Tbilisi, Georgia
May 27th, 2021, 06:38 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,811
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tbilisi, Georgia
Reading a Dick Francis book, I was first aware of the Georgia in Russia. Francis provided a stereotype of a hard drinking group but with the best food in the country. I just caught a PBS visit to Tbilisi and am enthralled. Off to read more trip reports about this fascinating place. In the meantime, anyone have it on your travel radar?
May 27th, 2021, 07:34 AM
#4
My trip to Georgia was a while back, but you can read about it starting here (links at the top of the page): https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...ttered-batumi/
It's in Asia by virtue of being east of the Dardanelles, but it's also west of the Urals. I thought it more European than Asian.
It's in Asia by virtue of being east of the Dardanelles, but it's also west of the Urals. I thought it more European than Asian.
May 27th, 2021, 06:22 PM
#6
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We will be in Armenia and Georgia this June. My wife used to work for Synetic Theatre in Arlington, VA which is a movement theatre company started by folks from Georgia and Russia. Their work is truly amazing, and there is a similar theatre company performing right now in Tblisi.
Trending Topics
May 30th, 2021, 06:19 PM
#8
Georgia is an increasingly popular tourist destination, largely through group tours
TDudette,
Many travel companies with a particular focus on history, archaeology, mountain scenery, and/or wine visit Georgia, often grouping it with its Transcaucasian neighbors Armenia and sometimes Azerbaijan as well. This threesome is definitely on my list. Armenia was actually the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion (in 303). Georgia and Armenia were Christian bulwarks against the Arab caliphates and the Turks for hundreds of years, and offer castles, churches and monasteries like much of Europe, albeit in a in a distinct architectural vernacular. Here are links to some tours of this area offered by various companies or non-profit groups:
https://www.archaeological.org/tour/...orgia-armenia/ [American Institute of Archaeology]
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/e...tion-packages/ [National Geographic Expeditions]
https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/...jan/itinerary/ [Smithsonian Journeys]
https://www.geoex.com/trips/caucasus...orgia-armenia/ [Geographic Expeditions]
I think Bradt is widely considered to publish one of the best guides to Georgia.
Many travel companies with a particular focus on history, archaeology, mountain scenery, and/or wine visit Georgia, often grouping it with its Transcaucasian neighbors Armenia and sometimes Azerbaijan as well. This threesome is definitely on my list. Armenia was actually the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion (in 303). Georgia and Armenia were Christian bulwarks against the Arab caliphates and the Turks for hundreds of years, and offer castles, churches and monasteries like much of Europe, albeit in a in a distinct architectural vernacular. Here are links to some tours of this area offered by various companies or non-profit groups:
https://www.archaeological.org/tour/...orgia-armenia/ [American Institute of Archaeology]
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/e...tion-packages/ [National Geographic Expeditions]
https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/...jan/itinerary/ [Smithsonian Journeys]
https://www.geoex.com/trips/caucasus...orgia-armenia/ [Geographic Expeditions]
I think Bradt is widely considered to publish one of the best guides to Georgia.
May 31st, 2021, 05:48 AM
#10
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I usually travel independently, but there are times when a guide and sometimes a driver is called for, depending on what you want to accomplish and how much time or money you are wiling to spend adjusting to how things operate in another country. Also, there are parts of Armenia and Georgia you can't travel to because of the political situation. The situation on the ground is in flux. For example, in Georgia I am told the upper monastery (Udabno) at Davit Gareja is off limits at the moment. And in Armenia, same goes for the petroglyghs at Ughtasar.
Armenia used to be bigger, both geographically and in terms of population. The Armenian diaspora is enormous. I suspect that so many people in the US know someone of Armenian heritage, so traveling there is not just a question of what's there, but if and how you can relate to it.
Armenia used to be bigger, both geographically and in terms of population. The Armenian diaspora is enormous. I suspect that so many people in the US know someone of Armenian heritage, so traveling there is not just a question of what's there, but if and how you can relate to it.
Oct 12th, 2021, 02:43 PM
#12
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Three days ago I returned from spending 8 days in Georgia, and here are my impressions.
1. it’s a GREAT value country. If you are a budget traveler, that’s available at great rates. If you want to spend more and be spoiled a bit, that’s not much more than a budget traveler would pay in almost any European country. I’m 70 with some arthritis in hips and backs, so walking too much isn’t conducive to a wonderful touring day. Get a Bolt app and take a taxi almost anywhere for so little you wonder if it pays for the gas.
