Georgia brings to mind wine, cheeses, mountains and smiling bearded men. At least because of these points (especially if you are a woman) you should visit this beautiful country. Usually they go there in the summer or in early September - in the season itself. Meanwhile, Georgia in winter is no less a wonderful place to relax.
Georgian climate
A characteristic feature of this amazing country is that there are several weather zones on its territory. In the mountains, of course, it is colder and, as a rule, there is snow. In the foothills, rains and fogs are not uncommon, high humidity, and the Black Sea coast is saturated with the sun. At the same time, in winter in Georgia it is much warmer than in Russia, and, of course, there are no thirty-degree frosts. The lowest temperature in this country is minus two degrees, and all because Georgia is located close to the equator. The average temperature in winter is about plus two to three degrees.
Features of holidays in Georgia in winter
In this country, all ski resorts are at your service. Let not lie on the beach, but the snow-capped Georgian mountains in beauty are not inferior to the sea. In addition, winter in this country is not the season, respectively, priceshousing and tours are declining. Tourist reviews about Georgia in winter confirm that it is pleasant to be there not only in summer. People celebrate the hospitality of the locals, delicious food, magnificent landscapes. And what there air! There are mountains everywhere, and it is known that it is easier to breathe there.
It's no secret how Georgians love holidays. Therefore, it is difficult to even imagine how large and colorful they celebrate the New Year. This is another reason for a winter trip: to see everything with your own eyes.
There are three options for where to go in winter in Georgia. The first is for amateur athletes: there are many ski resorts in the country and they are amazing. The second one is for activist tourists: the architecture in Georgia is impressive both in summer and in winter, you can see the sights of Tbilisi and other cities. Well, the third one is for those who care about their he alth: there are many sanatoriums in Georgia, where people from all over the world come for treatment. And you can combine all three options!
Ski resorts
For adherents of active sports recreation and lovers of mountain skiing and snowboarding, there are several wonderful places in Georgia - with picturesque views and reasonable prices. These are Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia and Goderdzi - the most popular resorts. Each of them is easily accessible from all major Georgian cities.
Gudauri
This resort is closest to the capital - just over a hundred kilometers away. Gudauri is a relatively young resort, but it is in no way inferior to the Swiss Alps, and prices here are muchbelow: the cost of housing and food per day is approximately twenty dollars. Travel time from Tbilisi takes about two hours.
The length of the Gudauri ski slopes is eighteen kilometers, and the maximum height from which you can go down is more than three thousand meters. In addition to skiing in Gudauri, you can go snowboarding or freeride (free skiing off the track). Also, those who wish have the opportunity to ride a helicopter and a hang glider. The only minus of Gudauri is a small number of cafes and the almost complete absence of shops.
Bakuriani
Bakuriani is located a little further from Tbilisi than Gudauri - 180 kilometers, at an altitude of almost two thousand meters above sea level. There is a sports Olympic base, tourists are allowed to visit the cross-country tracks.
They are divided into categories here - for experienced athletes and for beginners. Bakuriani is considered an ideal resort for a family holiday - there is very clean air, and there are also mineral springs.
Mestia
This is a very young ski resort in the north-west of Georgia, one hundred and thirty kilometers from Zugdidi. Airplanes fly there from Tbilisi.
Despite the fact that the resort is new (it has been operating for only seven years), it is developing very quickly and can already boast of good infrastructure. The tracks here are simple, which should please only beginners, inexperienced athletes. For them, in general, there is a three-hundred-meter short track. The biggest peak in Mestia is more than two thousand meters.
Goderdzi
Goderdzi is locatednot far from Batumi - one hundred and ten kilometers. The length of the tracks here is small - only eight kilometers, but there is unlimited space for freeriders. The height of Goderdzi is almost two and a half thousand meters.
There is a two-level cable car in the resort, from where a stunning view opens, a hotel, a restaurant. There are no shops, as in Gudauri.
