Georgia Travel Facts

Georgia lies on the border between Europe and Asia, bordering Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The country offers surprisingly good cuisine, great landscapes, impressive monasteries and a lot of hospitality from the inhabitants.

Source: Destination Explorer

Fast facts to know

• Almost a third of Georgia’s population lives in Tbilisi.
• Wine was invented in Georgia.
• Georgians love rugby.
• The deepest cave in the world is in Georgia.
• In Georgia there are three 5000m mountains.
• The road conditions are only very good on the big, well-known routes. An SUV is recommended. Driving in cities is exhausting and requires concentration.
• Hiking in Georgia is wonderful.
• Hospitality is very important.
• You can enter Germany without a visa.
• Apart from the border areas with South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia, Georgia is considered to be quite safe. Tourism is booming.
• Wifi is available almost everywhere, but the network is fragile and mostly slow.
• Medical care outside of cities is rather poor.
• There is no compulsory insurance, the usual standard vaccinations such as hepatitis A are recommended. Rabies is also an issue.
• Georgia has 12 different climate zones.
• Georgia is known for its choral folk music.

Exciting cities in Georgia

• Tbilisi
• Batumi
• Mtskheta
• Kutaisi

History of Georgia

• 6th century the states of Colchis (West Georgia) and Iberia (East Georgia) are established.
• 327 Christianity becomes the state religion.
• Subdued over the centuries by Romans, Persians, Byzantines and Arabs.
• 11th-13th Century Golden Age. Georgia becomes the strongest power in Transcaucasia.
• 16th century Disintegration into the kingdoms of Imereti, Kakheti and Kartli as well as five principalities.
• 1783 Eastern Georgia signs a protection treaty with Russia.
• 1801 Eastern Georgia is annexed.
• By 1864, Russia conquered all regions of Georgia.
• 1918 After the October Revolution, Georgia declares independence.
• 1921 The Democratic Republic of Georgia is occupied by the Red Army and incorporated into the Soviet Union.
• 1991 Georgia declares independence again after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• 2008 Open war with Russia over South Ossetia conflict.

Climate & travel weather in Georgia

• 3 climate zones:
  • Black Sea coast, Colchis plain west of the Surami mountains: subtropical-Mediterranean, partly humid climate.
  • East of the Surami mountains: continental, drier climate.
  • Mountainous regions: alpine climate.
• Recommended travel time:
  • April – October (better to avoid winter).

Ideas for trips in Georgia

• Gergeti Monastery.
• Davit Gareja monastery complex.
• Fortified and cave town Uplistsikhe.
• Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta.
• Gelati and Motsameta monasteries.
• Vardzia Cave Monasteries.
• Rafting on wild river.
• Prometheus Cave.
• Boat ride through Martvili Canyon.
• Hike to the highest village in Georgia – Ushguli.
• Ateni Sioni Church.
• Kazchi Pillar Monastery.
• Muzo Fortress.
• Shatili Fortress.
• Ananuri Fortress.

Food & Drink in Georgia

• Perceptible Persian, European and Asian influences, once the flagship kitchen of Russia.
• Georgians are excellent hosts. It is always served in abundance to show the generosity of the host.
• Georgian cuisine is very varied and is one of the best in Eastern Europe.
• Great variety of fresh fruit and vegetables all year round.
• Better not to buy meat products from street stalls.
• We like to prepare: pork, beef, mutton, but also bear, deer, mountain goat, rabbit, quail, pheasant and fish.
• Common side dishes are corn, wheat, beans
• Georgia is considered the place of origin of viticulture. Correspondingly excellent wines can be found all over the country.
• Typical dishes:
  • Khachapuri (cheese bread).
  • Khinkali (dumplings filled with onions, minced meat and pepper).
  • Pelamuschi (sweet pudding cooked from grape juice and cornmeal).
  • Chink’ali (noodle balls filled with minced meat, onions and herbs).
  • Shkhmeruli (fried chicken with walnuts and garlic).

Particularly scenic

• Svaneti
• Wine region in Kakheti
• Okatse Canyon & Waterfall
• Natural Parks:
  • Tbilisi National Park
  • Vashlovani National Park
  • Mtirala National Park
  • Tusheti National Park
  • Javakheti National Park
  • Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
  • Kolkheti National Park
• Abudelauri Lakes