Georgia, a country located in the Caucasus region, is not actually called Georgia in Georgian. Georgians call their country Sakartvelo. Georgia has been producing wine for at least 8,000 years and is considered to be the birthplace of the beverage. The production of the wine was accidental. The grape juice poured in a shallow pit and was buried under the ground, turning it into wine. UNESCO has listed the traditional Georgian winemaking method in a clay jar called a Qvevri. Georgia is full of statues of Joseph Stalin. He is a controversial figure in the country as many view him as a tyrant whilst others are proud that a Georgian had such an impact on the world.

Traveling info

All visitors must have a valid passport in order to visit Georgia. Citizens of certain countries may enter the country for up to a year without the requirement of obtaining a visa. All others may obtain such document online (e-Visa) or in a Georgian consulate or embassy. (List of countries in sources). Visitors who wish to drive in Georgia may do so with their national driving permit. EU permits are accepted however citizens of non-EU countries whose licenses are not written in Roman scripture should consider obtaining an international driving permit in order to avoid any misunderstandings. Beware that an IDP is only a translation of the original document and does not substitute for it.

Traveling hazards

You should exercise extreme caution when driving in Georgia, as many local drivers do not operate their vehicles in accordance with established traffic laws. Traffic signals and rules of the road are often completely ignored. Motorists drive erratically, often recklessly, at excessive speeds, and many times under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Motorists frequently encounter oncoming high-speed traffic attempting to pass other vehicles at blind turns or over hilltops. Pedestrians enjoy no right of way and need to be extremely careful when crossing streets. The Georgian Patrol Police, who come under the authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is responsible for maintaining traffic safety in Georgia, but enforcement of traffic regulations is haphazard. There is no requirement that vehicles are certified safe to drive, and some vehicles may not have working headlights or tail lights. Undivided two-lane roads connect most major cities in Georgia. Outside of major highways, roads are generally in poor condition, unpaved, and often lack shoulder markings, center lines, and lighting. In addition, traffic signals may not work due to poor maintenance. Driving at night can be especially dangerous. Travel on mountain roads is treacherous in both rain and snow, and during winter, heavy snowfalls may make some roads impassable.

Environmental hazards

Hikers should be careful in the Caucasus mountains in Georgia as both wolves and bears are no jokes. Although these animals prefer to avoid humans, hiking through the wild could mean close and unintentional encounters from both sides which might end up fatally for humans. Hikers are advised to make as much noise as possible during their time out hiking as it will let the animals know that humans are approaching and allow them to safely retreat. There are several vipers in Georgia which normally would not be considered deadly however due to the lack of efficiency in emergency services, particularly in the mountains, snake bites are very dangerous. Swimming in the Black Sea is quite popular during the summer season. There are no dangerous fish in the Black Sea.
Georgia is highly exposed to a wide range of natural hazards, including droughts, earthquakes, floods, landslides, and storms. Over the last four decades, 70 percent of its territory experienced a natural hazard.

Health hazards

There are no outbreaks of any diseases in Georgia currently. There are however several vaccines which will ensure a disease-free holiday. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, Hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccines. Healthcare in Georgia is provided by public facilities however there has been an initiative to mostly privatize the healthcare. These efforts were stalled due to the Russian invasion however since then the system has recovered. Although services in public hospitals are adequate, the majority of the public and expats still turn to private services.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Crime continues to be a concern despite the establishment of a professional law enforcement presence and active enforcement. According to official statistics, there was a small decrease in criminal cases in 2017, compared to 2016. There continue to be reports of nuisance street children who beg from, hassle, and behave aggressively toward foreigners, with a seemingly increased level of aggression. Organized crime has been on the wane since the adoption of harsher legislation more than 10 years ago. As a result, a most organized crime involving Georgians now transpires outside of Georgia. However, street gangs and drug dealers continue to be a problem. These do not specifically target foreigners. Crimes involving weapons remained a concern in 2017, including armed robberies and assaults involving firearms. In 2017, an emphasis on enforcement by Georgian authorities resulted in significant seizures of illegally possessed weapons, including handguns, rifles, hand grenades, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The numbers of weapons seized reflects the overall number of weapons in circulation and the fact that Georgia is a post-conflict nation with large amounts of weapons remaining in the country after the fall of the Soviet Union and two internal conflicts. Georgia has partially liberalized drug laws, but they remain harsh. In Georgia, first-time illegal drug consumption or possession of a small number of drugs for personal use is a misdemeanor. A repeat offense within a year results in criminal liability.

Summary

Georgia is a perfect spot for those who enjoy the beautiful scenery, hiking and can stand strong alcohol made by the locals. Incredible local culture and deep religiousness are what gives Georgia its unique atmosphere. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa/
http://migration.commission.ge/index.php?article_id=160&clang=1
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/georgia