Recreation Resorts in Georgia

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Luxury apartments for daily rent in Tbilisi, Georgia Rent luxury apartments for daily in Tbilisi and Batumi, Georgia. Accommodation for travellers, tourists and visitors in Georgia, good option for groups and family stays!

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Luxury apartments for daily rent in Tbilisi, Georgia Rent luxury apartments for daily in Tbilisi and Batumi, Georgia. Accommodation for travellers, tourists and visitors in Georgia, good option for groups and family stays!

RECREATION RESORTS IN GEORGIA

Mountainous relief, closeness to the sea, good climate and picturesque landscape, natural caves create recreational resources and healthy and leisure conditions that attract travelers.
There are 103 resorts, 182 places for developing resorts in Georgia.
Development of resorts started in the first half of the 19 th century. Starting from Borjomi and Abastumani, later in the end of 19 th century, the black seaside resorts were developed. Sukhumi was recognized as a climatic resort with high medical characteristics; Gagra was also developed as a resort and many boarding houses and seaside cottages in Adjara (Kobuleti, Makhinjauri, and Tsikhisdziri) were built. Most resorts are located in the coastal and mountainous regions at present.

The mountain zone is distinguished by its beautiful landscapes, healthy climate and clean air. Particularly favourable climatic conditions are found in lower (500-1000 m above sea level) and medium mountain (1000 – 2000 m above sea level) zones, where the majority of mountain climatic and balneological resorts are concentrated.
At 700 m above the sea level one can find the resorts of Nabeghlavi, Zvare, Nunisi, Tkhvarcheli, etc.;
the famous balneological resorts Borjomi, Sairme, Utsera, Surami are located at 700-1000 m above the sea level, and mountain resorts such as Abastumani, Tsageri, Tsemi, Java, Kojori, Kiketi and Manglisi are at the height of 1000-1500 m above sea level. Bakuriani is a medium mountain resort in the east of Georgia . In the resorts located in mountainous zone the following diseases are successfully healed: pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, anemia, several forms of cardiovascular diseases, neuroses, etc.

The Black Sea coast with its wonderful climatic conditions is another important zone for resorts. In this zone there are basically climatic resorts – Gagra, Pitsunda New Afoni, Gudauta, Sokhumi, Batumi , Kobuleti, Makhinjauri, Green Cape , Ureki etc. Here the climate is humid and subtropical, with mild winters and long hot summers. The bathing season lasts 5-6 months.

There are over 2400 mineral springs in Georgia . The richness and variety of mineral waters gives the patients possibility for treatment of many diseases, including cardiovascular, nervous, gynecological and endocrinal disorders.

Carbonated mineral springs are most wide spread. These waters are basically used for treatment of various digestive disorders. The most famous are: Borjomi, Shovi, Utsera, Muashi, Nabeghlavi, Sairme, etc.

Sulfur waters also have highly therapeutic character and are used for treatment of joints, skin, and female disorders. These waters are used in the following resorts: Tskhaltubo, Tbilisi , Nunisi, Tkvarcheli, Gagra, Sukhumi , Makhinjauri, Zekari, and Aspindza.

Medical mud is another technique used in Georgian resorts. The resort Akhtala operates on the basis of pseudo volcanic mud of Akhtala knoll, and Tbilisi balneological resort uses mud from Lake Kumisi . Mud is used for treatment of: organs of support and motion, peripheral nervous system and female disorders.

There are over 394 sanatoriums and resort institutions in Georgia . While many of these are in disrepair, several resorts are equipped with modern amenities such as cottages, small bathrooms and changing areas

COUNTRY’S OVERVIEW

Georgia (საქართველო 'sakartvelo' in Georgian), known from 1990 to 1995 as the Republic of Georgia, is a country to the east of the Black sea in the south Caucasus. It shares borders with Russia in the north and Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan in the south.
Enclosed high valleys, wide basins, health spas with famous mineral waters, caves and waterfalls are combined in this land of varied landscapes and striking beauty. The capital, Tbilisi, stands on the banks of the river Mtkvari, in a valley surrounded by hills. It is best seen from the top of mount Mtatsminda. With its warm climate, stone houses built around vine-draped courtyards, and winding streets, the city has a lively, Mediterranean atmosphere.

