1.    Cradle of Wine

There’s likely no place on Earth where wine is so interwoven into a culture as it is in Georgia. In the countryside, where most people still grow their own grapes and make their own wine, homes typically have dedicated wine cellars (Marani). Even in Georgian cities, urbanites who balance progress with tradition nurture their own vines.
Before Eastern Orthodox Christianity emerged as Georgia’s predominant religion in the fourth century, Georgians were pagan, and the influence of Dionysus—the god of wine and ecstasy—remains rooted in Georgian culture. In fact to many, the mantra “life without feasting is meaningless,”—is one they prove at every opportunity.
The opening of a qvevri—a buried clay pot in which most Georgian households make their wine—is a celebrated event, a reason for feasting in and of itself. At the heart of communal life’s many milestones—happy and sad—is the supra, a feast with a succession of toasts. Often compared to an “academy of learning,” these ritual feasts draw from monastic tradition—in which an abbot would introduce topics for discussion in the form of a toast. To this day, drinking wine during a meal is a vehicle for examining life’s deep questions and answers. Feasting in Georgia is an unforgettable experience in which wine, the “Nectar of the Sun,” plays the central role; and the supra serves up a welcome table.
“Give me a vine and you can make me live on the sands,” goes an old Georgian saying. Georgians, however, have much more than sands; they have some of the oldest and most distinct grape-growing territories on the planet - where they have cultivated not just vines, but a world-class wine culture.

2.    Homeland of fists European

Dmanisi -  the place where The excavation of the hominid skulls completely changed the previously accepted ideas about the migration of hominids from Africa. The latest discovery – the 1.8-million-year-old teenager – has been reconstructed by French sculptor Elisabeth Daynes on the basis of its bones, found at Dmanisi in 2001. The girl is considered to be the "daughter" of the famous Mzia and Zezva (known as “the First Europeans”).
Read more at:   https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2010/07/dmanisi-home-of-first-europeans.html#zaFv7mouUsUAbKwT.97



3.    Bochorna  - the highest settled place in Europe

Bochorna   -  A Georgian village with one resident has been dubbed the highest settlement in Europe.  Until now the Georgian village of Ushguli was regarded as the highest inhabited village in Europe. However, this all has changed after the recent Census in Georgia. The 2014 General Census revealed Bochorna village, in Georgia’s northeast region Tusheti region, was the highest inhabited settlement at an altitude of 2,345 meters above sea level.
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4.    Land of Golden Fleece

You probably know the story about the Argonauts - how Jason and his crew of Argonauts, who set out on a quest for the fleece by the order of King Pelias, in order to place Jason rightfully on the throne of Iolcus in Thessaly. With the help of Medea, daughter of Georgian king Aeëtes, they acquired the Golden Fleece. The story is really ancient and as the myth suggests, the Argonauts sailed off to Colchis around 1300 B.C. Through centuries the myth had been interpreted in various forms and currently some crucial details vary according to its source.  Did  you know that this also took place in Georgia? Yes, that’s true. The second largest city of  Georgia, Kutaisi, located in the western part of the country, is the place where this drama has happened


5.    Border between Europe and Asia

Did you see the location of the county on a Map?  If no, look at it. Because of its location, Such empires as the Mongolian, Persian, Roman have conquered our country several times, destroyed the Christian churches and made Georgian civilians to flee for their lives, but Georgia survived all these and today, thanks to its unique history, ancient monuments, beautiful nature and  many other wonders attract more and more tourists from around the globe




6.    Oldest Cristian country

Georgia is one of the Eldest Cristian country in the world. Georgia adopted Christianity in the 4th century, thanks to Saint Nino. While visiting the country you can see ancient churches built 17 centuries ago.   The shrine itself is buried in the Bodbe monastery in Kakheti, in eastern Georgia

7.    Four  from 10 highest mountains of Europe are in Georgia

Georgia is mostly situated in the Southern Caucasus, while parts of the country are also located in the Northern Part. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range forms the northern border of Georgia, where 4 out of the 10 highest mountains of Europe are located.  Three  of them, particularly, Shkahara (5201 m), Tetnuldi (4853 m)  and Ushba (4690)  are located in the region of Svaneti and  the 4th mountain Kazbegi  (5047 m) is in Darial cave, 150  km north  from Tbilisi. For more info visit: www.pandotrip.com

8.    Alphabet

Georgia has its own Alphabet, which is among the 12 existed and one of the oldest alphabets   in the world. It consist of 33 letters and does not change between high and low cases.

