travel

Republic of Georgia family trip (Part 1)

April 3, 2019 /

I wanted to dedicate several post to our trip to Georgia last May because if you are like I was a couple years ago, you may not know where Georgia is on the map and may not know there is a country called Georgia. We actually have a number of Georgian friends and had already been introduced to the culture and food. Georgia borders Russia and Azerbaidjan as well as Armenia and Turkey. It is a beautiful country full of history, Orthodox churches and monasteries, and breathtaking scenery. This past trip was our second trip there. We are grateful to have friends there and each time my father in law has traveled with us.

The flight

There are many airlines that will take you to the Republic of Georgia and all  have at least one stop/layover. The travel time will probably average 15 to 24 hours depending on how much you want to spend on your tickets. We have traveled with UIA (Ukrainian International Airlines) on both trip and the layover is usually about 3 hours in Kiev, Ukraine. Since UIA departs from New York, we take another flight from Atlanta to New York. Our travel time therefore is usually about 23 or so hours since I like to make sure we have enough time to check in when we arrive at JFK. The total airflight usually is around $800-900 per person including the flight to New York.

I usually dress my children in bright clothes so I can spot them easily in the airport and we all wear comfortable clothes. The longest stretch is the 9 hour flight from NY to Kiev and we usually try to sleep on that flight since it departs at 00:30.

Packing

I like to travel lightly and always have a little concern about losing our luggage so I usually try to fit all of our clothes in about 3 carry-on suitcases and a few backpacks. Yes, that is a family of 6 packing for 18 days in 3 suitcases. We do have access to a washer and dryer in Tbilisi so I usually pack about a week’s worth of clothes. I did pack the baby’s diapers even though I could have bought some there. I will share my packing list and techniques in an upcoming post in May since I will need to pack for our trip to Spain and France. After a few trips, we have learned to pack for different weather scenarios and I always pack a sweatershirt and a light rain jacket for everyone.

Tbilisi

Our base camp in at Hotel Gomi in the old town neighborhood of Tbilisi. Accommodations are great, views are beautiful and most of everything is in walking distance. Since this was our second trip, we tried to visit different churches and different parts of the city.

Orthodoxy

Georgia is an Orthodox country. Everywhere you go you will find churches and monasteries and they are always filled with people. I can count about 26 churches for the hotel balcony. The Georgian Orthodox church is one of the oldest church in the world. St Andrew (1st century) and St Nino (4th century) were two of the main preachers of the Gospel in Georgia.

Architecture

We usually walk everywhere when we are in the old town neighborhood of Tbilisi. We are too cheap to take a taxi even though they are very inexpensive. We do like to discover new streets and areas. This year, I enjoyed taking pictures of the buildings and one of them I specifically searched for because I had seen a picture of it on Pinterest. I finally found it accross from the Turkish baths.

People are very welcoming and try to help. Some do speak some English and we did learn a few words of Georgian this time around.

I hope you enjoyed part one of our trip to Tbilisi. Come back on Friday as I share about food and the market which was one my favorite excrusion on this trip.

A bientôt!

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24 Comments

    • mimifce

      April 3, 2019 at 6:31 am

      Yes: it is easier to keep track of them! They still fit in last year’s shirt so they will either wear those in May or I might get something at Target in bright greeen this time!

  • Lindsey

    April 3, 2019 at 3:45 am

    My husband and I are currently considering a trip to Georgia! Your photos are convincing me we should. Also, your packing skills are incredible! A family of 6’s clothing in just 3 carryon suitcases? Well done!

    • mimifce

      April 3, 2019 at 6:29 am

      We love it! While we may not be able to go next year (we are going to France in May and France it definitely harder on our wallets), I am pretty sure we will go the following year. There are a few more regions that we have not explored. Come back on Friday and then next Wednesday for the next parts in the series. And thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Lindsey, I love your blog!

    • mimifce

      April 3, 2019 at 9:19 am

      Even though I grew up in France, there is something about Georgia! We keep wanting to go back!

  • Mother of 3

    April 3, 2019 at 4:21 pm

    That looks beautiful (though I am daunted a bit by the long flight– I do not do so well on planes and reach my max usually around 3 or 4 hours). I had no idea there was a country called Georgia but I just love all those old world details!

    • mimifce

      April 3, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      The boys have all been great travelers. The flight does get long but if they sleep for part of it and have their tablets they do quite well. We will be going to France in a couple months which is a much shorter flight. But they have been used to flying since they were little even though it has mostly been short flights to New York and such (we have family there). Having grown up in France we occasionnally came back to the US every few years so I grew up traveling more than the average kid so the traveling bug is probably in my blood, lol!

  • Laura

    April 3, 2019 at 10:09 pm

    Honestly I’ve never really considered a trip to Georgia, but after seeing your photos and reading this I need to consider it! It looks like a beautiful country!

    • mimifce

      April 3, 2019 at 10:20 pm

      It is definitely worthwile! We have been twice and will go again probably in a couple years. You can find fairly affordable flights especially from New York and it is a very cheap country to visit: the exchange rate is in our favor and the cost of things over there is much cheaper than western Europe. Come back on Friday to read about the food and after that the next two Wednesday for the last 2 posts about it! Lots more beautiful pictures!

    • mimifce

      April 4, 2019 at 8:11 am

      It surely is worth the long flight! Come back for more on Friday and then the next two Wednesdays!

  • Tina von Tinaspinkfriday

    April 4, 2019 at 8:44 am

    Mireille thank you for this wonderful pictures. Great you style your kids in bright colours for the airport. 🙂

    • mimifce

      April 6, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      It is a amazing the number of churches and how they are always packed for services. Being Orthodox myself, it is quite inspiring. Be sure to check back the next two Wednesdays for more!

    • mimifce

      April 22, 2019 at 1:13 pm

      Yes they are! The iconorgraphy is amazing: even in the smaller churches, the walls are all painted with icons! New and old! Hope you get to visit there some day!