All about traveling to Georgia. What to see if this is your first time in Georgia? Route for a beginner

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

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

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

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

Housing

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

Tickets

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

Cards

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

Route

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

6 Tbilisi (by train from Baku)

7 Tbilisi – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi

8 Tbilisi - Batumi (night train)

9-12 Batumi + surroundings

13 Batumi - Kutaisi

14-16 Kutaisi + surroundings

17 Kutaisi - Borjomi

18 Borjomi - Bakuriani - Borjomi

19 Borjomi - Tbilisi

20 Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi

21 Tbilisi - Kazbegi

22 Kazbegi - Tbilisi

23 Tbilisi - Akhaltsikhe - Vardzia - Akhaltsikhe - Tbilisi

24 Tbilisi - Baku (night train)

The fabulous beauty of ancient Georgia attracts tourists for good reason. Here you can swim in the clean and warm Black Sea, go down into caves, admire the landscapes of mountain peaks and valleys, and become familiar with ancient history.

The advantage of traveling by car

It would take a very long time to list all the benefits of traveling to this country. Therefore, the time limited by vacation is sorely lacking to explore at least some of these beauties. The first trip can be repeated many times, especially by curious travelers. Hikers who rely on a route to get to the right place may be disappointed by its absence.

The situation can be corrected if you go to Georgia in your own car, which significantly increases mobility and speed of movement. A car makes it possible not to depend on routes imposed by travel agencies and to choose the one that best suits the interests of a particular person. Not everyone is happy with a week-long tour, during which you won’t see even a small part of all the interesting sights.

If we highlight the most tangible advantages of road travel to Georgia, then these are:

• Freedom of movement;
• Independence from local transport schedules;
• There is no need to prepare additional documents for the car (a driver’s license valid in Russia is also valid in Georgia, no additional insurance is required).

The way to Georgia

The route will depend on the starting point, but the last city in Russia will always be . Because getting to Georgia from Russia by vehicle is possible only through one checkpoint - Upper Lars. Vladikavkaz is connected to Tbilisi by the Georgian Military Road. Just to drive along it and see the beautiful landscapes surrounding the road is worth going to Georgia by car.

Experienced motorists prepare their iron horse for a long journey in advance. It is also worth paying attention to the availability of all documents necessary for traveling across the state border.

Customs officers inspect everything while crossing the state border and do it in the most scrupulous manner. To avoid troubles, you should carefully read the current customs laws, especially regarding items prohibited for import and limited in quantity for entering the territory of Georgia.

Roads in Georgia

A country in which tourism occupies an important position in the source of income is obliged to monitor the development of infrastructure and the condition of roads. It is worth noting that almost all roads along popular tourist routes are in good condition, but in some places you can find areas of terrible quality. It is also not always possible to get to the attraction itself, due to inaccessibility.

Important: Roads in Georgia are mainly built in mountainous areas, so there are many sections with serpentines. At such points you should move with care.

Medical insurance for travel in Georgia

Officially, this document is not mandatory for purchase and is not required to be presented. However, all local residents have compulsory health insurance policies, and the provision of paid medical care can significantly hit the budget. Therefore, you can buy it, since it is not expensive, and hope that it will not be needed.

Excursions and entertainment

Even when traveling by car, you will have to include in your budget in advance expenses for excursions, museums and various entertainments. The last point is especially relevant.

Note: Most historical sites, such as castles and monasteries, admit tourists without paying.

Guides can be found near almost every tourist destination. The easiest way to plan routes for traveling around Georgia is based on your own preferences.

cellular

Parking in Georgia is not a problem, especially in popular areas. Moreover, you can park your car almost everywhere for free.

Attention: Law enforcement officers who keep order on the roads do not always immediately issue fines; for a minor offense the driver may only be lightly reprimanded.

The starting point of almost all Russian autotourists will be Tbilisi. Further routes can be built as follows:

• Mtskheta-Ananuri-Gremi-Tusheti;
• Gori-Kutaisi-Mestia-Batumi;
• Borjomi-Vadzia-Akhaltsikhe;

The construction of routes is approximate and depends on personal preferences, especially since your own car allows you to arrange them in any sequence. In the summer season, the Black Sea resorts are especially popular, where the stay can exceed five days.

Main attractions

The choice of route is influenced by specific attractions that the autotourist would like to see.

Important: Not all navigators work correctly in Georgia. It is better to download a high-quality Russified program that is not domestically developed.

An independent trip by car will allow you to go to the desired destination at a convenient time and get better acquainted with the sights. Moreover, along the way you can come across fascinating places, calmly stop and see them.

