the fact that Georgia is small country, due to its mountainous terrain, it has different weather at the same time in its different parts.

Therefore, it is important to understand where and for what purpose the trip is planned, and based on this, choose the time.

1. It makes sense to plan a beach holiday in Batumi at the beginning of summer or the first half of September. In July and August the heat here is unbearably hot. September will please velvet season- clear warm days, warm water, cool nights.
2. It is better to plan mountain excursions from the beginning of summer to the end of September, while the weather is warm. In winter, the roads will be closed, and in spring and autumn the weather is not conducive to this kind of walks.
3. The ski resorts of Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Khatsvali would be ideal to visit from late autumn to early spring. Here you can ride alpine skiing or snowboarding.

Should I take insurance?

It is better to purchase travel insurance. Usually nothing bad happens, but it's better to be safe. What you should be wary of is the local drivers: they have a very aggressive driving style, as if everyone has several lives in reserve.

Safety

There is an opinion that it is dangerous for girls to travel alone in Georgia. These are unsubstantiated arguments. If girls behave appropriately and dress decently, then there is nothing to worry about. Georgians, like other peoples of the Caucasus, revere women, old people and children. The attitude towards well-mannered girls is more than respectful.

Video – Trip to Georgia

What to bring from Georgia

Finally, every tourist asks the question: what to bring home from Georgia? What souvenirs should friends and family take? You will bring back a lot of impressions and photographs that will remind you of this amazingly hospitable country for the rest of your life. Traditionally, local delicacies, cheeses, churchkhela and wines are taken as gifts. Georgia will not leave anyone indifferent.

Find out everything you need to know about organizing an independent trip to Georgia! How to go? What documents are needed? What to see in Georgia? Tips, prices in 2020, ways to get there, vacation reviews for 2019.

Until recently, Georgia was considered almost exotic destination- few people went there or even planned to go there. Now the Internet is full of reviews from tourists, guides to the country and beautiful photos. Georgia has become one of the most visited countries in Russian tourists! This is both good and bad: on the one hand, the infrastructure is developing, there are many flights, on the other hand, you will have to put up with a huge number of other tourists, especially in the summer.

Our experience. We had been planning an independent trip to Georgia for a long time, but from year to year our attention was drawn by this handsome man, this, that. In February 2019, we finally got to Georgia - we flew to Tbilisi for a few days. We liked! Now we're making plans great trip around Georgia in your own car. In this review we will share with you our experience, tips and plans.

Exchange rate: 1 Georgian lari (GEL) ≈ 27 RUB.

Documents for travel to Georgia

What documents are needed to travel to Georgia? Everything is very simple here: Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians do not need a visa if their stay in the country does not exceed 1 year. A foreign passport, of course, is needed for a trip to Georgia; it must be valid for the entire duration of the trip and should not contain Abkhaz stamps (otherwise there will be problems, so enter using an internal passport).

Insurance- this is not a mandatory item at all, but for your peace of mind we advise you to arrange it on the websites or. They compare prices from all major insurance companies. You can choose a policy according to the parameters you need and the best price. We always take out insurance.

Trip to Georgia: how to get there on your own

By plane

An airplane is the easiest way to come on vacation to Georgia. Tickets are very cheap - many airlines fly to Georgia, competition is good, so prices are low. Pobeda also flies - usually with it the best prices. Flights to Tbilisi from Moscow, as well as from many other Russian cities, are direct. Tickets from Moscow, Perm, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don cost 5-10 thousand rubles in both directions without luggage.

An idea for lovers of interesting independent travel and challenging routes: fly to Georgia on flights of the classy Azal airline with a long layover in Baku and see the beautiful Old city Baku.

Azal is the largest airline in Azerbaijan. Provides air transportation to European countries, CIS countries, North America, Middle East and Asia. (Photo: wikimedia.org / Dmitry Terekhov)

By car

Independent trip to Georgia by car is a completely different format of travel. In some cases, it is not as comfortable as a flight, and, undoubtedly, longer and more tiring, but how many impressions you will get, how many secluded corners you can visit! The Georgian Military Road alone is worth it. We want to go there by car. We generally love traveling in our car, especially around the Caucasus.

