Interesting routes in Georgia. How to plan a travel route in Georgia

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

The total budget for recreation 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 foresee any shares, so I had to rummage on the Internet. One of the most not too expensive options seemed to me the option plane + bus (or hitchhiking). I have already mentioned that I’m not the first time in Georgia, and several times I had to cross the border with this country on foot. There is experience, so you can try. I bought a cheap flight from the Pobeda airline to the city of Vladikavkaz, which is closest to the Georgian border. And then it was planned to cross the border by land (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 rubles.
   - expenses in Vladikavkaz - 0 rubles.
   - expenses in Georgia for everything - 432.3 lari (~ 12,700 rubles)
   - total for two- 34,200 rubles.
3. We were not lucky with the weather in early June, it was too unusual even for Georgia - mostly rainy, cloudy days, only 1-2 sunny days. Unfortunately, we didn't even manage to swim. However, I repeat, this is abnormal for Georgia, at this time of the year you can already safely wallow on the beaches.

Current air tickets Tbilisi

Current air tickets Vladikavkaz

Timezone.

UTC + 4 (1 hour ahead of Moscow).

Language.

The locals speak Georgian, there are only three dialects in Georgia, which differ from each other and the Georgians, for example, from Svaneti do not understand the Georgian Mingrel at all. Every year there are fewer and fewer inscriptions in Russian, however, as well as people who know our dear. Basically, this is the Soviet generation, young people already speak either Georgian or English. “Americanization” is doing its dirty work.

Religion.

My tongue will soon tire of repeating that Georgia is one of the first countries to adopt Christianity (after Armenia). There are no Muslims there, not that (even if there are, then such an insignificant part that they can not be taken into account)!

Visa.

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

Money and exchangers.

The currency in Georgia is called lari(GEL), equals to 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 board. The rate in banks will be worse than in street exchangers. Be sure to check the availability of a commission. Nuance: if you ask in the exchanger what is the rate against the ruble, then they often say the rate is not for 1 ruble, but for 1000 rubles. At first I was very confused because of this. Personally, I noticed the most profitable rate in Kutaisi (possibly in Tbilisi, if you walk through several exchangers).

At the airport, the rate is not very profitable, 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, they are fined for this. I always paid only lari, so I can't say anything about the reliability of the information. I don't specifically write anything about the current course, it is better to check its relevance using an online converter (if interested, at the time of the trip, 1 lari was approximately equal to 32 rubles).

Transport and hitchhiking in Georgia.

This is not the first time I visit this country, and I managed to ride almost all types of available transport. In Georgia, as elsewhere, there are trains, planes, buses and taxis. However, the country is not big enough to choose something bigger than a bus or a minibus.

Minibuses... Yes, minibuses are perhaps the most common, fast and not too expensive type of transport. To a greater extent, tourists move within the same region (and even beyond it) to them. True, the drivers of this type of transport are very fond of driving, 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 absence of any timetable (with the exception of some directions from Tbilisi), the car leaves the bus station as the bus is full. This is what becomes a problem for particularly distant regions (for example, Svaneti), which can be reached only by this type of transport.

But there are pluses. It's easy to bargain with minibus drivers. They are more willing to make a discount when they understand that you are from Russia or simply speak Russian, you can easily throw off a few laris from the standard price, and in some cases even go for free, since Georgians are very sincere people.

When pricing, minibuses obey the rule - 1.5 rubles per kilometer, that is, 20 km can be traveled for about 1 lari. It is logical that the prices have their own margin of error for some areas where there is no alternative transport or, due to the remoteness from the central part, gasoline is more expensive, then the fare for the same distance will be higher. The cost of buses and minibuses in the city is about 0.5 GEL.

Metro. Tbilisi metro has two lines and operates from 6.00 to 23.00. Convenient because it binds history Center cities 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.

The entrance to the metro is carried out by means of plastic cards purchased at the box office. The price of the card is 2 GEL, 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 cash desk 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 GEL), in the capital city buses (50 tetri) and large yellow city minibuses (80 tetri).

If you need to use the metro only once, you can simply ask any Georgian passer-by to use the card and give him the amount spent in cash. Which is what we did.

Trains. In my opinion, trains are profitable only 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 the night and travel a long distance. However, again, not all regions can be reached by train, especially in mountainous regions such as Svaneti.

The cost of a train ticket depends on the class of the carriage, as in Russia: from 8 to 40 GEL. There is one inconvenience - all the information on the ticket is in Georgian, however, when buying a ticket, the operator will tell everything and, if necessary, even write it with a pen on the same ticket. It is better to ask the conductor for linen in the reserved seat yourself, otherwise you may not wait for it. But the linen in the compartment amused me a lot when you bring us packed disposable sheets, which are usually given out in hospitals.

In recent years, Georgia's transport links have given good development, branded buses (on a schedule) like geometro.ge with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and the ability to purchase a ticket online have begun to appear. True, the directions are still the most tourist ones, but let's hope for the expansion of route lines. The same applies to trains, you can buy a ticket online on the official website Georgian RealWay. True, in my opinion, the site is still very lame in terms of convenience, and it's not so easy to grab a ticket for current directions, but everything is developing.

Hitch-hiking. Personally, I like this particular way of getting around Georgia. Not because I'm used to freebies while traveling, but because only this method has more chances and opportunities to communicate with sincere Georgians. I love this nation since that very first trip. The people of this country sink into the soul and stay there for a long time. Those who do not believe can check for themselves. And it is logical to assume that hitchhiking in this country is simply gorgeous. Literally 1-2 cars, and you are already being driven in the right direction. Sometimes hitchhiking is much faster than a minibus, and people are so hospitable that they can treat you, if not food, then at least a trip to some unplanned attraction.

Accommodation in Georgia.

We did not bother with this question, since the 21st century is on the street. We open the Internet, find a search engine for hotels, for example RoomGuru. Then everything is according to the standard, we fill in the necessary dates, the desired direction and book a hotel or hostel that is profitable in terms of price and comfort. In some cases, due to the constant change in the direction of the route, it was necessary to book rooms right along the way (using a smartphone).

From 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 just like 2 beds in a common room. And secondly, in Georgia, rooms even in guest houses look pretty decent, almost like an economy class hotel with a separate shower, toilet, air conditioning. For two of us, such rooms in hostels came out from about 27 lari (800 rubles). Moreover, if we rented the same room on the spot, then, as it turned out, we would have paid a couple of lari more expensive. For example, here 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 really come across quite spicy. But if you are treated to local homemade food, then you will hardly consider Georgian cuisine spicy.

What do I advise you to try first in Georgia? No, not wine. I have nothing to do with alcohol ... not at all, so today we will only talk about food. Of course, khachapuri! Only in Georgia can you taste real khachapuri, neither in Russia, nor even in Abkhazia you will not find such a khachapuri! Why? Because it is difficult to make a national dish without national ingredients. We have one Georgian restaurant in our city, and so I can tell you with 100% certainty - everything that is called khachapuri there and costs 3 times more than in Georgia is a stupid bun with store-bought Russian processed cheese.

Generally in Georgia it is worth to please your stomach national cuisine, and there is no point in advising something specific, because the dishes are really tasty, from natural products, made with a soul, and besides, they are not too expensive.

Examples of prices:

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

On average, we managed to eat for two in a cafe from about 10 to 15 GEL.

By the way, if you, like me, do not like to bring from other countries all sorts of unnecessary trinkets gathering 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. True, worry about good packaging, otherwise, for example, I still have a backpack that smells suluguni.

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

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

Georgia is about people, cuisine, nature, history and wine. Travelers receive and consume all this in large portions at a very good price, everyone is satisfied. Most, already on the way home, think about the "supplement" and plan a return visit to this country while still in the air.

I am professionally engaged in Georgia, I have been in this country every year for several years, which is why this article was born. I really hope that she will help you in planning your first and, I hope, not the last independent trip to Georgia.

How can you go to Georgia yourself?

To do this, you will have to answer a number of questions. I do this before preparing for each trip. Perhaps, in addition to those listed below, other points will arise - the answer to each should be known in advance, although in the case of Georgia, it is possible to solve the "problems" that have arisen during the trip. So,

• do i need a visa to Georgia
• how to choose a route in Georgia,
• transport and car rental in Georgia,
• how to buy a cheap flight to Georgia and
• how to choose your own housing in the cities of Georgia.
• where to eat while traveling
• what is worth seeing
• how much is a week's vacation in Georgia for two

Visa to Georgia

For citizens of Ukraine and Russia visa to Georgia not needed, just buy a plane ticket and arrive at one of the airports.

How to get to Georgia from Ukraine

You can get to Georgia from Ukraine by air only, there are other ways, but they are either lengthy or rather extreme, so I do not consider or discuss them.

From Ukraine to Georgia you can get to Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi

From Kiev: in Tbilisi and Batumi (in summer)- UIA, in Tbilisi and Batumi - Yanair

From Kharkov: in Tbilisi and Kutaisi- a / to UIA

From Odessa: in Batumi and Tbilisi- a / c Yanair

From Dnepropetrovsk: in Batumi, Tbilisi - Dniproavia

From Lviv: in Batumi

This year I tested the route through Riga ... From Riga v Tbilisi the company is flying airBaltic on a brand new CS300, the only and that relative inconvenience is the plane arrives in Tbilisi very early in the morning.

average price flight to Georgia is about 180 euros If you spend a little time and follow the airline's promotions, you can buy tickets for about one and a half to two times cheaper - for 80-150 euros.

" ... Recently, for example, there was a special offer from UIA, according to which it was possible to fly to Kutaisi at a price of less than 100 euros in both directions

"... in May 2017, UIA announced low-cost tariffs for which you can buy tickets 10 months before the flight at a price of up to 50 euros, including to Georgia

How to get from Tbilisi airport to the city center

By taxi: to get from the airport of Georgia to the center of Tbilisi will cost 20-25 GEL, at night - 30 GEL. Start bargaining at 15 GEL.

