One week to go
Everything below is new since you last looked. Please read the first two — one is a legal requirement for entering Georgia, the other is the plan for the day itself.
Travel insurance is now compulsory to enter Georgia
Since 1 January 2026, every foreign visitor needs valid health and accident insurance covering their whole stay in order to enter the country. This is not a visa thing — it applies to visa-free travellers too, including children. Only Georgian citizens and residence-permit holders are exempt.
- GEL 30,000 minimum cover (about US$11,000), for every day of your trip.
- Show it at the border — paper or phone, English or Georgian. Airlines may check at check-in too.
- Already covered by an annual or bank policy? Just check it meets the minimum.
If you need a policy, we used Aldagi's online travel insurance — it's cheap, takes a few minutes, and the policy PDF arrives by email ready to show on arrival. Please don't leave this to the airport.
Saturday 22 August — the plan for the day
We've arranged a bus so nobody has to worry about getting up the mountain and back. Please use it if you can — the monastery is a 30–40 minute drive out of the city at 1,400m, and taxis up there are unreliable.
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10:30
Bus departs
From the car park at Hotel Paragraf, Tbilisi. Please be there a few minutes early — we can't hold it for long if we're to make the service.
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12:00
Christening service
Udzo Monastery of the Fathers, above Kojori. Expect roughly an hour, standing. See the dress code below.
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After
Two ways to get to dinner
The bus leaves the monastery and you can choose your own adventure:
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18:30
Welcome drinks
Villa Mosavali — a winery just outside town, near Mtskheta, about 30–40 minutes from central Tbilisi. Allow an hour from Old Town, given there may be traffic.
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19:00
Dinner
Then toasts, food, and dancing. For those travelling from town, taxis back will be available to book via Bolt.
What to wear to the christening
It's an Orthodox service in a working monastery, so the church rules matter more than formality. Nobody needs to buy anything — just come covered.
- Women: shoulders and knees covered, and a headscarf. Georgian monasteries ask women to wear a skirt or dress rather than trousers. There are usually wrap skirts and scarves in a basket at the gate, but please bring your own so you're not depending on it.
- Men: long trousers and a shirt. No full suits needed — no tie, no jacket unless you want one. No shorts, and hats off inside.
- Everyone: you'll be standing for the service on stone floors — there are no pews. Comfortable shoes.
- It'll be hot, though Udzo sits high enough to be a touch cooler and breezier than the city.
For dinner at Villa Mosavali: smart but relaxed, and bear in mind grass, gravel and terraces underfoot.
A word of caution on bringing medicine
Georgia is stricter than most people expect. Everyday painkillers and prescriptions are fine — the issue is anything classed as narcotic or psychotropic.
- Keep it in its original, labelled packaging.
- Bring your prescription or a doctor's note in English.
- Controlled medicines are capped at a 31-day supply and must be declared. This catches codeine, strong painkillers, ADHD medication and some sleep and anxiety tablets.
Penalties are serious, so check the official guidance before you fly — and just ask us if you're unsure.
Friday evening drinks
5pm until 9pm at AMPM Tbilisi, in the Wine Factory complex at 1 Vasil Petriashvili Street, Tbilisi 0179. It's round the back of the complex, and we have the outside area reserved.
Coming from Old Town? With the Rustaveli roadworks, a taxi will be very slow — you could walk it, or take the metro one stop from Freedom Square to Rustaveli and walk up from there.
Drop in whenever suits and stay as long as you like. Nothing formal, and kids are very welcome.
Taxis: download Bolt before you come
Bolt is how everyone gets around Tbilisi. It's cheap, cashless (if desired), and takes the haggling out of it. Set it up with a card before you fly, while you still have your home data.
- It works for the airport run too, in both directions.
- If you prefer to book without Bolt, book a taxi from inside the terminal rather than walking out to the drivers waiting at the door — you'll pay a fraction of what they'll quote you.
Rustaveli Avenue is a building site — walk it anyway
Unfortunately the city has dug up Tbilisi's grand main avenue for a full rehabilitation, replacing all the underground utilities. Work started in late July and runs into the autumn, and Rustaveli is closed to traffic along much of its length between Chovelidze Street and Freedom Square. Expect hoardings, dust and diversions, and allow extra time for taxis crossing the centre — you may well be dropped a few streets away.
It's still worth walking up and down. Parliament, the Opera House, the Rustaveli Theatre, the National Gallery and Kashveti Church are all on this one street, and the side streets and courtyards off it are where the good cafés and wine bars hide. Just do it on foot, and don't plan on driving down it.
Anything we've missed, or any questions at all — just message us.
We can't wait to celebrate together
Our daughter, Liliana Carola Tamar Jolia-McAndrew, was born on 10 September 2025. In Georgian culture, an Orthodox christening is a very special milestone, and we'd love to share it with you. At the same time, we're finally getting a chance to celebrate our wedding anniversary with many that we weren't able to invite 5 years ago due to Covid!
