In order to witness one of the most perfect travel getaways, planning the itinerary is an essential. It becomes a necessity though, if you a heading to a land quite unknown and distinct to your own culture and beyond your geographical boundaries. In such cases knowing what the local language of the place is and getting acquainted to a few common words, knowing the local currency and its value against your home currency, the weather of the place during the time of the visit, cuts off unwanted hassles, and makes for a perfect trip. Georgia is one country which is gaining a lot of popularity amongst tourists, especially first time visitors. So if travelling to the breathtaking Georgia is on your mind, here are a few travel tips for first timers to this outlandish county.
1. Ideal time to Visit Georgia – While there is nothing such as, the best time to visit Georgia, we can help you make some informed choices. Summer (June, July and August) attracts a lot of visitors to this small mountainous location. More so transport and accommodation prices also sour during this time of the year. A better time to visit Georgia is late spring (May) or fall, that is before the onset of Summer – when the rains begin to cease forming clean, clear weather; temperatures are milder and flowers begin to bloom all over; is less crowded and also good on the pockets. Fall/ Autumn, (September to late October) is also a good time to visit the place. The country during this time is in a celebration mood – Wine harvesting happens during this time of the year, besides, you could also plan ahead to participate in a grape-picking activity. Winters (November to March) can likewise be considered in order to witness snowfall and indulge into winter sports in the snow capped mountains.
2. Purchase a local SIM card – A local SIM card is quite essential in any new county as it eases transportation and navigation. A SIM card in Georgia is fast and easy to set and inexpensive as well, thus a good add on for effortless travel.
3. Use an App to book a taxi – For affordable and hassle-free travels, booking a taxi through an app is ideal. Besides one should never take a taxi from the airport. The app facilitates saving a lot of time, further giving quick service, as your vehicle is at your doorsteps in just a few minutes.
It is always a good idea to research and plan your itinerary to get to witness the best spots at the best time of the day. You may save yourself a lot of time, money and exhaustion.
4. Tourist crime is very rare – Georgia is a safe place for tourists. Needless to say you need to be careful while transacting or making a purchase and avoid crowded places that are thronged by visitors.
5. Be alert on the road – Speeding and overtaking is quite a common practice in Georgia while on the roads. Road accidents are thus not uncommon. Road safety should by all means be on your mind while travelling to the many tourist attractions especially hilly and mountainous regions. It is advisable to hire a local agent, when hiring a car.
6. Carry cash all the time – While almost all major hotels and restaurants accept card payment, smaller cafes, taxi drivers, and small shops, only accept payment in cash. Head to an ATM for cash withdrawals and exchange. You need to also bear in mind to avoid making currency exchange at the airport, as you won’t get the exact exchange value for your money.
7. Get acquainted to familiarize with commonly used Georgian or Russian words – Learning a few Georgian words before you arrive to the city, will help you connect well with the locals. It also shows your respect to the county and the people living there. More so an easy trick to break the ice sooner.
8. Drinking water from a tap is safe –The spring and mineral water in bottles is of similar quality to tap water. It is therefore safe to drink tap water even in rural areas and small towns.
9. Day starts late –The city does not rise early, even during the summer months. Shops, galleries, museums and even banks open by 10:00 am. Most people work from mid-morning to late evening. It is thus not a good idea to be an early riser, as even the cafes and eateries won’t be up and running in the early hours of the day.
10. Spend some time at Tbilisi –Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia offers numerous attractions, besides being a unique, multicultural region. You certainly need a day to witness the historical landmarks, churches, museums and also spend time in the cafes, galleries, boutiques and bars which will be quite divine.
11. If you can, stay at a family guesthouse –Guesthouses are a more convenient options while in Georgia for your stay. You get to savor home cooked meals, and the host families are more than happy to organize taxis, tickets and tours for your sightseeing ventures.
12. Go for at least one hike – A small hike on foot in the hills or mountains is a must in Georgia. The scenic beauty and the cultural diversity will simply blow you away.
13. Carry a gift along if you are invited to a family home –It is considered polite to carry a gift when invited to a family house for supper.
Incorporating these travel trips especially for all the first time visitors to Georgia will certainly add more to your trip. A pre-panned and well researched trip for first times to the gorgeous mountainous region will add a lot of value to your impending trip.