Tbilisi

The capital of Georgia, if desired, can be explored within one day, especially the center. However, for a detailed acquaintance with the city and its ancient architecture, narrow streets characteristic of the Caucasus, you can spend more time.

Mtskheta

Traveling around Georgia is unthinkable without visiting the old capital. The second most important city, it has two special shrines for Georgia - the oldest famous temples:

• located near the city on Mount Armazi.

• Svetitskhoveli was erected in the 11th century on the site of an ancient Christian sanctuary. The name of the temple literally translates as “Life-Giving Pillar.”

The history of both attractions is closely connected with Saint Nino, revered in Georgia.

Uplistsikhe

The very ancient history of this city, which arose at the end of the 2nd, beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e., remembers periods of prosperity and decline. In the 7th century it was almost completely destroyed by the Arabs. Residents finally left this city in the century before last. Now it is an open-air museum. A visit to the historical landmark is paid and will cost 3 GEL. A discount may be given for a group of tourists.

Kutaisi

The main attraction in the city is considered to be built in 1003. It was originally richly decorated, but was destroyed in the 17th century. The Turks almost completely destroyed the cathedral, which was restored only in 2012. The temple is located in the city center and is visible from everywhere.

In the vicinity of Kutaisi, the most popular among tourists are the cave and monasteries.

The Motsameta Monastery, which arose earlier than Gelati, is hidden in the mountains. Here, among centuries-old greenery, peace and quiet reigns.

Prometheus Cave

Prometheus Cave, perfectly prepared among Georgian dungeons for tourists and artificially landscaped. Equipped with amazing lighting and sound accompaniment, the natural attraction transports visitors to an enchanting world of peace and tranquility.

In the cave you can see numerous grottoes, an underground river and lakes. Various representatives of the fauna live under the vaults of the dungeon, but they rarely catch the eye of tourists.

The constant temperature in the cave is approximately 14 degrees, which is why it’s a good idea to take warm clothes with you. At the exit from the cave there will be a monument with a stylized Georgian and a dog.

Akhaltsikhe

The large reconstructed fortress is divided into lower and upper parts, visiting the latter is only available for a fee. The territory is landscaped, and the view from above when you get to the observation deck is mesmerizing in its beauty.

Vardzia

The city, built in ancient times, arose on the site of a fortress destroyed in 1283 by a strong earthquake. In the Middle Ages it was captured by the Turks, who were distinguished by their bloodthirstiness and intolerance towards Christians. The monastery opened here shortly after the liberation of the territory from the Turks by Russian troops and is still in operation.

The monastery, which is more ancient than Vardzia, is less known to tourists. Some underground galleries are dangerous to visit.

The ancient state with spectacular nature, excellent cuisine and colorful features is highly popular among tourists. Even a short trip to Georgia will bring a lot of bright positive emotions. In order not to spoil the impressions, it is necessary to prepare for the future voyage.

Significant innovations in 2019

From March 1, 2018, new conditions for compulsory insurance of vehicles of foreign countries came into force in Georgia. The driver is required to insure the car to travel around the country. Insurance packages are divided depending on the required duration of the trip: 15, 30, 90 days and 1 year. The cost of insurance for 15 days is 30 GEL.

In this case, there is no need to try to save money. The fine for moving without a policy will cost much more - from 100 to 200 lari.

You can buy an insurance policy in any convenient way:

• in Banks (“Liberty”, “Bank of Georgia”)
• through payment terminals (“TBS”, “Liberty”, “Bank of Georgia”)
• at official sales points near customs
• via the Internet before the trip
• in the offices of insurance companies

Another significant innovation this year was the appearance of a special tourist patrol. Tourist police care about the safety of city visitors and can help in various situations. Patrol officers are fluent in several foreign languages ​​and are able to provide information support to travelers from different countries.

Travel documents

The first question that worries a tourist is whether it is necessary. In 2012, Georgia introduced a visa-free regime for Russian citizens. Russians do not need a visa to Georgia when staying in the territory for less than a year.

Although Georgia is a visa-free country, the customs procedure at the border has a number of strict requirements. When going on a trip, you need to know clear rules about what you need for a trip to Georgia.

Special requirements for the import of funds apply to amounts exceeding GEL 30,000. Cash currency and traveler's checks of lower value do not need to be declared when crossing the border. This allows you to take a comfortable supply of cash in any currency.

You can withdraw money from numerous ATMs. Just like all over the world, payment by card is common.

