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[blissylassie]

Georgia Travel Blog

(September 5-8,2021)

 We cross the border into Georgia from Armenia. We travelled there in four hours. Although the government forbade it, we were unable to snap pictures of the beautiful mountain scenery along the route. An immigration office at the border will inspect all of our belongings and documentation. Fortunately, it has already declared that Filipinos having residence visas for the UAE can visit the nation using an E-visa. They requested the Negative PCR test, which we had completed in Armenia before our trip because we were travelling during COVID-19.

Additionally, they needed to reside in the UAE for at least six months before entering the nation. We took our holiday in the Philippines in December 2020 and returned to the United Arab Emirates on January 23, 2021. Even though it has been eight months, they took the time to thoroughly examine our admission and departure stamps from the UAE. (Just kidding, but they don't really trust us anyhow.) We arrived at the Grand Palace Hotel about 4 p.m. We simply take a little nap and unpack the clothes we will need for the next several days. The hotel was decent, but what made it great was that it was close to Europe Square, which has lots of eateries and tourist attractions.

By 5 PM, it was becoming dark outside, so we made the decision to have supper and take a leisurely stroll around Europe Square.

Day 1: Europe Square 

-Metal Tree Artwork

- Peace Bridge 

-Hot Air Balloon - We each paid 50 gel, and although though it only takes a few minutes, you will get a 360-degree view of Tbilisi. All in all, it was well worth the less expensive price. At least you ought to give it a go.

Day 2: Kazbegi

We got up early on our second day because the hotel provides a complimentary breakfast for us. We changed and got ready for our excursion after BF. It was really chilly, and as we didn't realise that our trip would be taking place in a high-range or mountainous location, we didn't pack any coats. Fortunately, we made a detour at the Zhinvali Reservoir, where shawls and other souvenirs were widely available. However, the expense was high. We were forced to get one since, eventually, the linen was still worthwhile. Before we forget, we also made the decision to purchase some mementos.

Note: Book Breakfast in the hotel (it will save you more) and bring jackets on winter !!

-Jinvali Lake 

-Aragvi River

-Ananuri Fortress

-Gudauri View Point - From here, you may choose to attempt paragliding and horseback riding, among other things. We were going to attempt paragliding, but I don't have enough cash, and I left my wallet and credit card in the hotel. (We were upset not to be able to attempt the same as we are very into extreme fun.)

Note 2: Never leave your wallet or cards, you’ll never know when you needed it the most 

- Russia Georgia Friendship Monument

We had a magnificent lunch at Gudauri, Dushet'Is Raioni; it was a buffet, so we were able to eat a lot, especially because we would be returning home late. Our co-travelers who were lucky enough to experience paragliding took up a significant portion of our tour time. So, when we arrived at Gergeti Trinity Church, we could only see fogs. So, even if we wanted to amuse ourselves, there isn't much to see up there but the church.

It was very dark on the trip home, and some roads were small and rainy, so the driver drove carefully. We arrived at the hotel at 9 p.m. and opted not to have supper, preferring to sleep and recover.

Day 3: Kakheti and Badiauri - Morning

- Badiauri , We witnessed traditional bread production and sampled their native bread, Puri. It would have been lovely if we had coffee.

- Bodbe Monastery

- Vineria- we had our lunch here , their food is really great . Superb .

- Vineria kakheti - We also did our wine tasting here, and they were gracious enough to let us sample a wide choice of wines. As a result, we decided to purchase six bottles of wine to bring with us to the UAE. You should also try Cha Cha. They stated it wasn't powerful, but it certainly is for me. haha

Day 3: Sighnaghi

-Sighnaghi Village or the city of love -I enjoy going here because the environment is pleasant, and you may choose to stroll or ride an ATV. But we like to stroll to observe the beauty of the hamlet; they also offer ziplines.

-Georgia's Great Wall - if you start, you must finish all the way to the end. There's no turning back. We simply did it, and it was well worth it.

We arrived at the hotel at 4 p.m., slept briefly, and then chose to eat supper at Pasanauri restaurant, as my friends had advised us to eat pork in Georgia.It did not disappoint us; it was quite excellent and tender. Unfortunately, we cannot have this in the UAE.

Day 4:  Mtskheta and Old Tblisi

-Jvari Monastery 

-Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers

-Svetitskhoveli Monastery - It was pouring when we arrived, and the monastery was under renovation, but we still managed to shoot several images before leaving.

 -Old Tblisi - It was intended to be free on the first day of the trip, but because we came late, we did it on the last day, which was still free; unfortunately, we were unable to experience their famed sulphur bath because we had a flight that afternoon. But you gotta try!!

We returned to the hotel at 2, checked out, and waited for the bus to bring us up. We decided to eat lunch at the airport as we waited for our flight back to the UAE.

Here are our costing: 

[blissylassie]

First Christian Country - Armenia Travel Blog

(September 2-5,2021)

This is not the first time I've gone to another nation as an expat in the UAE, but it thrills me much more now because I'll be going for vacation rather than for business. I am not excellent at creating itineraries, particularly arranging flights and accommodations on my own. I am careless in this regard, and I do not want to take any chances or cause any inconvenience. As a result, months before our vacation, I continued to hunt for firms that offered low-cost travel packages. And discovered that Holiday Factory offers AED 1600 for 8 days and 7 nights to Armenia and Georgia.

This includes the following:

-          Airport Transfers

-          Return flights from Sharjah (with 20kg baggage)

-          Free city tours and dinner

-          Transfer from Armenia to Georgia

-          Hotel Accommodations

The Holiday Factory agent will deliver the travel paperwork 48 hours before the trip, and the Armenia representative will send tour brochures for you to use if you like, or you can explore the country on your own. Note 1: The night before the flight, we prepared our luggage and purchased comfort foods in case we became hungry in the middle of the night during our stay in the country, chargers (make sure to bring adaptors), documents (flight tickets, travel documents, vaccine certificates, negative PCR test results, and passport), and, of course, our OOTDs.

