General Summary of Weather in Georgia

Summer: The busiest tourist season is from June to mid-September. Expect hot weather (30+ Celsius/86+ Farenheit is typical) and plenty of dry days with blue skies and minimal clouds. Head to the mountains or the Black Sea coast to cool off.

Spring & Autumn (Fall): Very pleasant temperatures, in the 20 degree Celsius (68 Farenheit) range in Tbilisi. Both seasons can have rain. These are both considered the shoulder seasons. November is often sunny, whereas March/April can be the wettest months and still quite cold during some years. May and September are typically glorious.

Winter: Tbilisi is typically dry with a reasonable amount of sunny days. Batumi will be wet but with milder temperatures. Ski resorts officially open around early/mid-December, though in practice many won’t open until mid to late December.

Personally, I consider May, September, and October to be my favorite months. Daytime temperatures mostly always fall under 30 degrees Celsius (86 Farenheit), so life is much more pleasant than it is during the heat of the summer, but it’s still warm enough to enjoy most evenings in a t-shirt.

In comparison to the UK and most places in the US Northeast, you’ll find the winter temperatures in Georgia to be similar to what you might be used to back home. The difference is that winter lasts for a much shorter period, and is accompanied by less wind and rainfall.

Countries citizens which do not require a visa to enter Georgia:

Foreign citizens possessing a “Laissez-passer” travel document issued by the United Nations or its specialized agencies have the right to enter Georgia without a visa and stay inside the country for a full year.

The list of such countries is as follows: Australia, Azerbaijan, Albania, United States of America, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, New Zealand, Barbados, Bahrain, Commonwealth of Bahamas, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Japan, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Canada, Qatar, Colombia, Republic of Korea, Costa Rica, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Republic of Mauritius, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Moldova, territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Oman, Panama, Russia, South Africa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, territories of the French Republic – French Polynesia and New Caledonia, Seychelles, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Armenia, Thailand, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, The Holy See, Croatia, Honduras, Jordan.

Citizens of 26 EU member states have the right to enter Georgia without a visa and stay inside the country for a full year. They can enter the country holding a travel document or an identity card issued in the European Union. This rule also applies to citizens of Great Britain and the overseas territories of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Bermuda, Cayman, British Virgin Islands, Falklands, Turks and Caicos, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, and Isle of Man.

Who needs a visa and exemption to enter the country?

Citizens of all other countries require an appropriate visa to travel to Georgia. Exceptions are citizens of China, Egypt, Guyana, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Peru who hold valid diplomatic or official/service passports issued by their country. They can enter and stay in the territory of Georgia for a specified period.

It is possible to obtain a Georgian visa at the relevant consulates or embassies both through electronic application registration and the electronic visa portal. Documents are submitted according to the visa category. A decision on issuing or denying a visa is made within 5 to 30 calendar days, depending on the visa category.

Transits

Crew members of international airlines, railways, or sea transport and passengers with intermediate transfers do not need a visa for passing through the territory of Georgia. If the passengers have a document confirming the right to enter the country of destination, they can transit through Georgian territory with the permission of the border police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Their stay in the country should not exceed 10 days.

For more information, visit the link: https://geoconsul.gov.ge/en

 

 Greeting and Farewell phrases:
 

Gamarjoba – Greet someone with this phrase at any time of the day in Georgia.

Dila mshvidobisa – Good morning

Saghamo mshvidobisa – Godo evening

Nakhvamdis – Good bye / So long

Kargad brdzandebodet – Good bye

Momaval Shekhvedramde – Until next time

Mshvidobit – Farewell

Gamikharda tkveni gatsnoba – Nice to meet you

Gamikharda sheni/tkveni nakhva – Was nice seeing you

Addressing people:

Batono – Sir

Kalbatono – Ma’am

Gogona – Miss

Kmatsvilo – Young man

Asking How Someone Is:

Rogor brdzandebit? – How are you doing?

Gmadlobt, kargad – Thank you, I’m doing well

Sheudzlod var – I am unwell

Traveling questions:

Ukatsravad, ver metkvit, sad aris metrosadguri/avtobusis gachereba/mikroavtobusis gachereba? – Excuse me, can you please tell me where the subway/bus/minibus stop is?

Sad sheidzleba gavachero taksi? – Where can I hail a cab?

Sad aris sakalaktashoriso avtosadguri? – Where is the intercity bus station?

Sad aris rkinigzis sadguri? – Where is the railway station?

Sad vikiraveb skrols? – Where can I rent a Scroll scooter?

Sad aris sabagiro? – Where is the cable car station?

Sad kiravdeba navi?  – Where can I rent a boat?

Phrases to Use at Your Hotel

Gakvt tavisupali nomeri? –  Is there a vacant room in the hotel?

Gakvt sastumroshi restorani/bari/kape? – Does this hotel have a restaurant, bar, or cafe? .

