There is plenty to see in the country’s capital, Tbilisi.
Flying from Helsinki to Tbilisi
There are no direct flights from Finland to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia which is located in western Asia listed on countryaah. UIA, Air Baltic and Turkish Airlines, among others, offer possible connections. Prices vary depending on the time of travel and the route, but it is usually possible to get round trips to Tbilisi for around 300-600 euros.
The low-cost airline Wizz Air will start flights from Turku to Kuta in 2020.
Intra-country public transport is largely based on martyrs, or small buses. Walking through these is very inexpensive and usually quite safe. However, with a large amount of luggage, it can be inconvenient and a person with martyrdom should prepare for a bouncy ride and tightly filled benches.
Taxis are reasonably priced and reasonably reliable, but it is advisable to discuss the price in advance before getting in the car. However, taxi drivers are far from always speaking English, so Russian language skills are useful. You can also ask for help at the hotel or restaurant reception. They usually have helpful English-speaking staff to help negotiate the price of the trip.
Short for GEO by abbreviationfinder, Georgia can also be reached by train. For example, the beach resort of Batumi can be conveniently reached from Tbilisi by night train. There is also a metro in Tbilisi.
Hotel rates may come as a surprise
Hotel prices in Georgia and especially in Tbilisi may surprise those looking for cheap accommodation. Of course, it is possible to stay in small inns and hostels very cheaply, but if you want to find a higher quality hotel cheap, there may be a dead end. Their prices in Tbilisi are in Finland.
The most prominent hotel in the city is the Radisson Blu Iveria, which rises as a high tower building with an interesting story in the background. The tower was built in the 1960s as a Soviet-era luxury hotel, but during the conflicts of the 1990s, it got a completely different use: the building housed nearly a thousand head of refugees. Today, however, the building is a luxury hotel with a spa and casino.
GEORGIAN DESTINATIONS
Natural attractions are by no means to be missed on a Georgian holiday.
Tbilisi
The Georgian capital, Tbilisi, is a charmingly colorful and diverse destination. Admire the traditional architecture in the narrow alleys of the Old Town, a good example of which is the lovely terrace houses on the banks of the Kura River. In the evening, their balconies are beautifully lit.
Along the main street, Rustaveli Avenue, you will find luxury shops and handsome monumental buildings. For the more adventurous, stop by the medieval Abanotubani Spa for a dip in the hot, sulfur-scented water. The most beautiful views of the city are from the Narikala Fortress on a high hill.
Telavi
The administrative center of Georgia, Telavi, is located in the middle of beautiful mountains. For tourists, it offers especially interesting historical sights: old fortresses, palaces of magnificent families, and medieval churches. Nowhere else in Georgia are there as many medieval buildings.
Uplistsikhe
The cave town Uplistsikhe is Georgia’s first inhabited community. Its caves and tunnels spread over an area of up to eight acres. Many of the residential caves are rugged, but some of them are decorated with very skilful carvings. There is also a large medieval church in the cave town.
The caves are no longer inhabited for centuries, and part of the city was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1920s. Work is underway to protect the area and it is a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Uplistsikhe is located about ten kilometers from the city of Gori, also known as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. In Gori you can visit a museum dedicated to Stalin and also wonder about the supermarket named after him.
Batumi
One of Georgia’s largest cities, Batumi is located on the shores of the Black Sea, and the climate of the region is pleasantly subtropical. It is a favorite destination for beach holiday lovers, and there are also several casinos in the city.
A lot of modern buildings have sprung up in Batumi, the architecture of which can be very special. The city’s most confusing attractions include the Sheraton Hotel, built as a replica of an ancient Alexandria hut, and a 130-meter-high winding tower dedicated to the Georgian alphabet.
Bakuriani
Those who like to go to the slopes enjoy the ski resort in the southern part of the country, which has also aspired to host the Winter Olympics.
THE BEST OF GEORGIA
Georgian food is one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in the country.
Experience at least these in Georgia
- Tbilisi spas – take a dip in the hot water and enjoy its believable health benefits
- Hatsapuri – a delicacy of melted cheese
- Skoola Saperavilla – and remember that a glass of Borjomi can make it easier the next morning
- Try your luck at the casino
- Admire the ancient churches. In almost every city you will find impressive cathedrals built in the traditional style.