Bus: from Tbilisi airport to the city center goes bus number 37- round the clock, fare - 0.5 lari... The bus stop is opposite the exit from the airport terminal. I wrote about this in detail in the article How to get from Tbilisi airport to the city center and where to change money

How to buy a cheap flight to Georgia

Flights to Georgia can be searched on the websites of different airlines, but more optimally through global search engine aviasales - for today, the best option for searching for air tickets on the Internet, try it.

What to see in Georgia. Choosing a route

This is the most difficult question. Despite its small size, there will be enough routes no less than three to five trips from a full-fledged trip, from hiking in the mountains to sightseeing Tbilisi and beach resort Kobuleti and Batumi. Georgia also a very good country for auto travel.

Depending on where you managed to buy a plane ticket - in Batumi, Kutaisi or Tbilisi, build route in Georgia... If the time is about a week, you can have time to look and relax in and Kobuleti... Or spend three to five days in Tbilisi, and the Alazani Valley, then take a ride along the famous and picturesque Georgian military road - see the Ananuri fortress, Truso canyon and Cross Pass, as well as spend at least two days in the village Kazbegi at the foot of Mount Kazbek living in the best hotel Georgia Rooms Hotel Kazbegi

Separate trip worth dedicating myself beautiful part of Georgia-. It is convenient to combine it with. Near Kutaisi must-see beautiful Okatse canyon, cave of Prometheus, if time allows and you want peace and quiet - spend the night at the spa resort Tskhaltubo... Then it is worth going to Svaneti, you can even take a minibus from Kutaisi through Zugdidi, but better by car, and spend from three days to a week there. If time remains, from Svaneti go to sea in Batumi- then you will get a full range of impressions - caves, canyons, mountains and the sea, not counting food and communication with people.

For preparation, I advise you to carefully study my Three itineraries for independent travel in Georgia and appreciate what you can see in Georgia in a week ... Do not rush to have time to see everything, because after the first time you will come again. Guaranteed. Anyway, the aftertaste is from Georgia stays for a long time.

Best time to visit Georgia

Many are considering Black Sea coast of Georgia only in summer, I also recommend the off-season - spring and autumn... Especially in autumn, when it is still warm, but there are no more tourists and there are a lot of local fruits, and prices at this time of the year fall in love with this country completely.

Currency of Georgia- lari. 1 US dollar is equal to 2.46 lari, 1 euro - 2.70 lari. Dollars and euros are not accepted, money can be exchanged at the airport or (better) in cities. Can be withdrawn from a card at an ATM. Plastic cards are not accepted everywhere. I plan cash to money on the card in a ratio of 2 to 1.

Car rent

An important position for independent travel. You can order a car remotely through booking sites, for example economycarrentals.com or economycarbookings.com and pick up the car right at the airport. I AM rent a car via website car rental and search Myrentaca r , who specializes in Georgia, I can recommend this site as a regular user.

Which car to choose for traveling in Georgia? In 90% of cases, you can get by with a passenger car; over the past few years, the quality of roads has increased. It is not worth choosing a car that is too cheap, they are not always new. Most of roads in Georgia to good quality tourist spots. Middle class passenger car or a small SUV will suffice. Where the "passenger car" will not go, locals can always take them in their jeeps for a reasonable price. For example, to the foot Kazbek from the village Stepantsmida (Kazbegi) or in Okatse canyon near Kutaisi or from Mestia v the village of Ushguli, what in Svaneti.

Average car rental price in Georgia– USD 55 per day, the jeep is a little more expensive - 70-80 dollars. Car with driver- about 70-100 dollars per day, locally at the place for traveling to the canyon or to the waterfalls for half a day, a car with a driver will cost from 20 to 40 dollars.

Do I need a navigator to travel in Georgia

I usually recommend navigation, but not with Georgia... Firstly, everything is quite simple and understandable even in cities, and secondly, asking for directions means communicating with local people, and this is one of the five things we are behind arrived in Georgia... But if it's inconvenient without navigation, I recommend mobile app Sygic Car Navigation and offline maps maps.me for a smartphone - a very convenient thing for traveling around cities.

Is it possible to travel in Georgia without a car

Travel without a car in Georgia you can also use minibuses and trains, as well as hitchhiking. From any major city such as Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Mestia, Zugdidi go minibuses countrywide. I wrote in detail how to get to the most interesting places in the articles section Georgia.

Accommodation in Georgia

Accommodation in Georgia is divided into three unequal categories. These are expensive and sometimes even very expensive hotels of world chains in Tbilisi and Batumi, small hotels and guest houses in tourist places and offers of apartments of different levels of comfort and prices.

Average the cost of budget housing in Georgia is - 20-50 dollars per day for two. This is the price level of Eastern Europe. True, the quality of housing does not always correspond to the price and is very different from a guest house to a guest house. In addition, due to the extreme hospitality and responsiveness of Georgians, hotel guests, as a rule, do not leave bad reviews even for mediocre accommodation. There is only one way out - to look more carefully and not rely solely on Booking reviews. Read articles on housing in Georgia, ask around those who have already been to Georgia, it often helps to find your way.

The best hotel with a view of Kazbek - Rooms Hotel Kazbegi - got great pleasure when we stayed there for two days, I recommend - that money will not be a pity, there is no similar alternative in the village of Kazbegi, rooms are sold out six months before entry. Here is my review of the best hotel in Georgia according to most travelers.

Another search option inexpensive apartments- service Airbnb apartment rentals... Those who do not have an account will be able to register follow this link and get a cash bonus for the first booking.

Food in Georgia

One of the nicest ingredients travel in Georgia, which is usually combined with wine and fellowship with the locals. You can have breakfast and lunch in city cafes and restaurants, or cook at home by buying food in the markets. Away from tourist spots, food will be cheaper. In tourist places, delicious food will be combined with a beautiful view. Budget travelers usually alternate between these ways. For example, they have breakfast and / or lunch at home, for dinner they go to a new place. In this case, the cost of food will be approximately $ 15-30 per day for two, including wine.

Save on food especially it will not work and you do not need to do this - deprive yourself of the main pleasure. O the most delicious places in Tbilisi I wrote in the article Two days in Tbilisi .

Travel budget to Georgia

Let's estimate all the basic expenses of traveling to Georgia for two people for 6 days. Based on my trips, although the spending was different - I highlighted the optimal costs.

• Air flight - $ 100- $ 200 * 2 = $ 200- $ 400 US dollars - here how to buy a ticket, start looking right now
• Housing - $ 20- $ 50 * 6 days = $ 120- $ 300 US dollars - whoever is accustomed to what kind of comfort, in the mountains of Svaneti you can not pay for housing at all and live in a tent.
• Car rental plus fuel - $ 350 dollars, this is the most significant expense item, so Georgia is the best company. This country is just made for traveling with friends. It turns out $ 175 for two pairs.
• Meals - $ 10- $ 25 * 2 * 6 = $ 120- $ 350, you can reduce the price, but not much and not worth it.
• Souvenirs - $ 50

TOTAL: $ 665 - $ 1,500 can be an intense high-quality trip for two to Georgia.

Is it even cheaper? Yes, up to free, although this is an extreme option!

It is possible to make travel to Georgia even cheaper if

• buy cheap air flight
• rent an apartment instead of a hotel
• travel in company
• alternate meals - cook yourself / go to a cafe
• refuse to rent a car and travel by minibuses / trains

Tours in Europe are always Sputnik and Georgia is no exception!

Useful links when planning your travels

Aviasales- budget flights around the world

Hotels Combined (RoomGuru)- allows you to save up to 20% on hotel and apartment reservations as it searches all popular booking sites, including Agoda, Booking.com and others, offering the best-priced options

Booking.com- a familiar and convenient site for searching and booking accommodation around the world

Airbnb- the world leader in the search for apartments and apartments for travel, register using the link and get a cash bonus on your first booking

Car rental in Georgia - a site for searching and renting cars around the world with the possibility of free cancellation

You will be transferred from the airport to the hotel and vice versa. The driver will meet you with a sign with your name and take you to your destination. There is no need to specify the route - everything is done online in advance. It is often cheaper than ordering a taxi on the spot and is very convenient. Knowledge of English is not required.

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– Misto-travel is the only online sales operator online tours which has proven itself well

July 23, 2018 10:14 Kazbegi, Telavi, Sighnaghi, Borjomi, Batumi, Kutaisi + 3 cities - Georgia June 2018

“Did you go to Georgia in June? So what? Everyone likes it, a visa is not needed, I have mountains, you have a sea! Independent travel will not be expensive! "

We met Anya about a year ago and already managed to hit the road for two weeks in Crimea in 2017. Then she passed the Walking Weekend test in Moscow and the PVD-shny test at the Shchepachikha lake. Based on the results, she was diagnosed as "Suitable for travel" and we began to plan our summer vacation.

All our friends who have already visited Georgia, unanimously repeated: “Blow to Georgia! It's wonderful there! "

While Anyuta was dreamily looking at pictures with sights and leafing through thematic posts, I studied websites and blogs with reports on independent travels to Georgia, identified must-have places to visit, booked accommodation, made a route map, calculated a budget and partially learned the main places of interest and objects in the cities that we were going to visit. It only remained to accumulate the required amount and wait for the "X-hour")))

When to go to Georgia

It rains in Georgia in May. Wild heat in July and August. Yandex's forecast for months in Tbilisi hinted at the second half of June, because the rains had passed, and the heat was still tolerable. Looking ahead, I can say that the rains really did not bother us, but the heat during the day was up to +38! And sometimes we felt like we were on a hot frying pan, which forced us to reduce the time spent at certain locations, and even better - to visit Borjomi and not stick out)))

Everyone says that September is the "golden season" in Georgia. The temperature is comfortable, the sea is warm, fruits and wine are plentiful, and there are already much fewer tourists (we will definitely check). And in winter, there is plenty of space for lovers of snow activities - ski resorts in Gudauri and Bakuriani! Shortly speaking, it is good in Georgia in any season, just in July and August from 12 to 16 it is better to arrange a quiet hour in an air-conditioned room, or spend time in the park (fortunately, there are a lot of them in Georgia, and on every shady piece of land there will definitely be a bench, and somewhere nearby there will be absolutely decent drinking fountain)

How to get to Georgia

We decided to go by train through Vladikavkaz... First, because we are afraid to fly))). And secondly, I really wanted to ride along the Georgian Military Highway and see all its beauty with my own eyes. As a result, our transfer looked like this:

There: exactly two days and 11,103.00 rubles. for two

Train Nizhny Novgorod - Moscow 3h48m 2014,00 rub. for two (Swift)

Train Moscow - Vladikavkaz 1d12h 7089,00 rub. for two (compartment)

1

The schedule is like this:

June 17-18 Tbilisi; June 19-20, Kutaisi; June 21 Batumi; June 22 Borjomi; June 23 Tbilisi; June 24 Sighnaghi; June 25 Telavi; June 26-27 Tbilisi; June 28 Stepantsmida

Lifehacks:

1. In Tbilisi, it is worth laying at least 3 days, there really is beauty and sights at every step

2. If you are traveling during the hot season, give yourself two days in Borjomi - there is cool and delicious air

3. In Sighnaghi there is nothing to do for more than one day (if you are an ordinary average statistical tourist-city dweller). The city is very small, you can see it in a day. But I recommend staying there for the night, at least to see it at night from a cafe in the suburbs on the top of the mountain.

