Pictures of Georgia the Country and A Big Guide

Ever since I visited, I’ve been telling others how much I enjoyed visiting and taking pictures of Georgia the country, not Georgia the state. It is an extraordinary place and a great winter destination. It’s still vibrant even when it’s cold. Seemingly devoid of crowds in January that made winter, for me, the perfect time to visit. I hope this guide and these pictures of Georgia the country make you want to visit!

I. Introduction

A. Brief introduction to Georgia the country

Georgia, the country, lies close to the intersection of Europe and Asia in the Caucasus region. It’s east of Western Europe, above the Arabian Peninsula, and northwest of India. It is home to Caucasus mountain villages and Black Sea beaches. Famed for winemaking and the ancient wine-growing region Kakheti, its capital Tbilisi is one of diverse architecture and culinary depth.

I found it to be a place of kind people, ancient traditions, delectable cuisine, dynamic history, and stunning landscapes. I emphasize that was my experience.

What does the Georgian flag look like?

It is white and red. There is a large red cross in the central portion touching all four sides of the flag on a background of white. In the four quadrants of white are four Bolnur-katskhuri crosses of the same color as the large cross. It may date back to the 14th century but it was adopted as the flag of the country most recently on January 25, 2004.

B. Is Georgia the country safe?

This is a question I’m asked a lot. I felt safe there! But I had a male guide and driver most of the time. Both were Georgian-born and raised. When I wandered Tbilisi alone, I did feel safe. But nowhere is perfect. And my feeling about safety is that the only way to ensure you never take a risk is to never leave home.

I do understand proper levels of caution though! And that’s why I also share:

My LGBTQIA+ friends have let me know they don’t feel safe traveling to the country of Georgia.

So I need to add the caveat that you should always do research that applies most specifically to you when you’re planning to travel anywhere. As a CIS gender white-passing woman, I understand I have blindspots and I cannot know what it’s like to travel as someone who is not me. All I can speak to is my own experience tempered by feedback I’ve received from those I truly trust.

C. What is the religion in Georgia the country?

The Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church would be the most dominant for most Georgians to belong to. I’ve read that Georgia was one of the first countries in the world to assume Christianity in the 4th century. However, I was also told over and over by young Georgians that they feel their country is one where there is true respect for religious differences. I certainly did not feel the fear of religious persecution that I can when I’m home in the USA.

Be on the lookout for my post about all the churches you can visit in Georgia.

D. Dogs!

There are a lot of “wild” dogs. However, Georgia takes care of them. They’re given their shots, are fixed, tagged, and communities feed them. Think of it like communities share all the dogs. Consequently, these wild dogs are often super friendly, sweet, and a very welcome addition to the journey if you’re a dog person.

II. Pictures of Georgia

I want to first inspire you with pictures of Georgia the Country before I dig back into this as a Guide. I am a photographer after all! Use the table of contents if you’d like to skip past this to continue researching Georgia.

A. Capital city of Tbilisi

Find where to stay in Tbilisi with my affiliate link.

B. Mtskheta

Capital of Georgia for eight hundred years and home of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

C. Kazbegi

a dramatic mountainous area and home of my favorite hotel in Georgia

D. Svaneti region

Includes Ushguli and Mestia. It is famed for its medieval towers, stunning landscapes, and UNESCO status with the Upper Svaneti UNESCO World Heritage Site.

USHGULI

MESTIA

E. Borjomi

Known for healing waters. There are hot springs within and just outside the town. In the town, there are also various fountains with mineral water that people travel long distances to partake in.

III. A Comprehensive Guide for Your Winter Visit to Georgia the country

A. What is the Currency in Georgia the country?

Georgia is in the Caucasus region. I felt it was affordable. I would not call it cheap.

The currency is the Georgian Lari. At the time of publishing, 1 Georgian Lari = 0.38 USD. Cash is king and you may find it harder to use your chip cards. You may also find fewer ATMs than you’re used to elsewhere.

B. What is the language like in Georgia the country?

Georgians are friendly. And those who service tourists seem to speak some English. Particularly in Tbilisi. You will also find some signs in English and Georgian. I went shopping one day on my own in the local area of Borjomi and did not encounter a single person who spoke English. But with the Google Translate app, which isn’t always right, and kindness – I was fine.

I would, however, tread carefully if you know Russian. Russia is a loaded, complicated topic in Georgia. More so now than ever. Those who are older will feel less offended if you try to speak Russian with them. Those who are younger may feel much more offended.

Georgian is beautiful! And Georgians are rightly proud of their language. It’s a Kartvelian language and the native, or primary, language of 87.6% of the country’s population. Georgian is written in its own very beautiful alphabet. It’s one that may literally be unique. Because no claimed genetic links between the Kartvelian languages and any other language family in the world are accepted in mainstream linguistics.