Three requirements for a tourist passport:

• The validity period of the passport must cover the entire period of the trip
• two free pages for stamps
• absence of seals and South Ossetia.

Trip with animals

Travelers with animals will need a special passport with a mark from the veterinary service of the Russian Federation confirming the health status of the pet. You can get it before your trip at the nearest veterinary clinic.

The attitude towards animals in the Caucasus is friendly. According to well-known accommodation booking services, several hundred hotels and apartments in Tbilisi allow guests to stay with pets.

Getting to Georgia

You can get to Georgia by several types of transport:

• by plane;
• by sea;
• by bus;
• by car.

“You can only cross the border by bus or car. When traveling on foot, to pass the checkpoint on your own, you must use a ride."

Several airlines operate flights to Georgia from Russia. Regular flights depart mainly from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov and Krasnodar.

By sea you can travel from Sochi on a special passenger line of the SPK Express-Batumi along the Sochi-Batumi route. The journey by sea will take at least 6 hours. Sea connections open in June and operate until September. It is better to buy tickets immediately in the same direction and in the opposite direction.

You can go to hospitable Georgia by bus. The route Krasnodar - Tbilisi is popular, flights depart several times a day. The journey takes 14 – 15 hours. Ticket price is 2500 rubles. Bus service to Tbilisi from Moscow, Samara, Sochi and from Nalchik to Batumi has been developed.

The abundance of options for modes of transport allows you to choose how to travel to Georgia depending on your personal preferences. Some people want to save money, others want to see as many attractions as possible, and others care about comfort.

Traveling by car in Georgia

Traveling by car has a lot of advantages and nuances. When going on a trip on your own, you can drive through secluded corners of the country and explore distant sights. Mountain monasteries, picturesque canyons, ancient fortresses - it will be much easier to get there by private car. When entering the country, travelers are fascinated by the Georgian Military Road. From the Ossetian language its name is translated as “Heavenly Gorge Road”. The path along it is accompanied by many ancient monuments.

Upon entry, a special sticker is affixed to your passport and is valid for 65 days. Before the end of the period, according to customs legislation, the car must leave the country.

Required documents for drivers

• vehicle registration certificate
• driver's license with data written in Latin letters
• Georgian car insurance policy
• international passport

When crossing the border, you will not need an insurance policy. It will be available to purchase immediately after entry at Georgian points of sale.

Under no circumstances try to get to Georgia from Russia through Abkhazia. Heading from Sochi or Gagra legally, you will have to make a circle of more than 400 kilometers. According to Georgian legislation, travel through the checkpoints of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, namely through the Gantiadi-Adler and Rock-Nizhny Zaramag border checkpoints, is considered a criminal offense.

These checkpoints have been declared illegal. Crossing them is punishable by a significant fine and imprisonment. Therefore, when choosing how to go to Georgia, forget the word “Abkhazia”. This country is worth visiting, but you can’t combine them.

The financial side of travel

The national currency of Georgia is the lari. The name of the currency according to the international standard is “GEL”. 1 lari, by analogy with Russian kopecks, consists of 100 tetri. During the second half of 2018, the exchange rate of the lari against the ruble fluctuated; as of January of this year it is 23.83 rubles per 1 lari.

Purchasing tickets and booking hotels long before your vacation will help you save a lot. Modern services allow you to select the function of canceling a reservation for a certain period before the start of the trip.

Another local feature that will help significantly reduce costs is the availability of bargaining. Whatever the price is, it's worth bargaining. You can often reduce the cost by two or three times.

Rules for how to vacation cheaply

• pick up free maps with marked attractions at tourist information centers. Such tourist centers are present in all major cities of Georgia.
• install mobile applications with navigation programs and built-in guides in advance;
• if you plan to rent a car, it is better to do it online;
• purchase a Georgian one for the duration of your visit if you plan to use the Internet and make local calls;
• Use Wi-Fi to access the Internet. In Tbilisi, the public free network Tbilisi Loves You operates throughout the city. Free wi-fi is available in the capital in minibuses and on central streets.

Prices in Georgia are comparatively not high. How much money to take is determined by everyone depending on their personal needs. The cost of cheap housing in summer per night for two in Tbilisi starts from 10 lari. In Batumi you will have to pay a little more - from 17 lari. Housing in winter in the resort of Gudauri will cost at least 100 lari per day.

Travel safety

Often girls who dream of vacationing in Georgia wonder how safe it will be to vacation alone. According to the international security and crime rating “Crime Index for country 2018”, Georgia’s security index is very high and amounts to 80%. This indicator is one of the best in the world. For comparison, the security index of the Russian Federation is only 56%.