Georgia Travel Tips for First Time Visitors
In order to witness one of the most perfect travel getaways, planning the itinerary is an essential. It becomes a necessity though, if you a heading to a land quite unknown and distinct to your own culture and beyond your geographical boundaries. In such cases knowing what the local language of the place is and getting acquainted to a few common words, knowing the local currency and its value against your home currency, the weather of the place during the time of the visit, cuts off unwanted hassles, and makes for a perfect trip. Georgia is one country which is gaining a lot of popularity amongst tourists, especially first time visitors. So if travelling to the breathtaking Georgia is on your mind, here are a few travel tips for first timers to this outlandish county.
1. Ideal time to Visit Georgia – While there is nothing such as, the best time to visit Georgia, we can help you make some informed choices. Summer (June, July and August) attracts a lot of visitors to this small mountainous location. More so transport and accommodation prices also sour during this time of the year. A better time to visit Georgia is late spring (May) or fall, that is before the onset of Summer – when the rains begin to cease forming clean, clear weather; temperatures are milder and flowers begin to bloom all over; is less crowded and also good on the pockets. Fall/ Autumn, (September to late October) is also a good time to visit the place. The country during this time is in a celebration mood – Wine harvesting happens during this time of the year, besides, you could also plan ahead to participate in a grape-picking activity. Winters (November to March) can likewise be considered in order to witness snowfall and indulge into winter sports in the snow capped mountains.
2. Purchase a local SIM card – A local SIM card is quite essential in any new county as it eases transportation and navigation. A SIM card in Georgia is fast and easy to set and inexpensive as well, thus a good add on for effortless travel.
3. Use an App to book a taxi – For affordable and hassle-free travels, booking a taxi through an app is ideal. Besides one should never take a taxi from the airport. The app facilitates saving a lot of time, further giving quick service, as your vehicle is at your doorsteps in just a few minutes.
It is always a good idea to research and plan your itinerary to get to witness the best spots at the best time of the day. You may save yourself a lot of time, money and exhaustion.
4. Tourist crime is very rare – Georgia is a safe place for tourists. Needless to say you need to be careful while transacting or making a purchase and avoid crowded places that are thronged by visitors.
5. Be alert on the road – Speeding and overtaking is quite a common practice in Georgia while on the roads. Road accidents are thus not uncommon. Road safety should by all means be on your mind while travelling to the many tourist attractions especially hilly and mountainous regions. It is advisable to hire a local agent, when hiring a car.
6. Carry cash all the time – While almost all major hotels and restaurants accept card payment, smaller cafes, taxi drivers, and small shops, only accept payment in cash. Head to an ATM for cash withdrawals and exchange. You need to also bear in mind to avoid making currency exchange at the airport, as you won’t get the exact exchange value for your money.
7. Get acquainted to familiarize with commonly used Georgian or Russian words – Learning a few Georgian words before you arrive to the city, will help you connect well with the locals. It also shows your respect to the county and the people living there. More so an easy trick to break the ice sooner.
8. Drinking water from a tap is safe –The spring and mineral water in bottles is of similar quality to tap water. It is therefore safe to drink tap water even in rural areas and small towns.
9. Day starts late –The city does not rise early, even during the summer months. Shops, galleries, museums and even banks open by 10:00 am. Most people work from mid-morning to late evening. It is thus not a good idea to be an early riser, as even the cafes and eateries won’t be up and running in the early hours of the day.
10. Spend some time at Tbilisi –Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia offers numerous attractions, besides being a unique, multicultural region. You certainly need a day to witness the historical landmarks, churches, museums and also spend time in the cafes, galleries, boutiques and bars which will be quite divine.
11. If you can, stay at a family guesthouse –Guesthouses are a more convenient options while in Georgia for your stay. You get to savor home cooked meals, and the host families are more than happy to organize taxis, tickets and tours for your sightseeing ventures.
12. Go for at least one hike – A small hike on foot in the hills or mountains is a must in Georgia. The scenic beauty and the cultural diversity will simply blow you away.
13. Carry a gift along if you are invited to a family home –It is considered polite to carry a gift when invited to a family house for supper.
Incorporating these travel trips especially for all the first time visitors to Georgia will certainly add more to your trip. A pre-panned and well researched trip for first times to the gorgeous mountainous region will add a lot of value to your impending trip.
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