Exciting news. I’m going to visit Georgia again! Yay! I know! I could tell you all about the great time that I had when I first went to Georgia, in 2019! Or. You could read all about it yourself....
Afara Cultural Monuments Courtesy of Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA)
Exciting news.
I’m going to visit Georgia again!
Yay!
I know!
I could tell you all about the great time that I had when I first went to Georgia, in 2019!
Or.
You could read all about it yourself. Here are the links:
Georgia – a basic guide to food! An introduction to Tbilisi – 5 places you have to visit! An introduction to Georgia. Not that one. The other one! Let’s go to Georgia. In Europe! I’m going to Poland, Georgia & Ukraine – What fun! Is it safe to travel to Georgia in Europe?You’re welcome!
THE FACTS!
An introduction to Georgia. Not that one. The other one!
Georgia, otherwise known as the Republic of Georgia, is a country located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe!
It’s surrounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the south-east by Azerbaijan, covers a territory of 69,700 square kilometres or 26,911 sq. miles, and has a population of about roughly 3.7 million people.
The largest city, which also happens to be the capital city, is Tbilisi.
Most people have never heard of it!
An introduction to Tbilisi – 5 places you have to visit!
In fact, when I first heard mention of Georgia, I thought it was Georgia – the American state – in the USA.
But it isn’t.
It’s Georgia.
A country in the Caucasus.
A country from the former USSR.
In Europe!
Let’s go to Georgia. In Europe!
I’m British and I live in Europe.
People always write to me about one very important issue and that is:
BUT IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO GEORGIA IN EUROPE?
Is it safe to travel to Georgia in Europe?
I’m sure you’ve thought about it.
Haven’t we all?
What with the war on Ukraine n’ all!
It’s hardly surprising.
But you don’t need to be.
It’s as safe as any other country!
However let me be clear, my blog is not about political affairs and neither am I a politician, a civil servant, or a secret agent!
I wish!
My opinions are my own, and my own only. Nonetheless.
Nonetheless!?!
Yes.
I’ll tell you something for nothing.
Roughly 1.5 million international tourists and travellers visit Georgia yearly, and most visits are completely and utterly trouble-free.
Having said that, official advice is against ALL travel to the Western part of Georgia namely the Russian-occupied regions of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and against all but ESSENTIAL travel to areas in the centre of Georgia immediately adjacent to the Administrative Boundary Lines with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
You’ll be quite fine in Tbilisi – the capital city – located in the Eastern part of Georgia.
However, if you have any concerns, or need further help or information, I recommend the following:
If you’re British, contact GOV.UK for foreign travel advice to Georgia or any other country If you’re German, contact the Außenministerium der Bundesrepublik Deutschland – Auswärtiges Amt über Georgien oder Andere Länder If you’re American, contact the Embassy of the United States for foreign travel advice to Georgia or any other country Take out travel and medical insurance BEFORE you travelTAKE ME THERE!
I flew from Berlin to Tbilisi via Turkish Airlines! ©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Turkey – September 2019
As you all pretty much know by now, I’m a great believer in train travel but Georgia is quite far from Germany, so I’m going to fly!
There are 45 airlines that fly into the country.
The last time I went to Georgia, I flew from Berlin to Tbilisi – via Turkish Airlines.
This time around, I’m flying with a budget airline called Pegasus.
My outward journey from Berlin-Brandenburg (BER) to Tbilisi (TBS) will be via a seven-hour (7) stop-over in Istanbul-Gokcen (SAW).
I love Istanbul, but those 7 hours will probably be hanging around at the airport, rather than on shopping!
Sigh!
However, you don’t even need to fly, as you can either take a ferry from ports in the Black Sea region, the Georgian train from Azerbaijan or take a bus from the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenia or Turkey!
Note: I don’t recommend driving, as country roads are awful!
IS IT GOING TO BE CROWDED?
Victoria at the Gabriadze Clock Tower in Tbilisi ©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Georgia – September 2019
It wasn’t the last time I went.
In Autumn!
In fact, there were very few tourists around, as “the season,” was effectively over.
This time, I’ll be going in May!
I don’t believe it’ll be that crowded!
But if you’re going in the height of summer, prepare to gird your loins, and fight your way through!
Plan well.
Having said that, if that’s the only time that you can travel, don’t let anything get in your way.
WHAT IS GEORGIA LIKE?
Georgia – a basic guide to food!
Georgia definitely made an impression on me.
It’s of historical and architectural interest, the food and wine is impressive, the country is small, and the locals are friendly and very, very helpful!
Is it any wonder that I jumped at the chance to visit again!
I DON’T SPEAK GEORGIAN!
I don’t speak Georgian! Neither do they!
Not.
A.
Problem.
It’s amazing how many languages a typical European speaks.
Most speak a minimum of three (3)!
If you speak Azerbaijani, Armenian or Russian, you’re good to go.
Besides, within the regions of tourist Georgia, everyone pretty much speaks English too!
AM I GOING TO LIVE IN A HUT?
Folk craftwork at the Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnology ©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Georgia – September 2019
Ha! Ha!
Not unless you want to!
I’M ON A BUDGET. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Georgia – a basic guide to food! ©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Georgia – September 2019
Georgia is cheap!
Cheap!
Cheeeeap!!
For everyone!
Feel free to eat the gourmet meal you’ve always dreamed of!
In fact, it’s so cheap, that according to the document Tbilisi In Figures, the capital city – Tbilisi – is the 3rd cheapest city in Central Asia and 11th cheapest in the world!
Wow!
Prices are low, and the quality and standards of hotels and apartments available are, when considered, pretty alright!
Frankly, if you’re paying between €20.00 – €70.00 per night, for huge apartments with terraces, working kitchens, and historical art, you simply can’t go wrong!
Book ahead to get good prices.
I’M LOOKING FOR SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT. ANY IDEAS?
Adjara Friends Courtesy of Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA)
Absolutely!
Start Here!
WHAT ABOUT TRANSPORT POSSIBILITIES?
Public transport in Tbilisi – Georgia!
Georgia is pretty small, and in Tbilisi, quite walkable.
And of course, you could take local trains or the bus.
Uber isn’t supported in Georgia but they do have Yandex Taxi or Bolt which works very well in Georgia, Russia & Ukraine! You can download the Yandex Taxi App here and the Bolt App here!
You’ll practically ride for free, as my taxi fare was …
Wait for it.
€1.05 or $1.16!!
I highly recommend Uber!
Or for familiarity, and that’s perfectly OK. Use Uber.
Stay safe and take a taxi at night. In fact, if you use my Uber Affiliate code – 3krwf3hree9q – you’ll get €5 off the first 5 rides!
Wow!
IS GEORGIA SAFE?
Sure it is. Everyone is welcome!
Of course!
Ordinary people don’t carry weapons of any kind. There isn’t a need to! They say that most accidents and deaths occur near to, or in the home. Statistically, you’re safer outside your home! And obviously, you should be aware of any scams going on as sadly, that’s likely to be everywhere. Even at home!ANYTHING ELSE?
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