Home / Practical Info & FAQ
Before you go
Georgia is easier than you think
Small country, big welcome. Below are the questions travellers ask us most — and honest answers. Anything specific to your trip, a real person will walk you through it.
Can’t find it here? Just ask us — we reply personally.
Best timeSpring & autumnApr–Jun & Sep–Oct. Summer for the high mountains, winter for snow.
CurrencyGeorgian lariGEL (₾). Cards widely accepted in cities; cash for villages.
LanguageGeorgianIts own alphabet. English is common in tourism; we bridge the rest.
Getting aroundWe drive youPrivate driver-guides throughout — no self-drive stress.
Before you go
When is the best time to visit Georgia?
Spring (April–June) brings green valleys and flowering vines; autumn (September–October) is the grape harvest, or
rtveli — arguably the country’s finest season for food and wine. Summer is the time for the high mountains of Svaneti, Tusheti and Kazbegi. Winter is quiet, snow-covered and made for skiing. See our full
Georgia, season by season guide.
Do I need a visa?
Citizens of many countries — including the UK, US, EU and many others — can currently enter Georgia visa-free for extended stays. [Confirm current visa policy and stay length for the traveller’s nationality before publishing — links to the official Georgian government source to be added.] We’ll always flag anything relevant to your nationality when we plan.
Is Georgia safe for travellers?
Georgia is widely regarded as one of the safer countries to travel in, with famously warm hospitality. Our guides are with you throughout, and we brief you on anything sensible — mountain conditions, remote-area logistics. [Confirm current travel-advisory wording per market.]
What should I pack?
Layers for the mountains even in summer, comfortable walking shoes, and an appetite. We send a tailored packing note with every itinerary once we know your route and season.
On the journey
How do I get around?
You don’t have to think about it. Every Living Roots journey includes private transport with a driver-guide — from Tbilisi’s streets to the switchbacks of Svaneti. No self-drive, no timetables.
Cash or card?
Cards work in most city restaurants, hotels and shops. In villages, guesthouses and small markets, cash (lari) is king — we’ll tell you when to carry some. ATMs are easy to find in towns.
I’m vegetarian / vegan / have dietary needs — is that a problem?
Not at all — Georgian cuisine is one of the most vegetarian-friendly in the region, and we brief every host in advance. Tell us your needs when we plan and we build the table around them.
Will I have internet / a SIM?
Local SIM cards are inexpensive and easy to buy on arrival; most guesthouses and hotels have Wi-Fi. Signal thins in the high mountains — part of the charm.
Travelling with us
How big are your groups?
Small by design. Most journeys are private — just your party — or small groups. We keep numbers low so villages stay welcoming and the experience stays personal.
What’s included?
Because every journey is tailor-made, so is what’s included — typically private transport, driver-guide, hand-picked stays, and the experiences we design together. Your written itinerary spells out exactly what’s in and what’s not. [Confirm standard inclusions wording.]
How much does it cost?
We don’t sell fixed packages, so there’s no price list — every journey is composed and priced around you, whether you’re a backpacker or booking ultra-luxury concierge.
Tell us what you’re imagining and we’ll send a proposal.
How do I book, and what about payment?
It starts with a conversation, then a proposal, then a deposit to hold your dates. [Confirm deposit %, balance timing, cancellation terms and accepted payment methods before publishing.]
Are you licensed and insured?
Our guides are licensed and certified, and we carry liability insurance — documentation available on request. We operate across Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Do you travel responsibly?
It’s the whole point. Around 90% of what we spend stays with locally-owned suppliers, and community partners share in every region we visit. Read
A Journey with Purpose.
Customs & culture
What is a supra — and who’s the tamada?
The supra is the Georgian feast, and the tamada is its elected toastmaster. Toasts are made in turn — to peace, to friendship, to those no longer with us — and each is heard out before anyone drinks. It’s less a meal than a ceremony of welcome, and you’ll likely find yourself part of one.
Any toasting etiquette I should know?
Follow the tamada’s lead rather than clinking and sipping whenever you like. Toasts can be long and heartfelt — raising your glass and listening is part of the ritual. Beer is traditionally reserved for toasts you don’t mean, so stick to wine for the earnest ones.
How should I dress for churches and monasteries?
Modestly: covered shoulders and knees for everyone, and women are usually expected to cover their hair with a scarf (often provided at the door). Men remove hats. [Confirm any site-specific rules for the monasteries on your route.]
Is tipping expected?
Not obligatory, but appreciated for good service. [Confirm current norms — typically around 10% in restaurants; guides/drivers at your discretion.] We’re happy to guide you when the time comes.
A few words of Georgian?
They go a long way. Gamarjoba (hello), madloba (thank you) and gaumarjos (cheers) will earn you warm smiles. Georgian has its own ancient alphabet, so don’t worry about reading signs — your guide bridges all of it.
A few good facts
Georgia, in short
8,000 vintages
The birthplace of wine
Widely held to be where winemaking began — archaeologists date it here to roughly 6,000 BC.
UNESCO
Wine in a clay pot
The ancient qvevri method — fermenting in buried clay vessels — is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Three voices
Older than the churches
Georgian polyphonic singing is UNESCO-listed — a haunting three-part harmony you’ll hear at any real supra.
33 letters
Its own alphabet
Georgian is written in one of the world’s very few wholly unique scripts — also UNESCO-recognised.
4th century
Among the first Christian nations
Georgia adopted Christianity in the early 300s AD — its churches and frescoes are woven through every journey.
“A gift from God”
The guest is sacred
Georgian hospitality runs on a single saying — a guest is a gift from God — and you’ll feel it at every table.
Still have a question?
Ask a person who has walked every route.
