Saudi Gazette TBILISI — Summer has arrived and many families are looking for a budget friendly country that offers the perfect balance of nature, culture and heritage. Georgia which is one of Europe's hottest new destinations would be a smart choice, especially considering how hospitable Georgians are. Georgia, located between Western Asia and Eastern Europe, is known for its rich history and unique culture. The country is also famous for its delicious cuisine. At the crossroad of Europe and Asia, Georgia is a combination of uniqueness and diversity. Although a small country, you can find here the Caucasus Mountain range, black sea coastline, curative climate and mineral waters, national parks and UNESCO heritage sites, ancient history and the world famous Georgian hospitality. Churches, synagogues, mosque as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden balconies offer visitors a taste of the country's history and diversity. Visit the Sulphur baths and enjoy the superb panoramic views of the Old city. It's varied history is reflected in its architecture, which is a mixture of medieval, classical, and Soviet structures. For people living in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, Flydubai is currently offering a promotion to Georgia. Flydubai has two daily flights from Dubai to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. The airline will soon launch a new route to Batumi the second city for tourism after the capital as a summer destination from June to September. Tourists are given the option to spend all of their time in Tbilisi or travel to other cities in Georgia such as Batumi and Kutaisi. If you choose to stay in the capital, there are five major attractions that are a must visit. Holy Trinity Cathedral It is one of the largest orthodox cathedrals in the world. Continue to Metekhi church and monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Narikala Fortress Take a cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulphur bath houses that are close to the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, souvenir shops and breathe in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Rustaveli Avenue It is in the heart of the city center. Walk along Rustaveli Avenue, with its many restaurants. Walking around you will see the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre House on your right, and on the next block you can visit Kashveti Church. Mtskheta Mtskheta is special with its monuments that reveal a lot of its ancient history. The city houses numerous Christian sanctuaries that are dear to every Georgian. Discover the ancient capital of Georgia that is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique city-museum. People also call it "The second Jerusalem". Mtskheta tours are a breathtaking immersion to the depth of centuries-long Georgian history. Chardin Street Chardin Street is situated in the upper Kala district close to Vakhtang Gorgasali and Sioni streets and is one of the most popular, crowded and attractive places. Chardin street is a great way to explore local art galleries and souvenir shops. The street was formed at the end the 19th Century. It is named after a French explorer Jan Chardin who visited Georgia between 1672-73. At the time, the street was called "Dark Row" because it was crowded with shops and workshops. Things to see and do: * Walk through Tbilisi old town and experience the stunning architecture and European café style culture. * Have a traditional sauna in the hot spring bathes in the middle of Tbilisi. * Take a Sulphur Bath, the famous Sulphur Baths are located in the Abanotubani district in the middle of the old town. The sulphur baths are an amazing place to relax for an hour or two, especially during the colder months of the year. * Visit Mtatsminda Park for stunning views of the city. * Try the local cuisine and candies. * Take a cable car to the Mother Georgia Statue/ * Watch the leaning clock tower which was created by the famous Georgian puppeteer Rezo Gabriadze. Each hour a window opens at the top and an angel strikes the bell. * Buy souvenirs at the Dry Bridge Market which offers large selections of antiques, silverware, jewelry and china. Quick information about Georgia: * Visa requirement: Valid passport is required for all nationalities. Georgia has a liberal visa regime with visa waiver for the citizens of 94 countries for short term visits (not exceeding 90 calendar days in any 180-day period). All GCC nationals can travel to Georgia without visa and stay for one year. * Accommodation: Major cities like Tbilisi and Batumi offer hotels of all categories from international 4 star to home style. * Cuisine: There are many excellent restaurants in Tbilisi serving both traditional and international cuisine. * Climate: Average temperature in summer ranges from 19 C to 22 C and in winter from 1.5 C to 3 C * Currency: The official currency in Georgia is the Georgian Lari, usually indicated as GEL.