Aris sastumroshi gasartobi sivrtse? –  Do you have some entertainment options?

Gakvt taksis gamodzakhebis servisi? –  Can you order a taxi for me?

Shops/Pharmacies/Other

Ukatsravad, ver metkvit, sad aris uakhloes sasursato maghazia / supermarketi? – Excuse me, can you please tell me where the next supermarket is?

Ukatsravad, ver metkvit, sad aris uakhloesi aptiaki? – Excuse me, can you please tell me where the next pharmacy is?

Ukatsravad, romel saatamde mushaobt? – Excuse me, can you please tell me your opening hours?

Ra ghirs? – How much?

Bank/ATM/Currency Exchange

Ukatsravad, ver metkvit, sad aris banki? – Excuse me, can you please tell me where the bank is?

Ukatsravad, ver metkvit, aris tu ara ak akhlos bankomati? – Excuse me, can you please tell me where the closest ATM is?

Ukatsravad, ver metkvit, sad aris ak savaluto jikhuri? – Excuse me, can you please tell me where the closest currency exchange office is?

Restaurants/Bars/Cafés

Gakvt tavisupali magida? – Do you have a free table?

Ukatsravad, sheidzleba skami chaamatot? – Excuse me, can you please add another chair here?

Dzalian gemrieli kerdzia – Such a delicious dish!

The Art and Architecture of Gergeti Trinity Church

Like many Georgian churches, the two-story Gergeti Trinity Church is surrounded by a wall and contains a hidden second floor in which priests and parishioners would have hidden during invasions. During the dangerous years of the Middle Ages, the Cross of Saint Nino was hidden in the church, although it now resides in Tbilisi’s Sioni Church.

Within the church, you’ll find fascinating examples of 16th-century art, including depictions of the Mother of God, the Saviour, John the Baptist, and Saint Nino. You’ll also find two rather unusual icons – Saavdro (meaning “for bad weather”) and Sadaro (meaning “for good weather”).

If you’re lucky enough to be in the area on July 16th, you’ll bear witness to the celebration of Gergetoba, in which the church fills with people to celebrate the arrival of the Icon of the Mother of God from Sioni Church. The service ends with the singing of beautiful hymns and is a fascinating cultural experience.

How to Get to Gergeti Trinity Church

The Gergeti Trinity Church is located on the outskirts of Stepantsminda, a mountain town that bears exploration and endless panoramas.

Visitors can reach the church either by taking a local cab or by taking the 30-40-minute walk uphill. This is a hike of intermediate difficulty, ending with you standing at a height of 2,200 meters above sea level.

Regardless of how you make the journey, you’ll have your breath taken away by the astounding beauty of the church and its stunning backdrop. The church itself is an outstanding example of Georgian religious architecture, and is made all the more beautiful by its unique location.

 

The History of the Jvari Monastery

The seed of what would someday become Jvari was planted by the then-ruler of Kartli, Guarami, who built a small church near where Jvari stands today. His son, Stephanoz I, built the cross-domed Jvari Monastery there between 585 and 604. While his father’s church no longer exists, Stepanoz’s impressive monument to God stands to this day.

Jvari is a typical example of a tetraconch – an archaic type of church planning and construction. The round shape, four apses and four niches are the main remarkable features of it.

The walls of the church are decorated with Asomtavruli script – some of the earliest examples of Georgian writing. The script on the walls tells the story about how Stepanoz I had the church constructed, and frescoes depict the king and his family members. It is not known who the architect of the monastery was, however.

Worldwide Recognition of the Mtskheta Jvari Church

Jvari Monastery started the trend of building crossed-dome churches in Georgia, earning it Georgia’s first nomination on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Monks have been living at Jvari Monastery since 1996.

What is There to See at Martvili Canyon?

Historically, the area was part of the summer residences of the Dadianis, the ruling family of the lands that are now Samegrelo. Covered in verdant Colchic forest, the canyon’s visitor’s centre is in the village of Inchkhuri, where a 700-metre-long round trip path will take you into the very depths of the forest. This path has two natural bridges that you’ll cross along the way, fifty steps made from limestone boulders, and three viewing platforms from which to soak in nature’s splendour.

Boating on the Abasha River

On the shore of the Abasha River, you will find rubber boats and guides waiting for you. Each boat can seat six people, and you will be provided with special equipment, such as life vests and helmets. Once you’re all set up, you’ll start moving down the 300- to 350-meter-long section, and, if you wish, you can even direct the boat along with the captain. 

The boat will follow the river’s course between moss-covered cliffs, and in the middle, there are small waterfalls flowing down, which are a magical turquoise colour.

You can take a boat through the canyon every day of the week,  but keep in mind that it should not be raining. The most active season is from April until November. Safety measures are strictly followed: you cannot take the boat in rainy weather, enter in an inebriated state, bring children without a caretaker, swim, fish, smoke, collect natural materials, or pick flowers.