Comments on: 10 Reasons to Keep Georgia on Your Travel List http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/ Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:28:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Audrey http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-924 Audrey Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:28:57 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-924 Kevin, just saw your comment...also a little late. The amount diversity in Georgia was also a surprise to us. It must have been a fascinating two years that you lived there. While Svaneti has a bad reputation, we found the people incredibly warm and hospitable...once they trusted you. We didn't take a tour, but arranged for a trekking guide and home stays through the <a href="http://www.svanetitrekking.ge/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Svaneti Mountaineering Tourism Center</a> (opened June 2007). It includes the community in tourism services so that the people of Svaneti benefit from tourism development. We had a great experience using their services on our hike from Mestia to Usghuli (3 days). Hiking in Svaneti was not only a physical challenge, but an emotional one as the weight of history - distant and recent - is everywhere. Kevin, just saw your comment…also a little late. The amount diversity in Georgia was also a surprise to us. It must have been a fascinating two years that you lived there. While Svaneti has a bad reputation, we found the people incredibly warm and hospitable…once they trusted you. We didn't take a tour, but arranged for a trekking guide and home stays through the Svaneti Mountaineering Tourism Center (opened June 2007). It includes the community in tourism services so that the people of Svaneti benefit from tourism development. We had a great experience using their services on our hike from Mestia to Usghuli (3 days). Hiking in Svaneti was not only a physical challenge, but an emotional one as the weight of history – distant and recent – is everywhere.

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]]> By: Kevin http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-923 Kevin Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:40:34 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-923 Sorry, getting to this article a little late. :) I lived in Georgia for two years and agree with everything you wrote Audrey. One of the most interesting things about Georgia is the relative diversity in such a small country. I lived in the Kakheti region - the Eastern part of Georgia especially associated with wine-making. A trip to Telavi is a quick and very worthwhile day trip. The far Western part of Georgia - Adjara and its capital Batumi are absolutely beautiful - warm and subtropical and a summer destination for Georgians. Perhaps the most exotic trip would be to Svaneti - the most isolated and mountainous of Georgia's regions. Mestia, its capital and Ushguli are among the highest inhabited places in all of Europe. Sventi is famous for its ancient defensive towers and bandits - best to go with a tour group. Another great trip is to Kazbegi - very close to the Russian Federation border. There is an absolutely beautiful church perched high above the city in the mountains - a good 3 hours hike. Plan to attend on Mariamoba - St. Mary's Day - in August and you'll be accompanied by hundred of Georgians climbing the mountain carrying food for picnics. Beautiful and unforgettable. Sorry, getting to this article a little late. :) I lived in Georgia for two years and agree with everything you wrote Audrey. One of the most interesting things about Georgia is the relative diversity in such a small country. I lived in the Kakheti region – the Eastern part of Georgia especially associated with wine-making. A trip to Telavi is a quick and very worthwhile day trip. The far Western part of Georgia – Adjara and its capital Batumi are absolutely beautiful – warm and subtropical and a summer destination for Georgians. Perhaps the most exotic trip would be to Svaneti – the most isolated and mountainous of Georgia's regions. Mestia, its capital and Ushguli are among the highest inhabited places in all of Europe. Sventi is famous for its ancient defensive towers and bandits – best to go with a tour group. Another great trip is to Kazbegi – very close to the Russian Federation border. There is an absolutely beautiful church perched high above the city in the mountains – a good 3 hours hike. Plan to attend on Mariamoba – St. Mary's Day – in August and you'll be accompanied by hundred of Georgians climbing the mountain carrying food for picnics. Beautiful and unforgettable.

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]]> By: Audrey http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-922 Audrey Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:46:30 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-922 David, glad you enjoyed the article! You could try <a href="http://www.caucasustravel.com.ge/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Caucasus Travel</a> in Tbilisi as a reputable tour agency. I remember leafing through their tour catalogs last year and it looked like they had something for every comfort level and desired activity (eg., hiking, wine region, history, culture, etc.). I hope we can return sometime in the next few years as well! David, glad you enjoyed the article! You could try Caucasus Travel in Tbilisi as a reputable tour agency. I remember leafing through their tour catalogs last year and it looked like they had something for every comfort level and desired activity (eg., hiking, wine region, history, culture, etc.). I hope we can return sometime in the next few years as well!

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]]> By: David http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-921 David Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:57:29 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-921 Hi, I love the article. I traveled to Georgia last Christmas with my two children, 14 and 12 at the time. I know many Georgians, their food and culture so none was a surprise when I was there. I want to go back for a honeymoon. Does anyone know of a good quality package tour? As in 5 star. Madam is a little particular. Thanks. Hi, I love the article. I traveled to Georgia last Christmas with my two children, 14 and 12 at the time. I know many Georgians, their food and culture so none was a surprise when I was there. I want to go back for a honeymoon. Does anyone know of a good quality package tour? As in 5 star. Madam is a little particular. Thanks.

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]]> By: Jenny http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-920 Jenny Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:12:00 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-920 It's all about the food and the people! It's all about the food and the people!

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]]> By: Audrey http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-919 Audrey Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:43:38 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-919 Thanks for your kind words about this article and photos. I could continue with a part 2 of the list...there's much more to write about Georgia. But you get the gist... A British friend just returned from a visit to Georgia this weekend. He goes every year and said that this visit was remarkably normal. Even the Russian checkpoint we remember last year on our way to Svaneti was operating without problems. He also was able to cross by land from Turkey without difficulties. So, maybe now is the time. Thanks for your kind words about this article and photos. I could continue with a part 2 of the list…there's much more to write about Georgia. But you get the gist… A British friend just returned from a visit to Georgia this weekend. He goes every year and said that this visit was remarkably normal. Even the Russian checkpoint we remember last year on our way to Svaneti was operating without problems. He also was able to cross by land from Turkey without difficulties. So, maybe now is the time.

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]]> By: Hal http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-917 Hal Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:30:33 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-917 Georgia has always been on my list, though I'd say it's moved up a few slots after reading this! Georgia has always been on my list, though I'd say it's moved up a few slots after reading this!

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]]> By: James Mann http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-918 James Mann Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:29:47 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-918 I love your images, especially the mountains. As one who has never been out of North America I am most eager to travel to these places. Just 4 more years before my wife retires and we hit the road as they say. I love your images, especially the mountains. As one who has never been out of North America I am most eager to travel to these places. Just 4 more years before my wife retires and we hit the road as they say.

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]]> By: Tim Patterson http://matadortrips.com/10-reasons-to-keep-georgia-on-your-travel-list/comment-page-1/#comment-916 Tim Patterson Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:46:25 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=115#comment-916 great post Audrey - I'd love to visit Georgia, and it seems like now is the time to do it - the people deserve some support! great post Audrey – I'd love to visit Georgia, and it seems like now is the time to do it – the people deserve some support!

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