Bakuriani is located in a picturesque area. It’s worth taking a trip along the exotic narrow-gauge road “Bakuriani – Borjomi” and enjoying the mountain views. Where to go to Gudauri or Bakuriani is a difficult question. Both resorts are constantly improving and are worthy of attention.

It is convenient to travel around Georgia with your own car. An approximate route for a week, allowing you to travel to the best popular attractions, might look like this:

The famous Stepantsminda - Tbilisi - picturesque Sighnaghi - Gurjaani - fort and monasteries Telavi - Mtskheta - Gori - Borjomi - Rabat fortress - Vardzia - Batumi - Ureki - Kutaisi - Upper Lars.

Beach and educational holidays in Georgia

In summer, hospitable Adjara invites you to relax on comfortable and clean beaches. You can get to modern Batumi from Tbilisi by train.

Magnetiti beaches with black magnetic sand are especially attractive. Healing sand relieves many diseases. It’s incredible to imagine how many kilometers connoisseurs of the wonderful properties of magnetic beaches travel to improve their health.

The demand for tours to Georgia is increasing every year. There are many reasons: amazing photos, low prices, rave reviews, delicious cuisine and Georgian wine.

Popular questions

When is the best time to go on vacation?

If you are not a fan of skiing and want to enjoy the warmth, fruits and sea, then the optimal time to travel is from May to mid-October.

In May and June there are excellent conditions for excursions (as long as it is not hot). In September-November the harvest takes place and fruits can be bought literally for next to nothing.

The best period for holidays in the Black Sea resorts is from mid-June to September.

Ski resorts await winter holiday enthusiasts from December to March. In warm winters, the snow cover in Gudauri and Bakuriani is finally formed by mid-January.

Where to holiday

In Georgia we counted 12 resort towns. Each has its own characteristics, which we discussed in detail in. Therefore, you first need to decide on the purpose of your trip, and then decide where it is better to relax.

For excursions, mountain landscapes, civilized service, wine and Georgian cuisine - it is better to go to Tbilisi.

Sea, sun, beach with a couple of obligatory excursions await you in Batumi. The cuisine is also up to par, but in Adjara it has its own differences. By the way, Batumi is the only Georgian resort that we can safely recommend for a family holiday.

Kutaisi is another tourist center of the country. It is famous for eco-tourism. No sea, no service, just mountains, canyons and old neighborhoods. In general, Georgia is what it is. Without the emphasis on the tourist, which is felt more and more every year in Tbilisi and Batumi.

Where is the best place to live?

If you are not on a business trip, then there is no point in booking expensive hotels. You will only sleep in them.

In Tbilisi and Batumi you can always find accommodation through Airbnb. As a last resort, look for accommodation options in inexpensive 2-3* hotels.

When choosing housing in Tbilisi, pay attention to the area of ​​the city. There is no point in staying in the tourist center itself (Freedom Square), because a taxi to any point in the city costs about 5-6 lari. It’s cheaper to get here every day by taxi than to pay 2-3 times more for a hotel room or apartment. However, if mobility around the center is important, then it is worth considering that traffic jams in Tbilisi can delay your plans by 10-15 minutes at any time of the day.

Decide for yourself what you need from a hotel, but we would recommend not paying more than 50-60 euros/day in high season (off-season prices are 1.5 times lower). Like other cities in Georgia, Batumi has a large number of offers on Airbnb.

In small towns and remote mountainous areas, accommodation can always be found locally through locals or through . But it is better to do this in advance through travel agencies in Tbilisi or Batumi.

What to see in the country?

Everyone knows about local hospitality and legendary cuisine. But there is not much information about its significant attractions. Here's what we liked:

• Caucasus Mountains (second highest after the Himalayan Mountains)
• Sights of Tbilisi
• Wine region - Kakheti
• Batumi is the most progressive Black Sea resort
• Mtskheta and Jvari are places that M.Yu. Lermontov wrote about in the poem “Mtsyri”
• Borjomi springs

What language is spoken in Georgia?

Residents speak Georgian among themselves.

If you have to communicate with the local population in shops or on the street, then it is worth keeping in mind that the adult generation (35 years and older) speaks Russian with a pleasant Georgian accent without any problems. But it’s easier to negotiate with young people in English. They will understand you, but it may be difficult for them to express their thoughts in Russian.

All restaurants and travel agencies employ people who speak Russian. During our entire vacation, we only once had to ask the locals how to get to the lower station of the Tbilisi funicular on foot. The student girl explained it to us in good English without any problems. By the way, she understood Russian, but it was easier to explain to her in English.