Can't come by your own car? Rent a car! It's simple and inexpensive. - reliable and convenient service. Choose a car to suit your taste and budget - there is a wide choice. Car rental costs from $23 per day. Do you have any questions? The Russian-speaking support service will help you with everything.

A car ride around Tusheti. Photo: © etnobofin / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
As an avid lover of road trips, I guarantee you that you will get a lot of pleasure from traveling around Georgia by car!

Housing prices in Georgia

Finding accommodation to suit every taste and budget in Georgia is very easy! There are a lot of options. We advise you to choose not just an ordinary hotel, but accommodation in a national style - believe me, you will especially enjoy your trip to Georgia. This is exactly what we did for our holiday.

Type	Price per day (RUB)	Example
Budget guesthouse in the center of Tbilisi	from 1200 ₽	Guest House Kato
3* hotel with breakfast in Old Tbilisi	from 3000 ₽	7 Baits Hotel
Hotel 3* by the sea in Batumi	from 1700 ₽	Cozy Corner Hotel
Apartment with a courtyard in the center of Tbilisi (2 bedrooms)	from 3000 ₽	Central Tbilisi - Patio Apartment
Apartment in Batumi by the sea	from 2600 ₽	IOANE HOME

Our cozy apartment in Tbilisi in national style and with high ceilings!

Book in advance. If your trip to Georgia is planned for the summer or holidays ( New Year, May), be sure to book accommodation in advance, preferably a couple of months in advance. First of all, this concerns the Black Sea resorts and Tbilisi itself. So you can get the best option in the price/quality ratio, and not be content with what is left free. We remind you: A LOT of tourists come to Georgia.

Look for hotels with discounts on the Rumguru service. This way you won’t wander around the city with your luggage looking for the best option, and you’ll save time and money. However, if you are ready to bargain and like to take risks, you can try to find options the old fashioned way - on the spot. But, to be honest, I don’t understand who else does this and why.

Live in an apartment. The best way Make your trip to Georgia pleasant and memorable - rent a cozy apartment in national style. Highly recommended! By the way, for a family or group of friends it will be both cheaper and more convenient than staying in a hotel. Look for cool apartments and rooms on Airbnb.ru - there is a huge selection of housing for every taste and budget.

Do you want to experience the famous Caucasian hospitality? Stay in guest houses - as a rule, this name hides either rooms in the owner's house or in a separate one next door. The bathroom is often shared. A warm welcome, homemade wine and a lot of communication are guaranteed.

Want to save money? It is better to refrain from vacationing in Georgia during the high season (July and August), as prices rise significantly. We flew to Georgia at the end of February: prices were the lowest, there were few tourists, and the weather was already spring.

with a view of Tbilisi (Photo: Airbnb.ru)

Food prices in Georgia - 2020

Delicious Georgian cuisine is one of the main reasons why tourists love this country. Many people come here just for all these khinkali, khachapuri and kebabs! According to reviews from all tourists who vacationed in Georgia, food prices are quite reasonable, and cooking on your own while on vacation is not always cheaper than eating in a cafe.

Portions are often very large(with some exceptions), you can order half portions - check this if you are not ready for a large meal. Sometimes the waiters even warned us that the portion would be large and asked if we would like to order a smaller one.

Our average bill in a cafe in Tbilisi - 25-35 GEL for two. These are two or three main courses, tea or lemonade, and dessert. In most cafes and restaurants, a service charge of 10-15% is added to the order amount.

Huge khachapuri in Adjarian style.

Prices in cafes in Georgia in 2020:

• Adjarian khachapuri - from 6 GEL;
• khinkali, 1 pc. - 0.5-0.7 GEL;
• eggplants with nuts - 5-7 GEL;
• lobiani and kubdari - 4-7 GEL;
• kebab, skewer - 6-10 GEL;
• coffee and hot chocolate - 2-3.5 GEL;
• tea - 1.5 GEL;
• water "Borjomi" - 1 GEL.

