GEORGIA
Georgia lies to the east of the Black Sea, in southwestern Asia and a large portion of it is located in the South Caucasus, while a part of the territory lies in the North Caucasus as well. The country shares borders with Russia in the north and Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in the south. Georgia was formerly a Republic of the Soviet Union and has been beset by ethnic and civil strife since independence in 1991.
Comprising a cluster of cultures, religions, fascinating landscapes and ancient history the country provides something for everyone likes - from snowy peaks to subtropical shores, from deserts to lush forests, from cities to enchanting villages.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Covering an area of 69,875 sq. km, Georgia is not a very large country. The terrain of the country is mostly mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south.
Georgia has a humid, sub-tropical climate, where the winters are mild and the summers are hot. The mountain region of the country, which lies to the northwest, is much colder than the rest of the country.
The best time to holiday in the country is mostly during summer however, for visiting the larger cities like Atlanta, it is considered that spring and fall are the best seasons.
PEOPLE AND LANGUAGES
This small country has a population of 5,160,042. Over 70% of this population is of Georgian origin and the minority is made up of such ethnic groups as Armenian, Russian, Azeri, Ossetian and Abkhaz. Orthodox Christianity is practiced by the majority of the people; religious institutions are separate from government and every citizen has the right of religion.
Over 80% of the people of Georgia speak Georgian, making it the official language of the country though a lot of Russian too can be heard around as well.
ECONOMY AND CURRENCY
The monetary unit of Georgia is called the Lari (GEL).
Due to its location on the Black Sea and later on the famed Silk Route, Georgia has always trade links with several countries. During its period of Soviet occupation, the economy of Georgia was modeled on the Russian economy but today it follows a free market economy.
GETTING TO GEORGIA
Regular flights from Athens, Frankfurt/M, Kiev, Moscow, Paris, Prague, Tel Aviv and Vienna are operated by Airzena Georgian Airlines (A9).
The main airport is at Tbilisi and from there mini-buses and taxis are available that will take you to the city center.
The ports of Batumi and Poti provide international connections with sea ports in Bulgaria, Ukraine and Russia, so travel by water is possible too.
CAPITAL AND MAJOR CITIES
Lying on the banks of the Kura River is the country’s largest city and its capital, Tbilisi. Founded in the 5th century, it was made the Georgian capital in the 6th century and being strategically located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, it has often been the point of contention between various rivaling powers and empires.
The city has a lively Mediterranean atmosphere, created by its vine- shrouded around which the stone houses are built and its winding streets.
Tbilisi has a lot to offer the tourist- numerous frescoed churches, the most striking being the fifth-century Sioni Cathedral, 19th-century houses with arcaded open galleries, a castle and a surprising number of cafes and tempting tourist shops selling locally produced arts and crafts.
The other main cities of the country are equally alluring and include- Kutaisi (second largest city), Batumi, Sokhumi, Gori and Poti, to name a few.
Nightlife
Nightlife in the country is actually still in its infancy. Some of the most popular bars, clubs and pubs are in Tbilisi and Batumi. Other than that only international hotels have bars and clubs.
The King David Club in the basement of the Adjara Hotel in Tbilisi is probably the best established. Almost every night, there is live jazz followed by disco, at King David.
Shopping
Visit art salons or special tourist shops, to buy the distinctive ceramics, embroidery and jewelry of Georgia, to take back souvenirs or keepsakes from your Georgian holiday.
The country has some locally produced wines and brandies and some of you who love their ‘spirits’ might like to take back some for friends or family as well.
In case you are planning on buying the famous Georgian rugs and icons, it would be useful to know that these items attract a heavy export duty and must be licensed for export by the Ministry of Culture.
Rustaveli and Chavchavadze Avenue comprise the key shopping streets of the country although you can explore a little deeply to find little alleys etc. where you can find a good bargain, if you have the time.
Food and drink
Eating is almost the national pastime of the country and as legend has it, the Georgians were so busy eating when God was distributing land, that there was hardly any land left for them.
Walnut forms an integral part of the Georgian and it is used in almost every dish.
National delicacies include- Lobio, which is a bean and walnut salad, a dish made from cured meat and assorted fresh and pickled vegetables, called Basturma, Khachapuri, which consists of layers of flat bread alternated with melting cheese and pkhali, which is made from young spinach leaves pounded together with spices.
A fruity, red wine, which is reputed to have been Stalin’s favorite tipple and also a national favorite, is called Kindzmareuli. You could also try the dry white wine Tsinandali.
TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
On Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare, Prospekt Rustaveli, explore for it many wonderful stylish structures testifying to the city’s prosperity at the turn of the century.
At the Georgian State Museum on Prospekt Rustaveli there is a collection of icons, frescoes and porcelain, as well as an outstanding display of jewelry discovered in pre-Christian Georgian tombs.
From the Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi, first established by the Persians in the fourth century AD and most recently rebuilt in the 17th century, witness the spectacular views.
Georgia boasts of several of World Heritage sites and the more famous one include- Mtskheta, which remained the center of Georgian Christianity until the 12th century and Svetitskhoveli, the 15th-century Cathedral (Pillar of Life), standing at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, which was the holiest place in old Georgia.
You will be amazed by the Samtavro Monastery at Mtskheta, which is still functioning although founded in the 11th century and is famous as the burial place for the first Christian king, Mirian and his wife Nana.
If you are in the Georgia in October, attend the largest annual celebration in Georgia, the Tbilisoba, which commemorate the founding of Tbilisi.
Just north of the Metekhi Bridge in Tbilisi, there are the health-giving sulphur baths in a domed, oriental-style 19th-century bath house, which have become very popular among visitors.
Borjomi, 150km (93 miles) west of Tbilisi, is the spa town, which was developed by Tsar Nicholas in the 19th century and produces much acclaimed mineral water.
There are several sea resorts in the country and each one of them has its own unique character, some of the more popular ones are- Sarpi, Kueriati, Gonia, Kobuleh, Grigoleti and Ureki.
Trek and hike and explore the country’s numerous national parks and nature reserves- the Tusheti National Park and Vashlovani National Park, Nature Reserve, Lagodechi National Park and Nature Reserve, Borjomi-Kharogauti and Kolcheti National Parks.
The mountain regions of the Caucasus gives opportunities to indulge in several adventurous activities, like, hiking, skiing, ski touring, heli-skiing and snowboarding.
Horse riding and mountain biking can also be done as there are numerous mountain roads and tracks.
ACCOMMODATION
Previously, when Georgia was under the Soviet regime mostly all its hotels were government owned but today many hotels now privatized and standards of tourist facilities far higher than in previous years.
Some of the best hotels are in Tbilisi and they are expensive.
Batumi and Kutaisi too have a number of good hotels.
For budget travelers there are bed & breakfast-type smaller hotels and guest houses typically serving eight to 16 guests, often with shared bathroom facilities.
If you want to visit the rural areas, you can stay as guests in private houses.
TRAVELLING THE COUNTRY
The Airzena Georgian Airlines runs domestic flights between Tbilisi and Butani, Kutaisi and Senaki.
The country has a fundamentally sound railway infrastructure but due to the conflict in Abkhazia visitors are advised not to undertake long-distance rail travel. If you do plan on to travel by train, it would be safer if you store their valuables in the compartment under the seat/bed and not to leave the compartment unattended.
If you are planning on exploring the country by road and plan to self-drive, you should be aware, that it is difficult to buy fuel without highly specialized local knowledge and that an adequate supply of fuel should be obtained in Tbilisi beforehand.
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