Social Conventions
Georgians pride themselves on their reputation for gregariousness and hospitality. Visitors sitting in restaurants are likely to be offered drinks by complete strangers. They will then be invited to raise (and empty) their glasses in response to an endless string of elaborate toasts, preferably interpolating a few suitably enthusiastic toasts of their own into the sequence. Smoking is widespread. Visitors may also be entertained in private homes. On such occasions, gifts such as chocolates, flowers or alcohol are well received. On social occasions foreign women will
find themselves the object of immense flattery. Those finding such attentions oppressive should avoid giving any hint of encouragement. Appropriate clothing should be worn when entering a church; visitors should ensure they are not wearing shorts and women should cover their heads. Visitors should also be aware that street crime is far from uncommon. Anyone traveling in the republic should be cautious when venturing out after dark, carry as few valuables as possible, and beware of the risk of being robbed and possibly attacked.
Tipping
For service in restaurants, cafes or taxis, the bill is usually rounded up.
International Travel:
Note
All travel to the breakaway regions of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, the Pankisi gorge beyond Akhmeta and the Svaneti region (northwest Georgia) should be avoided because of the heightened military and police tensions in these regions. On Feb 1 2005, there was a car bomb explosion in the city of Gori, located between Tbilisi and South Ossetia; the motive is unknown. Traveling alone in Georgia should be avoided and all precautions against the high levels of crime, including kidnapping, should be undertaken. However, travel to Ajara is possible since tensions have eased.
Air
Airzena Georgian Airlines (A9) (website: www.airzena.com), the national airline, operates regular flights from Athens, Frankfurt/M, Kiev, Moscow, Paris, Prague, Tel Aviv and Vienna. For further information, contact their offices in Paris (tel: (1) 4801 6724; fax: (1) 4801 6758). British Mediterranean, a franchise partner of British Airways, operates two direct scheduled flights per week to Tbilisi from London Heathrow; contact British Airways for details of flights (tel: (0870) 551 1155). Other airlines serving Georgia include Aeroflot, Air Ukraine, Austrian Airlines, Swiss and Turkish Airlines.
International airports
Tbilisi (TBS) is 16km (9 miles) east of Tbilisi city center. Buses and taxis are available to the city center (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, bars, restaurants, duty free shops, first aid and left luggage. In winter, power failures may affect the airport.
Note
On entering the country, tourists are advised to complete a customs declaration form, which they should retain until departure. This allows for the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables (such as jewelry, cameras, computers, etc) which must be registered on the declaration form. Customs inspections are detailed.
Prohibited imports
Military weapons and ammunition, narcotics and drug paraphernalia, pornography, loose pearls and anything owned by a third party that is to be carried in for that third party.
Prohibited exports
Works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture). In this case, the passenger should also hold a photo of the work of art or antique.
Internal Travel:
Air
Domestic flights operated by Airzena Georgian Airlines run between Tbilisi and Butani, Kutaisi and Senaki.
Rail
In total, Georgia has almost 1600km (987 miles) of railway. The Government has now restored order on the railway, which had suffered from fuel shortages, armed attacks on trains, sabotage of track and bridges, and there is now a fundamentally sound infrastructure. However, rail travel in the north and west is very difficult owing to the conflict in Abkhazia and visitors are advised not to undertake long-distance rail travel. Rail passengers are advised to store their valuables in the compartment under the seat/bed and not to leave the compartment unattended. It is also a good idea to ensure the compartment door is secure from the inside by tying it closed with wire or strong cord. Reservations are required for all trains. There are two classes of trains, primarily distinguished by the comfort of the seats. Children under five years of age travel free and children from five to nine years of age pay half fare.
Road
Traffic drives on the right. Georgia has approximately 20,000km (12,428 miles) of asphalted roads, and there is an ambitious project to construct a motorway connecting the Black Sea ports to the border with Azerbaijan, passing through Tbilisi. Travelers attempting to drive around Georgia independently should be aware that it is difficult to buy fuel without highly specialized local knowledge and that an adequate supply of fuel should be obtained in Tbilisi beforehand. Also, reliable road maps or signposts do not exist.
Buses provide a reliable if uncomfortable service between towns within the republic.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required to hire a vehicle.
Urban
Tbilisi is served by buses, trolleybuses, cable cars and a small underground system. It is common practice to flag down official taxis, but fares should always be negotiated in advance, bearing in mind the likelihood that rates set for foreigners will be unreasonably high. In view of the rising crime rate, foreigners should take precautions before getting into a car, and it is generally safer to use officially marked taxis which should not be shared with strangers. It is inadvisable to take a ride if there is already more than one person in the car.
MORE AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN GEORGIA
Georgia Travel Tips
Georgia most important informations