How much does housing cost in Georgia

Sights of Georgia

In Tbilisi, we walked along a beautiful suspended Bridge of Peace to the central Rike park, climbed to the majestic Cathedral and went down to the extremely authentic " Old city ", Where we got lost with pleasure among the small and cozy streets. The next day we took a ride by cable car to the Narikala fortress, admired from there Monument Mother Georgia and enthusiastically walked a couple of hours through the shady and beautiful botanical garden, where they found shade, coolness, benches, and beauty. On the same day on the funicular we went up to Mtatsminda, where a large park was located and from where the best view of Tbilisi opened up, admired the park, reached a beautiful sculptural Pantheon and walked down again to the old town. We also managed to swim on the lake Lisi and in Tbilisi Sea going down to his heights Kenesi mountains on which the majestic Monument History of Georgia... Everywhere there was a fairly clean beach and warm excellent water. In the evening we rushed into Sulfur Baths area and to the waterfall in the same place - highly recommended, very picturesque and authentic place. We did not miss the striking of the clock on the tower Theater Rezo Gabriadze accompanied by a pageant. And all this in 3.5 days in the Georgian capital!

From Gori we drove to Uplistsikhe... It is ancient cave city... Everything here is well equipped, there are cash desks, toilets, drinking water and lighting. It was great to wander around these ruins and look from the high mountains in the distance, as well as get acquainted with the history of the nation.

In Kutaisi, we devoted the whole day to visiting two canyons: Okatse and Martvili... This was the most exciting of our trip! In the Okatse canyon, we walked along the suspension bridge over the abyss (very thrill), and on the Martvili canyons we swam in a boat in the shade of the gorge (awesome beauty). The road to both canyons is difficult and long. Stock up on strength and drinking water. In Okatz, you will most likely get tired, so start with it while there is still cheerfulness. And then you will have a rest in a boat on Martvilsky. But White bridge in Kutaisi, from which Rezo Gabriadze spat in the wonderful film "You Know, Mom, Where Have I Been?"

We had very little time in Batumi, so we took a dip in the sea, walked a little in the center, took a ride on ferris wheel and admired " Ali and Nino", As well as freshened up in the singing fountains. The beaches in Batumi are very clean and refined. There are many nice inexpensive cafes. This city is active day and night.

Borjomi has become a real paradise! It was cool here, and the air was so clean and fresh that it literally made you dizzy. This small town is incredibly cozy! We immediately went towards the park to climb the cable car to the observation deck... But we decided to go down along the path through the forest... Don't let the visual height scare you, there is a wide, gently sloping asphalt path that leads directly to Borjomi Park. The park is wonderful! It has a bunch of benches, a river, the shadow of trees, gazebos, drinking springs with mineral water, waterfall and sculpture of Prometheus and the nature is fantastic! Be sure to go to the center at night - everything is on and off, amazingly beautiful and cozy.

Sighnaghi looked like a fabulous toy town (only 2300 inhabitants). Located at the very top of the mountain, it is surrounded by ancient fortress wall, in the preserved towers of which you can climb and see from there the endlessly spreading Alazani Valley... The town can be easily walked around in a couple of hours, taking photos in every corner) By car, you can quickly get to Bodbe in church of st. Nino and hear his story. At night, from the height of the cafe Veranda Sighnaghi”(It is even higher above the city) you will have a view of the city and the valley, and the mountains, and the stars!

Walk along the walls in Telavi Batonis-Tsikhe and climb on observation parks Nadikvari, opening a mountain panorama as in the picture.

Well, in Stepantsmida, by all means, do climbing to the Gergeti church and admire from there to the top Kazbega. You can go up by jointly renting a car with a driver, and go down on foot - there is a path straight down to the village.

Language barrier in Georgia

The older generation of Georgians is fluent in Russian and is always happy to put it into practice. Young people hardly know Russian, but they speak English very well. This is natural, because there are a lot of tourists in Georgia, and for the most part, they "spit in English". Do not worry, as soon as you take on a puzzled look, Aunt Nani or Uncle Gio will definitely come up to you, find out the reason for your confusion and help you cope with the task. You will definitely be heard and understood in Russian, when you turn to Georgians over 40 for help, and in English, when you turn to young people.

But with a complete misunderstanding of writing, you have to come to terms. The Georgian alphabet is absolutely different from native Russian or familiar Latin... That is, the names of stores, bus routes and information signs will not be available to you. But this is another reason to turn to Georgians for help and absorb their heartfelt kindness and incredible hospitality.

• Lyrical digression: I happened to hear a couple of times from Russian mothers with careless children: " A nightmare in general, wild people, no one knows the Russian language!". So this is what I think about it: it is YOU who came to a foreign country, and no one is obliged to know your language here. On the contrary, if you want to express yourself freely and independently, learn the language of the visited country in basic phrases or international English. Do not forget that you are a GUEST, and should respect local customs and be grateful for the kind welcome. If you think that everyone here should create conditions "a la rus", why did you even leave this "rus"? They would sit on the butt exactly in their comfort zone. Georgia is so the most Russified country, treating Russians with brotherly love... Isn't it in order to see a different culture and get acquainted with a different mentality? Then turn off the inner "enslaver" and behave like at home, but do not forget that you are visiting)

In general, I advise you to learn elementary phrases in Georgian and make at least a tiny attempt to memorize at least part of the Georgian alphabet. For example, for the second week we could read destinations on minibuses and elementary store signs. There are 33 letters in the Georgian alphabet, as in Russian, which means it will not be difficult to draw an analogy.

All prices in the article are indicated at the time when for 1 lari they gave 26.65 rubles

How much does housing cost in Georgia

Very cheap housing in Georgia! If you book a lot in advance, you can easily get a decent apartment for 60-70 lari (1600-1800 rubles for two)... After last year's Crimea, these prices seemed to us just ridiculous). We chose accommodation on booking.com. In April, there were a lot of decent options with everything you need. The main criteria were proximity to the center and attractions, the presence of a washing machine, a pleasant interior, air conditioning, a balcony, wi-fi. The cheapest room cost us 60 lari (about 1,500 rubles), and the most expensive one cost us 100 lari (about 2,700 rubles)... In just 13 days, we spent 866 lari (approximately 22,000 rubles) on housing.

Here is a list and short comments about our accommodation in Georgia:

Solo Room Apartment is also in the old town. Huge apartment with a huge balcony! The room is comfortable and modern, the owner treats him to homemade wine. Near metro and shops. In terms of price-quality parameters, these apartments turned out to be the most optimal. Next time we decided to immediately move in here.

Kutaisi: Small hotel Hotel Kutaisi Globus. 10 minutes walk to the main square and park. A minute's walk is a convenience store and taxi drivers are right under the windows. The rooms are modest, but the Wi-Fi is just cosmic speed! The decor was simple, but everything was clean and tidy and the air-conditioned bathroom worked perfectly. The cost is very low.

Batumi: Apartment On Parnavaz Mepe 92/94 huge apartment 5 minutes from the sea. Around everything is strewn with shops and cafes. Balcony overlooking the sea, lots of furniture and storage space, kitchen, working bathroom. It is ideal to stay here for a week as a family. You will be at home. For such a price it seemed to us just paradise

Borjomi: House in Borjomi is a superbly furnished guest house overlooking the bridge and mountains. Very pleasant atmosphere and wonderful hostess. 5 minutes to Borjomi park and bus station. One of the nicest places to stay during our trip

Sighnaghi: Nando Guest House is a large house 100 meters from the main city square. The hospitable hosts began to feed us, it seems, in the first 5 seconds after our arrival) They told a lot about the city, took them to Bodbe, gave them something to drink, fed and generally took care as they could! You feel like a close relative here, not a visiting tourist)

Telavi: Dima's Guesthouse is a large comfortable house 5 minutes from the city center. The owner is welcoming and welcoming. The room is excellent, everything is clean, modern, serviceable. On the corner of the street is the Bravo cafe, which we visited as many times as we passed by)))

Stepantsmida: Veranda Guesthouse is one of the few affordable and decent housing options in Stepantsmida. Due to the influx of foreign exchange tourists, everything is twice as expensive there, both housing and food. At the same time, the service does not differ in quality. But in this hotel everything was clean, neat, everything worked and there was an excellent view from the veranda directly to Mount Kazbek and the Gergeti monastery.

Lifehacks:

• 1. Renting a house without booking is cheaper, as the owner does not pay a commission. That is, you can simply call any guesthouse or apartment and rent a house cheaper. However, booking.com guarantees a room reservation and you will definitely not fall into a force majeure situation 100%. But the owners can resell the room without warning.
• 2. Do not chase the decor of the room. If you plan to walk and watch a lot, then you will only come to your room to sleep and wash. Therefore, choose a room with a clean bed and good plumbing, and not with a beautiful chandelier and a picture above the bed. This will save you

Transport in Georgia

Intercity: Minibuses go anywhere! Between large cities, the distance to which is less than 100 km, transport runs hourly. If the distance to the desired city is greater, go to the bus station and look for the schedule of those 3-4 flights per day that will suit you. If you (like us) naively decided that you can quickly get from Batumi to Borjomi through Akhaltsikhe - nifiga) Only through the main highway and Khashuri (about 5 hours on the way). By the way, the Batumi-Borjomi minibus runs only once a day at 10:00. Then only on the crossbars

Urban: urban transport in Georgia works very well. Gazelles are constantly plying in any direction, and large buses (and on a schedule). You buy a transport card for 2 lari (about 50 rubles), and use it to ride the metro, buses and cable cars, except for the one that goes to Mtatsminda, because it is not a "cable car", but a "funicular"))). The fare is 50-60 tetri (no more than 15 rubles). A transport card purchased in Tbilisi is valid only in Tbilisi.