It is also worth keeping in mind that a lot of visitors from Russia, Armenia and Ukraine work in the tourism sector.

How do they treat Russians?

After the military conflict in 2008, tension arose between the countries and if you dig deep, the resentment still remains. But not a single local will tell you this to your face. And if he does, he will honestly express his attitude towards the policies of the Russian state and note that he has no complaints against the Russian people. They greatly value friendship and the assistance that the Russian Empire provided to their ancestors in military conflicts.

During our two-week stay, we never noticed a single sideways glance due to the fact that we communicated in Russian. It is better not to start disputes with the local population about South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Remember that neither you nor they have the truth about these conflicts.

What should you remember to take with you?

If you are going on vacation in the summer, be sure to include clothes for cloudy and rainy weather in your wardrobe. An umbrella and waterproof shoes will definitely not be superfluous in your suitcase.

A light sports jacket in summer and a warm jacket in autumn will come in handy during an excursion along the Georgian military road and in the caves.

If you are going to winter resorts, then you should take a light jacket with you for walking around Tbilisi. In the mountains, the temperature can drop to -15, and in Tbilisi the temperature can be above zero.

How safe is the country now?

Before Saakashvili came to power, Georgia was one of the most dangerous countries in the world. But the global reform of the police (when all its employees were fired), the increase in prison sentences not only for bribes, but also for minor violations helped quickly restore order in the country.

Now Georgia is one of the safest countries in the world.

Police patrols are constantly found on the streets of resorts. Usually it is enough to strain your eyes or turn your head to see a police officer in your line of sight. They are all young people in good physical shape, with very high salaries and they really hold on to their jobs. Therefore, we do not take bribes and we do not recommend giving them.

In Tbilisi, you can leave your phone in an open car and find it in the same place in the morning. No one wants to go to jail for such a small thing.

The only real risk is taxi drivers and pseudo-guides who can scam you out of money and offer their services. You will definitely see the attraction promised by the taxi driver, but you are unlikely to learn historical facts, interesting stories, or anything else about it other than what was announced in the program.

Mobile communications and Internet

Roaming in Georgia is very expensive. Don't even think about turning on the Internet if you don't have a data plan. In our case, unauthorized downloading of a couple of photos from Viber cost 22 euros. We recommend completely turning off the mobile Internet when boarding the plane, so that nothing can be updated on its own even when the phone is turned on (as happened with us).

For the Internet we use tourist or local SIM cards . You can buy them for 5-20 lari at tourist information centers or communication shops. To receive it, you only need your passport.

Medical insurance

If you are traveling on your own, it is better to buy basic insurance, especially since it costs . Unfortunately, cases of poisoning in restaurants are not as rare as we would like. In addition, mountains always pose an increased risk of injury, and the heat can affect blood pressure.

If you are planning active walks in the mountains, trekking, hiking and climbing, insurance is required.

What to bring as a souvenir

Georgia has all the necessary souvenir products. The abundance of horns, daggers, handmade earrings, carpets and other things makes your eyes wide open. But, unfortunately, a lot of things are either too big or there is a high risk of counterfeiting. For example, no one has made daggers by hand for a long time. Horns are made of plastic... Therefore, from the height of our experience, we already have a calm attitude towards souvenirs.

We brought home 7 bottles of wine and a liter of homemade brandy. Believe me, no bottled brandy stood next to the grape moonshine that is distilled in Georgia.

It's time to tell you about Georgia . My previous articles were a preface to this chapter.

Let me remind you, to get into it from , we had to drive through Adygea, Stavropol Territory, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia - Alania .

• Why couldn’t it be possible to drive along the Black Sea coast?
• What passports do you use to cross the border in Georgia and do you need a visa?
• Is it worth going to Georgia by car?

If you are planning a trip to Georgia and you have these and other similar questions, this article is just for you.

Georgia: instructions for use

In this article I want to talk about why tourists go to Georgia in general, how you can get to Georgia, what are the pros/cons of each method, whether a visa is needed, and also give general information: about prices, about the features of this country in terms of food, accommodation, etc. So that in the next articles, when I talk about the sights of Georgia, I will be less distracted by this.

So let's start with this: What is the most convenient way to get to Georgia?

How to get to Georgia: three legal ways and one illegal

Let's start with the legal methods. Option number one - by plane . The simplest and also the most expensive. There are most flights to Tbilisi, but there are also flight options to Batumi or Kutaisi. The cheapest place to fly is from Moscow, of course, and there are quite a lot of flights at any time of the year. A couple of airlines also fly from St. Petersburg.

