[mbhalara]

Dear Mods, kindly modify wherever required.

Prologue:
I live in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I had purchased a holiday package in Dec-2019 for Georgia at a very cheap price planning to go in summer of 2020. As the Covid-19 came, the package provider gave a voucher of similar amount with unlimited validity which can be used in future whenever possible. I started planning again in mid of 2022 and finally got it materialized in Feb-2023.
Reason to visit: Required a much needed break from the routine. I had lived in Georgia from 2010-2013 and my wife always wished to visit it.

Advantage for me:
i. Language – I had got good command in 3 years of previous stay (2010-2013).
ii. Price – Very cheap (flight+hotel) packages from UAE. The one I got was AED 4,542 – which is around INR 100,000 for 3 persons!
iii. Little off season in February – Most tourists which visit in winter are interested in skiing and not other attractions hence it is less crowded and comparatively cheaper as well.

Let’s begin!

Travel Date: 21-Feb-2023 to 25-Feb-2023
Flight: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi
Visa: Free – for the ones having GCC Resident IDs
Hotel: Included in package – 4 star hotel in Tbilisi – Hotel Iveria Inn

Itinerary:
Day-1 – 21-Feb-2023 – Tbilisi:
Departed from Abu Dhabi at 9:00 and reached 12:30. A short regular on time flight with no frills. Had allotted first and last day for Tbilisi. Got a little rest and called an old friend / driver. Went around 16:00 from hotel to see a few places (famous for tourists) in the city centre and came back around 20:00.
I had not planned prior regarding the transport for next few days. Had thought of taking a self driving car on rent and got a IDL also but dropped the plan as got a very good deal (again a language advantage!). A very friendly driver with a car (Nissan X-trail) for next 3 days at USD 100 / day including fuel ! (Yes, you will find easy to do many transactions in USD in Georgia, Even USDs are also accepted across!)

Day-2 – 22-Feb-2023 – Kakheti:
This tourist city was developed as 'city of love" and started attracting many tourists immediately due to its scenic views, old streets and very very old monasteries. Also, visited the world’s second biggest winery present in this region. (Obviously – Georgia and Wine are inseparable.)
I was planning with driver for the next day. I had though of taking my son to one of the very famous toy train journeys (Kukushka train) at a placed called Bakuriani which gives excellent views especially in such season where all mountains are covered in snow. The place also possesses a ski resort and various tourist activities for snow. However, a sudden surprise (could not find on internet also), the train had stopped working after Covid!

Plan – B : Decided to go to another ski resort – Guduari.

Day-3 – 23-Feb-2023 – Gudauri:
It is a place purely for the ski lovers although there are activities and places for tourists as well.

Day-4 – 24-Feb-2023 – Tbilisi:
Planned to cover balance locations of Tbilisi in and around.

Day-5 – 25-Feb-2023 – Return:
Checked out from hotel and went to airport. Again a normal flight to Abu Dhabi.

SIM Card:
Bought Two SIM Cards from Airport – 5 days validity, 60 local minutes and unlimited data.

Entire Itinerary and expense details are attached in PDF herewith.

Now let us begin the journey:

Day-1:
Reached the hotel at 15:00 and decided to explore few famous places near Tbilisi center.
Old Clock Tower at Rezo Theater:

Painting Stalls across street:

View of Kura River from Famous Peace Bridge:

Beautiful view from ropeway:

(You will need to purchase Transport services card and add amount at the ticket counter. This card is common for all public transport services across the city such as City Bus, Minibuses, Metro in addition to ropeway).

Evening view from Narikala Fortress:


View from hotel room:


Day-2: Kakheti Region including Sighnaghi Town:

St. Nino's Cathedral from 9th century:


Such Scenic Views are common in Georgia:


Make sure you carry enough warm cloths especially while travelling with little ones:


Views in Sighnaghi:


LADAs (aka Zhiguli) are becoming scarce even in Georgia:


Winery Khareba (consists of more than 7km of tunnels used for preserving wines. Currently developed as tourist attraction, offers packages of wine tasting and traditional cooking at the winery):


Bread and Cheese to accompany the tasting:


Son enjoying snow with driver on way back to Tbilisi


Day-3: Gudauri - A place famous for Skii lovers. More and more hotels and guest houses have opened up at such heights due to tourist rush in recent years:



Snow on the houses alongside the highway:


Day-4: In & Around Tbilisi:
Triniti Cathedral (Sameba):




Jvari Monastery:


Place where two main rivers of Georgia meet (Kvari & Aragvi):


Inside - Mtskheta Church - existing from 4th century - preserves the history of Georgia beautifully:




Day-5: Back to Abu Dhabi by morning Flight:


Please find below hourly schedule and expense details.

Itinerary.pdf
Cost.pdf

Hope it will be helpful. Keep driving, flying and travelling (safely).

[youknowitbetter]

Planning to visit Georgia. Just wanted to check if anyone has recently traveled. I may go in summer but want to plan in advance

[14000rpm]

Originally Posted by mbhalara

This tourist city was developed as 'city of love" and started attracting many tourists immediately due to its scenic views, old streets and very very old monasteries. Also, visited the world’s second biggest winery present in this region.

Thanks for this thread. It looks like a charming country.

We love Georgian Cuisine, atleast the version of it that's made in our preferred Georgian restaurant, and it's wine.

Didn't know anything about the country Georgia since the 1st recall is always the state of Georgia in US.