'''Batumi''' is the capital of the autonomous republic of Ajara in the country of Georgia.

Get in

Catch the bus towards east from Trabzon a turkish city near Georgian border. However the last part of the trip you will probably do in the taxi. It is better to catch a direct bus from Trabzon to Batumi. Visa also can be obtained in Trabson at Georgian consulate. However for some nationalities visa is not required.

By plane

The new airport terminal in Batumi has been in operation since May 26, 2007. It has direct flights from Tbilisi, Istanbul and Kiev.

By bus

Buses leave Batumi for Tbilisi about three times a day, the earliest at 7am. There is a marshrutka service, every hour from 7am to 23pm, on the hour. Travel time is 6 hours and the vans are more comfortable than the local marshrutkas in the city. The fare is 18 Lari. The scenery along the way is breathtaking.

Minibuses (marshrutkas) travel regularly between the Turkish border at Sarpi (Sarp in Turkish) and Tbilisi Moedani (Tbilisi Square) in Batumi old town.

By car

By train

The night train from Tbilisi to Batumi leaves at 22:30 and arrives at 7:00 the next morning. First class is 40 Lari, second class is 23. The difference makes it worth while to buy a first class ticket. In first class, there are two people per cabin, the berths are a little short, narrow and hard but rather comfortable, and linen are provided. The train only goes to an obscure stop some 5 km north of Batumi, where taxis and marshrutkas await incoming passengers. A one-hour delay is not unusual.

The night train back leaves Batumi at 23:30 and arrives at 8:00. There are also two day trains in each direction. Female travellers who travel alone might consider to travel first class and buy both tickets, since many Georgian men enter the night train intoxicated and can keep you from getting a good night sleep. Every carriage (first and second class) on the train has a watchman/woman, who protects the passengers from drunks, so you don't need to worry.

A day train also runs between Batumi and Tbilisi. That one is much more comfortable but not a sleeping class. For schedules and pricing check out the Georgian Railways [http://www.railway.ge/portal/lang__en/default.aspx| website]. There is a ticket booth is Batumi itself on Z. Gamsakhurdia str., where you can buy the tickets or buy them at the railwaystation. Reserve your seats in the weekends, as many Georgians flock to the seaside.

By boat

Ferries run from Sochi in Russia or or from Illlichevsk, which is close to Odessa in Ukraine. The ferry from Ukraine is $145 one way and takes 42 hours. It doesn't run very regularly.. More boats are operated from Poti (5 Lari with marchutka and takes one hour). It's a kind of Freighter travel. Probably best to call first to make inquiries, to avoid coming back from Poti empty-handed. The booking office is on Kutaisi 34, but the staff only speaks Russian and is not very helpful.

Small boats to Sochi and Poti run from the terminal in the city center.

Get around

  • There are two Marshutka stations. One has minibusses further into Georgia to Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Poti, etc., the other on (Tbilisi square) has marshutkas to Sarpi, the bordercrossing with Turkey. The latter cost 2 Lari.
  • Train station with (night) trains to Tbilisi
  • See

    The ''Black'' Sea: In Batumi you can enjoy the waves and admire the beach and the port itself. Also see the following: Nurigeli lake, Oceanarium (locally called a delphinarium), beautiful beach park, orthodox, catholic, armenian churches and an old mosque. City centre is interesting for its distinctive 19th century Imperial style architecture. Between Poti and Batumi lies Kobuleti, an unsinspiring albeit cheap beach resort, where many Georgians and Armenians spend their holidays. There is not much to be seen, beside the pebble beach. However the peak which you have to pass on the road to Kobuleti is beautiful and you can check out the remains of Petra Fortress overlooking the beautiful sea landscape. To the south of Batumi visit the remains of Gonio Fortress and the village of Sarpi - where a Georgian-Turkish border starts.

    To the north of a city - an absolute must see is a Batumi Botanical Garden, more than a century old. Georgia has a remarkable tradition of (royal) botanical gardens. It is a quiet spot, next to the Black Sea on a high cliff and it both green and cool. Take marsrutka no. 1 along the coast north until the endpoint, where you find some refreshment stalls.

    Eat at the restaurants scattered in mountains. The views and nature are spectacular.

    Do

    Buy

    Eat

    Western Georgia has plenty of local flavors, but in Batumi the dish you ''must'' try is a special kind of khachapuri named ''acharuli khachapuri'' (Ajarian khachapuri) that resembles a viking boat, with the cheese all mixed up with an egg in the center. Avoid this one if you have high cholesterol, but you'll be missing out — it's absolutely delicious.

    Drink

    Sleep

    The standards of Georgian hotels or guesthouses are not like those in Turkey, lacking in service and more pricey. The stars given to hotels seem sometimes randomly chosen.
  • Iliko(?). akhtang Gorgasali St., between K. Gamsakhurdia Str. and Gen.Mazniashvili, in the heart of town. double with bathroom costs 20-40 lari (spring 2008). Reasonably clean. Only Russian and Georgian spoken. Situated in a quiet spot. Owners run also hotel Piramid, which has similar prices.
  • Mercury. 0/12 Chavchavadze St., near Tbilisis Moedani, in the heart of town. 1401. 2.00h. double with bathroom costs 80 lari (spring 2008). Reasonably clean. English spoken. Situated in a noisy spot, not worth the money. Hotel whats-the-name, Kutaiski str 21, 40 Lari for a double room, 25 for a single.
  • Lavro. ushkin St., between Tbilisis Moedani and Stalin Museum. double without bathroom costed 20 lari (summer 2005). Reasonably clean, hot water.
  • Intourist. inoshvili St., on the promenade. rom $110. Certainly the best hotel in town. Grand, spacious with all amenities. There is usually a big choice of private flats and rooms for rent, for reasonable price.
  • Hotel Ritsa. .Gamxakhurdia Street, no. 16. 995 (222) 73292. ttp://www.hotelritsa.com/main_eng.html. Clean, smart and modern hotel located in the old town. Reasonable prices - 60 lari for a standard double, 70 lari for a larger double, 100 lari for a double with balcony. Breakfast included.

    Get out

    Hotel Intourist cost 354 usd. We are now in the hotel. And they say they have raised the price this month. August 2008. There is no need to pay such a high sum. It is a normal 5 star hotel. 354 USD for BB