We have friends and family all around the world, and many of you haven't visited Georgia yet. This is our excuse to bring everyone together, to explore this beautiful country with us, and for our friends and family to meet.
Liliana Carola Tamar
The Celebrations
21 – 22 August 2026
We'll be in Georgia for a few weeks around the event — we'd love to see you before or after the main day too. Whether you're passing through Tbilisi, doing a trip around the country, or just want to grab dinner, let us know your dates and we'll make it happen.
Welcome Drinks at AMPM Tbilisi
Wine Factory complex, 1 Vasil Petriashvili Street — round the back, outside area reserved for us until 9pm. Come and go as you please.
Bus from Tbilisi
Departs from the car park at Hotel Paragraf. Please don't be late.
Christening Ceremony
Udzo Monastery of the Fathers (pictured above), above Kojori. See the dress code.
Back to town, or stay on the bus
Either hop off at Paragraf to freshen up and make your own way to dinner, or stay aboard for a short tour and a café stop and be taken straight there.
Welcome Drinks at Villa Mosavali
A winery near Mtskheta, roughly 30–40 minutes outside Tbilisi
Celebration Dinner & Party
Food, toasts, dancing, and a proper anniversary celebration
Details
Some considerations
Getting Around
We generally don't recommend renting a car, depending on the length of your stay and number of destinations. Drivers (see below) are affordable, generally safer, and more convenient. Apps such as Bolt are also a great way to get around, even for longer trips.
Family Travel
We know there are many families in our group, and would love to welcome everyone. We will do our best to make the celebration child friendly, and we've made sure to include a few family-friendly options in our itinerary.
Safety
Some of you may have read about the "recent" political unrest. Protests tend to be concentrated in a very specific location at specific times, and have also died down in recent months. We will happily address any questions or concerns.
Gifts
We mean it when we say that you celebrating with us and making it a special day for Liliana would be the biggest gift we could ask for.
Weather
It's gonna be hot hot hot!
Accommodation
The Christening and celebration will be taking place in and near Tbilisi, so we recommend staying in Tbilisi, from which you can do lots of day trips easily. AirBnBs can be great value for money — and often give you a bit more of a taste of local culture — but there is no shortage of comfortable hotels and guesthouses in all major destinations.
Book Transportation
Our Trusted Driver
Lasha can arrange a driver for you, as well as specific trips or even multi-day tours. Tell him you're with our group!
Explore
Places We Recommend
Click on a region to see our hotel recommendations
Tbilisi
The vibrant capital — cobblestone streets, sulfur baths, incredible food, and nightlife
Where to Stay
- Stamba Hotel — Boutique luxury in a converted Soviet printing house
- Rooms Hotel — Design-forward, great restaurant and bar
- Paragraf — Stylish and central
- Telegraph — Historic building, modern comfort
- Courtyard Marriott Tbilisi — As central as it gets
- Bioli Wellness Resort — Serenity, outside of the city. Travel required.
Mtskheta
UNESCO World Heritage site, just 20 minutes from Tbilisi — the spiritual heart of Georgia
Getting There
Easy day trip from Tbilisi. Most visitors stay in the capital and visit Mtskheta for a half-day. Ask Lasha to combine it with Jvari Monastery for stunning views.
Kakheti
Georgia's famous wine region. Discover the birthplace of wine, and the unique qvevri winemaking. Signaghi are both beautiful cities, with sites in between such as the Tsinandali Estate and many wineries.
Where to Stay
- Lopota Lake Resort — Lakeside resort, great for families with many pools, activities, and some good food and drink for the parents.
- Radisson Collection Tsinandali — Beautiful grounds, wine estate
- Château Mere — Boutique winery hotel
- Vazisubani Estate — Authentic wine estate experience
- Ambassadori Kachreti — Golf resort with spa and pools, great to kickback.
Kazbegi/Stepansminda
Dramatic mountain scenery along the Georgian Military Highway. A bit of a drive but with impressive scenery along the way, with notably cooler temperature to reward those that want to escape the summer heat.
Where to Stay
- Rooms Hotel Kazbegi — Stunning views, excellent restaurant, the place to stay
Borjomi
Famous for its mineral water — forested gorges, spa town vibes, and access to Bakuriani. Good getaway for some fresh air in the summer
Where to Stay
- Crowne Plaza Borjomi — Best option in town, spa and wellness facilities
Black Sea Coast
Batumi and surroundings — beach vibes, botanical gardens, and Adjarian cuisine. Given th distance from Tbilisi, and the many other sites GEorgia has to see, we generally DO NOT recommend the coast as priority destination.
Where to Stay
- Paragraf Shekvetili — Beachfront design hotel
- Georgia Palace Kobuleti — Family-friendly beach resort
Join Us
RSVP
Please RSVP by 31 March 2026 — sooner is always appreciated. Let us know if you're coming alone or with partner / kids — everyone is welcome.