The regions, as always, are less fortunate: even if there is a direct flight, the prices are such that you’ll think twice about it. From Sochi, for example, there is a direct flight to Tbilisi, but the price is about 13,000 rubles round trip! And the flight is only an hour!

The only advantage of this option is the speed of movement. But, in principle, if you just want to have a pleasant weekend in Tbilisi or Batumi, then this option is quite suitable for you. And then, perhaps, it is much easier for you to buy a ready-made package tour to Georgia. Did you know that sometimes a trip costs less than a regular flight ticket? Moreover, the price of the tour includes flights, accommodation, transfer, insurance and meals of your choice. Choose one of the ready-made options >>here<<

But if you, like us, like to see the country in detail, with feeling, sensibly, with an arrangement, then you will most likely choose option number two — travel to Georgia by car . I thought about why more and more tourists choose to travel by car in this article -. We have liked this option more and more in recent years. This is how we explored the whole .

And now the turn has come Georgia. This country was not chosen by chance:

• Russians do not need a visa to visit, they only need a valid passport;
• the climate is excellent;
• the selection of ancient monuments is rich;
• food and wine delight travelers;
• sea, mountains, ancient culture and good infrastructure.

What's not an ideal place for a vacation?

It would also be possible to get to Georgia from Sochi by sea: “comets” run from the port of Sochi to Batumi. And this option number three could be recommended, but... The cost of a trip by sea is comparable to the price of air tickets, and hanging out at sea for about 10 hours on an old boat is not a pleasant prospect. Our friends tried all the delights of this option in August - what a pleasure it was! Instead of the stated 5 hours, they sailed to Batumi for all 10! It was stormy, they say...

So we chose the option of driving our own car. The arguments in its favor, in addition to the fact that the car gives freedom of movement throughout the country, were as follows:

• Unlike a number of other CIS countries, you do not need to take out any additional car insurance to enter Georgia
• incredibly beautiful views and Trans-Ajar highway who have already won our hearts in absentia
• Although the territory of Georgia is small, if you set a goal to see as many places as possible in one trip, then you simply can’t do it without a car

The only unpleasant moment is the price of gasoline in Georgia. For some reason, it’s so expensive here - from 50 to 70 rubles per liter!

Why can’t you go to Georgia through Abkhazia? I’ve been asked this question more than once or twice... Yes, damn it, it would be ideal: leave Krasnaya Polyana in the morning, in 40 minutes be on the border with Abkhazia, another three or four hours on the territory of Abkhazia, and - voila! - after lunch we would already be in Georgia... But no, this option is still from the realm of fantasy. More precisely, you can get to Georgia this way, but only once. This is the one illegal way.

The whole point is that by trying to penetrate Georgia through Abkhazia, you are violating the Law of Georgia on Occupied Territories. After all, it is only for us, citizens of Russia, that Abkhazia is a sovereign state. And from the point of view of Georgia, Abkhazia is a part of Georgia (by the way, radically minded citizens never tire of writing comments under every video of mine about Abkhazia...) In general, according to the laws of Georgia, as soon as you set foot on the territory of Abkhazia, The passport must have a Georgian stamp. But, as you might guess, there are no Georgian border guards on the border between Russia and Abkhazia, and there is no one to give you a Georgian stamp. Accordingly, your entry into the territory of Georgia will be considered illegal with all the consequences... Do you need such problems on vacation? Not for us.

That’s why we took this whole intricate route: Sochi - Tuapse - Maykop - Lagonaki - Pyatigorsk - Vladikavkaz. We don’t regret it at all, because we saw a bunch of different interesting places. You can read the following articles about this from me:

In this regard, our road from Sochi to Georgia lasted almost a week. Although strictly speaking, the distance between Sochi and Tbilisi - which is 960 km - can be covered in one day. But that wouldn't be interesting, would it? ;-)

In general, regarding the section of the road that passes through Russia, I can say the following:

• The roads are quite good, and from Nalchik to Vladikavkaz they are simply gorgeous!
• on the stretch between Pyatigorsk and Nalchik there are several checkpoints where almost every car is checked, especially with license plates from another region. The whole procedure boils down to opening the trunk and doors of the car and a separate check of documents at the guard booth. Here the inspectors are only interested in your documents and documents for the car. The documents are searched through the database, we were not asked any questions. The purpose of these checks, as I believe, is to suppress the illegal entry into Russia of foreign citizens and stateless persons from neighboring countries, as well as to detect the transportation of weapons, etc. How long ago did you want the Caucasus to cease to be a hot spot?

