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Overview
Delve into the culture of a land where myths and legends seem to spring from every forest, rock and stream, on one of our Georgia Tours.
Lying at the crossroads of trade and tradition for centuries, Georgia is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. It’s a country of breath-taking landscapes, a cuisine that is as delicious as it is undiscovered and a rich national story stretching back over 5,000 years.
We go out of our way to put together Georgia
Delve into the culture of a land where myths and legends seem to spring from every forest, rock and stream, on one of our Georgia Tours.
Lying at the crossroads of trade and tradition for centuries, Georgia is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. It’s a country of breath-taking landscapes, a cuisine that is as delicious as it is undiscovered and a rich national story stretching back over 5,000 years.
We go out of our way to put together Georgia small group tours that combine off the beaten track locations, with must-see sites. Our tour guides will treat you to Georgia’s wine and food culture and walk you through remote mountain villages, all while meeting some of the friendliest locals you’re likely to find.
Our Georgia tailor-made holidays allow you to explore the snow-covered peaks of the Caucasus Mountains, the glittering waters of the Black Sea and the picturesque meadows of wildflowers, all that gives Georgia a claim to be considered as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s little wonder that the Georgians themselves believe their country to be a gift from God.
It also boasts a cultural heritage that’s able to rival almost anywhere, with its host of captivating churches decorated with colourful frescos, ancient watchtowers and medieval cave cities carved into the mountainside. Its history tells of invasion and conquest from Greeks, Mongols, Ottomans and Russians – and all have left an indelible mark on Georgia we see today. Its architecture, art, religion and cuisine contain clear influences from these old powers and yet are still uniquely Georgian.
The capital city of Tbilisi has its own charm, its old town is full of winding streets lined with quirky shops and chic cafes. On the coast of the Black Sea lies Georgia’s second-largest city of Batumi, a former regional commercial hub and now a popular retreat for locals looking to enjoy the area’s warm weather. And then there’s Gori, the birthplace of Stalin and a town where the country’s Soviet past is still clearly visible in its austere architecture.
Whether you visit Georgia to see its scenery, meet the locals, enjoy its cuisine, discover its history, or all of the above, we don’t think you’ll come away disappointed. Georgia has everything you need for a perfect holiday.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Georgia with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF GEORGIA
BEST EXPERIENCES
A country of breath-taking landscapes, a cuisine that is as delicious as it is undiscovered and a rich national story stretching back over 5,000 years
Enjoy cooking in a local home
Savour Georgia’s culinary delights as you take part in an intimate cooking class in a local family’s home. Create and sample traditional dishes and wash them down with some famous local wine or chacha!
Find ancient frescos in a cave town
Discover the mysterious cave town of Vardzia, as you explore the remaining 500 caves which are home to stunning 12th century frescos, small churches, living quarters and even wine cellars.
Visit the stunning Gergeti Church
Soak up the spectacular setting of Gergeti Trinity Church, located in the heart of Kazbegi National Park with an unbeatable backdrop of Mount Kazbegi.
Stop by a family-owned winery
Take a wine tour at Chateau Ateni; a family-owned vineyard and winery, located just 15-minutes drive from Gori, offering a relaxed alternative to the busier wineries of Telavi
Explore Stalin's birthplace
Explore Gori the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, Georgia's most infamous son. Visit Stalin's house and the Stalin Museum which features the famous Stalin statue that was controversially standing in the main square up until June 2010
Hike through remote Georgia
With snaking ribbons of river glittering in the Georgian sunlight, high mountain passes and churning waterfalls, soak up the undiscovered and unchanged mountains and villages of Tusheti.
See Mtskheta's UNESCO treasures
Travel to the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta and visit the UNESCO world heritage sites of Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
Discover local culinary delights
Sample fabulous Georgian cuisine as you explore the streets of Tbilisi, from small local bakeries to the capital’s oldest market, finishing with a delicious tasting at the city’s very first wine bar.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Below are a selection of our favourite places to visit. Selet a place to browse things to do and places to stay as well as tours that visit the region.
Gori
This is a strange place that was at one time obviously quite a town, with pretty boulevards and large townhouses. But, like many other places across the former Soviet Union, it has suffered economically ...
Kutaisi
Georgia's second city, Kutaisi, was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Colchis. It was here, according to legend, that Jason and his Argonauts ...