Taxi: The most popular official taxi in Georgia is “Maxim.” There are many Georgian cities, reasonable prices, quick feed... But for every square meter of Georgia there are 2 local taxi drivers))). In the "off-season" they do not take expensively, as there is almost no demand. In the season, rates increase, because the official taxi is occupied by vacationers and there is a shortage of taxi drivers. As almost everywhere, the farther from the center and the train station, the cheaper the taxi rate. You can and should bargain with Georgian taxi drivers.

Lifehacks

• 1. Around the city: find out in the application the cost of your trip by taxi "Maxim", and do not agree to standing next to taxi drivers, if their price is significantly higher
• 2. Sightseeing: Google in Yandex information about the prices for the trip you are interested in, kindly provided by past travelers, competently go to the taxi drivers and say: "There are so many ladies, I will not go more expensive!" The probability that taxi drivers will agree is 90%! Just do not be impudent, do not try to drive for a penny. Taxi drivers are also people with families, they also want to eat deliciously and raise children in abundance, especially since in Georgia it is tourists who bring the main income (there is no other job for the general population).

Currency exchange

Do not try to change currency in banks! The most profitable exchangers are ALWAYS close to bus and train stations. Do not take the first exchange window that comes across, go a little further, and after 20-30 meters you will see a sign with a more favorable course. You can easily exchange currency at any time of the day and in any city of Georgia. With this, here is complete order. When planning your budget, do not consider it at today's rate. Put in at least 10% risk due to currency fluctuations.

Food prices in Georgia

There are two food options in Georgia: cook it yourself or go to a cafe. In the first case, choose housing so that it is convenient to get to the market. Markets in Georgia are booming! Everything is fresh, prices are low, sellers are generous! Feel free to buy all the food and drinks there, it will be cheap and fantastically delicious!

If you don't want to bother with cooking, go to Tripadvisor.ru and choose a cafe based on your criteria.

Together you can eat for the amount:

10-15 lari (350 rubles)- a couple of huge sausages in dough or other pastries and coffee

20-25 lari (600 rubles)- a couple of salads and a drink / a couple of khachapuri and coffee

50-60 lari (1500 rubles)- salad, hot meals, drinks, snacks

All amounts are indicated not for one person, but for two !!!

Personally, we have never even spent 60 GEL in a cafe, although we rolled out of them after eating barbecue, soup, salads, pastries and drinking wine or beer. Upon returning to Russia from Georgia, we began to experience the following problems: the portions seem tiny, and the prices seem huge))). How to live now, we have not figured out yet)))

Lifehacks:

• 1. If you are not a three-meter, 150-kilogram man, in no case take khachapuri for one person in a cafe. They are huge! One "average" Georgian khachapuchi can feed 2-3 people
• 2. In general, accustom yourself to order not immediately "first-second-third-compote", but for the whole dish. In Georgia, the portions are very large and generous! We have seen more than once how people "roll out" of the cafe, leaving on the table still a mountain of food that they could not master

Examples of cafes:

V Tblisi we first went to Samikitno-Machakhela. This is a chain of cafes that met in different parts of the city. We ordered a large khachapuri for two, and they brought 1.5 kg of a bandura !!!))) It was inexpensive and very tasty, but it was unrealistic for two girls to master it. Khinkali here were also quite decent. The prices are very low, there are many seats, a wide menu. This is such a "local maksdonalds" where you can eat inexpensively and tasty standard dishes of Georgian cuisine. The cafe turned out to be interesting in taste and "filling" Salobie Bia. Cozy, small, simple menu, good cuisine, average prices and a very authentic interior. Craft beer lovers will love Black dog bar... There are 6 taps of very decent beer and their own cider. Good appetizer menu, delicious burgers. The owner is just a great guy. Half of the guests here are always foreigners. We came here three times to watch the World Cup on football and drink delicious craft. In the institution Vinotheca Wine Shop you can buy absolutely any wine with any price tag and for every taste. Here you can taste the wine before buying and drink it right there at the table. Very cozy environment and great staff.

V Kutaisi we really wanted to get into Toma "s Wine Cellar - this is an unusual family establishment where you will plunge into the most Georgian Georgia! There you will taste a mountain of national dishes, taste wines and learn everything about local traditions and attractions. Unfortunately, we were already full, and simply would not have eaten so much, only for this we refused. But in Story House you can taste unusual Georgian dishes when you have already tried everything else. The hostess will personally tell you everything and treat you to it.

Batumi pleased us with two wonderful restaurants at once! At first, we gorged on goodies in Adjarian home on the embankment. Everything is fast, tasty, good, large portions, average prices and the restaurant itself is located on the banks of a picturesque reservoir. And we dined at Khinklis Gemo, where they were pleasantly surprised by the incredible courtesy and professionalism of the staff. There is a very large menu here, low prices and for a penny you can buy a decanter of Khvanchkara! I highly recommend this place!

V Borjomi we liked the cafe Bergi... Large portions, reasonable prices, fast service and great location.

V Sighnaghi we had to walk through the wilds to the cafe Veranda Sighnaghi, which is located outside the city and you need to go uphill through the forest))). The kitchen there is ordinary, normal. The prices are average. And here is the view !!! Not only is Sighnaghi located high above the Alazani Valley, but this cafe is even higher! And from his veranda, an incredible view opens up. And if you come here in the evening, you can see the panorama both in the daytime and in the dark. It's worth the long hike. Although you can get here by taxi, we walked from the city center.

V Telavi now our favorite restaurant in Georgia! It is called Bravo... We came back here again and again. Waiters in snow-white shirts, a beautiful flower veranda, a rich menu, delicious dishes, huge portions, and all this at an affordable price! We tried salads, soups, meats and soft drinks here - everything, without exception, was excellent. We will definitely come back here many more times!

But Stepantsmida we were very disappointed in terms of food. Certainly there are good places, but we did not get into them. Food prices here are 2 times higher than in Tbilisi! This is due to the large flow of foreign currency tourists. There are literally 10 establishments in the whole city, and finding something adequate for the price is a big problem. We did not spend money on a sumptuous dinner here, as it was the last night. We went to the only affordable cafe along the road. Here a very nice man brought the menu, gave advice, served food and in general everything was sincere ... until we tried this food. Khinkali were dumplings-like, and the meat was raw and with a lot of fat.

Communication and Internet in Georgia

If you are fabulously rich, go with a Russian SIM card, use roaming and don’t think about the two or three thousand rubles that the operators ripped off from you). If life has cheated you with ancestors with a surname like the Rothschilds or Rockefellers, immediately upon arrival you scratch a GeoCell SIM card (about 5 GEL), throw 7 GEL (about 180 rubles) into the account and connect the 2 GB Internet package. This is quite enough for navigation, googling objects of interest, calling a taxi and being online in social networks for 2 weeks. You will only use massive resources in Wi-Fi mode, it is available in hotels, cafes and even in parks.

Do not forget to turn off automatic synchronization of Internet-consuming applications, such as GooglePhoto. I forgot, the traffic package left in 20 minutes, then an expensive write-off of the balance for traffic in excess of the package began, for which I paid about 20 GEL))) At first I scolded myself for my "ala-hooliganism", and then I thought: " Damn it, it's still cheaper than a Russian SIM card with roaming! " and calmed down)))

Is it safe in Georgia

Absolutely safe, unless you yourself are scouring the fifth point in search of fantastic adventures on it! During the whole vacation, I never turned around, did not speed up my pace, passing a dark gateway, was not afraid to walk at night, get into a taxi, was not afraid to take out my phone or flash money. I have never been comfortable in dealing with Georgian men, never have there been any unpleasant hints. Everywhere in Georgia, I felt the complete safety and readiness of Georgians to help in any situation. And the police reform carried out by Saakashvili has made Georgian cities an example of the safety and tranquility of citizens.

Usually, if the police come up, wait for problems, well, if you are generally crystal-clear, we have such a collective image of representatives of this profession that when contacting the police you feel internal discomfort and a desire to break off communication as soon as possible. And in Georgia it is now the other way around. The police are like from the movies, beautiful, slender, brave, dressed with a needle, in full uniform. They smile, know foreign languages, try to help everyone who needs it. They will never pass a broken car, they will not pass a tourist in a difficult situation. They will definitely help. And Georgians love and respect their "new" policemen very much! The belief in law and order is so strong that the locals leave their cars unlocked and do not lock the doors of their apartments, because I know nothing bad will happen. It seems to me just incredible, and I hope that someday such a "police miracle" will happen in our country)))

How much money to take to Georgia

Tickets 23000 rubles

Housing 22,000 rubles

Daily expenses (food, travel, household needs) 47,000 rubles

Total: 95,000 rubles for two

Divide in half, it turns out: 47,500 rubles per person

Divide by 17 days, it turns out 2795 rubles per day

2795 rubles per day including accommodation, food and transport. But we went by taxi, ate in restaurants, and always lived in the very center! Not bad))

Lifehacks:

• 1. It was possible to reduce the amount without prejudice to the rest. For instance:
• 2. If we chose housing, costing up to 60 GEL per day, we would save about 3000 rubles
• 3. If we went in a reserved seat, we would have saved another 2000 rubles
• 4. If you eat yourself, and only have dinner in a cafe, you could save about 5000 rubles more
• That is, you could save 10,000 without breaking a bit on vacation, and keep within 85000 for two. 2500 rubles per person per day.

But I don’t regret the money spent. We enjoyed ourselves as best we could, did not deny ourselves anything, we were always in abundance!

