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World / Europe / Georgia / Tbilisi

Ancient meets modern and East meets West in this cosmopolitan city. Stylish boulevards, cobbled streets, ancient churches and trendy bars. Tbilisi is historically fascinating, architecturally stunning and with a well deserved reputation for hospitality.

Currency

Lari (GEL)

Visa Requirements

No visa required for EU nationals, Canadians, Americans or Australians staying less than 90 days.

Language

Georgian Time zone GMT + 4

Timezone

Weather

Hot summers, cold winters

Dialling Code

00 995

Electricity

220v European two-pin plugs are standard

Health and Safety

No special requirements for visiting. Medical facilities in Tbilisi are available but can be expensive. Comprehensive travel insurance is therefore essential. Outside Tbilisi, medical facilities are limited. There have been recent reports of outbreaks of rabies in Georgia. Tap water should be avoided. Bottled water is widely available.

Flights to Tbilisi touch down at Tbilisi International Airport  (00 995 323 10421) from where buses leave airport every 15 minutes into the city and take 50 minutes (40 tetri). Taxis take 25 minutes (30 GEL). There are trains six times a day from 01.45 to 21.15, the journey is 25 minutes (2 GEL). Most significant sites in the city centre are manageable on foot.

Old Town

Old Town Boasting winding cobbled streets, traditional Georgian houses and quiet squares, the Old Town offers a Mediterranean feel. Ancient churches, a mosque and the Grand Synagogue, are all within walking distance, as is the ruined 4th century Narikala fortress containing the Church of St Nicholas (K Khetagurovi Street) with spectacular views of the city, Metekhi Church, and Kartlis Deda, the gleaming statue of Mother Georgia.

Sulphur baths

Sulphur baths These brick domed buildings with their underground baths (Abanos Kucha, Bath Street) in the Abanotubani district are the place to relax. One of the most beautiful is Orbeliani, with its blue mosaic facade and decorative interior. Communal pool, massage and private washrooms are available. Towels can be hired.

Rustaveli Avenue

Rustaveli Avenue An elegant 19thcentury boulevard with stylish designer shops, galleries and more cafes, restaurants and bars. Alternatively, visit Paliashvilli opera house, Rustaveli theatre the Governors Palace and the Parliament buildings. Or explore leafy Vake Park with its newly renovated amphitheatre providing live events and arty movies.

Quick Lunch - Chardin 12

Chardin street is the main place for cafes and restaurants. Chardin 12 is a sophisticated yet cosy restaurant serving European dishes.

Top Table - Puris Sahli

For more upmarket Georgian fare and with live music, try Puris Sahli otherwise known as the House of Bread: very chic and with a lovely riverside location.

Cheap Eat - Kala Restaurant

Kala Restaurant has a laid back atmosphere, good Georgian and international food. Jazz in the evening, makes it popular with locals.

On Business - Hotel Kopala

Hotel Kopala has a wide range of accommodation from moderately priced to deluxe. Within easy reach of the financial centre, it is comfortable, efficiently run and has business facilities.
Book now

Lap Of Luxury - Betsy's Hotel

Betsy's Hotel is a richly decorated boutique hotel with rooms with floor to ceiling windows and top floor suites. It has a bar, restaurant and gym with outside pool.
Book now

Cheap Sleep - Georgian House

Georgian House in the Old Town has good, clean accommodation with additional facilities, such as a bar and terrace. Prices start at 40 Euros per room.
Book now

Coffee And Chat - Prospero's Books

Prospero's Books (34 Rustaveli Avenue, 00 995 329 23592) is an English bookstore and cafe with a wide range of coffees plus snacks located away from the main thoroughfares.

Formal Presentation - Courtyard Marriott Hotel

The 4 star Courtyard Marriott Hotel (4 Freedom Square, 00 995 327 79100) is smart and provides seven meeting rooms that seat from 10 to 400 with full audio visual facilities and technical support.

Evening Drinks - Csaba's Bar

Csaba's Bar (3 Vashlovani Street, 00 995 329 23192) is a Jazz-Rock Café that's casual but stylish and which serves an excellent selection of beers and liquors.

General Etiquette

Georgia has been more culturally and religiously linked with Russia than other Caucasian countries. The great majority of the people speak Georgian and are nominally Christians of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Shaking hands with both sexes is fine, though it's polite for a man to wait for a woman to extend her hand. Say Gumarjoba (‘Hello') as you do so. When a relationship becomes closer, you may expect a kiss on the cheek. On initial meetings you should call people by their surname with the title Batono (Sir) or Kalbatano (Madam). From then on first names can be used prefaced with the appropriate title.

This is still a very hierarchical society, where both important and older people are treated with considerable respect.

Hospitality is central to Georgians. Guests are to be treated with respect and generosity. As a visitor from another country, you can expect a warm welcome and it's a matter of honour that you will be paid for in a restaurant. Never offer money, which may offend. A present, especially from home, is a better idea.

If invited to a Georgian home, be sure to accept. It's polite to bring a small gift: pastries, sweets (especially imported ones) or flowers are good, though flowers should always be in an odd number. Keep your elbows off the table and clean your plate. You are likely to be offered more, at least once.

Tips are much anticipated and appreciated, usually in the region of 10-15% of the bill total unless service is already included.

Business Etiquette

Dress conservatively as your appearance will be noted. There is no special etiquette around business cards, though having one side translated into Georgian or Russian will go down well. Your counterparts will expect a thorough introduction of yourself, your experience and your proposals. You can save time by sending an introductory letter in advance.

Once in the meeting, shake hands with everyone (and on leaving). Direct eye contact is important, and signals trust. Be prepared for forthright, if not emotional, discussions.

As in the rest of the Transcaucasus region, the establishing of a personal relationship is central to doing business in Georgia.When it comes to decisions, these will only be made by those at the top of the company.

Unusual business-related customs

If things go well, you may find yourself invited out for a supra (dinner party). At such an occasion, toasts are generally orchestrated by a tamada, a toastmaster, who introduces the guests round the table with a suitably exaggerated encomium before proposing a toast in their honour. As a guest, you are likely to be toasted early, but be prepared for a long session, as toasts can go on for hours. When toasted, express your thanks, but wait for others to add their good wishes first. Although not a must, if you wish to reciprocate a toast with one of your own, ask the tamada first. Tradition dictates that you should only drink while toasting and never interrupt the tamada or talk to your neighbour while he is talking, though this is becoming less strict these days. You say Gaumarjos (‘Cheers') when a toast is proposed.

General business information

Business hours are usually 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. There are public holidays for Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on 7 January; Epiphany, on the 19 January; Easter Monday and the Assumption (Mariamoba), 28 August. Georgians also have holidays on 3 March (Mother's Day), 9 April (Commemoration), 26 May (Independence), 14 October (Svetitskhovlba), 23 November (St George's Day) and 31 December to 2 January (New Year).

International dialling code: +995

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