Route around Georgia for 10-12 days

Initially we planned to spend 2 weeks in Georgia. But at the end of our trip the weather worsened, and the number of days was slightly reduced. Although in general they completed their program.

So, we got this route: crossing the border to Upper Lars - Kazbegi (Stepanatsminda) - Gudauri - Tbilisi - Sighnaghi - Kvareli - Telavi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Borjomi - Akhaltsikhe - Batumi - Kobuleti - Ureki - Samtredia - Kutaisi — and departure back to Russia via .

This is based on the main milestones. There were also small towns and villages along the route. But I’ll tell you right away - there was a travel schedule too dense, in fact it was not a vacation, but a rather vigorous motor rally. Not a single day of aimlessly wandering around the city. Not a single day of lying on the beach. This probably won't suit everyone.

Crossing the border

Russians do not need a visa to visit Georgia. But you need a valid passport.

So, you can legally enter Georgia by land only through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, which is located 30 km from Vladikavkaz. About 100 meters before the checkpoint itself, we pulled into a line of cars: cars separately, trucks in their own lane. We stood in this line for about 15 minutes. Actually, crossing the border took us exactly an hour: first, customs and inspection of the vehicle by the Russian side, then passport control by the Georgians.

In the summer, they say, the queues are much longer, people wait for 4-5 hours. And in winter, Vekhniy Lars is often closed due to heavy snowfalls. So we went at the best time - early autumn.

Already at the entrance to the checkpoint, the landscapes outside the window looked promising.

And after crossing the border, when we drove along, the roof began to slowly move away from the indescribable beauty that I wanted to shoot with everything I could get my hands on:

So in terms of impressions, the road justified itself 100% and even more.

Only in Georgia itself we were upset by our navigator: he either shamelessly lied about how long it would take to get from point A to point B, or led us into the oncoming lane onto a one-way street, or even even laid out a route through pedestrian zones or to such dead streets:

In Tbilisi, we simply got tired of getting lost based on his “tips” and simply threw him out of the car and turned him off out of harm’s way.

Myths and legends about Georgia, as well as facts

Before I talk about which of the common stereotypes about Georgia is true and which is untrue or skillful marketing, let’s figure this out.

Why do people go to Georgia at all?

Excellent movie "Love with an Accent" director Rezo Gigineishvili, released in 2012, basically shows all the top places in Georgia, for which it is actually worth going there: stunning views of the mountains around, panoramas of beauty, charming streets, parks and skyscrapers of Batumi...

In fact, this film has become the best advertisement for the tourism wealth of Georgia. And the touching love stories that are played against the backdrop of these landscapes seem to hint that ANYTHING is possible in Georgia! So is it any wonder that already in 2013, Georgia quickly became one of the top summer tourist destinations? And continues to stay on top for the fifth year in a row! So it's there Something like this , don't you think?

So, tourists usually go to Georgia to:

• see countless architectural monuments of antiquity and modernity,
• join the vibrant Georgian culture (music, dance),
• taste famous Georgian wines,
• taste dishes of no less famous Georgian cuisine,
• admire the beautiful mountain scenery,
• swim in the gentle Black Sea,
• and of course fall in love: with each other, with a stranger, with this country)

Some of this works out for them, some they don’t. Everything is individual here. In the next paragraph I will tell you which moments came true in Georgia and which did not.

Our impressions of the trip to Georgia

In general, impressions of any country largely depend on tourists’ preparedness for the trip. We prepared for the trip mentally and financially, read blogs, and studied travel sites. There was a lot of information, perhaps even too much. Part of it has been confirmed, but we are not ready to agree with part of it.

From what has been confirmed:

• responsiveness and hospitality of the local population: the solution to your problem (if it arises) involves almost everyone who you turn to: the owners of guest houses and hotels, passers-by on the street, workers at a construction site;
• the beauty of nature and architecture: Georgia can truly claim to be an open-air museum;
• a friendly attitude towards Russian tourists (and tourists in general) and an atmosphere of safety (compared to Abkhazia, for example, there was no unpleasant feeling that you were looked at as a bag of money, while some people were not averse to shaking you if possible).

What turned out to be wrong or not quite as travel bloggers and guidebooks wrote:

• many inexpensive accommodation options. Lies! If you are ready to live in strange hostels with 5 more roommates, and one shared toilet and shower, then yes, there are plenty of such options here. But even then - only in big cities like Tbilisi or Batumi. Hotels are incredibly expensive - the most modest hotel room in the middle of nowhere will cost around 2000-2500 rubles per night. Closer to the center - already 5000-6000 rubles, and this is not some kind of Marriott-Radisson-Parkinn, but an ordinary old hotel, with modest rooms and furniture.

