Is it safe to travel to Georgia in Europe?

And so ladies and gentlemen, this here post, is the very last article about Georgia!

Oh no!

I know!

I could tell you all about the great time that I had in Georgia.

Or.

You could read all about it yourself. Here are the links:

• How to use the train in Europe 2019 – 10 tips to help you!
• I’m going to Poland, Georgia & Ukraine – What fun!
• Let’s go to Georgia. In Europe!
• Brexit is Boring!
• 30 Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Berlin, you’re not a teenager anymore!
• An introduction to Georgia. Not that one. The other one!
• The British Berliner is 6 years old. It’s my birthday and I’ll sing if I want to!
• An introduction to Tbilisi – 5 places you have to visit!
• Georgia – a basic guide to food!

You’re welcome!

THE FACTS:

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, and 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!

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!

I’m British and I live in Europe. People always write to me about one very important issue and that is:

I’M SCARED TO TRAVEL ABROAD!

You don’t need to be.

Let me 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, however.

However!

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, there were political protests and demonstrations a few days ago and official advice is against ALL travel to the Western part of Georgia namely the breakaway 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.

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However, if you have any concerns, or need further help or information, I recommend the following:

• Stay away from large crowds
• Don’t leave bags or baggages unattended
• Take care of your belongings and passports at all airports, train stations, restaurants, tourist sights, etc.
• Remain vigilant but don’t go crazy and finger-point at random innocent people going about their business
• 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 travel

The point I’m trying to make is:

DON’T LET FEAR TAKE CONTROL!

Walk outside your front door.

Drive your car.

Get on that train.

Take a flight.

Sail on a ship.

Take a step at a time.

Don’t let fear take control!

TAKE ME THERE!

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 flew!

There are 42 airlines that fly into the country.

I flew from Berlin to Tbilisi – via Turkish Airlines.

My outward journey from Berlin Tegel (TXL) to Tbilisi (TBS) with a stop-over in Istanbul, took 7 hours and 25 minutes. My return journey from Tbilisi with a stop-over, took just 6 hours and 15 minutes.

However, you don’t even need to fly, as you can either take a ferry from ports in the Black Sea region, the train from Azerbaijan or take a bus from the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey!

Note: I don’t recommend driving as country roads are awful!

IS IT GOING TO BE CROWDED?

Not in the Autumn it isn’t!

In fact, there were very few tourists around, as “the season,” was effectively over.

But in the 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?

I was only there for 5 days, but 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!

I DON’T SPEAK GEORGIAN!

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?

Ha! Ha! Not unless you want to!

I’M ON A BUDGET. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

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?

Absolutely!

Start here!

WHAT ABOUT TRANSPORT POSSIBILITIES?

Georgia is pretty small, and in Tbilisi, quite walkable.

And of course, you could take the bus or a taxi.

I was given a car and chaffeur to use but I also spent half a day rambling around the city alone, so after an exhausting walk up and down steep hills, I decided to take a taxi.

Uber isn’t supported in Georgia but they do have Yandex Taxi which works very well in Georgia, Russia & Ukraine! You can download the Yandex Taxi App here

My discount code is: xyn948lf which will give you a discount of €3.00 off your first ride if you pay by card. And for that, you’ll practically ride for free, as my taxi fare was …

Wait for it.

€1.05 or $1.16!!

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, you’ll get €10 off the first 3 rides!

Wow!

IS GEORGIA SAFE?

Of course!

• Crime rates in many countries are low
• Standards of living are high
• Education is free, therefore literacy is high
• Many Europeans speak at least three languages
• There is social security, therefore the social gap is lower than outside the European continent
• Health and health insurance is taken seriously and in many cases, is the law
• Social infrastructure works wonderfully and is available to all
• Tolerance is extremely high
• Fairness and truth are important
• 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?

Yep!

Georgian food is very nice.

But not all of it.

Be aware that service at some of the “better” establishments might be lacking!

MY VERDICT:

I liked it very much!

Georgia’s got culture, has a vibrant history and isn’t over-run by the package tourist.

Yet.

It’s also extremely cheap.

What not to like?

For many international visitors, Georgia isn’t a destination that immediately comes to mind, but if you’re in the Caucasus area, make it a point of duty to spend a few weeks days, in as many places as you can manage.

If you’re looking for a new destination that isn’t really on the beaten path, say hello – GEORGIA!

WOULD I COME AGAIN?

Totally!

Georgia is a wine-filled adventure, and I can’t wait to visit again.

Let’s do it!

However, if you’re still not sure take a peep.

There’s loads of people who have been to Georgia and many have written about their experience.

I’ve done the research, so you don’t have to!

Find out more about Georgia here!

And here!

Here!

Or here!

And as ever, don’t just take my word for it.

Go see for yourself.

That’s it for now.

See you next week!

p.s If you’re booking hotels, houses and apartments, use this link to save 20% or more, between 5th January and 31st March 2021!

Booking.com

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO GEORGIA IN EUROPE?

This article is possible thanks to the support of Tbilisi City Hall who invited me to discover the city of Tbilisi, nevertheless, absolutely all opinions and the great time that I had, are my very own!

For travelling across Europe, or from Germany, please take a look at the tabs at the top of the article, my country destination page and book your hotel here!

I’ve got plans for Autumn.

If you’re not in Berlin, you’re a lost soul!

Watch this space!

Note! I never travel without insurance as you never know what might happen.

I learnt my lesson in Spain. And obviously, in countries like Qatar, where technically the risk is higher, I can’t imagine going that far beyond WITHOUT INSURANCE. No siree! You can get yours here, at World Nomads!

So what are you waiting for?

Thanks a million!

Is it safe to travel to Georgia in Europe? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

See you in Berlin.

If you have any questions, send me a Tweet, talk to me on Facebook, find me on LinkedIn, make a comment below or send me an Email: victoria@thebritishberliner.com

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