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Post by bringbackelmo on Oct 27, 2016 13:46:48 GMT
Went to Georgia a couple of years ago - perfectly safe at the moment. If you're staying in Tbilisi you'll be fine, its a wonderful city. Highly recommend it. On flight into Moldova sat next to a Moldovan who has worked in Russia /Ukraine and Europe for a very large Pharma company. When I said going to Georgia in 2017 he indicated that should be a good trip, a safe trip. He said they had a US born President and English was widely promoted as a second language. Of course President was corrupt did a runner and is now a hated Govenor in Ukraine, assisted in getting job by "friends in US and Ukraine" as has no Ukrainian heritage and also prevents him from being extradited. There is some truth in some of that. Saakashvili wasn't perfect but he definitely did do a huge amount of good for the country as President - he's credited with largely eliminating the corruption that still plagues parts of the former USSR (see: Central Asia) which was a massive achievement. He wasn't born in the USA but in Tbilisi, but he is definitely pro-Western. His wiki makes interesting reading: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikheil_Saakashvili |
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Post by manulike on Oct 27, 2016 21:41:41 GMT
On flight into Moldova sat next to a Moldovan who has worked in Russia /Ukraine and Europe for a very large Pharma company. When I said going to Georgia in 2017 he indicated that should be a good trip, a safe trip. He said they had a US born President and English was widely promoted as a second language. Of course President was corrupt did a runner and is now a hated Govenor in Ukraine, assisted in getting job by "friends in US and Ukraine" as has no Ukrainian heritage and also prevents him from being extradited. There is some truth in some of that. Saakashvili wasn't perfect but he definitely did do a huge amount of good for the country as President - he's credited with largely eliminating the corruption that still plagues parts of the former USSR (see: Central Asia) which was a massive achievement. He wasn't born in the USA but in Tbilisi, but he is definitely pro-Western. His wiki makes interesting reading: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikheil_Saakashvili Politics, in these parts, isn't boring - that's for sure! Anyone that has been on the trip to Haifa last year, you should expect more of the same. They will always ask you about your political association, and will expect you to be familiar with their own internal issues. You can be sure that they will know every single member of our Cabinet and will have opinions about how to save the NHS and where exactly David Cameron failed in the Brexit thing... You should expect them to be highly intelligent and fascinating to converse with |
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Post by manulike on Nov 1, 2016 20:51:43 GMT
If you fancy an overnight in Milan (Bergamo)
Ryan air have a Tuesday flight out of Bristol for £42 and that connects nicely with the
Wizz Air flight from Milan Malpensa to Kutaisi FOR ONLY 22 EURO (Wednesday at 6pm)
Arrive Kutaisi at midnight and take the night train or stay overnight.
Bergamo is lovely, and the Youth Hostel has dorm beds for €19, 4-bed room for €80, singles for €35 and double rooms for €50.
Can comfortably take Wizz Air Kutaisi to SOFIA and then back to Bristol on way back on Saturday for Irish match on Monday: Dept KUT 12:35 and Arrive Bristol at 8.20pm for 100 euro total
Another option for LUTON departure on Tuesday 8am is
Wizz Air to Sofia for £46 arrive Sofia 1pm connects directly onto
Wizz Air from Sofia to Kutaisi dept 2.40pm arrive Georgia at 6pm - ONLY £12
IF YOU HAVE TIME...
If you fancy 2 days in Sofia, there is a Wizz Air Bristol to Sofia dept on 9pm Saturday arrive 2am Sunday (£42)
If you fancy 2 days in Sofia, there is a Wizz Air Birmingham to Sofia dept on 8.30pm Saturday arrive 2am Sunday (ONLY £18)
Remember to add another whopping £12 for your Sofia to Kutaisi Tuesday flight (Dept 2.40pm arrive 6pm)
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Post by manulike on Nov 6, 2016 21:56:09 GMT
If you can go out on the Monday and return on the Saturday (our final ROI game is on Monday 9 Oct) then KLM has DIRECT FLIGHTS using Georgian airlines from Cardiff (or London Heathrow) to Tbilisi for only £221 return and arrival times are a great 5pm. Sadly, departure times both sides are a very early 6am - but the total trip duration including the Amsterdam stop-over is only 8 hours going out and 7 hours coming back - which is much better than most other options! You will need to wait another two weeks until the October dates go live on KLM! Its looking like KLM are opting to stitch-up the price of the direct flights on Monday and Saturday - at the moment, at least. As things stand today: Cardiff to Tbilisi on Monday 25 Sep Dept 6am and only one 2-hour stopover in Amsterdam - Arrive TBS at 5.15pm (8 hours total) Returning SATURDAY AFTERNOON 7 October at 4.30pm VIA KIEV - cost a total of £204Return leg has one hour stop-over in Kiev and 12 hour over-night in Amsterdam! Arriving Cardiff Sunday morning at 9.25am. You can also depart after 25 September for a return fare of £190 to £204, but with a Kiev stop over both ways You need to book it at www.travelup.co.uk |
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Post by irelandfan on Nov 19, 2016 12:52:28 GMT
Currently booking our trip to Georgia match in September. Didn't get last campaign so are a group of us making a bit of a holiday out of it this time
We flying to Berlin on the Tuesday and staying over night to connect with the wizz air flight to kutasi on Wednesday morning flight cost €50 (also fly on Mondays) have a family room booked in kutasi for grand total of €19
We them spending 4 nights in tiblisi and have an apartment booked near freedom square. From talking to ones who were over for last game this the best area to stay as near the bars etc.