SPORT

Zaza Pachulia, Basketball  - 2 times NBA champion, 13 years in NBA regular season

Mamuka Gorgodze , Rugby - Former captain of national team, currently playing in Toulon, one of the best rugby players in the world. In 2015 he was named as the best legionary of theFrench Top 14

Tochinoshin, Levan Gorgadze, Sumo - First Winner of the Imperator cup from Georgia, and third from Europe. In 2018 he was promoted to Ozeki, which is the second prestigious title after Yokozuna

Lasha Talakhadze, Wrestling - the Legend of world weightlifting and Georgian sport, Olympic champion, 3 times world champion, 2 times European champion, 12 world record holder and he is just 25 years old

Kakhaber Kaladze, Football – As of today he holds the position of Major of Tbilisi and at the same time is the most successful footballer from Georgia. He played 9 season in Milan, won Champions League 2 times and Seria A once

Geno Petriashvili, Wrestling – Georgian heavyweight freestyle wrestler. 2 times World Champion.

Nikoloz Basilashvili, Tennis – Professional tennis player. No. 21 in Men's Tennis ATP Rankings and the first Georgian player ever to win an ATP tournament

MUSIC & ART

Tamar Iveri, Soprano - She has performed at the world’s most prominent opera houses: Simon Boccanegra (Deutsche Opera in Berlin), La Bohème (Staatsoper in Vienna), Simone Boccanegra and Don Giovanni (Covent Garden). She was awarded the M. Abashidze National Prize in Georgia and received the Eberhard Waechter Medaille for her portrayal of Tatyana at the Vienna State Opera. She was nominated for ‘Best Female Performer’ in the prestigious Helpmann Awards for her performance as Amelia in the Australian Opera.

Nino Surguladze, mezzo-soprano - In many countries she is already recognized as one of the leading mezzo-sopranos of the modern generation. In spring 2016, for the role of Fenena in Verdi’s Nabucco that she performed at the Arena di Verona, Surguladze was awarded the winning prize for best mezzo-soprano.

Khatia Buniatishvili Pianist - she was invited to collaborate with Coldplay, the British band to create their album “A Head Full of Dreams’’. Buniatishvili can be heard on the song ‘Kaleidoscope’. The voice of former United States President Barack Obama also features in the song. Obama is heard singing Amazing Grace while at church.

Kate Melua, Singer  - a Georgian-British singer and songwriter. She moved to the United Kingdom at the age of eight – first to Northern Ireland and then to London in 1999. Melua is signed to the small Dramatico record label, under the management of composer Mike Batt,[and made her musical debut in 2003. In 2006, she was the United Kingdom's best-selling female artist and Europe's highest selling European female artist.

Anita Rachvelishvili, Mezzo Soprano - Upon graduating in 2006 she sang as a member of the Tbilisi Opera House before joining the Academy of Lyric Opera at the Accademia Teatro Alla Scala from 2007 to 2009. At the end of her tenure she made her international debut as Carmen for La Scala, Milan. She has since sung the role for companies including the Metropolitan Opera, New York, Berlin State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Deutsche Opera Berlin, Canadian Opera Company, San Francisco Opera, Arena di Verona and Teatro Regio, Turin.

Beka Gochiashvili – “Georgian Jazz Piano Prodigy” who have been playing piano since the age of 2. Currently he is a student at The Juilliard School in Manhattan and playing and recording with some of the biggest American Jazz names.

Demna Gvasalia – We guess you already know this name. Yes, the creative director of Balenciaga and head designer of Vetements who has taken the fashion industry and whose clothes were worn by Michelle Obama, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna etc.

Tako Natsvlishvili – Famous Georgian Model. Tako walked fashion shows for Versace, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana,Elie Saab, Ralph & russo, Christian Dior. In 2016 she became the face of Armani Collezioni’s spring-summer collection

Science & Invetions

Giorgi Dvali – well-known professor in theoretical physics at the University of New York and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Also scientist in CERN where he mainly works on elementary particle physics and participates in Large Hadron Collider experiment.

Alexander Kartveli – Okay, you may already have heard about Georgian pioneer of American aviation who revolutionized it and invented some of the most powerful airplanes during and after the World War II including P-47 Thunderbolt (the most produced fighter in the US during the WWII), F-84 Thunderjet, F-105 Thunderchief and famous A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) which was first introduced in 1977 and currently is still serving in the US Air Force as one of the most powerful ground-attack aircraft

Banks:


17 Banks are operating in Georgia. TBC and Bank of Georgia are the largest ones occupying 65% of the market share. You can find their branches everywhere in the city. Working hours of the standard branches are from 10 Am to 6 PM, but they also have 24 hour service centers. You can find detailed info on the following web sites: www.tbcbank.ge, www.bankofgeorgia.ge


Dress code:


There is no general dress code in the country – You wear what you want. But be careful while visiting religious places. It is strongly preferable for women to cover their shoulders, arms and head. Entering the church in the shorts and miniskirts is also prohibited.


Public Holidays in Georgia:


To see the full list of the holidays, please see the following address
Keep in mind that during the public holidays, museums and other governmental organizations might be closed but banking services will be available anyway. You can visit 24 hours service centers


Fairs and festivals

Some festivals regularly take place in Georgia, attracting more and more tourist. The most famous of them are: Batumi Jazz Festival, Tbilisi open air, Gem Fest, Day of Tbilisi (Tbilisoba), Day of Mtskheta (Svetitskhovloba).
Within the project “Check in Georgia”, every year Black Sea Arena hosts such a famous singers and bands like Aerosmith, Sting, Christina Aguilera, Elton John, Scorpions and Vanessa-Mae.


