Things you need to know before you visit Georgia

Georgia has become one of the most popular destinations on the UAE travel scene over the past year. It’s easy to understand why when you look at the majestic snowy mountains, beautiful Black Sea beaches and lush forests this former Soviet republic has to offer.

So if you're looking for a place to spend the upcoming Eid break or for a quick escape, here's what you need to know about Georgia.

Holders of valid visa or residence permit of UAE are exempted from visa requirements. If you fit that category then you will get your visa upon arrival.

For just under AED1500 you can catch a direct flight from Dubai to Tblisi airport! (A dinner at Zuma could cost more than that! What’s even better is that Fly Dubai offers 2 flights a day. The flight takes 3 and half hours.

In Georgia there is a wide range of hotels from 2 star to 5 star. You can stay in luxury hotels in the middle of Tblisi for very reasonable rates that can be as less as AED1000 per night (breakfast included).

Many cities in Georgia still have an authentic and historical feel about them. Tblisi is catching up with the cosmopolitan wave but still has many areas where you can see small cobbled streets, old buildings from the soviet era, tiny fruit shops and cute little churches.

Whether you want a ski trip, a mountain hike, a stay by a tranquil lake, a beach vacation or a fun weekend where you can visit some casinos, Georgia has you covered. We highly recommend a skiing trip in the Gudauri resort in the heart of the beautiful Caucasus Mountain.

You can travel from Tblisi to the coastal city of Batumi by train. The train trip takes around five hours but you won’t feel the time pass because the trains are fast with extremely short stops (you won’t even have a time to light a cigarette), there is also free wifi connection throughout the journey. The best part about the train ride is the beautiful scenery of dense forests and green fields.

Let’s just put it this way: a lunch for four with drinks in the middle of Tbilisi’s Old Town will cost you no more than a AED100! On top of that, the food is amazing. We loved the traditional Khinkali (stuffed dumplings) and Khachapuri (Georgia’s version of manakeesh) at Machakhela in the Old Town.

Shopping might not be on your to-do list in Georgia, but the great bargains there will tempt you. We strongly advise browsing around the small shops near Freedom Square in Tbilisi where you will find unique independent shops filled with beautiful and cheap finds from apparel to accessories. Make sure not to leave without a pair of Georgian made shoes. They are fashionable, comfortable, durable and so cheap!

Georgia is a great option for a long weekend or a quick getaway for couples, friends and families. You can pack lots of activities and sightseeing in 3 or 4 days.

Note: You may get a surprise vaccine shot.

Prepare to take an oral polio vaccine once you arrive in the airport if you have been to countries like Pakistan, Syria, Iraq or Nigeria  in the past 40 days. It is a World Health Organization requirement to prevent the disease from spreading.