General information
Geographical location: south Caucasus; in the longitude of 40o-47o in the latitude 41o-44o
Area: 69,700 sq. km (26,911 sq. miles).
Government: Republic gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Population: 5,399,000 (official estimate 1999).
Population density: 77.5 per sq. km.
Capital: Tbilisi.
Population: 1,253,000 (official estimate 1999).
Principal Towns: Kutaisi-(241.100), Rustavi-(158.000), Batumi-(137.100), Zugdidi-(105.000 including idp from Abkhazia), Chiatura-(70.000), Gori-(70.000), Poti-(50.900)
Administrative-Territorial units: the country is divided into 9 districts, 65 regions and 2 two autonomous republics Ajaria and Abkhazia.
Head of State and Government: President Michael Saakashvili since 2004.
Language: the official language is Georgian, the only language in the Iberia-Caucasian family written in ancient script, with its own unique alphabet. Russian, Ossetian and Abkhazian languages are also spoken.
Religion: Christian majority, mainly Greek orthodoxy, other confessional groups include Shiite and Sunni Muslims, Armenian Gregorian, Catholics, Baptists, Judaists
Mortality rate: 7.7% (1998)
Birth rate: 11.2% (1998)
Time: GMT + 3.
GDP: usd 995 per capital (1998)

GEORGRAPHY OF GEORGIA

Georgia is a mountainous country. The greater Caucasus range creates a natural border with Russian Federation in the north. This borderline stretches for 723 km. the border with Turkey is in the southeast, Armenia in the south, Azerbaijan in the east Georgia is washed by the black sea in the west, which forms a 315km (205 mile-long) coast line. The following Russian Republics/subdivisions border Georgia: Krasnodar krai, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia-Alania, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Dagestan.
The state is crossed by the ranges of the greater Caucasus (highest peaks: Mt. Shkhara 5068m, Mt. Kazbek 5047m). The inter mountain depression to the south of the greater Caucasus encompasses the Kolkheti lowland, inner Kartli, lower Kartli and the Alazani plain. Still further to the south the minor Caucasian ranges rise to the medium height (Meskheti, Shavsheti and other ranges), reaching 2850 m. the southernmost area of the country is covered by the volcanic south Georgian upland (Mt. Didi Abuli 3301 m, its highest peak). The greater Caucasus and the south Georgian upland join with the Likhi range, which at the same time divides Georgia into two contrasting climatic zones: western and eastern Georgia.
The geological constitution characterized by the precipitation is basically of Mesozoic and Cenozoic era. According to the wrinkles it's divided by several geotectonic units: from north to the south by Caucasian main ring's anticlinoria, main Caucasian range, wrinkles system, Georgian belt, Achara-Trialeti system, Artvin-Bolnisi belt and Lloc-Karabag's wrinkled zone.
Georgia is reach with minerals resources: oil, coal, peat, iron, magnum, copper, projectile-zinc, arsenic, mercury, andezit, barite, talc, serpent it, agate, quartz, basalt, granite, diorite, marble, etc.
The glaciers are only on the Caucasus range (688) and occupy 508 sq. km (country area's 0.7%). regular snow line hesitates on 2800-3600 meter.
Georgia is rich with underground waters, there are mineral and thermal waters (Borjomi, Utsera, Dzau, Nabeglavi, Sairme, Zvare, Nunisi etc.).
The vegetation of Georgia is extremely rich and diverse, with numerous relict and endemic plants (Dioskeria, Pontic and Caucasian rhododendron, box tree, zelkva, persimmon, etc.).
Forest covers over 1/3 of the area, with broad-leafed species (oak, horn beam, chestnut, peach, etc.) common at lower levels, dark conifers (fir and spruce) in a higher mountain belt, and pine in higher-mountain valleys. Alpine meadows are spreading above 1880 m. the Kolkheti and Alazani plains and the lava plateau's of the south Georgian upland are dominated by cultivated plants (tea, citrus's, grapes).
The animal world is represented by variety of different mountain and plain species: Caucasian tur, roe deer, wolf, lynx, golden eagle, griffon- vulture, sparrow-hawk, falcon, Caucasian snowcock, great rose finch, white-winged redstart, water pipit, rufous-tailed rock thrush, alpine accentor, wall crepper, twite, sturgeon, chukar, common kestrels, northern goshawks, rock and Spanish sparrows, salmon, shoat-fish, trout etc.
The rivers of Georgia belong to the basins of the Black and Caspian seas. Iinto this basin flow the Mtkvari River with its numerous tributaries (left) the Didi Liakhvi, the Aragvi, the Iori, the Alazani, (right) the Paravani, the Algeti, and Khrami. The Black Sea Basin Rivers include the Rioni, the Enguri, the Acharistskali, the Bzipi and others.