Therefore, the most popular accommodation option in Georgia is guest houses. It's more comfortable than a hostel and cheaper than a hotel.

In this video I show what it is guest house in Georgia:

There are still options to look for private apartments for rent. But we lived in each city for no more than 2 nights, and therefore this was not suitable for us in principle.

The following statement that we often came across regarding Georgia:

• in Georgia you can eat inexpensively and very tasty ;

This was our biggest disappointment. Firstly, prices. For the most modest snack in a simple restaurant, prepare at least 1200-1500 rubles for two. It will be a salad or soup and a main course, without wine. A meal with wine will cost between 1500-2000 rubles. If it’s cheap, then who’s yelling that it’s expensive to vacation in Sochi?

And okay, to hell with them, with prices. But somehow we categorically did not like what we were offered all this time under the guise of Georgian cuisine. Almost every restaurant insistently recommended kebabs or khachapuri or khinkali to us. In short, meat, dough or dough with meat. Vegetables? Well, then look at the vegetable salad. That's all! No, I can eat shish kebab and even khinkali, but not 3 times a day, 7 days a week! Cheese? For mercy's sake, but for the money it costs in Georgia, I'd rather buy French “stinkers”... Fish and seafood? Look on the menu, but there are no guarantees what will be available.

In short, when on the third day I got tired of chewing cucumber and tomato salads, I ordered mushroom soup. And they brought me such a boiling, fatty “batch” with a ton of greens and three floating mushrooms that I simply resigned myself to the fact that Georgian cuisine is not for me. Although, for the sake of fairness, I note that khinkali in Georgia are cheaper than in Sochi. But for me these are still banal dumplings.

No, we tried to find the places where the locals themselves eat. But, firstly, there are very few such places in Georgia (apparently all the locals prefer to eat at home), and secondly, even there the choice was between lula kebab and shawarma.

So I had to simply go shopping and cook my own food. And it's more reasonable for the money. Unless you go to small shops for groceries. The most normal option for dinner we had was this: fresh pita bread, vegetables and fruits, dessert and... a bottle of wine.

In short, there was no gastronomic holiday for us in Georgia.

About money

Yes, I almost forgot. The money in Georgia is their own, Georgian - lari. 1 lari = 25 rubles. You can travel with both dollars and euros.

Exchangers are often found in tourist places, but much less often in non-tourist places. The exchange rate at different points can vary quite significantly, by 10-20%.

The first time we changed money was already in Tbilisi, in the large shopping center “Tbilisi Mall”. The course there was normal. Then I came across a more profitable one, but it depends on your luck.

About shopping

Don't expect much good shopping in Georgia. All branded clothing and shoes are more expensive than in Russia. We were pleased only with the Turkish WAIKIKI (often bought clothes for myself and children in these stores in Turkey) and the Turkish KOTON (also clothes and shoes).

By the way, a little more about food: Georgian McDonald's turned out to be the most expensive of all the places I have ever visited.

About cellular communications

An unpleasant moment was the purchase of a local SIM card from the Beeline operator in Tbilisi. We basically only needed good internet from her, and rarely the telephone connection itself. There were no problems with communication, but the Internet worked very poorly! Even in the city centers, the Internet was slow, and we could not get directions, book a night at a hotel, etc.

Then they asked the locals why there were such problems with the Internet. They recommended taking SIM cards from Georgian operators, not international ones.

Again about traveling by car in Georgia

So, looking ahead, I will say: you can and should go to Georgia by car. Even despite the expensive gasoline. Just download a normal navigator (not Russian). And don't break traffic rules. The locals themselves periodically violate them, but the Abkhaz reckless drivers are like walking to China.

Police officers in Georgia are simply the eighth wonder of the world. They always drive with the “chandelier” on (no sound). And if they see that someone is messing up on the road (parking in the wrong place or in the wrong way, not following the lane, etc.), they will give him a warning first, rather than running happily to write out a violation report...

There are no problems with parking in Georgia either. In any, even a very popular tourist place, you can always park properly, and absolutely free. After the resorts of the Krasnodar region, such expanse is simply a balm for the soul.

Well, it seems like I told you all the main points about the trip to Georgia today. This is technical information, so to speak. For practically minded people. And in the next posts I will give you “lyrics” - about beautiful Georgian cities and amazing places. So subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss their release.