Portions in Georgia are large! In the photo: rich Georgian khashi soup.
Delicious Georgian khinkali. There are different fillings: meat, cheese, mushrooms and others. 5-8 pieces are enough to fill you up.

Product selection in supermarkets major cities about the same as in Russia, you can find anything (which cannot be said about small villages). Vegetables and fruits are usually cheaper to buy either at markets or in supermarkets. Prices in single stalls on the streets are usually overpriced. Many products are brought to Georgia from Russia, even labels with information are in Russian, so in the store you will feel like you are in your own Pyaterochka.

Approximate food prices in stores in 2020:

• milk (1 l) - up to $1.5;
• bread (500 g) - from 0.2 to 0.4 $;
• local cheese (kg) - $2-4;
• eggs (12 pcs) - $1.2-1.6;
• bottle of wine - $3-6;
• water (1.5 l) - $0.3-0.5;
• bananas (kg) - $1.2-2;
• apples (kg) - $0.6-1.2;
• figs (kg) - from $0.8;
• grapes (kg) - about $3;
• oranges (kg) - $0.6-1.7.

If you're not afraid baking, then one meal, for example, when sightseeing, can be replaced by eating khachapuri (or something else tasty) on the go - tasty, cheap, fast, satisfying. Georgians themselves willingly buy baked goods from local bakeries.

Wine shelves in a Tbilisi store (Photo: unsplash.com / @anastsiia_voiten)

What to see on your own in Georgia

Georgia seems like a small country only on the map. In fact, there are a lot of interesting places here. In addition, the country is mountainous, so moving around it takes a lot of time.

It’s difficult to advise what to see in Georgia on your own, especially in just a few days or a week. We will list the places that we have taken note of for ourselves, and based on the list, you can create routes that suit your interests and timing.

Mestia, Svaneti (Photo: Unsplash / pixabay.com)

Places worth seeing on an independent trip to Georgia:

1. First of all this Georgian Military Road- they say it is one of the most picturesque in the world. We're big fans mountain roads, so for us this is the most interesting attraction. If you go on a trip to Georgia in your own car, then your route will run along this road.
2. Tbilisi. We've already been here. We advise you to look not only, but to visit the cozy courtyards and magnificent ceremonial cities - for us this was a real discovery, it was for them that we fell in love with Tbilisi.
3. Batumi- main Black Sea resort Georgia. Read more about.
4. Kutaisi and Imereti in general.
5. Vardzia Monastery.
6. Kakheti- wine-growing region. The cities of Sighnaghi and Telavi, Gremi castle, numerous monasteries.
7. - it’s better to go here by SUV for a few days (only in summer).
8. Svaneti.
9. And much more.

Don’t try to see all of Georgia at once in one trip - you won’t be able to do it anyway, and constant travel will simply exhaust you. It’s better to carefully work out several routes and come to the country several times.

Temple in Racha, Georgia. Photo: © vampa_ / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Our budget: how much does a trip to Georgia cost?

We spent three full days in the Georgian capital. We lived in the Old Town. The program for our first visit to Georgia was simple and uncomplicated - we walked around the city all day, looked for and studied its wonderful front doors and courtyards, ate plenty of national food, went out of town only once - to Mtskheta for half a day.

In Tbilisi you can pay by card almost everywhere, so you hardly need cash. I only exchanged $15 to pay for transportation. In general, exchangers are everywhere here.

Budget for our trip for two for three days:

• Air tickets Perm-Tbilisi for a direct Pobeda flight with luggage one way - 9,400 rubles.
• Apartment - 5150 rubles.
• Bus from the airport and back - 2 lari (50 rubles).
• Metro - 2 lari (50 rubles).
• Minibus to Mtskheta and back - 4 lari (100 rubles).
• Food in a cafe - 4400 rubles.
• Groceries in supermarkets - 450 rubles.
• A bottle of Kindzmarauli wine - 900 rubles.

In total, we spent three days in Tbilisi 11000 rubles excluding tickets. The budget for one day for two is 3,700 rubles.

We explore the amazing front doors of Tbilisi. Pictured is the London Hotel.