If you are living in the Middle East and want to go on a holiday to a place which is in Europe surrounded by mountains and lush green landscapes and also which is in your budget then Georgia is the place to be.
A beautiful country which is just a couple of hours away from the Middle East, this country is a must visit. It can be one of your most affordable trips. Thank God for the exchange rate ???? Georgia is situated in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. The good news is that it is visa on arrival for Indians, UAE and Oman residents.
We stayed in Georgia for 3 days. We booked a hotel in the main city, Tbilisi. It is always convenient to stay in Tbilisi and then travel to the outskirts of Tbilisi and other places in Georgia. Try and book a hotel near to the Freedom Square. Your most of your travel and exploration will begin from there and it is more convenient.
The first day, we decided to roam aimlessly and explore the city on our own. We came across the City Sightseeing Hop on Hop off office and my husband is a huge fan of the Hop on Hop off, we decided to check it out. Honestly, they offered the best deal to cover entire Georgia at a very reasonable price. The first day we chose the red line bus which took us to the prominent places in Tbilisi. On the third day, we decided to do the green line bus tour. Red and Green line covers different parts of the city and takes you to some beautiful places. Some of the places that you shouldn't miss are Meidan square, sulfur bath district, Narikala waterfall, boat ride on the Kura river, Rike park, Peace bridge, Freedom Square, Rustaveli Avenue, Turtle Lake, the biggest Holy Trinity Church, Panoramic view of Tbilisi and visiting the mother of Georgia statue right on top and much more. Make sure you book yourself a Sulphur bath which I believe is the best relaxation you can get. A small advice is to try and book the bath in the evening or night time once you are done with the exploration for the day. This will help you to relax better and get a good night sleep. Georgia is a land of history with a mix of Russian culture and old Catholic churches, beautiful vineyards, mountains, lakes and much more. Being a part of the Soviet Union, Georgia has a huge history and rather a complicated one.
Another tip for the travelers who would prefer taking cabs. Make sure you bargain and negotiate. There is no meter system and you will have to negotiate.
The second day, we planned a trip to the mountains. It was a day dedicated to the gorgeous mountains of Ananuri and Kazbegi. The trip to Ananuri-Kazbegi includes Ananuri fortress and Zhinvali water reservoir, Gergeti Trinity Church, Kazbegi village and the Russian Georgian friendship park. Its a beautiful trip to the Kazbegi mountains which is a steep drive to the Gergeti church which is on a mountain top with breathtaking view.
On the third day, you can visit the oldest city of Georgia, Mtskheta which is just a couple of hours away from Tbilisi. You will again visit some beautiful ancient churches that include Jvari Monastery and many other Cathedrals and Monasteries. It is interesting to hear the stories behind certain structures. Then you can visit a beautiful chalet style store/restaurant where they make the authentic Georgian wine. If you are a lover of wine like me, you can buy a couple of bottles for you to take home. You can learn about the winemaking and can taste some amazing wines of Georgia.
Certain things you cannot miss during the trip is relishing authentic Georgian cuisine and if you are a lover of meat then you are in for a treat. You will come across some beautiful paths, cobbled streets, hidden restaurants that serves some delicious food. Always order wine along with the Georgian food. Also, make sure you are carrying a scarf along with you just to wrap around your waist to cover your legs while you are visiting the monasteries and churches.
It was definitely a memorable and a beautiful holiday. One of the most budgeted holiday we have done. I am also sharing a couple of pictures which will give you a clear picture of how beautiful this city is.