Welcome! Today we are heading across the Atlantic Ocean to visit Georgia and unearth all there is to see and do in this delightful destination. What? You don’t have to cross the ocean to get to Georgia? It’s on the east coast? Ohhhh. Wait a minute. You must be thinking of the wrong Georgia! I am not talking about the land of peaches, peanuts and pecans here in the US. I am talking about the transcontinental country of Georgia!
Situated at the crossroads between Western Asia and Eastern Europe – this Georgia is a hidden gem just waiting to be explored. And luckily Lauma Trika, Management and Marketing Director from Georgia Travel RSP accepted my invitation to a recent Wanderlust Wednesday to show us just how shiny this gem is. So – let’s get on our virtual plane and take off for the other Georgia! ************************************************** Location and Language: So yes - this Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region that sits at the juncture of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is bordered to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia and to the east by Azerbaijan. The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi with a population of around one and a half million people. Georgia has its own language and one of the things that distinguishes Georgia from others is that it is spoken only by the four million people who reside in the country. Plus - it has its unique alphabet as well! Getting There: There are three main airports including one in Tbilisi - which is located in the middle of the country, one in Batumi – which is a seaside resort - and the other in Kutaisi. Getting there from the US is typically on Turkish Airlines. Bonus – no visa nor vaccines are needed – just you and your passport. Currency: Georgia has its own currency - the Georgian Lari and as of this writing it was coming out to be around three lari would equal one US dollar. Lauma advised that although credit cards are accepted in the major cities you want to carry little bit of cash with you while traveling across the country most of the guest houses and restaurants in smaller towns won't accept credit cards. When to Visit: There are 11 regions in Georgia and for such a small country the climate here is quite diverse and thus every season has its charm. Winters are snowy everywhere except in the capital of Tbilisi, spring is sunny and mild with a few rainy weeks in April, summers tend to be hot especially in Tbilisi and autumn is similar to spring but a bit colder. You should also be prepared because even in the summertime temperatures vary - for instance - in the mountains it tends to be colder and at the seaside it's more humid. Fun Fact: If you visit in November, you can tour the big plantations and can participate in the tangerine harvest. Bonus – you can take as much as you want and Lauma shared they have guests who come every year for those tangerines and always take at least a box home. Destinations: Georgia is divided into several different destinations and together they make it a country that you can visit any season as in summer there is the beach, in fall there is the harvesting of the grapes and in the winter there are the ski and mountain resorts.
One thing Lauma said to be aware of is that the medical resorts must be purchased as packages starting at a minimum of seven days. The beautiful part for those of you who are interested in visiting these therapeutic options to deal with medical issues in a more natural way is that we can a combine your treatment along with exploring a new land. For my health coaches, fitness instructors and yogis – how cool would it be to take a group here where you can really use mother earth to heal and promote wellness? Side Note: Lauma also mentioned that phage therapy is now being practiced in Georgia – which is an effective treatment solution for patients who have bacterial infections that do not respond to the antibiotics.
Types of Travelers: Oh gosh – all types – from families to companies to destination weddings – and more!
Gastronomy: The gastronomy is diverse so if you are a foodie who loves trying lots of different cuisines then Georgia won't disappoint! And - even though it tends to be heavy on the meat and pastry there's also a large variety of vegetarian dishes as well. And for those of you who do have dietary restrictions there are many opportunities to work with you and ensure you will be able to enjoy their amazing food. They offer gastronomic tours as well that typically include some food masterclasses so you can learn even more about the local delicacies. You will find some of the most popular dishes below:
Georgian National Dances and Music: We cannot talk about Georgia without talking about the Georgian folk dances. Each region has their own dances that weave both history and art. One of the most popular is the Acharuli dance – which is a bright cheerful dance that originates from the region of Adjara and features a playful flirtation between men and women. Miscellaneous: Below are a few things Lauma wanted to make sure we are aware of prior to visiting this fascinating land.
Updated COVID-19 Information: As of this writing the CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential international travel to Georgia. For the CDC’s most up to date information on COVID-19 click here. And for the most up to date entry requirements for Georgia click here. ************************************************** I am so excited that we had an opportunity to have Lauma here to showcase Georgia because again it's not a destination that is on everyone’s radar and it really should be! So, all my nature and adventure lovers, let’s have this conversation for travel in 2021! What a great remote, off the beaten path experience when we need it most! For more details on things to see and do in Georgia, where to stay, it’s price points and more - contact your Travel Guru! Oh, and if you need a payment plan to fund your travel adventure – we got those too! Namaste Comments are closed.
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During the shutdown of Covid19, Loulu Lima began interviewing many tourism boards, destination management companies and suppliers whom BHGH works with in the curation of your itineraries. Here you will find the videos as well as written summary of each. Summaries are transcribed by Carole A. Peck. Video post production managed by MotionDash.Media Keep our business card on your phone: Text TRAVEL to 21000 from any US phone |