Matthew Reppond

I’ve spent nearly 2 years living in Georgia, immersing myself in its rich and fascinating culture. Georgia is a true crossroads of East and West. There are many familiar elements to everyday life, but there are also some things to know before arriving. In this guide, I share essential travel tips for Georgia — from navigating the cities and greeting others respectfully to attending a supra.

I’ve always loved traveling, but I’ve never been too keen on taking the well-trodden paths.Maybe it’s because I’m an introvert. Maybe it’s because I’m from a relatively unknown place myself. Whatever the reason, I’ve always enjoyed visiting spots that are more under the radar. And, I’ll admit it: I had an “elitist” attitude towards popular destinations. In other words, I took a sort of pride in avoiding the “tourist traps” in favor of places few had heard of.