Georgia, located in the Caucasus, is a country that lies below Russia and over the Caucasus Mountains. It’s gaining popularity among travelers for its beauty, ease of getting around and cuisine. If you’ve never heard of this country before, here’s a little bit of information about it.
Locals
Many of the locals love guests. They pride themselves on hospitality and truly believe that guests are sent from God. They value friendships, but it may take a while for them to gain trust in visitors. Some of the locals in this country are extremely depressed so if they seem to not be openly friendly towards a visitor, it’s usually just part of their nature rather than the disliking of the actual visitor.
Where To Visit
Batumi- This city is lined with palm trees and is on the Black Sea. This is an excellent place to go swimming.
Kakheti Wineries- Not only are their beautiful grounds here, but there are a variety of wines to try.
Borjomi- Here you will find a national park and the summer palace of the Russian Romanov’s dynasty.
Tbilisi- This capital is the largest in Georgia and is considered to be the most cosmopolitan city in the country.
Davit Gareja- Overlooking the Azerbaijani desert, this 6th century cave monastery is located on a mountain.
Upper Svaneti- This region is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Getting Around
Taxis are considered to be the easiest way of getting around Georgia. They are also fairly cheap, but drivers can raise their prices slightly for unsuspecting travelers. To avoid this, negotiate the price before getting into the cab. While some taxis do use a meter, they often won’t turn them on unless you ask them to do so. Minibuses, called marshrutkas, are gaining popularity. They have established routes and can be hailed by putting your hand out, palm down. They can commonly found in more well populated areas by markets and bus stations. They have signs in their front window that let you know what destination they are going too. Trains in Georgia offer a lot of stops and are relatively cheap. They do tend to be slow so if you do plan on taking the train, allot enough time from one destination to another. If you are feeling adventurous you can rent a bike in larger towns to get around. This will allow you to see destinations that are more remote.
What To Eat And Drink
Georgia is filled with restaurants. Popular dishes include:
Khachapuri- This bread is filled with cheese and resembles a cheese pie.
Mtsvadi- This marinated pork or veal is placed on a stick with onions and is grilled.
Khinkali- This spiced and minced meat dumpling is often served in large quantities.
Ajabsandali- This vegetable ratatouille of sorts varies with each restaurant it is served at, but tends to be equally delicious.
Chacha- This drink is a type of moonshine made from a variety of fruits.
Wine- Georgia has been referred to as the birthplace of wine. No matter what type of wine you try in this country, it’s bound to be delicious.
Where To Stay
One of the things that Georgia is lacking on is its accommodations, but it’s growing every year. Tbilisi and Batumi tend to have the best hotels. While other cities do have a few, they can be overpriced and lack basic necessities. Another option is staying at a private home in the countryside. While these homes can be cheap, you will not get a lot of privacy.