A paragraph of love for Georgia and Georgians!

And she is not Georgia, it turns out, but Sakartvelo))) Why? - Ask Yandex))). The whole trip just haunted me: “Why Georgia? Where did this name come from? Well Georgia, well Georgia, well Gurgiya, but that's just not Georgia! " I found out and peace reigned in my soul again)

Kartveli (Georgians) are amazing people! Legends about Georgian hospitality and cordiality are not in vain. Georgians are always ready to help, prompt, orientate, feed, drink, warm, see off, meet, chat and do everything to make you feel like long-awaited guests or even relatives! They have it in their blood! It commands great respect! Wherever you are, everywhere you will meet Georgian "guardian angels", people who will be very helpful and kind to you in the moment! I am happy to meet Sakartvelo and its inhabitants! May everyone be healthy and happy! I'll definitely see you again and again)

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

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

Other country features:

• state language - Georgian;
• religion - Orthodoxy;
• currency - lari (1 lari = 24.74 rubles (the rate of the end of 2018. Tetri - Georgian "kopeck" 1 lari = 100 tetri);
• time in Tbilisi - Moscow time + 1 hour;
• the population of the country is over 37 million people.

The Georgian language is mainly used, but all the inscriptions (names of streets, shops, bus stops) that can be found in large cities, must be duplicated in Russian and English... The older generation is fluent in colloquial Russian, young people prefer English.

If necessary, you can always ask for help from passers-by. 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 the preparation of 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 it, but it is advisable, since calling an ambulance in Georgia is paid.
3. Visa is needed only for those who are going to stay in the country for more than a year.
4. If a child is traveling, it fits into the passport of one of the parents (always with a photo).
5. Baby's birth certificate... May be needed, although not required when crossing the border.

How to get there by public transport

There is currently no direct rail link between the countries.

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

1. The evening train # 392C departs from the city every 4 days, following to Baku, and arriving at the destination in the morning the next day.
2. In Baku you can take a daily night Train Baku-Tbilisi service, departing at 21.10 and arriving at 10.25.
3. Leaving Tbilisi to any city in Georgia is not a problem.

Traveling to Georgia on your own can be done by train or bus.

The approximate prices for the most popular tourist routes starting in Tbilisi are as follows:

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

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online. Children under 5 years old travel for free, children from 5 to 10 years old travel by child ticket, and everyone over 10 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). You will have to fly from other cities of Russia with transfers.

The only way to 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. Drive from Vladikavkaz to Upper Lars (price - 40 rubles).
2. Take a minibus going to Stepatsmindy (it is forbidden to cross the border on foot).
3. Go by 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. An international passport valid for the entire stay in Georgia (for the driver and passengers).
2. Vehicle passport.
3. Driver's license (to the driver).

No green card or insurance policy required. After the customs check it is necessary to pass the neutral territory, the listed documents must be presented already on the Georgian side.

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

For example, when crossing a continuous lane or exceeding the permitted speed, you will have to pay a fine, which in ruble terms will exceed 1000 rubles.

Where to stay

As in any other country in the world, in Georgia, tourists are offered accommodation in a wide range of prices:

1. Hotels and hotels from the most luxurious, where you can enjoy the maximum comfort, to economy class establishments with a minimum set of services.
2. Guest houses, where a guest for a reasonable fee will feel at home.
3. Inexpensive hostels that give the traveler the opportunity to settle in comfortably and save on housing.

Specific prices largely depend on the "stardom" of the institution, its location and the 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 charge.

What to visit first

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

Tbilisi

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

Taxi and public transport

There is a wide variety of vehicles in Tbilisi.

Public transport in the city is as follows:

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... Travel within the city will cost about 3-6 GEL, and travel to the airport will cost 25 GEL.

What to see

Historical and cultural monuments, interesting places in the city, which has already turned one and a half millennium, can be found at every step.

You can try the following route in the center of Tbilisi:

1. Abanotubani... Or the bathing quarter, famous for its complex of baths built on sulphurous 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”. You can go further on foot.
   
   
2. Canyon and waterfall... The picturesque section of the Tsavkisistskali River with a waterfall flowing through the very center of the city was named 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 will not be difficult to reach it on foot from the baths.
4. Shardeni street... Once it was a center of handicrafts, but today it is a cozy street where, after a short walk from Meydan Square, you can relax, enjoying the atmosphere of the old city and aromatic coffee.
5. Metakh 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 Avlabar Upland.
6. Cable car... From the Darejan Palace you can go down to Europe Square. Here, next to the Rike Park, is the lower cable car station. You can take the funicular and then there will be a short trip 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) - a stone's throw. Climbing the most high point near the cross, you can admire Tbilisi spread out below.
8. Statue Mother Georgia... You need to go by a cache, to the very top of the Salakak hill - to the place where the majestic statue of "mother of Kartli" stands.
   
   
9. Betlemi stairs... Built in the middle of the 19th century, it starts from the statue and has 120 steps. Along it, stopping at observation platforms, you can go down to the old area of ​​Sololaki.
10. Sololaki and the Kaleidoscope House... Sololaki was once the most respectable quarter of Tbilisi. The traveler must 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 the sculptor, and then go to the building of the Gabriadze puppet theater. Its tower has a door from which an angel appears every hour to strike the bell with a hammer.
12. The bridge of peace... A bright glass majestic structure, built recently, during the reign of Saakashvili, is located near the Gabriadze Theater. This footbridge takes you quickly to Rike Park.
13. Rike Park... A green and cozy seating area where you can sit quietly and even take a picture with Ronald Reagan himself peacefully sitting on a bench.
14. Mimino... Not far from the park is the Avlabari metro station, and next to it there is a monument that immortalized the heroes of the film Mimino, popular in Soviet times.
    
    
15. Tsminda Sameba Cathedral(Church of the Holy Trinity) It is interesting both in external architecture and interior decoration. On its territory you can have a bite to eat at the “Lagidze water” cafe and enjoy Adjarian khachapuri, which will be a worthy ending of the excursion.

Mtskheta

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

For instance:

What to see

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

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

Kakheti

Kakheti - historical area in the eastern part of Georgia, near the upper reaches of the Alazani and Iori rivers. This picturesque region with a rich centuries-old history is a real paradise for tourists, therefore, it is of paramount importance to start looking for accommodation. Prices for hostels, guest houses and hotels in Kakheti are quite reasonable, although if you wish, you can settle 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... The small town, which is the historical capital of Kakheti, was known as a large shopping center located on the path of caravans from the East. Outlandish temples and monuments are here at every step, but the main advantage is the purest, healing air. You can get to Telavi by bus, the distance from Tbilisi is 95 km.
   
   
2. Chateau Mere... Wine hotel located near Telavi in ​​the village of Vardisubani. This is a 3-storey palace built in the old Georgian style. At guests' service there are wine cellars filled with delicious wines of Kakheti. The hotel is located at a distance of 7.3 km from the city center, and a hiker can get here in an hour and a half.
3. Shuamta... A complex of monasteries located near Telavi from the Tbilisi side. Directly from the road you can see the monastery of New Shuamata, where a dirt road leads. If you go a little further along it, you can visit the monastery of Old Shuamata.
4. Tsinandali... 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... It produces the best Kakhetian wines and is located right there, in Tsinandali. You can visit the museum of the plant, where samples of ancient wine-making equipment are collected.
6. Ikalto... The monastic complex, consisting of three temples, located in the village of the same name, which is located 10 km from Telavi. You can get there by minibus, taxi, on foot.
7. Alaverdi... The 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, once the former royal residence, is located in the village of the same name, located not far from Kvareli. It stands near the Telavi-Kvareli highway, and you can get to it by any minibus following in this direction.
   
   
9. Lake Lopota... The picturesque reservoir, which is located in the village of Naparuli (Telavsky 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 you can enjoy swimming in the purest water.
10. Nekresi... The monastic complex, standing above the Alazani Valley, is located near Kvareli. Those wishing to get to Nekresi need to 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 the east of Georgia. An ideal place for those who like peace and quiet, who love walks along the mountain paths and will not refuse a glass of exquisite wine.
12. Graneli factory... It produces exclusive wines designed for VIP customers; they are sold only on the territory of the factory. Also, wine lovers are offered a tour of the factory and wine tasting. The plant is located just 2.5 km from Kvareli. You need to go along the highway in a southerly direction, turn off at the Wine Route sign and continue for about 700 m.
13. Sighnaghi... A tiny old 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. It is known due to the fact that the tomb of St. Nino is located here. The holy spring and the font are located below the monastery, at a distance of 5 km from Sighnaghi.
15. David Gareja... The unique mountain monastic complex, which includes 9 cave monasteries, is located 60 km from Tbilisi, on the border with Azerbaijan and stretches for 25 km along the Gareja ridge. You can get here along the route Tbilisi - the city of Sagarejo - the village of Udabno. There is an asphalt road from the village, along which you will have to cover 13 km.

Kutaisi

The second largest city in the country, standing on the Rioni River, can be reached from Tbilisi by car, train, plane, minibus. There are enough 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

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

What to see

The most famous tourist sites in Svaneti are:

Batumi

Spreading on the Black Sea coast, the city is a 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 comfort levels.

What to see

Diversify beach vacation you can visit the following prominent places of the city:

Main excursions

Traveling to Georgia does not always come out on your own and if you do not have enough imagination to develop tourist route, you can use the services of the TRIPSTER tour desk.

It offers the following routes in Georgia:

Pros and cons of rest in Georgia

Unfortunately, this kind of vacation has its drawbacks:

1. In hotels and hotels "surprises" may lie in wait in the form of lack of water, light, cold batteries.
2. Many architectural monuments are in a deplorable state.
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 ubiquitous smoking practice here.
6. The disadvantage is the noisiness and some extravagance of the Georgians.

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

Article formatting: Lozinsky Oleg

Travel video to Georgia on your own

15 rules have a good travel to Georgia:

Georgia is located in the central and western part of the Caucasus. Georgia is very small relative to neighboring Russia - about 70,000 sq. km, but the country is geographically located in Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Georgia borders Russia in the north, Azerbaijan in the southeast, Armenia in the south and Turkey in the southwest.

