Blog

Georgia has emerged as a premier destination for adventurers pursuing genuine cultural encounters. This small Caucasus country captivates guests with its extraordinary fusion of historical landmarks and contemporary life, magnificent scenery, and enduring traditions spanning millennia.

Don’t let size deceive you – Georgia delivers grand-scale experiences. The towering Caucasus range, Europe’s tallest mountains, creates stunning backdrops, while landscapes shift dramatically from warm Black Sea shores to pristine gorges, monastery caves, and vineyard terraces beneath snow-crowned peaks. Every visitor leaves with indelible memories.

Optimal Travel Timing

Modern infrastructure makes Georgian exploration remarkably simple. Transportation innovations like Getmancar offer both car rental in Tbilisi and neighboring regions, plus cutting-edge car sharing via smartphone, letting travelers discover the country independently. Whether planning multi-day adventures or brief spontaneous trips, Getmancar’s versatile system merges traditional rental convenience with on-demand flexibility. Remote mountain villages and hidden monasteries now lie within easy reach for independent explorers.

Your ideal visit depends on interests and activities. Mountain lovers and serious hikers should target June through August when trails open fully and alpine conditions stabilize. Summer brings intense heat to lowlands, with Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi becoming particularly sweltering.

City explorers avoiding crowds and premium prices should choose May or September. These shoulder months deliver pleasant weather while attractions remain relatively quiet.

Winter (November-March) attracts fewer tourists as facilities close and high mountains become inaccessible. However, winter visitors find virtually empty destinations with accommodations offering annual low rates.

Trip Duration

Most international travelers journey considerable distances reaching Georgia, making stays under four nights inadequate. Seven days or more proves optimal, allowing thorough Tbilisi exploration, rural ventures, and minimum two mountain nights.

Arrival and Transport

Air travel dominates arrivals, with connections constantly expanding. Tbilisi’s modern airport processes numerous daily European flights plus regular Middle Eastern and Asian services. David the Builder Airport near Kutaisi specializes in budget carriers serving Eastern European routes.

Getting Around

Choose between marshrutky (private minivans on set routes) or vehicle rental. Car hire costs more but delivers unmatched freedom. Most tourists only use trains for the modern Tbilisi-Batumi connection.

Tbilisi’s two-line metro handles city transit well. Beyond metro zones, ride-hailing apps Yandex, Bolt, and Maxim offer affordable service. Domestic flights reach mountain areas like Svaneti and Racha, eliminating hours of winding roads.

Getmancar Transportation Solutions

Getmancar provides dual options: comprehensive car rental in Tbilisi plus innovative smartphone-based car sharing.

Rental Fleet: Well-maintained vehicles suit multi-day trips. Options include compact Honda Fit (from 70 ₾/day), sedans like Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla (from 90 ₾/day), SUVs including Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (from 90 ₾/day), and luxury Volkswagen EOS convertible (from 130 ₾/day). All include full insurance, seasonal tires, 24/7 support, and flexible airport pickup/drop-off. Extended periods receive discounts.

Car Sharing: App-based sharing enables minute, hour, or day rental – perfect for quick excursions. Download the app, locate vehicles, unlock via smartphone. Keys and documents wait inside.

Drivers need minimum 21 years age, Category B European license, and two-plus years experience. Three pricing tiers accommodate different needs. Payment processes automatically through registered cards within designated city zones.

Must-See Destinations

Tbilisi enchants with historic churches, atmospheric Old Town, and spectacular Sololaki ridge views via cable car. The capital earned global electronic music recognition, with Bassiani among elite clubbing venues.

The Georgian Military Highway to Stepantsminda ranks among Earth’s most scenic mountain drives. Witness the iconic hilltop church dramatically positioned against Mt Kazbek’s snowy peak.

Mountain Adventures

Georgia’s crown jewel is mountain time. Despite impressive heights – Mt Elbrus, Europe’s tallest, sits just across Russia’s border – these peaks remain surprisingly accessible.

Regular flights serve Mestia in once-remote Svaneti, enabling convenient Great Caucasus access. Non-hikers ride ski-lifts to Hatsvali for 360-degree panoramas. Trekkers discover unlimited trails, with the four-day Ushguli journey particularly memorable.

