Set within one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world, Georgia’s diverse panorama of mountain ranges, fertile valleys and enchanting, picture book villages is also home to a unique culture – the culmination of its position at a crossroads between Europe and Asia.
Aside from its heart-rending natural beauty, the cultural attractions of its capital, Tbilisi, and its many important historical landmarks, Georgia’s richest asset is her people. In a country where a warm welcome for strangers is a way of life, Georgia is a delightful anomaly of ancient history and contemporary sophistication.
What to Do
Georgia is an up-and-coming tourist destination with no shortage of things to see and do. Between the coastal attractions of the Black Sea, the magnificent landscape of the Caucasus Mountains and the deeply entrenched history of Tbilisi, the country offers a rich diversity.
Birdwatchers, hikers and rafters can explore the expansive natural delights of the Lagodechi National Park and Nature Reserve, the Roshka Valley and the Tusheti National Park, while nature lovers can get up close and personal with wolves, lynx and brown bears in Vashlovani National Park and Nature Reserve.
The resorts of the Black Sea Coast offer fun in the sun in an exotic, picturesque locale, while, for wine lovers, the Kakheti province is the country’s lush wine growing region.
Local Cuisine
Hospitality is a vital part of the Georgian culture and the cuisine is reflective of this, comprising rich, flavoursome dishes ideal for sharing. While Georgian culinary customs have their own unique signature, their roots are steeped in the traditional techniques and ingredients of its Middle East and European influences.
Local favourites include the gooey Khachapuri, a warm flat bread pocket stuffed with melted cheese; Badrijan Nigzit, roasted strips of eggplant topped with walnut paste; Lobio, made from refried beans and served with the local version of cornbread, mchadi; and Churchkhela, a dried sweet made from strung walnuts dipped in boiled grape extract.
Climate
With hot summers and mild winters, the best times to visit are early autumn, from September to mid October, and early summer, in May and June. The hottest months of July and August can be very humid as well, as reaching temperatures of up to 40°C in the lowlands. For those planning a hiking holiday, however, the mountains of the Great Caucasus enjoy far cooler conditions in summer, and the ideal time to visit is June through to September.
How to Get to Georgia
Georgia’s main airport at Tbilisi is the most common entry point. While there are no direct flights from the UK to Tbilisi, a number of carriers operate flights with stopovers, including British Airways, KLM, Alitalia and Pegasus. Return flights can be found starting from £160 from London and £225 from Edinburgh, Manchester or Birmingham.
If you’ve got the time, you can travel overland from the UK to Georgia by train, via Paris, Eastern Europe and on to Tbilisi. It’s a marathon, but it’s certainly an adventure!
Whether you arrive by air or rail, the most comfortable way to get to your final accommodation from the airport or train station is by pre-booking a cost-effective shared or private transfer with Shuttle Direct.
Travelling to Georgia? Don’t Miss…
The centrepiece of Tbilisi’s labyrinthine Old Town, the magnificent 5th-century Sioni Cathedral is home to an important religious icon, the sacred cross of St Nino.
One of the country’s most unique natural attractions is Uplistsikhe, a large network of inhabited caves just outside Gori. While used as rudimentary dwellings since the 6th century BC, today the caves provide rather more upmarket homes, as well as a theatre, shops and wine cellars.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mtskheta was the ancient seat of Christianity here. The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral was constructed in the 15th century, at the meeting point of two rivers, on the alleged site Christ’s crucifixion robe was dropped. In this holiest of places, remnants of the robe are reportedly kept within.
About Shuttle Direct:
Whatever your style, budget or purpose of travel, Shuttle Direct has a range of fast, convenient shared or private transfer services to get you to and from your final destination. Our friendly drivers can meet you at any airport, train station or cruise port throughout Europe or North Africa to complete your onward journey safely and in style. Make an online booking via our easy to navigate system and your fixed price travel arrangements will be confirmed before you leave home.
