Related Georgia Favorites Tips

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Favorite thing: Batumi is one of the livelier cities of Georgia and a popular summer destination due to its ideal climate, scenic beauty and many amenities. It is the capital city of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara in the country of Georgia. Its coastal location and sub-tropical climate make it a popular city for vacationers across the Caucasus, although few western tourists venture in its direction. It's the party capital of the region with a night life to match which increasingly includes big name international DJs on the beach-front clubs. July/ August are the time for Georgian sea lovers to plan their summer vacation and itinerary. Batumi is fast becoming a popular summer destination a wide choice of hotels that offer comfort, and convenience at an affordable price.

People of Batumi
Batumi is blessed with natural beauty, character and a unique culture of warm-hearted hospitality. The citizens of Batumi are mainly Georgians along with some Russians, Greeks, Armenians and Ukrainians amongst other. Georgians are known to be highly tolerant of other peoples and religions. A Georgian grows up believing and practicing two facets of life- guests come from God and Friendship rules the roost-as a person’s worth is judged not by how much money he or she has in his pocket but how many friends he has. The Georgian society places their Women on the highest pedestal and accords them with great courtliness.

The New Batumi: Batumi, they say, is becoming a showcase of how quickly one of the so-called "frozen conflicts" of the former Soviet Union, which has been fought over in Georgia, can thaw out. Charming old buildings have been restored and attractive new ones are joining them.

Read more on Erapalace website

Fondest memory: Batumi Beach, Erapalace hotel, Shashliki, Acharuli pizza

Favorite thing: Unlike Armenia..entry for Americans and EU citizens is free at the boarder. I came by land from Armenia and entry was faster than leaving Armenia. A simple stamp and after running your bag through the x-ray machine...you're in.

Favorite thing: I can recomend you to visit Tbilisi baths, nice building and interesting experience ;-) I liked also to visit Opera house - so beautifull interior and good balet dancers. you can check www.opera.ge . It was really surprise for me to get tickets one day before balet and even you can buy the same day, if there is not some special event. if you eat chease, so hachapuri is good food for you ;-) My favourite hachapuri place in Tbilisi was in the very end of Rustaveli avenue, on the corner. Not very atractive interior, but I liked it to be there. You will see, that there are many locals eating in this place. It was tradition to visit there at least once per day ;-) tbilisi is beautifull and I wish you a nice trip.

Fondest memory: I miss Svaneti from Georgia. I would like to come back there.

Favorite thing: There are 3 GSM networks there:
1. Geocell
2. Magti
3. Bline

Bline is the one that has the least good reception there but is also the least expensive.
Geocell and Magti has reception in most of the places we went, we used Magti.
You can buy a local SIM card for 5 Lari and then charge it with money. You can buy the charging cards almost anywhere.

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Favorite thing: Skiing, Hiking, Mountain climbing

Fondest memory: Georgia as treavel destination..?

The republic of Georgia has a lot to offer to tourists, for example subtropical landscapes with citrus fruit and tea fields, a coastline with palm trees, magnificent mountains with climbing and trekking opportunities and ski resorts. But Georgia also has

a Christian culture dating from the first century and is the cradle of wine-making and drinking.
According to the website of the Georgian Department of Tourism and Resorts, the number of foreign visitors to Georgia has increased by 45 % between 2000 and 2005. This is probably the result of the improvement of tourist infrastructure. More Tbilisi hotels are being connected to international booking systems, it has become easier to book not only a flight but also a hotel through a regular travel agent in most countries. Information is available in English and more people speak English. The transport system has improved. Internet cafes make communication easier. And most importantly, the flight and hotel prices have gone down, making Georgia more competitive as a tourist destination. In Tbilisi hotels are now available from $ 20 per night.

Despite all this, Georgia still needs a lot of investments to meet world standards for mass-tourism.

more information: http://www.kaukasus.nl

Photo Gallery Georgia and Caucasus:
http://www.kaukasus.nl/photoalbum/index.php

Favorite thing: It is vital that travellers get insurance before heading off into Georgia because Georgia is the least stable state in the region. If you plan on going into Tusheti and beyond then I heard of travellers obtaining hostage insurance which would end up turning out to be a bad idea if you can get it. The hospital situation is not good and the country is still working on improving their standards and it will be some time before they are on par with central Europe. Tbilisi has some Western clinics but my Georgian friends said they can be very expenisve. Your best bet is to set off to the Caucasian states when you are in great health because if you show up ill or injured then the fattening diet and alcohol will burn you out.

Favorite thing: During the reign of Queen Tamara (1184 - 1212) the kingdom reached the apex of its political, economic and cultural might a golden age of great advances in culture and arts. In 1201-1203, Georgians took and annexed the Armenian capitals of Ani and Dvin. In 1204, Tamara's army occupied the city of Kars, and shortly after helped to found the Empire of Trebizond on the southern shore of the Black Sea (whose capital is now the Turkish city of Trabzon).

Fondest memory: As she sponsored the construction of numerous churches throughout the territory she controlled, many frescoes inside churches represent Queen Tamara, canonised after her death.

Favorite thing: King David II Aghmashenebeli (the builder) came to trone in 1089, drove the Seljuk Turks out of Tbilisi, where he moved the capital (for a short period, though), and made Georgia into something of a local superpower.

David the Builder’s epoch greatly influenced the national perception of the Georgians. They are still proud of David’s victories and dream of his glorious reign, and his image is promoted by the state in order to streghten the national identity.

Fondest memory: The nation’s current flag is based on David’s standard, and the name of “the Builder” is present in virtually every Georgian town.