Wine Heritage

Georgia claims status as Earth’s oldest wine-producing nation, with 8,000-year archaeological evidence. Traditional qvevri method – fermenting in buried clay vessels – earned UNESCO recognition.

Kakheti region east of Tbilisi produces over 70% of national output. Visit family wineries, taste wines from qvevri, discover indigenous grapes Saperavi and Rkatsiteli. Many offer vineyard guesthouse accommodation with elaborate regional feasts.

Imereti and Racha regions craft distinctive wines. Tours range from day trips to multi-day countryside expeditions. September-October harvest season provides authentic experiences with grape-stomping and complete winemaking observation.

Culinary Culture

Georgian cuisine fuses European and Asian influences, earning worldwide culinary acclaim. Signature dishes showcase agricultural wealth and ancient techniques.

Khachapuri, the national dish, varies regionally – boat-shaped Adjarian style with egg and butter proves irresistible. Khinkali dumplings require proper technique: grasp the twisted top, bite carefully to sip juice, then finish. Locals count empty wrappers tracking consumption.

Street food thrives citywide. Find lobiani (bean bread), churchkhela (walnut-grape candy), and mtsvadi (grilled skewers). Markets overflow with produce, herbs, spices, and artisanal cheeses. Food tours introduce Georgian gastronomy; cooking classes teach classic preparations. Rural homestays deliver authentic experiences. Vegetarians and vegans find surprisingly accommodating options.

Black Sea Coast

Georgia’s coastline differs completely from mountain interiors. Batumi transformed into a modern resort retaining subtropical charm.

Batumi Boulevard, a 7-kilometer pedestrian promenade, ranks among Georgia’s most visited sites. Features include Alphabetic Tower with rotating restaurant, Ali and Nino kinetic sculpture, and Batumi Piazza – an Italian-style square with stunning mosaics.

Beaches balance relaxation and adventure. Batumi’s pebble shores offer sunbathing near city amenities, while Green Cape Beach caters to watersports enthusiasts. The Aquarium and Dolphinarium provides family entertainment.

Beyond beaches, explore State Museum of Adjara presenting regional history and archaeological treasures. Day trips reach Petra Justiniana, a Byzantine fortress built 535 CE showcasing strategic importance.

Cultural Events

Georgia’s festival calendar overflows year-round with authentic traditions from religious observances to folk celebrations.

Georgian Orthodox Christmas (January 7) features midnight liturgies and Alilo procession. Easter includes cathedral services and cemetery visits. Giorgoba (November 23) honors Saint George with services and harvest celebrations.

Berikaoba masquerade festival showcases folklore costumes and theatrical performances. Alaverdoba (September) combines pilgrimage with wine harvest. Tbilisoba (October) celebrates capital culture. Mountain shepherd festivals (May-June) feature horse races and polyphonic singing. Art-Gene Festival (July) promotes folk traditions at Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum.

Budget Considerations

Georgia remains affordable versus European destinations, though tourism growth has raised prices. Family guesthouses and hostels remain plentiful.

Hotels climbed from €40 to €60 recently. Apartments offer variable quality. Meals average €10 per person. Transportation delivers excellent value except traditional car rentals. Svaneti flights often cost less than minibus rides, though summer requires advance booking.

Cultural Insights

Georgian hospitality enjoys legendary status. Private home stays, especially mountain communities, showcase extraordinary generosity with lavish meals, homemade wine, chacha rounds, and heartfelt toasts. Guests may witness traditional dance or polyphonic singing.

Georgia ranks exceptionally safe. Primary concerns involve traffic – drive defensively. Following October 2024 elections, Tbilisi saw demonstrations – consult travel advisories.

Older Georgians speak Russian; under-40 urban residents know English. Youth and hospitality workers communicate well in English. Basic Georgian phrases earn appreciation.

Most Georgians practice Orthodox Christianity, appreciating respectful church attire. Women cover heads; men remove hats. Churches provide borrowed garments.

Georgia offers visa-free access to 100+ nations including EU, US, UK, Australia, Canada. Visa-requiring travelers apply via e-Visa Portal for US$20 with five-day processing.

Quick Reference

Source