This is a country where a guide is a worthwhile expense. Still, it will bring you much goodwill if you learn some words, phrases, and numbers before visiting! Use my playlist with Georgian language videos.

A few essential phrases in the Georgian language

• Gamarjoba (ga-mar-jo-ba) / Hello / გამარჯობა
• Madloba (mad-lo-ba) / Thank You / Გმადლობთ
• Ki / Ara (ki / ara) — Yes / No — დიახ/არა
• Me mqvia [name] (me mqvi-a [name]) / My Name Is / მე მქვია
• Galmadjos or Gaumarjos (I found the correct pronunciation sounded a bit like a combo of both those spellings) / Cheers / გაუმარჯოს
• Numbers:

  Noli / 0

  Erti / 1

  Ori / 2

  Sami / 3

  Otkhi / 4

  Khuti / 5

  Eqvsi / 6

  Shvidi / 7

  Rva / 8

  Tskhra / 9

  Ati / 10

C. What are the outlets like? How is Wi-Fi in Georgia the country?

Be prepared for Type C and Type F europlug-style outlets. Outside of Tbilisi, I did not notice convertors for sale.

I didn’t have a problem finding WiFi. Even cafés often had it.

D. How do you reach Georgia the country?

It is no longer easy to get from Western Europe to Georgia via train. The easiest way once passed through Ukraine. I’ve heard of colleagues doing it. So if that’s how you desire to travel, I applaud that choice as a greener one than flying! But do your research.

I flew to Tbilisi from Los Angeles on Sky Team member airlines via Paris. At CDG, I switched to Georgian Airways. That experience was fine going to the country. I flew via Schipol on my way home.

Upon beginning the journey back to LA, I was met with hundreds of dollars in fees that I had to pay in cash before boarding. This was supposedly due to my “overweight luggage.” I was told it was a fee levied by Sky Team. However, I have status with the alliance which means I’ve never had to pay such fees before.

I was forced to pay in Georgian Lari and it meant a hefty additional charge at the airport ATM. This was because I did not come prepared with that much Lari since I was leaving. Sharing not to disparage the country, but so that you, my fellow traveler, will be prepared.

E. Transportation within Georgia the country

My visit to Georgia included private van transport. If you’d like to hire a guide and driver, please contact me for the details! I cannot more highly recommend ours. Here are Davit and Ilia:

You can also take internal flights within Georgia to get around. These photos depict our plane, the airport, and the views during a flight from Mestia to Tbilisi. The views as we crossed the mountains were incredible!

I have been told that Georgia has public transportation. I did see evidence of buses, railways, and a metro. However, it seemed challenging to attempt and not intuitive. I did see some English titles and translations on signs I felt were pointing to public transportation but more often than not it was only Georgian text.

If you want to take public transportation, I recommend

• a guide
• learning as many Georgian phrases, and numbers, as you can.

F. What is Georgia the country like in Winter?

Winter in Georgia was largely pleasant and pretty. On no occasion during my two-week visit was it so cold that I couldn’t cope. I had packed and was dressed accordingly though. Several hotels we stayed at had excellent spa facilities. These made for great escapes from the temperatures outdoors. It was also on the warmer end of the scale of winter temperatures so often that we frequently saw it snow. This was beautiful!

Temperatures in Tbilisi are milder, the mountainous regions are of course colder. Across the country more generally, winter high temperatures average in the mid 50s to lower 60s Fahrenheit. Lows average in the mid 30s.

G. Where Should I stay in Georgia the country?

There’s a wide variety of places to stay in Georgia. Options range from youth-focused hostels and homestays to design hotels and spa resorts.

Here is where I stayed:

Tbilisi – Moxy

Kazbegi region – My review of Rooms Hotel Kazbegi

Mestia in Svaneti region – Gistola Hotel

Borjomi – Crowne Plaza, an IHG Hotel

Here are two bonus places that we toured but which I didn’t get to stay at. Both seemed as if they’d be excellent for two nights or more:

Kvishkheti – Mtserlebi Resort

‎⁨Bioli Medical Wellness Resort

Support this blog by booking these and other hotels through my Booking.com affiliate link.

IV. Cuisine in and Pictures of Georgia the Country

A. An overview

In their post about it, Uncornered Market shares that, “Georgian food is quite appropriately an expression of the culture. Warm, gooey comfort food like khachapuri (cheese-stuffed bread) finds balance with matsoni (yogurt). Herbs like tarragon, flat parsley, dill and coriander combine with walnuts and garlic for rich fillings and sauces.” They were among the people who prompted me to want to travel to Georgia and are another great resource when you’re planning your visit.

This would be a good food tour to take when you’re in Tbilisi.

Walnuts are a big deal in the country so they’re in a lot of dishes, sauces, and desserts! I found that to be wonderful. I’m not normally fond of walnuts but Georgians really do it a favor.

Because they are such hospitable people and one of the key ways they show that is through feeding you, meal times are very important. There’s a saying that, “the guest is from gift.” The Georgian word for “cheers” is therefore important. And toasting with that word at the beginning of every Georgian meal is very special. So much so, that there is usually an appointed Toastmaster. They give a speech in welcome and officially open the meal at which point everyone lifts their glass and says, “გაუმარჯოს”! Here is our guide Davit in that role at the beginning of one of our meals:

B. For those who are Celiac or want to avoid gluten

Despite being well known for a type of “cheesy bread” aka Khachapuri, much of Georgian cuisine is actually vegetable or meat-forward. They don’t do a lot of processed food or additives. But I know that even sauces can cause issues when you don’t know what’s in them. So I was able to source a translation card that you can download and carry around with you, here.

This is a list of the 42 best Gluten-Free restaurants in Tbilisi according to Wanderlog. And here is a first-hand account from a celiac who enjoyed her visit to Georgia.

C. What are some famous dishes in Georgia the Country?

Here are some photos of what were my favorite Georgian dishes:

Cheese – always a good idea!

Khachapuri – This can refer to Georgian “cheese bread” which is pictured here in three different forms. It’s also a term I’ve been told has a far deeper meaning – this is a hopefully helpful guide.

Churchkhela – nuts on a string dipped in thickened grape must that’s flavored with juice and dried till hard

Tutmaji – A type of soup. Was served at Barbarestan in Tbilisi. I described it as “orgasmic” in Stories at the time and I stand by that.

[L] Khabidzgini – filled with cheese or cheese and potatoes, and [R] Lobiani – filled with “refried beans.” Not pictured but would look similar: Kubdari – it’s stuffed with meat, garlic, and onions. It’s more common in Svaneti.

Khinkali – “soup dumplings”

Pkhali – This is often an appetizer or side dish made with vegetables and nuts that’s like a “paté” in my mind.

Satsivi – Chicken in a white garlic walnut sauce, which can be served hot or cold. It was positively divine at RIGI in Tbilisi [pictured], which is very close to Moxy Hotel.

Qababi – Kebab. This delicious example was served inside a very thin pita with onion, pomegranate, and herbs at Rooms Hotel. It was phenomenal.

Potatoes – with cheese. Potatoes, steamed, by themselves. They do potatoes well!

Walnut and Spinach salad – at Rooms Hotel

a type of Cornbread and cheesy dip – Again served at Rooms Hotel. I couldn’t get enough!

D. Where should I eat and drink in Georgia the country?

I’m using this as a section in which to list any place I haven’t already mentioned or haven’t mentioned in enough detail. It’s not a restaurant, but Iago’s Winery is a must. More on that below.

Tbilisi

• RIGI

• Barbarestan

• Ethnographer [watch my video for the entertainment you can experience there]
• Puri Guliani

Mtskheta

• Ornament Express Café

Kazbegi

• Rooms Hotel [see above]

Kvishkheti

• Mtserlebi Resort

Ushguli and Upper Svaneti

• Cafe “Ushguli Maspindzeli”

Zugdidi

• Diaroni – Order their Khinkali! But don’t expect the world’s best service.

E. Georgian Wine: A Primer

Georgia’s tourism website summarizes their distinct way of making wine that dates back to at least 6,000 BC and which has never been abandoned as a winemaking style, “The Georgian Qvevri method of wine-making is one of the world’s leading methods, and this long and harmonious coexistence of clay and vine has delivered gorgeous results for centuries.”

It means that the grapes are first pressed and then the juice, skins, stalks, and pips are poured into Qvevri before being sealed and buried in the ground. That’s left to ferment into wine for at least five to six months. The large egg-shaped earthenware vessels known as Kvevri or Qvevri, also known as Ch’uri in Western Georgia, were inscribed in 2013 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Maybe you’ve heard this called Orange Wine? It’s more accurate to say Georgian Amber Wine. Popular grapes are Saperavi for red wine and Rkatsiteli for white. However, there are an estimated 525 indigenous Georgian grape varieties with approximately 40 in commercial production.

This terrific site goes into much more depth on Georgian wine.

F. Where to Taste Georgian Wine

I found this list with winery recommendations. In order to recommend more than one from experience, I’ll have to return to Georgia! But if I included a photo of a bottle or bottles of wine in this post, it’s because I’d recommend that wine.

Now my top tip is to visit Iago [pictured below] at his family winery in Chardakhi. He showed us the room where his Qvevri are buried for aging and we, of course, drank some wine. Not only does he make the best wine I drank in all of Georgia, but his hospitality and kind spirit are amongst the most memorable of any winemaker I’ve met during my travels. I just could not say enough good things about Iago! Check out his website for the email address to request a tour.