Have yet to booked flights home but there is 2 options that are very tempting
1.Is tiblisi to Gatwick (55 minute change in riga) with airbaltic which is currently €113
2. Second option is tiblisi to Amsterdam (with 1 hour 20 minute stop in athens) with aegean airline which is currently €90.
Can get home to dublin with either option for around €30 extra.
Not sure but some of this might help yous out when booking your own trip. Is some decent priced flights available if you do a bit of research into it and look at alternative routes to the most popular 1s (Istanbul etc)
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Post by manulike on Nov 21, 2016 12:59:57 GMT
WIZZ AIR ALERT
All tickets today are 20% off - for every one ;-)
My ticket choice FOR SATURDAY RETURN leg in time for Monday match v ROI is now:
12:35 KUTAISI to SOFIA 14:10 for £35
Four hours transit
18:50 SOFIA 20:20 BRISTOL for £50
NOTE
Going out is much more flexible, but an option is
Tuesday 3 Oct Dept Sofia 2.40pm to Kutaisi arriving 6pm for ONLY £15
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Post by cantonwelsh79 on Nov 21, 2016 19:30:59 GMT
WIZZ AIR ALERTAll tickets today are 20% off - for every one ;-) My ticket choice FOR SATURDAY RETURN leg in time for Monday match v ROI is now: 12:35 KUTAISI to SOFIA 14:10 for £35 Four hours transit 18:50 SOFIA 20:20 BRISTOL for £50 NOTEGoing out is much more flexible, but an option is Tuesday 3 Oct Dept Sofia 2.40pm to Kutaisi arriving 6pm for ONLY £15 [ Sorted, I was struggling with this one but flying to Kutaisi is a really good option, much better flight times than Tblisi too. Think I'll have a night there after looking at hotel prices- one on booking.com for 8 quid and they pick you up from the airport! |
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Post by ontheroadagain on Nov 21, 2016 21:40:55 GMT
Check out Chris Tarrant's Extreme Railway Journeys. He is doing the Caucasus Railway and is currently in Georgia. Tiblisi looks great and he has a few interesting things to do there.
Tiblisi looks great.
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Post by manulike on Nov 21, 2016 23:23:40 GMT
Thanks for the heads up. A great programme - only available for next 7 days, I think? Baku has changed a lot in last 25 years. But there is no chance of me going back, as I am 'persona non grata' and - besides - I'd much rather go back to Yerevan any day! This is the Georgian Rail site - its not alphabetical ... but start typing a station name, and it will come up... There is a daily train from Kutaisi to Tbilisi dept 1215 arrive 1740 costing 9 lari (£2). Kutaisi - Batumi Dept 0940 arrive 1330 for 7 lari... Batumi to Tbilisi night-time train dept 0130 arrive 0700 for 19 lari (or 38 lari in a 2-person cabin) daytime dept 0730 arrive 1230. The overnight train Tbilisi to Yerevan (11 hours) is 35 lari (£8) ... Georgian minibuses have the worst drivers in the world - avoid! www.railway.ge/samg/searchTrains.aspx?lang=en-US |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2016 13:24:42 GMT
I had considered Serbia only for this campaign but Georgia seems tempting too.
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Post by manulike on Nov 22, 2016 14:34:09 GMT
Highly recommend the place! If you book KLM from Cardiff or Manchester (£214 return) using www.travelup.co.uk/flights They will allow you up to 23 hours in Kiev. If you haven't been in March - definitely worthwhile NOTE: Cardiff flight arrives TBS at midnight, but Manchester flight arrives Georgia at 3.45pm Finally, Going out from LIVERPOOL on Wizz Tuesday 3 Oct: LIV to WARSAW 1150-1520 for £28 WARSAW to KUTAISI 1605-2125 for £40 |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2016 13:58:41 GMT
Does nowhere go direct to Georgia? Flights are looking to awkward and expensive for me at the moment. I'll just push the boat out in Belgrade instead.