Boundaries:
The total length of the border is 1970 km (1224 miles)
The length of the land border is 1655 km (1028 miles)
The length of the Georgian section of the black sea coast line is 315 km (195 miles)

Longest Rivers:
Mtkvari (Kura in Russian) - 1364 km (847.5 miles)
Tergi - 623 km (387.1 miles)
Chorokhi - 438 km (272.1 miles)
Alazani - 351 km (218.1 miles)
Rioni - 327 km (203.1 miles)
Tori - 320 km (198.8 miles)
Enguri - 213 km (132.3 miles)

Highest Mountains:
Shkhara - 5068 m (16,627 ft)
Janga - 5059 m (16,597 ft)
Mkinvartsveri (kazbek) - 5047 m (16,558 ft)
S***a Rustaveli - 4860 m (15,944 ft)
Tetnuldi - 4858 m (15,938 ft)
Ushba - 4700 m (15,419 ft)
Ailama - 4547 m (14,917 ft)

Largest Lakes:
Paravani - 37.5 sq. km (14.4 sq ml)
Kartsakhi - 26.3 sq. km (10.1 sq ml)
Paliastomi - 18.2 sq. km (7.0 sq ml)
Tabatskuri - 14.2 sq. km (5.4 sq ml)
Khanchali -13.3 sq. km (5.1 sq ml)
Jandari - 10.6 sq. km (4.0 sq ml)

The biggest cities (hab. population)
Tbilisi - 1225 000
Kutaisi - 221 000
Rustavi - 145 000
Batumi - 115 000

CLIMATE IN GEORGIA

The location of Georgia on the border between the moderate humid Mediterranean and the dry continental Aral Caspian areas is responsible for the climate of the country. A humid subtropical climate dominants in western Georgia, while eastern Georgia features a transition from subtropical to moderate. The climatic zones are ranging from humid subtropical to the eternal snow and glaciers. The greater Caucasus range moderates local climate by serving as a barrier against cold air from the north.
The mean January temperature varies from -2 degree (Kolkheti) to 3 degree; in August from 23 to 26 degree. In the mean annual precipitation varies from 1000 to 2800 mm, in eastern Georgia from 300 to 600 mm.


Western Georgia
Along the Black sea coast, from Abkhazia to the Turkish border, and in the region known as the Kolkhida lowlands inland from the coast, the dominant subtropical climate features high humidity and heavy precipitation. Several varieties of palm trees grow there. Midwinter average temperature here is 5c and the midsummer average is 22c.

Eastern Georgia
The plains of eastern Georgia are shielded from the influence of the Black sea by mountains of Likhi that provide a more continental climate. Average temperature in summer here is 20-24c, in winter 2-4c. Humidity is lower.
Alpine and highland regions in the east and west, as well as semiarid region on the Iori plateau to the southeast have distinct microclimates. Alpine conditions start at 2,100 meters and above 3,600 meters year-round snow and ice is present.
The best suggestions for travelers would from late spring till early fall tours, in winter snow resorts in the Caucasus mountains.



Annual temperature degree for Caucasus countries (C).

Georgia Azerbaijan Armenia
March 8 - 12 8 - 10 5 - 7
April 13 - 18 14 - 18 10 - 15
May 15 - 20 16 - 24 15 - 20
June 20 - 25 25 - 30 20 - 25
July 25 - 35 30 - 40 25 - 35
August 25 - 30 30 - 40 25 - 35
September 20 - 30 25 - 30 20 - 25
October 15 - 20 15 - 25 10 - 20
November 8 - 12 7 - 12 7 – 10

SILK ROAD SITES

KHERTVISI
SAMTSKHE FORTRESS
275 Km from Tbilisi
Unknown


Khertvisi Fortress - ranks among one of the oldest fortresses in Georgia, but the exact date of its construction is not known.
The fortress already existed in the 10th c, although there is an evidence of earlier construction work. According to a legend, Queen Tamar held a competition to see who could build the best tower. From the eastern wall two tunnels lead down to the river, one served as a water supply route, the other for communication. A legend has it that Alexander the Great visited the site during his Eastern Campaign in the 4th century BC.


NARIKALA
TBILISI FORTRESS
1, 5 Km from Liberty Squire
4 th C
Narikala fortress or Shuris Tsikhe - the Rival Fortress, is the ancient site of Tbilisi built by Arabs in 4th c. Much of what we see today, dates from 8th c. With its unique strategic location both local rulers and foreign invaders looked to make Narikala their headquarters.
The Shakhtakhti Tower was built as an observatory. Archaelogical research in 1967 revealed that there was a twelfth century church inside the Narikala complex. The church was rebuilt in 1996 and designed in keeping with the fortress surrounding it. The interior is decorated with frescoes, depicting both biblical scenes and the history of Georgia.


