Georgia is a land of exceptional beauty and diversity, an ancient Christian country, bounded to the west by the Black Sea and to the north by the high Caucasus Mountains.

It has a long history and according to legend, Jason and his Argonauts sailed to the shores of the kingdom of Colchis in Western Georgia in search of the Golden Fleece.

The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi, a charming town built along the twisting valley of the river Mtkvari. Elegant 19th century buildings line its leafy boulevards and in the old town, wooden houses with carved overhanging balconies hug the mountainside. Georgians are famed for their hospitality, love of good food and wine and are now ready to welcome visitors once again to their historic land.

Weather
The climate in Georgia is continental, with cold winters and hot summers. Summer temperatures in July and August can reach up to 35 degrees centigrade in Tbilisi and can be fairly humid. All our hotels in Tbilisi have air-conditioning. Summer temperatures in the mountains are about 10 degrees cooler than the capital, (more at night). Spring and autumn are also good times to visit, most days are warm and sunny.

Local Customs
When visiting any foreign country it is always polite to respect the local customs and if you can manage a few words of Georgian or Russian, this will be very much appreciated.

People tend to dress quite conservatively in Georgia and very revealing clothes for ladies and shorts and singlets for men are not really considered suitable attire. Please ask before taking pictures inside churches and cover up. Take a present with you if you are invited to someone’s house.

Visas
British passport holders must obtain a Georgian visa before arrival. The consular fee for a single entry tourist visa is currently £15.00. Most other nationalities also require a visa, visas cost change frequently, please check with your consular office. Our visa service can assist with the visa application.
The Georgian Consulate will normally keep your passport for about a week.

Vaccinations
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend that your protection against Tetanus, Typhoid, infectious Hepatitis and Polio is up to date. It is your responsibility to check all relevant recommendations and also to get the most up-to-date health information for the destinations being visited. You can contact your GP or any of the following organisations:

MASTA: Telephone: 0906 822 4100 www.masta.org
Live Travel Health Line: 09068 633414
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Flight Duration
Flight time to Georgia from London is 5hrs, with British Airways.

Accommodation and Transport
Although facilities are generally limited, many new privately owned small hotels have recently opened offering comfortable accommodation (equivalent to 3 star standard). In Tbilisi we use an excellent three star centrally located hotel.

In Georgia a variety of transportation will be used on tour: cars, 4 wheel drive vehicles, minibuses or coaches, depending on the size of the party. The transport for our personal tours is a private small car,
for instance a Ford, Volkswagen or Volvo.