Contents Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Politics, Economy, People, Language , Religion, Culture Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit (and why), Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money and banking, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Media and communications, Other practicalities, Business, Cultural etiquette, Giving something back PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Tbilisi History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment, Other practicalities, Shopping , A day's tour of Tbilisi, What to see and do Chapter 4 Shida (Inner) Kartli Mtskheta, The road west from Mtskheta, Gori, Around Gori, West of Gori Chapter 5 The Georgian Military Highway North of Mtskheta, Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), North of Stepantsminda, Khevsureti Chapter 6 Samtskhe-Javakheti Nedsvi , Borjomi , Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Bakuriani, Southwest from Borjomi, Vardzia, Ninotsminda and beyond Chapter 7 Imereti, Racha, Mingrelia and Guria Imereti , Kutaisi, Racha, Mingrelia, Poti, Guria, Abkhazia Chapter 8 Svaneti Culture and history, Getting there and away, From Zugdidi to Mestia, Mestia, Ushguli , Backpacking and climbing in Svaneti Chapter 9 Adjara Kobuleti, Batumi Chapter 10 Kakheti Eastwards from Tbilisi, Ninotsminda and Tsinandali, Telavi, Tusheti, East of Telavi - from Gremi to Kvareli and Lagodekhi, Southeast of Telavi, Davit-Gareja Chapter 11 Kvemo (Lower) Kartli Marneuli and Bolnisi, Betania and Manglisi Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Further Information Index Index of advertisers