Batumi

It's not easy to describe Batumi at the moment, because the city has changed in recent years. Now it looks like a bright Christmas garland, a festival city. We were surprised to see so many futuristic buildings. They look especially good in the evening, because Georgia doesn't spare the money on the lighting. Our first impressions at the waterfront were: "Well, it's Dubai". By 2014 the reconstruction must be completed.

Batumi is the main resort and tourist center in Georgia. Like any self-respecting resort, it has a great promenade along the sea, with a length of 5 kilometers. It's an ideal place for biking and walking. We spent only one evening in Batumi and decided to come here at the weekend in the nearest future.


One of the new and unusual places in the city is the Piazza Square. As you might guess from the name, the square is built in Italian style.










In 2011, the "Ali and Nino" sculpture appeared on the waterfront. Two figures, male and female, move to each other for 10 minutes until they merge into one. The sculpture can be described as a symbol of modern Batumi.












Getting there: Taxi from Kutaisi costs about $40, 180 km to go. Bus from Kutaisi goes 2 hours, costs $6. Bus from Tbilisi goes 4 hours, costs $9.