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Post by manulike on Nov 24, 2016 20:43:55 GMT
Does nowhere go direct to Georgia? Flights are looking to awkward and expensive for me at the moment. I'll just push the boat out in Belgrade instead. Georgian Airline direct from amsterdam on Mondays and Saturdays |
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Post by manulike on Nov 24, 2016 21:51:45 GMT
For those in London and pushed for time:
LOT Polish depart Heathrow Wednesday 17:50 with just 70 minutes stopover in Warsaw, arriving TBS 4am, Thursday.
Return Saturday or Sunday departs TBS 5am and arrives LHR 0925 for about £360, return. Just 7.5 hours travel time both ways!
CHEAP FROM LONDON
Wizzair from Luton to Sofia Dept Tuesday 8am / 90 min stopover arriving KUTAISI at 6pm
TOTAL COST £45
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Post by manulike on Nov 26, 2016 13:09:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 21:37:10 GMT
If I can break up the travelling then I'd like a night somewhere each way. This will be an adventure!
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Post by manulike on Nov 28, 2016 22:26:36 GMT
If I can break up the travelling then I'd like a night somewhere each way. This will be an adventure! UIA will give you 23 hours in Kiev. Wizz will give you Sofia and Warsaw - but only bring you to Kutaisi. Wizz can also take you to Baku via Budapest |
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Post by mattyd on Dec 7, 2016 9:57:48 GMT
For those thinking of stopping off in Sofia;
WizzAir: 20% off flights to and from Bulgaria if booked today
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Post by mikebagillt on Dec 20, 2016 10:59:41 GMT
Out Wednesday 04/10 :-
Easyjet Manchester to Athens, 15:15 ~21:05 £35
Then Athens to Tblisi 00:05 ~ 04:05 £75
Not decided on return journey yet
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Post by manulike on Dec 20, 2016 20:04:47 GMT
Out Wednesday 04/10 :- Easyjet Manchester to Athens, 15:15 ~21:05 £35 Then Athens to Tblisi 00:05 ~ 04:05 £75 Not decided on return journey yet That's a great flight connection, Mike - well done ;-) Remember to make it back in time for Monday's match in Cardiff v ROI ... Perhaps worth flying back to Bristol with Wizz Air and staying the night there? The Irish have made accom prices on the Monday in Cardiff make Paris look cheap... |
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Post by mikebagillt on Dec 21, 2016 12:27:09 GMT
Out Wednesday 04/10 :- Easyjet Manchester to Athens, 15:15 ~21:05 £35 Then Athens to Tblisi 00:05 ~ 04:05 £75 Not decided on return journey yet That's a great flight connection, Mike - well done ;-) Remember to make it back in time for Monday's match in Cardiff v ROI ... Perhaps worth flying back to Bristol with Wizz Air and staying the night there? The Irish have made accom prices on the Monday in Cardiff make Paris look cheap... Best flights I could find from up North, now I can work half day on the Wednesday, as may not have many holidays left by then.
Cheap flights to Gatwick early Saturday morning will probably be the plan ( approx. £120), then virgin train back home ( £20)
Back down Cardiff for a day visit on the Monday.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2016 13:33:38 GMT
Out Wednesday 04/10 :- Easyjet Manchester to Athens, 15:15 ~21:05 £35 Then Athens to Tblisi 00:05 ~ 04:05 £75 Not decided on return journey yet That sounds interesting. I'm based in Manchester so it'll be useful. Keep us updated on your return journey! |
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Post by georgeberrysheadband on Dec 21, 2016 16:31:33 GMT
Out Wednesday 04/10 :- Easyjet Manchester to Athens, 15:15 ~21:05 £35 Then Athens to Tblisi 00:05 ~ 04:05 £75 Not decided on return journey yet That sounds interesting. I'm based in Manchester so it'll be useful. Keep us updated on your return journey! He did... |
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Post by manulike on Dec 21, 2016 23:04:27 GMT
Out Wednesday 04/10 :- Easyjet Manchester to Athens, 15:15 ~21:05 £35 Then Athens to Tblisi 00:05 ~ 04:05 £75 Not decided on return journey yet That sounds interesting. I'm based in Manchester so it'll be useful. Keep us updated on your return journey! Its about 140 euro combining Wizzair Kutaisi-Sofia-dublin with a cheap Ryanair Dublin to Manchester. Its still about 100 euro Kutaisi-Sofia-Bristol |
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Post by wrexham78 on Dec 22, 2016 1:14:32 GMT
Out Wednesday 04/10 :- Easyjet Manchester to Athens, 15:15 ~21:05 £35 Then Athens to Tblisi 00:05 ~ 04:05 £75 Not decided on return journey yet That's a great flight connection, Mike - well done ;-) Remember to make it back in time for Monday's match in Cardiff v ROI ... Perhaps worth flying back to Bristol with Wizz Air and staying the night there? The Irish have made accom prices on the Monday in Cardiff make Paris look cheap... |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2016 11:56:17 GMT
I'll just turn up dressed as one of the players and travel with the squad.
