"By having good memories in every place you visit,
you are building paradise in your own heart
and your life."
-- Toba Beta
you are building paradise in your own heart
and your life."
-- Toba Beta
Since we are living in Israel, we wanted to find a location that was less than a 3 three hour flight, so the Caucasus Region was a natural choice. Georgia is just a 2 hour and a half flight from Tel Aviv (Note: El Al and Georgian Airways fly directly to and from Ben Gurion International Airport). The gateway to Georgia is its capital, Tbilisi.
Here are some tips when you want to visit Georgia.
Here are some tips when you want to visit Georgia.
HOW TO GET AROUND GEORGIA?
From the airport, you can catch a taxi to your hotel. It is important to know to NOT use the green and white airport taxi. This limousine/airport taxi will charge you a ton of money for your airport transfer. Typically, taxi drivers will charge you anywhere from 15 to 25 GEL to get in and out of the airport. Learn from our mistake! Overpaying for taxi ruined our first day of vacation.
The city is easily navigable by foot. We did not try to use public transportation except for the city taxis. Taxi in Tbilisi is relatively cheap. Georgia is also named to be the 6th safest country in the world, so no need to worry about your safety.
The city is easily navigable by foot. We did not try to use public transportation except for the city taxis. Taxi in Tbilisi is relatively cheap. Georgia is also named to be the 6th safest country in the world, so no need to worry about your safety.
DO YOU NEED VISA TO GEORGIA?
Georgia is visa free for citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and other European countries. For more information, see here and you can check if you need visa to enter the country here.
Where to stay in tbilisi?
We stayed at Shota Rustaveli Boutique Hotel. The hotel's central location is just a short walk to Freedom Square and the Old Town. The hotel is newly constructed and affordable. This modern and stylish hotel is more than what you can ask for with its price tag, from cleanliness, comfort, down to warm and excellent customer service by the hotel staff. (Note: This is not a paid ad for Shota Rustaveli Boutique Hotel)
BONUS TIP
Georgia offers free sim card to tourists. We are so happy about this, and we were able to use the internet while traveling around Georgia (even on top of the mountains). You can get your free sim card at the airport as soon as you exit the claim area. You can also get your sim card at any Tour Company in Tbilisi. You have to load money on the sim card to be able to access the internet. You can purchase this at any PayBox around Tbilisi. Just follow the instructions on your sim card to activate it. For 5-7 GEL, you can get 500mb worth of internet. For a small amount of money, we were able to use Google Maps and research quickly where we want to eat. The price we paid was worth it since the signal the entire time (they have 4G) we were in Georgia was great, and the internet speed is good.
what to see and do in TBILISI?
1. BEST VIEW OF THE CITY
The best view of the city is just a cable ride away! You can find the cable car opposite the Old Town, near the Bridge of Peace. We were able to see sweeping views of the city, Narikala Fortress and Mother of Georgia at the top. We had fun taking photos of the city's remarkable buildings.
On the other hand, you can also go to Mtatsminda Park to see a more spectacular view of the city. We were able to find our way to the funicular railway that takes you up to the park. Sadly, the funicular did not work while we were there. We waited for a good 45 minutes so we can catch the golden hour at the amusement park, but unfortunately, we weren't able to do it.
On the other hand, you can also go to Mtatsminda Park to see a more spectacular view of the city. We were able to find our way to the funicular railway that takes you up to the park. Sadly, the funicular did not work while we were there. We waited for a good 45 minutes so we can catch the golden hour at the amusement park, but unfortunately, we weren't able to do it.
2. the famed sulphur baths
As pictured above, this is Tbilisi's famous Sulphur Baths. The name Tbilisi comes from the Georgian word - warm "თბილი—tbili." It reminded us of the Turkish Bath or hammam. If you are jet lagged or tired from day trips, you can relax here. You can easily book this experience for 40 GEL. (Note: The water is very very HOT so be prepared.)
3. marvel AND MEANDER AROUND TBILISI's TWO sides: OLD AND NEW
As you walk around the city, you can see that Tbilisi is modernizing and stepping into the future by building contemporary styled architecture, Bridge of Peace and Tbilisi Public Service Hall as an example. Soviet-era architecture, Art Noveau style apartments, paired with old style wooden buildings with nicely built verandas dotted the city. This contrast makes the city interesting and appealing to visitors. The Old Town is your typical Old Town, but its facade is also changing.
4. flavors of georgian cuisine AND WINE
Of course, we travel to taste good food. When in Georgia, you must try Khinkali and Khachapuri. Khinkali is basically like a soup dumpling with ground meat inside. Khachapuri is the equivalent of a loaded cheese pizza. The cheese, of course, is made in Georgia. Also, try to taste Churchkhela. Churchkhela (pictured on the right-hand side) is a dessert made with nuts, sugar or honey, flour and some grape juice. They usually dry it under the sun for a few days.
Georgia is well known for its wine and is also one of the oldest wine regions in the world. If you want to visit the wine region in this country, it is located in Kakheti, about 1 hour and a half drive from Tbilisi.
Georgia is well known for its wine and is also one of the oldest wine regions in the world. If you want to visit the wine region in this country, it is located in Kakheti, about 1 hour and a half drive from Tbilisi.
A lot of travelers are recommended to eat at Tsiskvilli, known to serve the best food in Tbilisi. Us, on the other hand, we ate at Kakhelebi. The restaurant is full of locals, and it's your typical no-frill, just plain and simple joint that will serve you delicious comfort food that will certainly hit the spot. Not to mention this restaurant has very attentive and customer friendly waiters (even if the majority of them don't speak English). It is a 15-minute ride from Tbilisi, about 5-10 GEL taxi ride. Trust us; it's worth it!
5. enjoy tbilisi's capital at night
If you have a knack for photography, you will enjoy taking night shots of the city. We certainly did! Even at night, Tbilisi is still bursting with character and bright colors, most especially the stretch of Shota Rustaveli Avenue.
We think 24 hours is enough to see and enjoy Georgia's capital. If you want to take it slow, 48 hours gives you plenty of time to discover what tickles your fancy.
To know more about what we think of Tbilisi, click here.
To know more about what we think of Tbilisi, click here.
just a little fact:
DID YOU KNOW? That the Georgian alphabet is one of the world’s remaining unique alphabets.
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