Beloved country of Lithuanians is lifting quarantine restrictions: tourist season starts late

If you haven’t had a vacation yet this year and you are thinking about spoons in the afternoon, calm down, don’t be late. Sakartwell begins the summer tourist season much later. This country is so eager for tourists that it promises discounts, free gifts, and all other goodies so that only as many people as possible can come to them. Although many seasonal entertainment venues in the country generally close at the end of October, this year things may be different, because now they are just opening. And the planes flying to Sakartwell started to fill up, because the government was lifting the restrictions there. Not all, little by little, but vacationers will definitely be able to feel freer.

“It is a very sad, very bad summer. There were no tourists, they couldn’t make money, ”says Nana, who sells snacks and drinks on Rustavel Avenue in Tbilisi. She is supported by Vahtang, who rents apartments in this city and manages four different apartments. The man says the rental business came to a complete halt in mid-September and has now moved abruptly from the point of death. To attract as many guests as possible, the man advertises that he is offering even a 25 percent discount, although he admits that he would disappoint more good negotiators, the most important thing is that the apartments are not empty.

In 2019, potatoes enjoyed a record season, according to those who work in the field of tourism, such a lucrative summer, so many newcomers, never before. Then in 2020, the country experienced a complete trade depression due to the coronavirus and global lockdown. Many people expected this year to be completely different, they thought that summer would start soon, the newcomers would start to flow. However, the country’s government considered that it had imposed strict restrictions. Entertainment, gatherings and certain areas of activity were prohibited. With several breaks, until September 20 (this Monday) there was not even public transport in the cities. There were no buses or subways. This bothers people more than closed restaurants or clubs. “We couldn’t go to work, we couldn’t visit our relatives in hospitals,” complains Nana, the snack vendor I mentioned.

Why all public transport around Tbilisi, the largest and most important city in the country, has been frozen and Levan, who drives a taxi, does not understand. While admitting that this has benefited him and his colleagues. “Taxis allowed us to work, so if people really needed to go somewhere, they could do it with our help. Of course, a lot of people didn’t like it, because taxi fares are completely different than bus fares.” explains the driver. Some days, the demand for taxis and shuttle cars was so high that even prices rose sharply. “Taxis did not officially raise prices, but some drivers asked to pay for their services or refused to transport them. I have done so. heard from customers, although I didn’t actually do it myself, “explains Levan. And carrier prices had soared four times higher. “It just came to our knowledge then. And our retirees, who find it difficult to walk, could not afford that luxury,” said a taxi driver with extensive experience about the above situation.

After the cessation of public transport activities, both the funicular to the city center and the boats carrying people along the Kura River were unable to operate in Tbilisi. “Our season is short, we only work in hot climates. But now is the second year that it is not possible to work normally. I heard from other people that tourists came to look for us, they wanted to swim, but we couldn’t offer them anything, because we would have received big fines, ”says Aleksandras, driving one of the small tourist boats down the central river of the river. town. I spoke to this man on the fourth day after he returned to work, so I asked him to evaluate the start of the season. “We want to attract as many tourists as possible, so we make various discounts, depending on the group of people, but I really spend a few dollars per person,” he says.

In the first week after much of the restrictions were lifted, Tbilisi hotels are still empty, prompting significant price cuts. The four and five star accommodation offers accommodation for 30-80 euros per night for two people. Even cheaper private apartments and flats. “There are no people at all, very quiet, so we are trying to do something for them to travel here. Currently there are no flights from Russia, the border with Azerbaijan has been closed, and many people have come from these countries, but due to the coronavirus , our government is not allowing them yet, “said the managers of the Moxy Tbilisi hotel. .

Until now, restrictions on entertainment venues and restaurants have remained in Sakartvele. The dances in the clubs have not yet taken place and the catering establishments must close at 22:00. Most venues only accept visitors until 9:00 p.m., so they can eat in an hour and then urgently leave the venue. Almost everywhere at 9:30 pm waiters distribute invoices to guests and request payment as soon as possible. “Well, it is very unusual that we have a main traffic of guests at 7:00 pm, because usually many customers only come to eat at 9:00 pm, but now we are all early,” says Ana , waitress from Machakhela, a traditional potato. -service coffee.

For the moment, Tbilisi will please those who do not like long lines, congestion and chaos, simply returning to normal cancer in a city calmer than ever. And the prices are very friendly. Airbaltic flies to Tbilisi from Vilnius, with a short transfer in Riga, four times a week.

A coronavirus vaccination certificate or recent test result is required upon arrival in this country. One of the documents must be presented to the customs inspection officer and can be an electronic version. Sakartwell recognizes the single European vaccine certificate, which can be withdrawn in our e-health.

It is important to know that some catering establishments, as well as the famous sulfur baths, do not accept people who have not been vaccinated or who do not have a negative test result.

Another reason to visit Sakartvel right now is that there will be a grape harvest there in the next few weeks, a special event for the entire country. Two hours from Tbilisi, in the Kachetia region, tourists can also contribute to the grape harvest, and many farmers are happy to welcome foreigners and teach them how to pick grapes. This service is also officially offered by large vineyards, offering to buy a special “Wine Route” package, where you can participate in the journey from the vineyard to the squeezing of the wine with your own hands and feet.