Distance from Tbilisi: 108 km

The Bakuriani ski slopes are located in the south of Georgia and were once the location for a bid to host the Winter Olympics. This is the major ski resort in Georgia.

Travel time:

2 hours 24 minutes by road (83 GEL)

4 hours by train (148 GEL)

Clothing: A winter jacket is a must.

Distance from Tbilisi: 12.4 km

Lake Lisi is bigger than Turtle Lake but also further out of Tbilisi. You can swim in the lake and there are long trails into the mountains suitable for hiking.

Travel time:

24 minutes by road (5 GEL)

55 minutes by train (10 GEL)

Clothing: Clothing is dependent on the season and can be light in the summer months and heavier in the winter.

Distance from Tbilisi: 8.3 km

This gorgeous lake is on the outskirts of Tbilisi and is known for its hiking opportunities into the hills that surround the lake.

Travel time:

22 minutes by road (5 GEL)

56 minutes by train (10 GEL)

Clothing: Clothing is dependent on the season and can be light in the summer months and heavier in the winter.

Distance from city center: 6.5 km

The national botanical gardens of Georgia are located near Narikala Fortress at the Tsavkisis-Tskali Gorge. The gardens have a variety of plants as well as waterfalls.

Best mode of transport: Bus 32

Duration of travel: 32 minutes

Bring a camera to take photographs

Distance from city center: 5.7 km

Much of the fortress is made up of crumbling ruins, but a trek to the top yields views over the city. A tramway takes guests to the top of the hill on which the fortress sits.

Best mode of transport: Bus 44

Duration of travel: 21 minutes

Bring a camera to take photographs

Distance from city center: 6.1 km

Located in Abanotubani, there are a variety of small local baths where you can bath in the pools and also have a massage. The waters here are said to have medicinal properties.

Best mode of transport: Bus 50

Duration of travel: 16 minutes

Bring a camera to take photographs

Gonio:

Gonio is a busy beach that has a great nightlife scene. It is covered in bars and clubs and is popular with a young crowd. The water here however is known for being quite dirty and swimming is not usually recommended.

Kvariati:

A peaceful beach which is known for Rakushkebi, a bungalow designed by a local artists. Nowadays this is a restaurant and serves local food and cocktails. The beach is quiet, relaxing, and known for being clean.

Sarpi:

Close to the border with Turkey, Sarpi is known for cliff diving and you can jump into the water here from a height of around 7 meters. The beach also has public showers.

Tbilisi Mall is the only Western shopping center in Tbilisi. It is accessible via the 121 Bus or the 51 Minibus. It has 3 floors and sells clothes as well as Western brands and fast food like Burger King and Popeye’s Chicken. There is also a large Carrefour Supermarket here.

Cafe Gabriadze, Shavtelis Qucha. This restaurant is newly renovated and puts a spin on traditional Georgian dishes. Plates her come with a modern twists, and this is a trendy and artsy place to eat if you are looking for something different in Tbilisi.

Dzveli Saxli (Old House), 3 Sanapiro St, 12:00-24:00. This restaurant is known for its live music and has a singing every day after 6 pm. You can get traditional Georgian food here with stunning views across the river.

Shemoikhede Genatsvale, 25 Leselidze St, serves tasty local Georgian favorites and is known for its reasonable prices and large portions. Dishes start from 50 GEL and signature plates include potatoes and beef.

Buddha Bar, Rikhe, 0144 Tbilisi

An upscale place to chill out in the cozy couches or grab a drink, play the piano or just hit the dance floor. Shine the night till you drop!

Buddha Bar, Rikhe, 0144 Tbilisi

Reservations are needed to come to this bar and lounge which has an Asian theme and is part of a chain. Patrons can enjoy sushi here as well as electronic music.

Buddha Bar, Rikhe, 0144 Tbilisi

This one is for the party animals. Having a big dance floor, the bank club can accommodate quite a big crowd. They also have a resting area in case you need to take your weight off from your legs. Follow the facebook page for more info.

Many nationalities can travel to Georgia and stay for one year without a visa. Nationals who do need a visa can apply for an evisa online for a fee of US$20.40 that takes 5 days to process.

List of nationalities who have permission for Visa free entries:

Citizens of all European Union countries as well as of Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Barbados,Belarus, Belize, Bosniaand Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City.

List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival:

N/A

Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions:

N/A

Valid URL of the sources for all the above information (preferably from the embassy website):

https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/HtmlPage/Html/View?id=956&lang=Eng

Illegal drug use is a criminal offense.

The penalty for smuggling drugs can be between 5 to 25 years and/or a fine.

There is actually no legal drinking age set in Georgia.

Homosexuality is legal in Georgia although it is not particularly common to see open displays of affection in rural areas.

Health:

Georgia is mostly a safe country to visit. Mosquitoes are found from May to October in Georgia and malaria exists but is uncommon expect in rural areas. Some areas of Georgia about 2500 meters can cause altitude sickness. Hypothermia can occur in Georgia in cold areas. Tap water is generally safe to drink. Health care is of a good standard in cities but can be expensive. Medical care may be limited in rural areas. Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A and B, Tuberculosis and Rabies.

Safety:

Crime is low in Georgia and is limited to low level crime such as bag snatching and pick pocketing. Women should dress modestly in rural areas and in mosques or churches. In Tusheti in Georgia, women are not allowed to enter animist shrines called khatebi which are for men only.

Georgia is known for its long and illustrious history and is also one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world, with wine production having been recorded here in 8000 BC. The alphabet used in Georgia is said to mirror the loops on a grapevine, and the language of Georgia is Georgian. Most of the population is Georgian Orthodox, although Catholicism and Islam are also practiced here. Georgia was part of the Russian Empire for many years until it became its own republic in 1918, although it did not become fully independent until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. In the modern day, Georgia is most well known for its spas and baths, ski resorts, and wine production.