ESL Blogs

Hello, guys!) 

I'm currently in Georgia traveling around beautiful places so I'm gonna share with you useful tips and my impressions that can help you if you go there! (as usual, all photos are taken by me. I made a movie for you. You can watch it in the end of this blog).

So my first stop in Georgia was Tbilisi - the capital city and a very interesting place. 

I arrived to the National airport where you can get to the city by train, bus #37 (I wouldn't recommend) and taxi (I preferred). Need to say that taxi is very cheap in Tbilisi so I used it (one trip in the city zone is around 2-3$).

TRANSPORT IN TBILISI

I'd recommend all people to use taxi. Most of people here can understand and speak English, Russian and Georgian. If you're lost, people will help you. mention that all bus stops and metro stations don't have English letters (only Georgian) so you can't read where you are :)))) Also the public buses are so small that you'll die there inside when it is summer. Around the country you can use trains (not so wide-spread, only to some cities) and "marshrutka" (small mini - bus for 12-16 people).

There are several bus stations in Tbilisi (Didube, Samgori) and one railway station. Use taxi to get there and you'll understand why! 

Also be careful on the streets! Georgian drivers are too active and traffic lights mean nothing to them. If you want to cross the road, check if there are no cars there and only then go. 

If you take a taxi, be ready that if you speak English you'll pay more than a simple Georgian :D:D I spoke Russian so I could reduce the price because usually if the trip costed 4 lari in reality, I was told about 10-16.

WHERE TO LIVE

As I wrote before, I use "Booking.com" for booking my hotels. I booked "Hotel Orien Royal" in Tbilisi and can recommend it to anyone (24 euros per night). It is situated not far from centre (Rustaveli avenue) and in 10 minutes on foot you're in the centre of the city. 

MONEY EXCHANGE

You can change your euros and dollars in special small shops (you'll see them everywhere) without any problems. The national currency is LARI (1 euro - 2, 48 lari). 

PRICES

Tbilisi isn't an expensive city. You can eat in cafe every day and you won't spend so much money if you go Barcelona, for example. The typical prices were: 

coffee - 4-5 lari 

ice-cream - 1-1,5 lari

water - 0,6 lari per litre 

shashlyk (roasted meat, national dish) - 7-10 lari 

wine (bottle) - from 13 to 25 lari 

khachapuri (national dish) - from 4 to 12 lari (depends on size) 

taxi - around 5 lari if the distance in 5-7 km 

NATIONAL CUISINE

Oh, here i can write endless words of glory to Georgian cuisine. Try all meat dishes, wine and ...and..everything! Everything is delicious, tasty and worth eating. Need to say that Georgian food is mostly meat cuisine but there are also vegetarian dishes. Wine is a special drink here so try all sorts of it. 

WHERE TO GO IN TBILISI 

Tbilisi is a wonderful city for walking on foot. Visit Rustaveli avenue, go to the Bridge of Peace and use funiculars to go to Mtazminda mountain and see all Tbilisi as it is on your hand. Evenings are crowd here and many people sit in restaurants and cafes. You can hear street music and other activities. As for me, I prefer to walk on my 2 feet around the city and find interesting places by myself (see the photo movie). 

CRIMINALS

As usual, be careful with your bags and wallets. There are gypsy people on the streets and they like to beg for money. I'd suggest to refuse them in polite way. Otherwise you'll spend all your money on it. Evenings were save and you can walk around the city till the deep midnight. There are many policemen on the street so don't be afraid of anyone! Girls, avoid street men, they like foreign women and be careful :) 

MY IMPRESSIONS 

Tbilisi is a great historical city. You won't find new York landscapes here but you will find warm atmosphere and tasty food and nice impressions from the city. I loved this city and people in it. I loved all streets and ancient churches. I loved Georgian food and Georgian people who are always ready to help you and they like to have a simple talk with you :) 

And here is my movie with photos from Tbilisi for you: 

Best regards, Honey Beebeeashvili :)