The relief of Georgia is mountainous, the plains account for only 20% of the territory. Along northern border The Caucasus Mountains stretch from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea in Georgia, a natural barrier on the way to Russia, and through this barrier it was once built to link Russia with Georgia.

Currency of Georgia: Georgian lari (GEL)
1 GEL = 25 Russian rubles (as of March 2019)
1 euro (EUR) = 3 GEL
1 US dollar (USD) = 2.70 GEL

Language: Georgian (in remote mountainous regions, local languages ​​are used - for example, Svan). Almost all middle-aged and older Georgians speak excellent Russian. Young people in large cities in most cases also speak Russian, in rare cases they have to switch to English.

Do I need insurance to travel to Georgia?

If we talk about insurance for your personal health, I think it is definitely needed (although the Georgian border guards are absolutely not interested in whether you have it or not). Still, it's not lying on the couch at home - you never know, what happens in the mountains, or while eating khinkali you won't be able to stop in time ..)) Anything can happen - and not only in Georgia. For the past few years, I have been arranging insurance for my travels through an online service - here you have the opportunity to choose from a variety of products on the insurance market exactly what suits you in terms of price and insurance coverage:

Now with regard to car insurance (if you do not plan to travel to Georgia by your own car, you can safely skip this point).

On March 1, 2018, the Georgian government adopted a law on MTPL for cars with foreign numbers. Simply put, if earlier this type of insurance was optional in Georgia, now it has become necessary. An insurance policy (not a green card!) Can be issued online on the website https://www.tpl.ge/ or purchase at the border. There are 4 types of policies - 15, 30, 90 days and 1 year. If you are traveling to Georgia for less than 15 days, you still have to take out insurance for 15 days.

The fine for the absence of OSAGO for the summer of 2018 is 100 GEL (payable at any branch of any major Georgian bank, in no case try to "settle" this question with the police on the spot!).

How to get to Georgia?

On the ground in a private car- if you plan to go to Georgia by car, I suggest reading an article about the Moscow-Tbilisi road and the specifics of traveling in Georgia by car:.

If the purpose of your trip is not only Tbilisi, but also the "summer capital" Batumi, I recommend reading.

An article about city transport in Tbilisi, as well as how to get around within Georgia:.

Accommodation in Georgia - private sector, hostels, guesthouses, hotels, apartments

Before embarking on the search and booking of accommodation for your independent vacation or travel in Georgia, I recommend reading a separate large article - in it you will find all the necessary information: classification of types of accommodation, where and how best to look for it, how to book, recommendations and advice to minimize costs and the nuances of Georgian specifics.

If you are planning an independent trip to Georgia or just a vacation by the sea, I highly recommend watching my articles on the best in terms of price and quality apartments and guesthouses in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi:

Transfers in Georgia

If you are traveling to Georgia with your family or a large company, it may make sense for you to think about a transfer right to the door of the booked hotel or to the desired attraction.

Comfortable transfers throughout Georgia can be booked using the local online service GoTrip... During the booking process, you have the opportunity to choose a class, car brand and a specific driver based on the reviews of previous passengers. Considering the dzhigit driving style of Georgian street taxi drivers and their not always serviceable cars, this is a very useful option. The price on the website is final, you won't have to bargain with anyone.

Transfer examples:

Travel itineraries in Georgia for 1, 2 and 3 weeks

What to see in Georgia

Below is a map of all the interesting places of Georgia mentioned in the guide. The numbers of attractions on the map correspond to the numbers in the text of the guide (indicated in brackets after the name of the city, church, fortress, etc.). By clicking on the number on the map, you will find a photo and a link to quickly jump to an article about this attraction.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi(number 1 on the map of attractions) - the capital of Georgia and one of the most beautiful and interesting cities the former USSR. Old Tbilisi is a unique courtyard with drying clothes, lazy cats and sedate men playing backgammon. And also the famous carved balconies, many of which are the size of a small Moscow apartment.

In addition to numerous antiquities, there are modern sights in Tbilisi: for example, the Bridge of Peace, the Presidential Palace and the House of Justice.

And, of course, amazingly cordial and hospitable people and delicious food. In my opinion, it takes at least 2-3 days to get to know Tbilisi, and not less than a week for a thoughtful inspection.

If you have more than a couple of days at your disposal, I recommend reading my guide articles dedicated to the most interesting districts of Tbilisi:

Be sure to take a walk in mine - there are only the best restaurants, cafes and khinkal towns.

And so that the waiter and the bartender understand who they are dealing with, I first propose to study two mega-valuable articles for any "culinary tourist":

To better feel the unique atmosphere and energy of old Tbilisi, it is better to stay not in a hotel, but to rent an apartment from local residents in a real Tbilisi house with carved balconies, high ceilings and creaky wooden staircases in echoing entrances. For this purpose, my article can be very useful - in it I am based on personal experience I describe the best options in terms of value for money.

If you are traveling alone or do not plan to stay in Tbilisi for more than one or two days, then I would recommend choosing a good guesthouse over the apartment:.

And in order to fully experience the unique atmosphere of this city, for the most curious and sociable travelers, I recommend ordering author's excursions around Tbilisi from local residents. Your guides will be the people of Tbilisi themselves - writers, artists, photographers, journalists, winemakers - in love with their city and who know everything about it.

Below is a selection of the most interesting and popular excursions in Tbilisi according to travelers' reviews. To see all available options, click View All. At the stage of booking, you will need to pay online only 20% of the cost of the tour - the rest of the amount is given to the guide before it starts.

Georgian military road

Georgian military road- one of the most picturesque highways in the world and a continuous landmark 208 km long. It was built immediately after the annexation of Georgia to the Russian Empire to supply the Russian army, which then fought in the Caucasus with the highlanders, Turks and Persians - and this explains its name, nowadays there is nothing "military" in it for a long time.

Georgian Military Road in the area of ​​the Cross Pass

The main attractions of the Georgian Military Road, located between the Russian border and Tbilisi:

Ananuri fortress and Zhinvali reservoir- number 3 on the map of sights of Georgia
Gudauri ski resort(number 4)
Trinity Church in Gergeti (5)
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)- number 6
Cross Pass and Friendship of Peoples Monument (7)

Mtskheta

Mtskheta(2) - the ancient capital of Georgia, located 18 km north of Tbilisi, on the Georgian Military Highway. It was from here that the Christianization of Georgia began through the efforts of Saint Nino.

In addition to the Jvari Monastery, in Mtskheta you must definitely visit the huge Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the Samtavro Monastery, where, according to legend, Saint Nino lived under a blackberry bush.

The coordinates of the Jvari monastery: 41.83837, 44.73403.

Ananuri

Here, on the banks of the picturesque Zhinvali reservoir, one of the most famous sights of northern Georgia is located - medieval castle Ananuri(number 3 on the map of Georgia).

The castle was built by the rulers of these places - the Aragvi Eristavs - presumably at the end of the 17th century, when there was no reservoir here yet. On the other hand, it was the narrowest point of the Aragvi gorge, and it was impossible to pass from the north, from the Dariali gorge, to the south to Tbilisi, bypassing the Ananuri fortress.

Coordinates: 42.16403, 44.70319.

Gudauri

Gudauri(number 4 on the map) is relatively young, but, along with Bakuriani, one of the most famous ski resorts in Georgia (and most popular due to its proximity to Tbilisi and the Russian border). People come here for good skiing, Georgian hospitality and delicious food.

Coordinates: 42.4745, 44.48089.

Gergeti

A small village on the Georgian Military Highway, known for the fact that the oldest and one of the most revered churches in Georgia is located on the mountain above it - Trinity Church Sameba (5).

Gergeti Trinity Church

The place is really simply amazing and "atmospheric", in addition, the church offers excellent views of Mount Kazbek (Kazbegi in Georgian) - however, the mountain is very "capricious" and even in summer it rarely looks out from behind clouds and clouds.

Coordinates: 42.66243, 44.62054.

Transfers on the Georgian Military Highway

Adjara

A fertile land of beaches, mountain resorts, national parks and hospitable people. The capital of Adjara Batumi is a "showcase" of modern tourist Georgia, as well as the third largest city in the country (after Tbilisi and Kutaisi) and the largest Georgian city on the Black Sea.

Excursions in Batumi and Adjara from local residents:

Beach resorts of Adjara (as well as Guria and Samegrelo)

Sandy beaches

Ureki (Magnetiti)

The most unusual beach resort Georgia, located 45 kilometers north of Batumi, on the very border Guria and Samegrelo... It is unofficially divided into two parts: the village itself is called By the river, and the coastal tourist area with the beach - Magnetiti(number 9 on the map of Georgia).

Magnetiti is a 4 km long beach with black magnetic sand, which is considered to be very useful for the treatment of hypertension, joint diseases and for rehabilitation after a heart attack. Unlike the pebbly beaches of Adjara, Magnetiti is a shallow nice sand(albeit unusually black), which makes the resort comfortable for families with children.

Coordinates: 41.98689, 41.75924.

Shekvetili

Shekvetili(10) is a small sleepy village 10 km south of Ureki, famous for its huge sandy beach and a wonderful pine forest.

Taking into account the low population of the resort even at the height of the beach season, rest here is suitable for notorious introverts and those who are dead tired of the crowds of big cities. The beach is pretty good - black magnetic sand, the same as in Magnetiti.

Coordinates: 41.92025, 41.76718.

Pebble beaches

Beach resorts south of Batumi (the cleanest sea):

Kvariati

Kvariati(number 11 on the map) is a small seaside village, the main attraction of which is a wonderful pebble beach.

Kvariati beach is considered the best in Adjara - some, however, will not agree with this, considering the best beach in Sarpi... This is a seaside resort with long traditions and a well-developed infrastructure - there is a restaurant and a cafe, you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, ride a jet ski and a "cheesecake".

Coordinates: 41.54584, 41.56179.

Gonio

Gonio(12) is a small Adjarian village, known not so much for its beach (by the way, very good), but also for its ancient Gonio-Apsaros fortress located a couple of kilometers from the village and the beach.