G. Do Georgians drink anything other than wine?

They do! Of course. Georgians can make homemade juice flavored with a whole peach as in Mestia. Carbonated water can come in many distinctly Georgian flavors. At Puri Guliani in Tbilisi you can even pick your soda from a tower that revolves and they make your soda in front of you. And often found already waiting at a table when you sit down, in glass bottles, will be lemon, pear, or tarragon-flavored soda.

Georgian beer is a refreshing drink after a long day out in the cold when your body is still adjusting to being back inside and you’re not ready for something hot, yet. If you’re into beer try Argo or Natakhtari Gold.

Chacha is a type of pomace brandy. It is clear and can be very very strong. Sometimes it’s called “wine vodka”, “grape vodka”, or “Georgian vodka/grappa.” It wouldn’t be uncommon to find a moonshine-style chacha being offered to you by a friendly local who made it themselves. As happened here:

V. Where should I go and what should I do during Winter in Georgia the country?

A. I’d like to go skiing in Georgia, how do I do that?

I love hearing that! Georgia is an underrated destination for skiing. There are ski resorts that have all the typical amenities at a fraction of the price of an Alps ski holiday. And you can go backcountry skiing as well as heliskiing. Please contact me if that’s what you’re interested in and I can pass on the contact information for great guides that can arrange a bespoke tour for you.

B. Non-winter Tours of Georgia

Speaking of tours, while mine was bespoke and can’t be replicated, my friend Juliana Dever runs incredible tours of Georgia during the warmer months! She’s a near expert on the country.

C. Must-visit places

I enjoyed everywhere we went for one reason or another. So I don’t think you should skip

• Tbilisi
• Chardakhi and Iago’s Winery
• Mtskheta
• Kazbegi
• the Svaneti region including Ushguli and Mestia
• Borjomi
• Kvishkheti

I’ve been told that next time I go in summer, I must visit the Black Sea resort areas. So I pass that suggestion on to you! Chakvi, Kobuleti, Ureki and Magnetiti are all on my list for a summer visit.

D. Activities to do

In Tbilisi

Sign up for a Georgian Flavors cooking class and attempt to make Khachapuri. I had a lot of fun attempting in another setting and it was a lot harder than it seems but the results are delicious!

Get a tattoo! I recommend Painful Art Tattoo & Piercing. It was anything but painful, the staff were friendly, and it was clean. They also spoke good English.

Shop the Artisan and Flea Markets at Dry Bridge. Or buy spices, wine, and Georgian candy at Bazari Orbeliani.

Visit the Georgian National Museum. You’ll find ancient gold jewelry, incredible clothing, and evidence that Georgia may be the oldest winemaking culture in the world.

Try to find a dance or live music experience to attend. Ethnographer Restaurant has both!

I really enjoyed the dancing and live music in Georgia! This is one of the groups that sang for us. They’re in the above video.

Elsewhere in Georgia

Though small, Svaneti Museum in Mestia is a world-class museum. Particularly if you enjoy coins and religious artifacts.

You should also try spa culture in Georgia. Here is the 30ft heated pool at Kazbegi’s Rooms Hotel which is a destination on its own.

And the Borjomi area I talked about before is known for its mineral waters. You can hike to hot spring pools, try out spa treatments at the hotels, and drink the mineral waters by gathering it in your hand or in the special mug that costs a few Lari.

Go paragliding! Yes, even in winter in Georgia. Book a tour like this one to experience the country from the air. Image courtesy: Viator. 

Visit churches! There are so many in Georgia and some are truly worthy of the word “ancient.” They’re historic time capsules. Watch out for a future post full of all the ones you can see.

VI. Personal Experience

Mobile-friendly Digital Guides

I compiled digital guides with some of my most personal thoughts on Georgia for the app Steller. They’re so convenient for use on mobile while you’re traveling. Check them out via these links:

• A Guide to Tbilisi
• A Day in Ushguli
• What to Eat and Drink
• Where to Stay
• Winter in Georgia

I would also recommend the enormous library of Guides that Steller has to all of Georgia.

You can also leave questions, so that others can benefit from the answers, on my Instagram posts about Georgia. Those are here, here, here, here, and here. I also compiled them using Instagram’s guide feature, here, which may be handier.

VII. Conclusion and call to action

What else can I tell you about the country of Georgia? Please share any questions or comments you have in the comments section!

I hope that in the comments section, you will also share your experiences with the country of Georgia. And if you already have any plans to visit, I’d love to hear about those as well!

If you enjoyed this post, please do me the courtesy of sharing it! And if it helps you when planning, you can always leave a tip in thanks.