I’m going to visit Georgia again!

Posted on May 28, 2023 by thebritishberliner

THE FACTS!

Victoria Ade-Genschow - The British Berliner was at a local organic cafe in Tbilisi, Georgia. In the photo are the punch cocktails that she had, and two very intriguing white and blue salt and pepper shakers!

An introduction to Georgia; Tbilisi; City of Tbilisi; Georgia; Georgian; Caucasus; Europe; Central Asia; European; travel — 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!

In the photo is a young girl leaning against a traditional yellow-painted building. Above her is a white cat lying on a red roof.

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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!

In this photo is a young horse on a flowery hill, surrounded by snowy mountains.

foal; pony; horse; animal, wild horse; in the wild; wild pony; wild animal; pony outdoors; horse outdoors; foal outdoors; Georgian mountain; mountain in Georgia; Georgia; Georgian; Caucasus; Europe; European; travel; — 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?

In this photo is a woman holding the hand of a child. The woman has her back to the photographer and the young girl has a look of concern on her face.

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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 travel

TAKE ME THERE!

Victoria Ade-Genschow - The British Berliner - is holding her Turkish Airlines boarding pass, flight ticket, and passport to Tbilisi via Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines; airline; aeroplane; airport; flying; flight ticket; ticket; Turkish; Istanbul; Europe; Central Asia; European; travel; air travel; travel by air; transport; flight; flying; come fly with me; — 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 Ade-Genschow - The British Berliner - is standing in front of the Gabriadze Clock Tower in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Clock Tower is famous for being higgly-piggly!

Tbilisi; Gabriadze Clock Tower; Rezo Gabriadze; Gabriadze; Rezo; Clock Tower; clock; two clocks; clock; tower; higgledy-piggledy staircase; higgledy-piggledy; staircase; stairs; stained glass; artistic house; marionette theatre; theatre; puppet theatre; marionette theatre; culture; art; The Circle of Life; Circle of Life; life; City of Tbilisi; Georgia; Georgian; Caucasus; Europe; Central Asia; European; travel, solo travel; family travel; — 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?

In this photograph is a basket of local food and veg. in a field of hay.

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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!

In this photo are two traditionally-dressed Indian men with spears hooked into their mouth by decorated metal.
Speaking; speak; Hindi; Indian people; Indian; don't speak, Indian culture; Indian men; people; mouth; stick in mouth; culture; don't talk; no talking; talk; languages; language; Indian traditions; traditions — I don’t speak Georgian! Neither do they!

Not.

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?

Victoria Ade-Genschow - The British Berliner - was at the Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnology, where she was shown this hanging metal pot as an example of folk craftwork.

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©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?

Victoria Ade-Genschow - The British Berliner - was at a local restaurant for lunch. She is holding a piece of crusty breast covered with a sort of red pickle and spring onions.

bread; food; Georgian food; a basic guide to food; basic guide; a basic guide to Georgian food; a basic guide to food in Tbilisi; a basic guide to food in Georgia; food guide; guide Georgia; Georgian; Tbilisi; Tbilisi City Hall; City of Tbilisi; Tbilisi food; best food in Georgia; best food in Tbilisi; best Georgian meal; Georgian meal; Georgian snack; Tbilisian snack; meal; snack; restaurant; Georgian restaurant; Tbilisi restaurant; restaurant in Tbilisi; restaurant in Georgia; Europe; travel; — 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?

This photograph is of a young couple laughing, smiling, and having fun. They are on bikes with wicker baskets. In the background is a road lined by palm trees and other cyclists. Adjara Friends - Courtesy of Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) — Adjara Friends
Courtesy of Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA)

Absolutely!

Start Here!

WHAT ABOUT TRANSPORT POSSIBILITIES?

This photograph is of a blue local bus. Inside the bus are Georgian locals going about their day.

Tbilisi; bus; Georgian bus; bus in Georgia; city bus; public transport; travel through Georgia; Tbilisi City Hall; City of Tbilisi; Georgia; Georgian; Caucasus; Europe; European; travel — 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?

This photograph is of a group of Asian tourists in the foreground taking photographs of the local sights. In the background are more tourists of various nationalities.

tourists; travellers; international people; tourism; people; visitors; international visitors; international; people; groups of people; tourism; hospitality; photography; taking photos; tourists taking photos; Europe; EU; travel; — 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?

Victoria Ade-Genschow - The British Berliner at the Fabrika Factory in Tbilisi. Fabrika is an ex-Soviet sewing factory that has been turned into an artistic house for culture.

Fabrika; factory; Soviet sewing factory; sewing factory; sewing; urban space: urban; space; architecture; creative space; building; art; artistic house; culture; art; City of Tbilisi; Georgia; Georgian; Caucasus; Europe; Central Asia; European; travel — Victoria at Fabrika – an ex-Soviet sewing factory in Tbilisi!
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Georgia – September 2019

Yep!

This time around, I was invited by the Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University (TeSaU) as part of the HERiPRENEURSHIP Project / Study Visit to Georgia!

The HERiPRENEURSHIP Project is a project that aims to raise awareness of cultural heritage, and create new investment opportunities in tourism and the cultural and creative industries, at UNESCO designated areas in the Black Sea basin!

So of course, I’ll be starting from the capital city of Tbilisi, but I’ll also be visiting Mtskheta, Jvari, Samtavro, Svetistkhoveli, Shuamta, Tsinandali, and Telavi!

Yeah!

I’m going to visit Georgia again! Yay! This photograph is of a young man wearing sport clothes, leaping in Kakheti. In the background are rocky mountains. — I’m going to visit Georgia again! Yay!

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

Yet.

It’s also extremely cheap.

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!

Georgia is a wine-filled adventure, and I’ll be travelling there again!

You can too.

Let’s do it!

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I’m going to visit Georgia again!

Victoria Ade-Genschow - The British Berliner - is at home; working on her laptop. In the foreground you can see her website - The British Berliner. In the backround is one of her cats. She has two.

Victoria Ade-Genschow; The British Berliner; in Berlin; at home; cat; cats; pet; Berlin; Germany; travel; Europe; — Victoria at home in Berlin, with one of her cats!
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020

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Cheers!

I’m going to visit Georgia again!
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So what are you waiting for?

Thanks a million!

Have you ever been to Georgia? Are you surprised that I’m visiting again? 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