As for the Gonio beach, it is typical for this part of Adjara: long, wide, pebbly, with clear water, a standard set of tourist attractions and a relatively wide choice of accommodation. Along the sea not so long ago they made a boulevard with a length of one and a half to two kilometers - following the example of the famous Primorsky Boulevard of Batumi.

Coordinates: 41.5675, 41.56591.

Sarpi (13)

The southernmost beach of Adjara and in general its southernmost seaside point. A village on the border with Turkey - on the other side it is called Sarp.

Under Soviet rule, there was a border zone here (after all, Turkey was and remains a NATO member), and now the border is literally a few meters from the sunbathing and bathing tourists.

Coordinates: 41.5213, 41.5478.

Beach resorts north of Batumi:

Cape Verde Beach (Mtsvane Kontskhi - number 14 on the map)

A sparse pebble beach with clear water is relatively close to Batumi - you can get there in 20 minutes by minibus. Usually Green cape visit together with the Batumi Botanical Garden - it is located exactly above the beach.

Cape Verde beach coordinates: 41.69181, 41.70474.

Chakvi

Chakvi(number 15) - once a fishing village and center of Georgian tea growing, and now a cozy and calm beach resort on Black Sea coast Georgia, located 13 kilometers north of Batumi and 12 kilometers south of Kobuleti.

Coordinates: 41.72181, 41.72929.

Tsikhisdziri

Village Tsikhisdziri(16 on the map) is located 15 km north of Batumi, the easiest way to get there is by minibus going from Batumi to Kobuleti.

Currently, Tsikhisdziri is rarely considered a beach resort - much more widespread is the Byzantine fortress Petra... But this was not always the case - thanks to its eucalyptus grove, in Soviet times, Tsikhisdziri was one of the generally recognized "favorites" for recreation and treatment of people with diseases of the respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Coordinates: 41.74682, 41.73785.

Kobuleti

Kobuleti(17) is the second largest city in Adjara, located 25 km north of Batumi.

In addition to its huge (about 10 km long!) Pebble beach, Kobuleti is famous for its peat swamps of Spain- a nature reserve located northeast of the town, as well as an amusement park "Tsitsinatela", which in Russian means "Firefly". This name is not accidental: at nightfall, the park lights up with a multitude of multicolored iridescent lights - many young visitors like to tumble on the Tsitsinatela rides just after sunset. The park looks especially impressive from the Ferris wheel.

Coordinates: 41.83887, 41.77516.

Transfers to Adjara

Sights of Adjara

Adjara is a land of countless attractions and if you are interested not only in rest on the beach, I recommend you to turn your attention to National parks, ancient arched bridges, picturesque mountain roads and much more, located "in the depths" of the region, in its mountainous part.

Transajar route

Transajar route(18) is a road through the Goderdzi pass connecting Batumi with the capital of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, the city of Akhaltsikhe.

Almost along its entire length, the road is literally "packed" with interesting sights (waterfalls, ancient arched bridges, picturesque villages, wine cellars, etc.), so this 160 km journey can take a very, very long time.

Bridge of Queen Tamar in Makhuntseti

Machakhela National Park (19)

Not so long ago, an excellent asphalt road was laid along the Machakhela River almost to the border with Turkey, thereby turning the picturesque gorge into one of the most interesting and easily accessible places in Adjara.

Fairy forest in Mirveti

Mtirala National Park

Mtirala(number 20 on the map) is a picturesque national park, spread over six thousand hectares, 25 kilometers east of the Adjarian village of Chakvi.

There is no public transport to the National Park, but taxi drivers in Chakvi will willingly take you there for 40-50 GEL (the price includes a round trip and 3 hours of waiting).

Kakheti

Kakheti is a land of stunning landscapes and the main region of Georgian winemaking. It is located to the east of Tbilisi and is known primarily for the "granary of Georgia" - the Alazani Valley.

Alazani Valley

It is here that grapes are grown for most of the famous brands of wine in Eastern Georgia, such as Kindzmarauli, Saperavi, and Kvareli. And here there are several large wineries, where you can come from. In addition, in the fall, you can personally participate in the grape harvest.

To get to know Kakheti, you need at least 2-3 days with overnight stays in Sighnaghi and / or Telavi.

Author's excursions to Kakheti from Tbilisi

The most convenient and informative way to get to know Kakheti (IMHO) is a guided tour from Tbilisi. In this case, they will drive you all day in a comfortable car to the most interesting places, tell stories, legends, and in some places toasts (without this, there is nowhere in Kakheti). By the way, about toasts - being a member of the tour, you can forget that you are driving and enjoy excellent wines in the tasting rooms of the best Kakhetian wineries.

Sighnaghi (Signagi, 23)

The main tourist "magnet" of Kakheti, "Georgian San Marino", "city of love" - ​​these are all Sighnaghi (number 23 on the map of Georgia). A small town located at the top of a ridge - and for this reason, never in its long history was it conquered and destroyed by anyone.

Monument to Doctor Benjamin from the film "Don't Cry!" George Danelia

Due to its perfect preservation, during the presidency of Mikhail Saakashvili, Sighnaghi was chosen as the main tourist "brand" of Eastern Georgia. Something was restored, something was erected from scratch - for example, the Wedding Palace, which works around the clock and "combines" everyone without an appointment - it is to him that Sighnaghi owes one of its unofficial names: "the city of love".

Coordinates: 41.61098, 45.92718.

Telavi (24)

The capital of Kakheti and at the same time a quiet and cozy town that became famous in the former USSR after the release of the movie "Mimino". Many tourists use the city only as a base for traveling to the mountainous Tusheti - but in vain, in Telavi itself there is also something to see.

Monument to Tsar Irakli II in Telavi

Coordinates: 41.92092, 45.4791.

David Gareji Monastery (25)

One of the main Orthodox shrines of Georgia is the cave monastery, founded by Saint David of Gareja after he decided to leave the bustling Tbilisi and retire in the wilderness.

In addition to the complex of natural and man-made caves that make up the David Gareji Monastery, this place is notable for the fact that the monastery is located on the slopes of a ridge along the ridge of which the state border of Georgia and Azerbaijan runs.

Coordinates: 41.4471, 45.37662.

Alaverdi Cathedral (26)

Alaverdi Cathedral is the first and most important temple in Kakheti, the second highest in Georgia ( for a long time was the first, but after the construction of the Tsminda Sameba temple in Tbilisi, Alaverdi ceded to him the primacy), and one of the four most revered Christian churches countries - the so-called "Great Cathedrals".

Coordinates: N42.03248, E45.3772.

Gremi Castle (27)

Gremi Medieval Castle Is all that remains of the former capital Kakheti city of Gremi, destroyed by the Persian Shah Abbas. Along with the castle located on the Georgian Military Highway, Gremi is the most famous object of its kind in Georgia. Both castles are easily accessible from a logistic point of view - they literally rise above the highway passing at their foot.

Coordinates: 42.00161, 45.66099.

Nekresi Monastery (28)

Nekresi Is an ancient and very "atmospheric" monastery located on a mountain above the Alazani Valley. Once upon a time at the foot of that mountain there was whole city with the same name, but only the foundations of several buildings have survived to this day. And, if the ruins of the city are not of particular interest, then the Nekresi monastery soaring high in the mountains is rightfully considered one of the brightest sights of Kakheti.

Coordinates: 41.97249, 45.76027 (parking under the monastery).

Ikalto Monastery (29)

Ikalto- the oldest Orthodox monastery in Georgia. The monastery was founded by the Assyrian father Zenon of Ikaltoysky in the 6th century. In the "golden" age of David the Builder for Georgia, an Academy appeared on the territory of the monastery, where Shota Rustaveli later studied.

Coordinates: 41.93707, 45.38026.

Monasteries Old and New Shuamta (30)

Despite its proximity to Telavi, Shuamta is not a popular attraction in Kakheti. Thanks to this, the unique atmosphere of the ancient monastery is still preserved here, where you may well find yourself alone with centuries of history and your thoughts.

Coordinates of the New Shuamta monastery: 41.91253, 45.39015.
Coordinates of the Old Shuamta monastery: 41.90973, 45.40571.

Transfers to Kakheti

Imereti

Imereti- the largest and historically significant region of Georgia with a population of over half a million people. Imereti is located in the basin of the Rioni River - the largest in Georgia. Even against the background of very hospitable Tbilisi residents, the Imeretians stand out for their hospitality and goodwill. The capital of the region - the city of Kutaisi - during the reign of King David the Builder (Agmashenebeli) was the capital of the whole of Georgia and this time is the period of its heyday.

Kutaisi

Kutaisi(number 31 on the map of Georgia) has been “challenging the superiority” with Tbilisi since ancient times, and today it is unofficially considered the second capital of Georgia. In support of this status, the Parliament of Georgia moved to Kutaisi from Tbilisi in 2012. Since then, this bizarre configuration of power has been legislatively spelled out in the country's Constitution: the president and the government in Tbilisi, the parliament in Kutaisi.

Bagrati temple in Kutaisi

Gelati Monastery (32)

Located 5 km from Kutaisi towards Tkibuli on a hilltop above the Tskhalitsitela river valley. One of the most revered Orthodox monasteries in Georgia, Gelati was founded by King David the Builder and the king was later buried in it - according to the will of the great monarch, his remains rest under a slab at the entrance to the monastery complex, right under the feet of the parishioners.

Coordinates: 42.29489, 42.76848.

Motsameta Monastery (33)

Motsameta monastery dedicated to the holy princes-martyrs David and Constantine, located near Gelati, closer to Kutaisi.

Coordinates: 42.28226, 42.75909.

Tskhaltubo (34)

It used to be a sanatorium-resort center of all-Union significance, which fell into decay in the 90s and is now gradually reviving. I recommend combining his examination with a visit Prometheus caves and Sataplia park.

By the way, it was in Tskhaltubo that we came across the most delicious khinkali in Georgia.

Coordinates: 42.32834, 42.60124.

Prometheus Cave (35)

The largest of all known caves in Georgia is located near Tskhaltubo. The cave is stunningly picturesque and very skillfully illuminated - you can see this by looking at the photos in the article about.

Coordinates: 42.37664, 42.60082.