2. Transportation is pretty easy. We went to Batumi from Tblisi and back on the very modern and comfortable train. It was roughly $8 for 2nd class seats and $20 for first class each way for a trip that is 5+ hours. As I said, Bolt is great for taxi service. I hired a private driver and van (there were 5 of us) for a day trip to the mountains, and that was reasonable.
3. I found English more prevalent in Tblisi than in Batumi. I heard much more Russian than English in Batumi. But we could order at any restaurant in either English or Russian without any issues.
4. if you are on a low carb diet, you might want to stay away.
But the food was fantastic whether we went to a pricier restaurant or a local cafe. We tried to find a bad meal - and failed.
5. Of course the wine is plentiful and good. I tend to drink drier reds, but found some of the semi-sweet wines to be excellent. We went to a wine tasting, and I was surprised that I liked the semi-sweet ones as much as I did.
6. People, wherever we were, were super hospitable. In my brief experience, the reputation of Georgians to be warm, gracious hosts was really true.
7. The country is gorgeous! As I traveled, I saw parts of Romania, Italy, my home state of Colorado, Switzerland - and surprisingly a spot that reminded me of New Zealand.
We were there on a really unusual, bad weather week. We saw the sun for 3-4 hours the first day and then it disappeared. But even with gray skies and low clouds, it’s still a spectacular country. I look forward to going back and spending more time exploring the country.
1. it’s a GREAT value country. If you are a budget traveler, that’s available at great rates. If you want to spend more and be spoiled a bit, that’s not much more than a budget traveler would pay in almost any European country. I’m 70 with some arthritis in hips and backs, so walking too much isn’t conducive to a wonderful touring day. Get a Bolt app and take a taxi almost anywhere for so little you wonder if it pays for the gas.
2. Transportation is pretty easy. We went to Batumi from Tblisi and back on the very modern and comfortable train. It was roughly $8 for 2nd class seats and $20 for first class each way for a trip that is 5+ hours. As I said, Bolt is great for taxi service. I hired a private driver and van (there were 5 of us) for a day trip to the mountains, and that was reasonable.
3. I found English more prevalent in Tblisi than in Batumi. I heard much more Russian than English in Batumi. But we could order at any restaurant in either English or Russian without any issues.
4. if you are on a low carb diet, you might want to stay away.
But the food was fantastic whether we went to a pricier restaurant or a local cafe. We tried to find a bad meal - and failed.5. Of course the wine is plentiful and good. I tend to drink drier reds, but found some of the semi-sweet wines to be excellent. We went to a wine tasting, and I was surprised that I liked the semi-sweet ones as much as I did.
6. People, wherever we were, were super hospitable. In my brief experience, the reputation of Georgians to be warm, gracious hosts was really true.
7. The country is gorgeous! As I traveled, I saw parts of Romania, Italy, my home state of Colorado, Switzerland - and surprisingly a spot that reminded me of New Zealand.
We were there on a really unusual, bad weather week. We saw the sun for 3-4 hours the first day and then it disappeared. But even with gray skies and low clouds, it’s still a spectacular country. I look forward to going back and spending more time exploring the country.
Oct 14th, 2021, 05:39 AM
#13
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Three days ago I returned from spending 8 days in Georgia, and here are my impressions.
1. it’s a GREAT value country. If you are a budget traveler, that’s available at great rates. If you want to spend more and be spoiled a bit, that’s not much more than a budget traveler would pay in almost any European country. I’m 70 with some arthritis in hips and backs, so walking too much isn’t conducive to a wonderful touring day. Get a Bolt app and take a taxi almost anywhere for so little you wonder if it pays for the gas.
2. Transportation is pretty easy. We went to Batumi from Tblisi and back on the very modern and comfortable train. It was roughly $8 for 2nd class seats and $20 for first class each way for a trip that is 5+ hours. As I said, Bolt is great for taxi service. I hired a private driver and van (there were 5 of us) for a day trip to the mountains, and that was reasonable.
3. I found English more prevalent in Tblisi than in Batumi. I heard much more Russian than English in Batumi. But we could order at any restaurant in either English or Russian without any issues.
