Given the highly varied terrain, Georgia’s climate is very diverse. The western side of the country, bordering the Black Sea, is subtropical, which causes the heaviest annual rainfall (4000 mm). The eastern side is characterized by a dry temperate climate with a low level of rainfall (200 mm). Temperatures during the hot summers can reach upwards of +35°C. Winters are mild, with lowland temperatures not falling below -8°C , though the mountains of the Greater Caucasus have harsh winters with temperatures as low as -20°C and heavy snowfalls. This makes them suitable for a functioning ski resort industry. The flora is also very diverse: the west sports figs, palm trees, laurels, olives, citrus fruits, kiwis, and other Mediterranean plants; the east allows for the large-scale cultivation of grapes.

Bring comfortable clothing and forget all the silly blogs recommending that you cover your shoulders and knees. Dress however will be most comfortable to you. Just remember, we’ll also be visiting the mountains, so some warmer clothing will come in handy along with comfy footwear. Have a raincoat handy as well. Ladies should have a headscarf at the ready for entering churches. Most often shawls will be available for borrowing at entrances to temples, but having your own won’t hurt.

It doesn’t matter, just remember not to convert your currency to the Georgian lari at home, as Georgia has better exchange rates locally. Also remember that if you do bring USD along, take newer notes – in Georgia most exchanges won’t accept older USD bills from before 2011.

Prices are comparable to those in Central Europe. The exchange rate stands at around 1 GEL (Georgian lari) being 0.30 EUR. The price of a souvenir ranges between 1 and 20 lari. A bottle of good wine will come to 15-20 lari or more. Beers/coffee on the town will cost around 6-7 lari. It’s possible to pay by card in most places, and ATMs can be found virtually everywhere. One should remember that foreign currencies aren’t accepted in Georgia, payments can only be made in lari (in cash) or by card.

In larger cities and towns most food, stay, and shopping localities will accept card payments. Cards won’t be accepted at bazaars, open-air souvenir stalls, small cafes on-route, in mountain villages, etc. Most ATMs in Georgia accept cards issued by European banks, and Georgian laris can be withdrawn.

Remember that the bacterial flora in Georgia is different and each individual stomach may react to it in a different way. Bring along any medicine that may help with potential stomach problems. If you forget to do so don’t fret, pharmacies are all over the place, and most medicines in Georgia are over the counter. To avoid issues at the airport, make sure that none of the medicine on your person contains codeine. In Georgia codeine is classified as a narcotic and it’s importation into the country, in any form, is illegal. Sunscreen will also come in handy, as the Georgian sun is often fierce, and not only at the beach.

Since 2011 citizens of Schengen zone countries can enter Georgia on the basis of their ID, if it’s valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry. Remember that if you are signed up for a trip that also includes Armenia and Azerbaijan, you have to come with your passport. Entry on the basis of ID is only permitted by Georgia.

EU citizens can enter and stay in Georgia and Armenia for the purpose of tourism without any visa. Azerbaijan requires a visa from EU citizens, but it’s issuing is very simple. The application for an Azerbaijani visa is submitted online (https://evisa.gov.az/), the fee is paid via transfer, and the electronic visa is sent to your e-mail. When crossing the border into Azerbaijan, you will have to show your passport and your printed-out e-visa. The price of the visa is 24 USD.