Sataplia Nature Reserve (36)

The reserve, located on a mountain above the Rioni River, is famous for dinosaur footprints found on its territory. The name "Sataplia" means "honey place", earlier in this area wild bees were found in abundance.

Coordinates: 42.31257, 42.67384.

Katskhi Pillar (37)

One of the relatively "new" religious sights of Georgia, but has already become one of its symbols.

A stunningly picturesque pillar rock, on top of which is the hermit monk's house.

Coordinates: 42.28759, 43.21569.

Okatse Canyon (38)

Natural landmark of Imereti, gradually becoming one of the most popular. The fact is that the picturesque canyon of the Okatse River (length 3 km, depth 50 m) is equipped with a suspended console bridge, which is an amazing viewing platform.

Coordinates: 42.45547, 42.52772.

Kinchkha Waterfall (39)

One of the most interesting sights of Imereti is a complex of picturesque waterfalls (among which the highest in the country).

Coordinates: 42.49489, 42.55054.

Martvili Canyon (40) and Martvili Monastery (41)

Strictly speaking, Martvili is located not in Imereti, but in Megrelia, but it is more convenient to get there from Kutaisi. A very picturesque canyon, created thanks to the waters of the Abasha River, which made its way into the rocks. I recommend combining the sightseeing of the canyon with a visit Martvili Monastery Chkondidi- the main Christian monastery of Samegrelo - and Salkhino (42), summer palace Megrelian princes Dadiani.

Monastery coordinates: 42.40558, 42.37771, canyon: 42.45743, 42.37712.

Racha-Lechkhumi

"Georgian Switzerland", "Mountain Imereti" and one of the main wine-making regions of the country - for example, the legendary "Khvanchkara" is made here, in the village of the same name not far from the town Ambrolauri (43).

Some call Racha mountain Imereti (by analogy with “mountain Kakheti” - Tusheti, and “mountain Megrelia” - Svaneti). Racha is famous for its landscapes and excellent wine - to get to the center of Lower Racha, the town of Ambrolauri, from Kutaisi you can take an ordinary car in 2-3 hours, the city is connected by an excellent asphalt road. The main thing is to go back to Kutaisi along it, and not try to drive through the village of Khvanchkara - this path is only for off-road vehicles.

Ambrolauri coordinates: 42.51449, 43.14576.

Transfers to Imereti and Racha

Svaneti

Of the three mountainous regions of Georgia, Svaneti, located in the north-west of the country, is the most popular with tourists due to its stunning nature, well-preserved Svan towers and the original Svan culture, which has survived to this day with minimal distortion due to the isolation of this region from the rest of Georgia. A normal asphalt-concrete road from Zugdidi to the capital of Svaneti was built only recently - and before that, with the onset of winter, snow covered the passes and tightly blocked Svaneti and the Svans.

Svaneti has everything for which people go to the mountains: stunning landscapes, clean air, picturesque villages bristling with Svan towers, mountain lakes, glaciers, amazing mountain honey and much, much more - there is even a modern ski resort! However, it is very difficult to get to it in winter.

Mestia (Mestia)

The capital of Upper Svaneti (Zemo Svaneti), a small town Mestia(44) is located in the mountains at an altitude of 1500 meters at the confluence of two mountain rivers.

Mestia is located extremely well in terms of landscapes: the town is surrounded by alpine meadows and forests, behind which there are majestic snow-capped mountains... You can get to Mestia from Zugdidi in 3-4 hours (there is a good asphalt-concrete road).

Historical center of Mestia

Coordinates: 43.03346, 42.68948.

To "feel" Svaneti in full, you need to go from Mestia to remote mountain villages - such as Ushguli or Latali.

Transfers to Mestia

Ushguli (45)

A village that has preserved its traditional appearance much better than Mestia, which has undergone merciless restoration. Ushguli is the second highest settlement in Europe after the Dagestani Kurush and is famous for a large number of well-preserved Svan towers.

Coordinates: 42.91696, 43.01679.

Hatsvali (46)

Ski resort on the Zuruldi ridge, located at an altitude of 2400 meters. The resort is new (opened in 2011) and is currently actively developing. From Mestia to Hatsvali, located 8 km to the south, you can take a taxi along the mountain serpentine. Hatsvali is also popular in summer: by cable car you can climb to the top of the ridge and enjoy stunning views and breathe thin mountain air - the main thing is to be lucky with the weather.

Coordinates: 43.01755, 42.73882.

Tusheti

Tusheti(47) is an isolated high-mountainous region in the northeastern part of Georgia, administratively part of Kakheti. Get to Omalo(this village is the "capital" of Tusheti) is possible only on a good off-road vehicle - the road is a dirt mountain serpentine.

Tusheti is the harsh (but not very warlike) highlanders, stone sakli, ancient towers (remotely similar to Svan), excellent sheep wool products, sheep cheese "guda" and special local khinkali with mountain herbs.

The views in the mountains of Tusheti are stunning - and for this reason, the main occupation of Tushins is gradually receiving and serving tourists, although they are still few in number.

The coordinates of the capital of Tushetia Omalo: 42.37085, 45.63346.

Khevsureti (48)

Another distinctive mountainous region of Georgia - along with Svanetia and Tushetia. Administratively, it is part of the central region of Mtskheta-Mtianeti, but due to the inaccessibility to visit Khevsureti, it is better to allocate at least a couple of days.

The main man-made attraction of this region is the defensive towers. But, unlike the Svan ones, they are not rectangular, but more reminiscent of pyramids and by this they resemble the towers of Chechnya and Ingushetia.

The Khevsurs are mentally very little similar to the plain Georgians, and there is a simple explanation for this. For a long time they were something like the Georgian Cossacks - the Khevsurs did not pay taxes, but they had to defend Georgia from the invasions of the mountaineers from the other side of the Caucasian ridge.

The coordinates of the capital of Khevsureti, Shatili: 42.65813, 45.15457.

Georgia - from Tbilisi to Batumi

By train or bus, 300 km between the two cities can be covered in 5 hours, by minibus - in 6. But it is much more interesting to go on this trip by car - your own or a rented one.

You can get from Tbilisi to Batumi by car in two ways: the first is longer and goes through Imereti, the second is geographically shorter, but is only available in the summer, and even then only for SUVs - through Borjomi Valley and region Samtskhe-Javakheti, from where you can get to Batumi along the unpaved mountain Transjar highway.

Now let's take a closer look at the attractions of each of the two options.

The first route Tbilisi - Batumi

The first path is through native city Stalin - Burn, "Cave city" Uplistsikhe, past pillar of Katskhi v Kutaisi... And from Kutaisi to Batumi, you can drive along the Black Sea coast through Kobuleti, on the way having examined some of the sights of Imereti - for example, monasteries Gelati and Motsameta and cave of Prometheus.

Stalin Museum in Gori (49)

Gori is located 80 km west of Tbilisi and is known primarily as the place where the Father of All Nations was born and spent his childhood. And now the city has a large and very interesting museum dedicated to Stalin.

Coordinates: 41.98694, 44.11348.

Rock city Uplistsikhe (50)

Once the main pagan cult center of ancient Iberia and the main stronghold of resistance to the Christianization of the country, now Uplistsikhe is one of the most interesting sights located in the vicinity of Tbilisi.

Coordinates: 41.96737, 44.20724.

Second route Tbilisi - Batumi

It looks something like this: Tbilisi — Borjomi (Bakuriani) — Akhaltsikhe and Rabat fortress- cave city Vardzia, fortress Khertvisi and further to Batumi along the Transajar mountain route.

Borjomi (51)

A tiny resort town with a population of 15 thousand people, which has gained worldwide fame thanks to the brand of mineral water produced here.

The "curl" bridge in Borjomi

In addition to mineral water, Borjomi is famous for its sanatoriums, a huge park, a cable car, an outdoor pool with hot springs and a culinary specialty: pine cone jam.

Coordinates: 41.84119, 43.38298.

Bakuriani Ski Resort (52)

In the past, it was the center of alpine skiing of all-Union significance, today it is the best (IMHO) ski resort in Georgia, located 37 km from Borjomi at an altitude of 1700 meters.

Coordinates: 41.7509, 43.52839.

After Borjomi, the way from Tbilisi to Batumi goes through Akhaltsikhe, the capital of the region Samtskhe-Javakheti... The city itself is not particularly interesting, but it houses the largest fortress in Georgia - Rabat.

Fortress Rabat (53)

The former Turkish fortress Rabat, being the largest in Georgia, was recently restored and became one of the tourist attractions of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

According to widespread opinion, the restorers overdid it a little: the ancient fortress now shines with a new-made gloss. Whether this is true or not, you can find out from the article about.

Coordinates: 41.64211, 42.97537.

Before going further west to Batumi along the most picturesque Transajar highway, I highly recommend taking the time and stopping for half a day at cave city Vardzia (Vardzia) located 60 km southeast of Akhaltsikhe (200 km southwest of Tbilisi). On the way there, about 45 km southeast of Akhaltsikhe, there will be another attraction of Samtskhe-Javakheti - fortress Khertvisi.

Khertvisi (54)

Khertvisi (54) is an extremely photogenic rock fortress at the confluence of the Mtkvari (Kura) and Paravani rivers. The place is extremely historical - according to legend, the first Georgian city was here in the era of Alexander the Great.

Khertvisi coordinates: 41.47947, 43.28535.

Cave city Vardzia (55)

A unique cave city, a symbol of the struggle of Georgians against foreign invaders and a monument to the will and fortitude of people who preferred life in caves to surrender to enemies.

Coordinates: 41.3812, 43.28416.

After inspecting Vardzia and Khertvisi, we return to Akhaltsikhe, from which there are two options for the road to Batumi:

If it's summer, you have a good-quality SUV, and you are confident in yourself and in the car - you can go to Batumi along the shortest path - through the mountains along the Transjar highway. The road is unpaved, very difficult in places - but the views are amazing.

The second option is for those who have an ordinary car, or simply feel sorry for killing the suspension and tires of their SUV: we are going to Batumi along an excellent highway through Borjomi, Khashuri, Kutaisi and Samtredia.

Enjoy your rest in Georgia!
Your Roman Mironenko