4. if you are on a low carb diet, you might want to stay away. But the food was fantastic whether we went to a pricier restaurant or a local cafe. We tried to find a bad meal - and failed.
5. Of course the wine is plentiful and good. I tend to drink drier reds, but found some of the semi-sweet wines to be excellent. We went to a wine tasting, and I was surprised that I liked the semi-sweet ones as much as I did.
6. People, wherever we were, were super hospitable. In my brief experience, the reputation of Georgians to be warm, gracious hosts was really true.
7. The country is gorgeous! As I traveled, I saw parts of Romania, Italy, my home state of Colorado, Switzerland - and surprisingly a spot that reminded me of New Zealand.
We were there on a really unusual, bad weather week. We saw the sun for 3-4 hours the first day and then it disappeared. But even with gray skies and low clouds, it’s still a spectacular country. I look forward to going back and spending more time exploring the country.
1. it’s a GREAT value country. If you are a budget traveler, that’s available at great rates. If you want to spend more and be spoiled a bit, that’s not much more than a budget traveler would pay in almost any European country. I’m 70 with some arthritis in hips and backs, so walking too much isn’t conducive to a wonderful touring day. Get a Bolt app and take a taxi almost anywhere for so little you wonder if it pays for the gas.
2. Transportation is pretty easy. We went to Batumi from Tblisi and back on the very modern and comfortable train. It was roughly $8 for 2nd class seats and $20 for first class each way for a trip that is 5+ hours. As I said, Bolt is great for taxi service. I hired a private driver and van (there were 5 of us) for a day trip to the mountains, and that was reasonable.
3. I found English more prevalent in Tblisi than in Batumi. I heard much more Russian than English in Batumi. But we could order at any restaurant in either English or Russian without any issues.
4. if you are on a low carb diet, you might want to stay away.
But the food was fantastic whether we went to a pricier restaurant or a local cafe. We tried to find a bad meal - and failed.5. Of course the wine is plentiful and good. I tend to drink drier reds, but found some of the semi-sweet wines to be excellent. We went to a wine tasting, and I was surprised that I liked the semi-sweet ones as much as I did.
6. People, wherever we were, were super hospitable. In my brief experience, the reputation of Georgians to be warm, gracious hosts was really true.
7. The country is gorgeous! As I traveled, I saw parts of Romania, Italy, my home state of Colorado, Switzerland - and surprisingly a spot that reminded me of New Zealand.
We were there on a really unusual, bad weather week. We saw the sun for 3-4 hours the first day and then it disappeared. But even with gray skies and low clouds, it’s still a spectacular country. I look forward to going back and spending more time exploring the country.
Low carb diet is very easy to follow as there are so many salad and meat choices. And when I say salad, I don't mean lettuce. Cabbage, beets, peppers, carrot, flat beans, red beans, eggplant, the list goes on. Sometimes with a spicy kick to it. Depending on the season, the fresh fruit can be various and great. I had loquat for the first time in Georgia. Pkhali is everywhere - various vegetables stuffed with a walnut paste. For the keto crowd, grilled meats are almost a religion. Almost any diet can be accommodated here with a wider variety of flavors better than anywhere else in the world. Vegans can go for breads without cheese, yet stuffed with beans or walnuts.
Oct 14th, 2021, 08:24 AM
#14
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@shelemm, that comment re low card diet was made with a bit of tongue in cheek.
I really appreciate your contributions here, your trip report to Georgia and Armenia was fantastic! In 1992 I was supposed to lead a group that was traveling to Moscow and then go to Georgia. Unfortunately at the time there were some “issues” between Georgia and Armenia and it was recommended that we postpone the Georgia portion - so we went to St Petersburg instead. So I’ve looked forward to seeing Georgia for a long time and it absolutely did not disappoint. Now I look forward to taking my wife back there in the next couple of years.
I really appreciate your contributions here, your trip report to Georgia and Armenia was fantastic! In 1992 I was supposed to lead a group that was traveling to Moscow and then go to Georgia. Unfortunately at the time there were some “issues” between Georgia and Armenia and it was recommended that we postpone the Georgia portion - so we went to St Petersburg instead. So I’ve looked forward to seeing Georgia for a long time and it absolutely did not disappoint. Now I look forward to taking my wife back there in the next couple of years.