Tbilisi
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia is a lively, charming city, built along the twisting valley of the river Mtkvari, and was for centuries was one of the greatest multi-cultural trading cities along the ...
Vardzia
This 12th century medieval cave city was originally set up as a fort by King Giorgi III. It was when is daughter, Queen Tamar, built a monastery here that its purpose changed from military to religious,...
Kakheti
Georgia is known for its ancient viticulture roots and no visit to the country would be complete without spending time in the beautiful wine region of Kakheti. Here you can learn how Georgians make ...
Kazbegi National Park
Thanks to its epic mountain scenery and accessible location, Kazbegi National Park is a must for any lover of the outdoors. Located in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the region takes its name from ...
Svaneti
Situated in the northwestern part of Georgia, the historical province of Svaneti is one of the country's greatest treasures. The stunning landscapes are scattered with picturesque villages, which are ...
Tusheti
Located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Tusheti is one of the most beautiful parts of one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Bordered by the Russian republics of Chechnya ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Below is a selection of our favourite places to stay. Select a property to find out more.
Porta Caucasia, Stepantsminda
Travel through the Caucasus range towards Mount Kazbegi to reach the four-star Porta Caucasia Kazbegi Hotel. Standing 1740 metres above sea level, the hotel has fantastic picturesque mountainous…
Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Stepantsminda
Surrounding scenery alone would make this beautiful mountain hideaway an unavoidable choice of stay. Sat on the slope of a steep, green mountain high in the Caucasus, adorned by forests of conifers and…
Rooms Hotel Tbilisi, Tbilisi
Rooms Hotel has been renovated from a former publishing house into an eight-storey hotel with a mixture of rustic and contemporary designs, keeping in line with the bohemic vibes from this part of the…
Solomon Hotel, Kutaisi
A contemporary and stylish accommodation in Kutaisi, Solomon Hotel brings a 19th century building into the modern era using minimalist décor and natural materials. Set within the historic district, the…
Stamba Hotel, Tbilisi
Standing on the Kostava Street, around the corner of Rustaveli Avenue, is the Stamba Hotel, a beautifully designed hotel within a former Soviet-era publishing house. Alongside the quirky interiors, the…
Vardzia Resort, Vardzia
Opposite the Vardzia cave monastery complex is the unique Vardzia Resort. The lovely garden area has its own cave and small church, as well as a summer bar with private seating around the ponds. Enjoy…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
The weather conditions can be extremely varied (even within the course of a day!). The Greater Caucasus Range moderates local climate by serving as a barrier against cold air from the north and the relatively small territory covers different climatic zones, which are determined by distance from the Black Sea and by altitude. The climatic zones range from humid subtropical to snow and glaciers.
Read Our Best Time To Visit Georgia Guide >
Meet the expert, Natalie
Natalie is our Causcaus expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Georgia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is not usually present in Georgia but we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Georgia the official unit of currency is the Lari.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
In Georgia, in churches and cathedrals women should cover their heads with a scarf or hat, while men should take their hats off.
Language & Religion
The official language of Georgia is Georgian. South Caucasian groups other than ethnic Georgians often speak their native languages in addition to Georgian.
Georgia’s Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church was founded in the 1st Century and is one of the world’s most ancient Christian Churches. In Georgia every citizen has the right of religion and nearly 85% of the country practice orthodox Christianity. Muslims make up the largest of the religious minorities within Georgia.
Time
Georgia is 4 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Food in the Caucasus is one of the biggest attractions for visitors and is the centrepiece of domestic cultural activity. Here they pride themselves on being the bons viveurs of the former Soviet Union and much of the food and wine – for which Georgia especially is so famous – is simply delicious - do not expect to lose weight!
Each region of Georgia has its unique cuisine with flavours derived from spice combinations, but as a rule, a focus on herbs and garlic predominates and also makes extensive use of walnuts. Vegetarians can be catered for, but for any other dietary requirements please contact the office.
Georgian wines are regarded as the best quality. The country's unique climate and soil quality have made it a major winemaking region for many thousands of years and Kindzmareuli, a fruity, red wine, is reputed to have been Stalin’s favourite tipple. Akhasheni and Teliavi are two of the more common red wines, fruity and dry respectively. Tsinandali is a dry white wine, as is Gurdzhaani.
Travelling Solo In Georgia
All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.