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Post by manulike on Dec 23, 2016 16:02:21 GMT
I'll just turn up dressed as one of the players and travel with the squad. If you were nice this year, Father Christmas might bring you one of these  |
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Post by manulike on Jan 17, 2017 0:35:24 GMT
EXCELLENT OPTION out of CARDIFF (£187 return):
Depart MONDAY 2 Oct at 0945 with Flybe to Milan arrive 1245 - £44
Connect in Milan at 1805 with Wizzair to KUTAISI arrive 2355 - £53
Total Time: ONLY 11h
OR, OUT of BIRMINGHAM (£142 return):
Dept TUESDAY 3 Oct at 0830 with Wizzair to WARSAW arrive 1150 - £36
Connect in Warsaw at 1605 with Wizzair to KUTAISI arrive 2125 - £41
Total Time: ONLY 10h
OR, OUT of LONDON Stansted (£152 return):
Dept TUESDAY 3 Oct at 1320 with PEGASUS Via Istanbul TO TBILISI - Arriving 0145am for only €86
Fly Back to Stansted on Saturday Departing Tbilisi 4am for €86
COMING BACK ON SATURDAY at 1235 VIA SOFIA
Kutaisi to Bristol currently its £90 all with Wizzair - 11h Total Time
Kutaisi to Birmingham Wizzair+Ryanair ONLY £65 and ONLY 9h Total Time
With all due respect to Aegean, Ukrainian and Turkish Air, the combinations above are MUCH shorter in actual travel time, as well as quite a bit cheaper.
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Post by cantonwelsh79 on Jan 17, 2017 8:21:23 GMT
EXCELLENT OPTION out of CARDIFF (£187 return):Depart MONDAY 2 Oct at 0945 with Flybe to Milan arrive 1245 - £44 Connect in Milan at 1805 with Wizzair to KUTAISI arrive 2355 - £53 Total Time: ONLY 11h
OR, OUT of BIRMINGHAM (£142 return):Dept TUESDAY 3 Oct at 0830 with Wizzair to WARSAW arrive 1150 - £36 Connect in Warsaw at 1605 with Wizzair to KUTAISI arrive 2125 - £41 Total Time: ONLY 10h
OR, OUT of LONDON Stansted (£152 return):
Dept TUESDAY 3 Oct at 1320 with PEGASUS Via Istanbul TO TBILISI - Arriving 0145am for only €86
Fly Back to Stansted on Saturday Departing Tbilisi 4am for €86 COMING BACK ON SATURDAY at 1235 VIA SOFIAKutaisi to Bristol currently its £90 all with Wizzair - 11h Total TimeKutaisi to Birmingham Wizzair+Ryanair ONLY £65 and ONLY 9h Total Time
With all due respect to Aegean, Ukrainian and Turkish Air, the combinations above are MUCH shorter in actual travel time, as well as quite a bit cheaper.
That Cardiff one's a great option. I was looking at that a few months back but Flybe must've changed their flight times to Milan because the connection time was too close for comfort when I looked and I bottled it! Damn! You're right about the flights being shorter into Kutasai- they're also all at more sociable hours than Tblisi that all seem to take off in the early hours of the morning. |
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Post by paulie on Jan 18, 2017 17:52:19 GMT
Just to back up what has already been said here, Tbilisi is a great city with very friendly locals and plenty of bars and restaurants, all of which you will find to be pretty cheap. We (Ireland) had them in our last campaign and we had a blast. I'm also booked up for our trip there this September so I'm sure it'll all be done again. There are others here that know the city far better than I do but from my experience I suggest ye try to get accommodation around Jan Shardeni Street. It's central with lots of bars. The only bad thing about Tbilisi is that it can be pricey for the flights and the flight times can be a bit awkward but it's definitely worth it, so for anyone that's 50/50 on going, my suggestion is to just book it and deal with the credit card later!
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