We awoke at 3 a.m. on September 2, 2021, and I had previously booked our carlift because finding a cab early in the morning may be tough. And the carlift was substantially cheaper.  We got in Sharjah early since there wasn't much traffic. We too checked in early and had no issues. And waited for our flight at the food court to have breakfast at McDonalds and prepare month-end reports. 😊

By 6 a.m., our gate number appeared on the screen, so we hurried there and boarded the plane in only a few minutes. We flew with Air Arabia, and the flight length was around three hours, so I was able to sleep. Thirty minutes before arrival, I awoke and saw Armenia from above. It gave me shivers to know that, for the first time ever, I would be able to travel to another nation with my own hard-earned money, and not just any country, but the First Christian nation!

I don't have time to examine the country's history; instead, I'll leave it to the tour guide when we arrive. When we arrived at Yerevan Airport, the holiday factory representative was waiting for us. So we quickly board their vehicle and head directly to the hotel. On the way, the representative described the available places and pricing, in case we decided to work with them.

They have the package for 85 USD per person and it includes the following:

-          City tour with welcome dinner

-          Pearls of Armenia with Lunch

-          South Armenia with Lunch

-          Additional of 60 USD (for 2) for North Armenia Tour

-          And 35 USD apiece for a PCR test before heading to Georgia (this is a requirement because we travelled while Covid was still at its height).

Finally, I chose to book with them over private trips. We can save a lot.

Note 2:  It is necessary to always change your pocket money into USD. Fortunately, the hotel has a machine that allows us to transfer our USD into DRAM. Because most of their shops take just local cash.

We booked into the Regineh Hotel and ate our lunch. We also received complimentary breakfast during our stay. We don't have high expectations for our hotel; we'll merely stay there to eat and sleep. However, we were startled since there were no bidets, despite having lived in the UAE for 6 years. Note 3: However, a portable bidet is necessary from now on 😊.

We instantly arranged our outfits for today's excursion. They informed us that we will be on a private trip to North Armenia today, which will include the following places. It gets monotonous when there are only three of you in the service, including the driver. Note 4: From then on, I like to go on group tours.

Day 1- North Armenia Tour : 

Hovhannavank Monastery (St John the Bapstist)

Kasagh River Canyon (which is only at the back of Hovhannavank Monastery)

Saghmosavanq Monastery (Monastery of the Psalms) 

Armenian grand Canyon (back of Monastery of the Psalms)

Abaran (Armenian Alphabet Monument with 39 letters) 

Amber Fortress Armenia (Fortress in the clouds)

Vahramashen Church (Vahramashen Surp Astvatsatsin or Church of Amber)

Mt Aragat’s Slopes 

We opted not to proceed to Kari Lake, even knowing it was the finest destination on this tour, because we were fatigued and it was already dark, not to mention the route. As a result, we asked the tour guide to drop us off in the City Centre so we could explore on our own and have supper someplace.

Note 5: Try Shawarma in Armenia

Note 6: You must have your hotel's business card to show the taxi driver; some local drivers do not understand English. And you should be aware of the minimum fee; fortunately, our tour guide had previously advised us of the range of fare we would need to pay for a cab from the city to our hotel.

Day 2- Pearls of Armenia:

Khor Virap (Deep Dungeon)

St. Astvatsatsin Church (Holy Mother of God)

Mt Ararat - (it is visible behind the deep dungeon) Volcano where Noah’s Ark rested after the great flood

Ararat Valley 

St. Grigor Chapel/Orbelian Sepulchre

Narrow Gorge (made by the Amaghu River)

Noravank

Noravank Gorge Areni

Noravank Important Bird Area Cave

We had our free lunch at Areni Village and had our Home-made wine tasting.

Note 7: They have the best PEACH WINE .

Note 8: Lavash partnered with Shakshuka is SUPERB.

The trip ended around three in the afternoon, so we had some time to nap and relax, as well as post some images to our social media accounts. In the evening, we joined the Free City Tour, which included a welcome meal at Gata Pandok.

Note 9: Their chicken Kebab is delish.

Mother Armenia

Cascade Complex

Republic Square

Day 3- South Armenia Tour

Charents Arch - from there you can see the beauty of Mount Ararat (if the weather is good)

Garni Temple

Tsaghkadzor Ski Resort (where cable car, ATV ride, horseback riding and other activities are located)

Kecharis Monastery - Saint Gregor Church , Surp Nshan Church and Katoghike Church

Lake Sevan -largest body of water in Caucasus region

Sevanavank Monastery

From there , we took our lunch at Ashot Erkat Restaurant- where you will enjoy the view of Lake Sevan , Chicken kebab and the fish also taste good .

Since Geghard Monastery was closed for renovation, hence we requested the tour guide to drop us in Armenian Genocide Memorial.

This is when we got lost because there were no taxis around. We walked everywhere but found nothing. When I questioned several random Armenian youths, they instructed us to walk to the mall in the opposite direction, but crossing the road is tough and far away. So they'd given us a ride. We were cautious at first, but they seemed fantastic, so we took a chance instead of remaining late at the memorial area. And then they asked us to take a photo with them. So, we did! They dropped us off in the mall, where we were able to buy various souvenirs and lip balms.

Then we took a taxi back to our Hotel .

Day 4 - Travel to Georgia

Dilijan Park

On the way, we stopped at Tsovagyugh Supermaket and Food Court to eat breakfast and relax before continuing our four-hour adventure to the next nation.

Costing: