Georgia for a summer holiday - experience please!

[daystartswithcoffee]

Hi!
We're a 'last minute' kinda family - well travelled, and happy to rough it. And, I'm thinking about booking a 10 - 12 day trip to Georgia late July. We're two adults and a 15 year old girl - who doesn't mind a bit of adventure. Has anyone got any tips? Is 10 days enough? We like rural experiences, different cultures, getting off the beaten track. Is it 'too hot' in July? (We're fairly good with heat though - last year we spent three weeks in Sri Lanka in July. And only booked that two weeks before we flew!) I'd love to hear experiences of other Georgia holidays!

The entire country is currently under a FCO travel warning. There have been huge protests and unrest against Russian aggression.

Well, it's not, that's a bit disingenuous. Some parts are, but if you're sticking to Tbilisi then you should be ok.
I flew there (about 20 years ago mind) for a day or so and it was a stunning country. If you're an adventurous family then go for it, just keep an eye on the travel advice and have good insurance.
I also usually keep an note of the local embassy details on my phone

It is. This is from the webpage today. Obviously it's only advice but the advice is for the whole country.

I've travelled extensively in the region and have friends in Tbilisi. I'd consider going on my own as an adventure but I wouldn't take the kids. It's too risky OP I'm sorry.

If you're looking for new cultures and off the beaten track maybe consider the Baltics? The countryside and lake swimming in Latvia, Lithuania this time of year is absolute heaven. Or somewhere like Slovenia or Montenegro are less travelled and still very unspoiled in many parts (avoid Bled and Kotor if you dont want to come across many other tourists)

If you want to really push it then Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan are absolutely stunning and very culturally different but much further from conflict. Bit harder to navigate if you dont speak the language though.

Just checking that you do indeed mean Georgia the country and not Georgia USA?

If you mean Georgia the country, then no, I wouldn't take DC there.

@DappledThings it says it advises against travel to PARTS of Georgia.

My apologies. I read that 4 times and swore it said "all travel to all parts". I mentally inserted a second "all" multiple times. You are entirely correct.

Not sure I'd go to Georgia with children because of the political situation, but I'd recommend Uzbekistan. We went 2 years ago and combined the Silk route with treks in the hills and homestays in the mountains. It was a fantastic holiday and we really enjoyed all aspects of it - lovely people, great culture, fab scenery. It will be hot in July though.

I’m going there solo at the end of July. Most of Georgia is totally green in the travel advisory. The tricky areas are around the Russian border and south ossettia, and I think that’s always been the case. I’m going to Kazbegi.

I love a bit of adventure too, OP. Sounds like Georgia may be a bit risky. What about Oman instead? I've only heard good things about Oman.

We did a daily holiday there a few years ago so can only comment on the sights. my kids (albeit toddlers then) had a great time. We stayed in Tbilisi, Kazbegi and upper saventi and it was wonderful. We went to Oman on the same trip and it’s another wonderful for a road trip.

We went to Georgia last year. It was amazing and we are planning another trip for next year.

I planned the whole holiday from this blog:

https://wander-lush.org

You can book a driver for single or multiple day trips- a bit like a long distance uber and very reasonably priced. We spent a week in Tblisi, breaking it up with an overnight in Guduari. We also did a day trip to the David Gareja Monastery. Next year we are going to go to their wine country.

If you stay away from the specific trouble spots, it’s perfectly safe- Tbilisi is achingly beautiful.

Which Georgia?

Thank you!
I've got a few specific questions:

• what time of year did you go? Am a little concerned about the heat in July (although we're fairly good with heat. We were in Sri Lanka last summer!)
• how long were you there? Just a week in Tiblisi? or did you spend time elsewhere.
• Very rough costs? How does it compare with western europe for eating out for instance

Many thanks!

Sorry! Just to clarify - Georgia in the Caucasus 🙂

Thanks! What time of year did you go? we like doing a bit of walking (not mega-hikes though) and am bit worried about the heat in July. And, how old were your kids? :-)

Just a +1 for Uzbekistan.

We went in April so it was still fairly mild- and too much snow for us to go to Kazbegi which is how we ended up in Guduari instead!

I would go in July, but I don’t mind the heat. Tbilisi is supposed to get particularly steamy in July/August, but I would book a hotel with a pool.

We were only there for a week. 3 nights in Tbilisi, then we hired a driver to take us to Guduari where we stayed overnight. When the driver picked us up the next morning, he took us to the Friendship Monument, Ananuri Complex, Mtskheta and the Chronicles of Georgia on the way back (that pretty much filled up a whole day). We then had another 3 nights in Tbilisi and spent one of those days on a day trip to the David Gareja Monastery (small local tour group).

There’s still a lot more I want to do in Tbilisi and so many other areas I want to go to. Ideally I’d spend about a month there, but that’s not happening!

Last year eating out was pretty cheap compared to the UK. I would have said around half to 2/3rds of what you would pay here, but I think prices have really skyrocketed in the UK over the past 12 months, and not sure if it’s been similar in Georgia. We ate very very well and often over accidentally ordered because a lot of dishes were really meant for sharing.

If you do go, make sure you go to Cha Cha Corner in Tbilisi. The guy who runs it is fabulous- he’ll pour you shots of different flavoured cha cha, tailored to what he thinks you’ll like. I don’t tend to like much hard alcohol but he had a cherry one and then a chocolate cha cha which were both divine. The owner is very proud that he only has 5 star reviews on google maps, and quite rightly so!

Thank you! What time of year did you go, please?
Too hot? Or still fun in July/August?
thanks!

Also think about North Macedonia

@WickedGoodDogethis is very helpful. How did you travel between places? I’ve heard bad things about the driving! Did you hire a private driver?

@WickedGoodDogesorry I’ve just read your post again and you did hire a driver!

Yes, we hired a driver. I did it through Go Trip: https://gotrip.ge/en/

It worked out really well. Once I’d booked via the website, the driver contacted me via WhatsApp to sort out the exact itinerary. I’d asked to go to Kazbegi but he said there would still be a lot of snow and recommended Guduari instead. We didn’t ski but for £15 we got day passes for all the ski lifts and gondolas and had a fabulous afternoon bopping about the mountains (lots of cafes/bars at different levels and amazing views).

You are hiring a driver, not a tour guide, but our driver spoke excellent English and was happy to chat or not chat. He made various suggestions for places we could stop at on the way back to Tblisi. If anyone does go to Georgia and wants his details, am happy to DM.

I’ll attach some photos (obviously it won’t be covered in snow in July!)

I went in August and it was very very hot.