SIGHNAGHI
KAKHETI FORTRESS
144 Km from Tbilisi
18 th C
Sighnaghi - a Royal town surrounded by the defensive walls with 23 towers. Each of these towers were named after nearby villages and respective families and served as a refuge in case of danger.These unique walls were built by King Herecle II to protect the area from incursions by Lezgins from north Caucasus. The town was mainly inhabited by merchants and artisans. It had many gates through which numerous Silk Road travellers from Asia and Europe passed on their way.


UPLISTSIKHE
KARTLI CAVE TOWN - FORTRESS
80 Km from Tbilisi
1 st half of 1st mill. BC

Uplistsikhe - meaning "The Fortress of God" is an ancient cave town from the 1st half of the 1st millennium BC. situated on the crossroads of important trade routs. It was the main centre of paganism, and represents a complex of halls, caves, theatres, altars, pagan temples, secret tunnels, prisons, pharmacy, passages-streets all carved out of stone
over an area of 4 hectares. At its peak of prosperity, the city had a population of 20 000. In 9th -10th cc AD a three-nave basilica was added to the complex.


VARDZIA
SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI CAVE TOWN
144 Km from Tbilisi
12th-13th cc.
Vardzia a rock-hewn complex on the left bank of the river Mtkvari was founded in the 12th -13th cc. during the reign of Giorgi III and Queen Tamar. Initially planned as a town-fortress, the complex became a well fortified monastery, which had a significant role in political, cultural, educational
and spiritual life of the country. Its nineteen tiers extend from east to west, the dwellings were hewn and tunnels hollowed out into the cliff from south to north. There are two-room, three-room and four-room cliff dwellings in Vardzia, including two-storey ones; galleries and vertical tunnels, secret passes and a pharmacy. In the middle of the complex there is a Church of Assumption, richly decorated with mural painting. Behind the church there is a pool which served as a spring water reservoir, and was considered holy


UNESCO CULTURAL HERITAGE

JVARI
KARTLI/ MTSKHETA CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
30 Km from Tbilisi
6 th - 7 th CC

Jvari is a masterpiece of the early Medieval Period. It stands on a mountain opposite the ancient city of Mtskheta. St. Nino erected the first wooden cross at the site. Its pedestal can still be seen in the centre of the church. This example of classic tetra conch design with all its miniature size, strikes the viewers with its grandeur and integrity.
The interior, once decorated with mosaics is rather bare today, but a spectacular view opens from the church, which is seen from far away, equally well from all directions.


SVETITSKHOVELI
KARTLI/ MTSKHETA CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
25 Km from Tbilisi
11 th C

Svetitskhoveli - which may be translated as "The Life-giving pillar", is the main church of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. An enormous cedar tree grew on a place where Christ's robe was buried. The place was chosen as a site for the future church.
The branches of This magic tree served for constructed pillars. This bright example of Georgian renaissance architecture was erected by architect Arsukidze in 11th c, in the place where the first church in Georgia once stood in the 4th c.


USHGULI
SVANETI FORTIFICATION
550 Km from Tbilisi
Medieval CC

Ushguli - This architecturally unique Middle Age village-fortification is situated 2200 m above see level, and is the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. Surrounded by the giant snow capped mountains, it lies below mount Chkhara (5200), one of the highest, and most beautiful on the Georgian part of the Caucasus range.
Ushguli is a complex of watch-towers, dwelling-houses and ancient one-nave basilicas with impressive mural paintings. There is a belief that the ruins of Queen Tamar's fortress may be a secret burial place of this glorious queen so much beloved and venerated by Georgians.





BAGRATI
IMERETI RUINS OF DOMED CHURCH
250 Km from Tbilisi
10 th - 11 th CC
Bagrati church of the Assumption of the Virgin was built by King Bagrat III in Kutaisi, in 1003 AD. It is a marvellous example of domed-church architecture from the high Medieval period, noted with impressive examples of stone carving.
Partially ruined cathedral is situated on the top of the hill called Ukimerioni and commands a splendid view of Georgia's second city, Kutaisi. This was an ancient citadel, a royal palace and one of the most important castles from 6th to 17th c.





GELATI
IMERETI CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
259 Km from Tbilisi
12 th C

Gelati complex comprises the churches of the Virgin (the main church), of St Nicolas, of St. George, as well as the academy which was the centre of cultural and spiritual life. The Gelaty monastery complex was founded by King David the Builder in the 12th c. It is noted by the finest examples of Georgian mural painting. Among them is the only surviving portrait of King David the Builder whose grave can be found at the gateway of the monastery. The giant 12th century mosaic of the Virgin with Child is completely unique.