Now, Let’s study Georgian. Here are some words and phrases you may need to deserve much more favor and respect from Georgians


Gamarjoba - Hello, Hi
Madloba - thank you
Didi Madloba - thank you so much
Dila Mshvidobis – Good Morning
Sagamo Mshvidobis - Good evening
Nakhvamdis - Goodbye

What you need to see and try in Georgia for sure?


You should not leave the country without seeing Georgian traditional dances. You can watch it in all famous restaurants
You should test as more Georgian national dishes as possible - Georgian cuisine is among best food cultures in the world and it’s so diverse and differs by regions, that it needs a really long time to try it all


Advices to be taken into consideration:


Try to negotiate with taxi, do not accept the price immediately


Before changing the money in the exchange booth, pay attention what is written outside, it should be Commission free. If you see any amount of commission try to find another exchange office


Do not call the taxi from your hotel, it will cost you much more expensive, either stop it in the street or use mobile application like taxify


Be very attentive while crossing the street, even if it is a green light for you and red for the cars - usually, Georgian drivers does not respect the driving rules


In the bars and restaurant bill already includes 10%-15% service charge, so you are not obliged to pay it twice, but if you do, it will be appreciated


While visiting the villages you might be invited to someone’s home. You can accept it without constraints. Georgians are very hospitable and invitation to their own places just means they would like to show you their respect

1. SVAN TOWERS

One of a kind thing of the Svaneti region are its Svan towers – for sure one of the most unique Georgia tourist attractions, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. They were used as a defense towers, but some of them are still used for living. You will see many of them in Mestia, but for the best views we recommend you to visit the remote Ushguli, which is put under UNESCO due to them.

2. PROMETHEUS UNDERGROUND CAVE

It is said the Prometheus cave is a really nice example of the underground world. It should be even more magical because of the lights throughout it, which can also be enjoyed with a boat ride (extra ticket). 

3. CANYONS AND WATERFALLS

Due to its hilly landscape, Georgia is also rich with canyons. There are many, but two of them – the Okatse and Martvili, can easily be marked as some of the best Georgia tourist attractions

4. MONASTERIES

Main religion in Georgia is orthodox and you can see that on almost every step. Georgia is rich with monasteries and churches, so no wonder they are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Georgia. One of the nicest monasteries to visit is the Gelati monastery at the outskirts of the Kutaisi town, which is also under UNESCO world heritage protection. It has been rebuilt during our visit, but it was established in 1106 by the king Davit Agmashenebeli.  In the middle ages the Gelati monastery was the largest cultural and spiritual center in Georgia. 

5. STEPANTSMINDA (KAZBEGI)

Even though you are not a hiking enthusiast, visiting Kazbegi is a must – after all it is one of the most recognized tourist attractions in Georgia. More or less people visit this region for its Gregeti Trinity church at 2170 meters above se alevel – one of the most famous symbols of Georgia. On your way to Kazbegi or back to Tbilisi is a nice stop at the Ananuri castle, along the Aragvi river.

6. TBILISI

 

7. ADRENALIN SPORTS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND HIKING

Georgia is an absolute paradise for everyone who likes to spend their time outdoors and being active. The majority of the best places are in the north part of the country – hiking and mountain biking are best in Svaneti and Kazbegi. Reaching Kazbegi, you can also decide for wild water rafting, quad tours or paragliding. During winter, these regions are good for skiing, so don’t be too surprised to see the chairlifts. 

8. OLD TOWNS AND CITIES

9. MOUNTAIN PASSES AND REMOTE VILLAGES

The whole Georgia has some amazing roads, but you get the best ones on the north side of the country. There are loads of high mountain passes, dirt roads and paths which can only be driven with 4WD. Some of mountain passes reach more than 3500 meters of altitude. If you ask us – 4WD enthusiasts, the most beautiful Georgia can only be seen if you have the 4-wheel drive.

10. FOOD AND DRINK

You cannot really get to know the country without tasting its traditional food, what for sure is one of the many tourist attractions in Georgia. Even though Georgia was part of formal Soviet Union, its culinary has more in common with Iran and Turkey than Russia. They use lots of veggies and meat as well. The most commonly use spices are cumin and coriander. You won’t miss when ordering different stews or baked potato with chunks of meat. If you are in a hurry, they also have an interesting selection of its fast-food. 

11. WINE

The Georgian wine has such a special roll that we should never put it under food and drink in general. Did you know that Georgia has a special way of wine production? It is produced in clay pots called kvevri. The wine looks golden and has a bit of earthy flavor. Either you like it or not, but it is well worth the try. Georgian wine is so unique that people from all over the world come to Georgia just for the wine, so no wonder the wine is always put on the list as one of the best Georgia tourist attractions.

12. PEOPLE