Sanatoriums
How beautiful Georgia is in winter! This is clearly visible in the photo, although it cannot fully convey the beauty of these places. You can truly enjoy it in the sanatoriums of an amazing country, where they combine business with pleasure: they are treated, and they breathe indescribably clean air, and admire the stunning views of the mountains. Of all such Georgian resorts, perhaps, Kiketi and Tsagveri can be noted - both are located at an altitude of one to one and a half thousand meters. They are ideal for treating asthma, tuberculosis and other respiratory problems as the air is thin. In addition, patients with anemia and vascular diseases also come to these sanatoriums. The standard procedure here is balneotherapy.
The high mountain resorts of Georgia (located at an altitude of two thousand meters) are Bakuriani and Bakhmaro. People come here suffering from diseases of the skin, lymph nodes, digestive system, as well as prone to neurasthenia. Near Bakuriani, by the way, there is a well-known source of mineral water - Borjomi, the use of which is also included in the course of treatment.
Active tourism
For those who do not like skiing,Georgia has nothing to do in winter? No matter how! The architecture of this country is beautiful at any time of the year. So if sightseeing is your thing, visiting Tbilisi and a number of other great places is a great option.
It is warm in the capital of Georgia in winter - the temperature stays around zero. Quite a lot of sun, unlike, again, from cold Russia. All entertainment and entertainment establishments in Tbilisi work as in summer. You should definitely visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Narikala Fortress, the monument to King Vakhtang the First, admire the views from the observation deck, take a walk along Old Tbilisi and Rustaveli Avenue. You should definitely see the capital at night! And on New Year's Eve, the city becomes incredibly beautiful! You can't ignore the local cuisine: in Tbilisi, you just need to try churchkhela, khinkali and khachapuri.
Not far from the capital is Mtskheta, an ancient small town with many temples. Even the cathedral, built in the eleventh century, has survived! And not far from the town, the Chateau Mukhrani winery lurks, where wine tasting is held. You can and should also visit Kutaisi, as well as the karst cave of Prometheus, which is located near it. From there, a view of the mountain opens, to which the hero was chained. And in the caves of Satalliya you can see the footprints of real dinosaurs!
Kakheti is located near Tbilisi - the territory of wines. There are many wineries where tourists are allowed, as well as the most famous wine-growing area.– Alazani Valley.
On the Black Sea coast lies another Georgian town that deserves a visit. This is Batumi. It is considered a resort city, but in fact there are enough attractions there: a cable car, a seaport, a lighthouse, Batumi Boulevard, several historical squares - you can list and list.
Visa to Georgia
A question that interests many - is it possible to break loose and go to Georgia in winter spontaneously, or do you still need an entry permit? A visa is indeed required, but compared to many other countries, it is much easier for Russian residents to get to Georgia. You can get a document right at the border for a period of three months. The main thing to remember is that entry from South Ossetia and Abkhazia is prohibited, in which case the visa will be denied.
House prices
From June to September in Georgia - the season, so the cost of housing soars up. From October to May, they fall, which is another plus of visiting Georgia in the winter. The approximate cost of living for two people in a three-star Tbilisi hotel per day will be about 2300 rubles, the apartment will cost a little cheaper - around two thousand.
However, when preparing for a trip to Georgia in winter, you should remember this: there is no central heating. “Every man for himself”, that is, you will have to heat your home yourself. Therefore, if you are going to rent an apartment or a room, you must definitely find out if it is warm there, otherwise there is a risk that you will have to freeze.
The cost of treatment and tours in the coldtime
Staying in a sanatorium in winter will also be cheaper than in summer. Accommodation ranges from fifty to one hundred and ten euros per day, depending on the resort (in any case, three meals a day is included in the price). The complex of medical procedures costs around four hundred euros. One particular procedure is ten to twenty euros.
Tours to Georgia in winter are also cheaper than in the season - you can fly together for a week for forty thousand. To go to a ski resort, you will need from thirty-five to eighty thousand per person.
Thus, everyone can find something to do in Georgia to their liking even in winter. This unique country will not leave anyone indifferent. And therefore - winter holidays to be!
