Georgia travel guide

May–June and September–October; July–August for the high mountains only. Late spring and early autumn bring the best balance of open mountain roads, warm lowland days and manageable heat in Tbilisi. July and August are hot and hazy in the capital and Kakheti but are the only reliable months for high Svaneti and Kazbegi trails. The grape harvest in late September and October is the country's most rewarding moment, while winter closes the Tusheti road entirely and can close the Zagari and Kazbegi passes for days.

The places that earn their nights, most important first, with how long each deserves. Nobody needs all of them on one trip.

Marshrutka minibuses and a growing network of comfortable coaches connect every town cheaply, but a hired driver is the practical answer for Kakheti wineries and the mountain roads. Trains link Tbilisi with Batumi, Kutaisi and Zugdidi; the Mestia flight is weather-dependent and often full. Self-driving is possible for confident drivers, with 4x4 needed for Ushguli and Tusheti.

A mid-range trip usually needs about €45–€100 per person per day, before long-haul flights. Georgia is one of Europe's better-value countries once you are on the ground: guesthouses with dinner, marshrutkas and restaurant meals are cheap, and the wine is priced for locals. The costs that add up are private drivers for mountain routes, Svaneti transfers and Tbilisi's newer boutique hotels.

Each of these is a real request you could hand to Menta as written. Change the people, the month and the pace; the structure will hold.