The area surrounding Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is a mix of natural landscapes, historical and architectural monuments, resorts and settlements with a population with distinctive ethnographic and cultural features.
Borjomi
One of the most popular resorts in Georgia, famous for its mineral waters, unique nature and abundance of historical monuments. Half way between Borjomi and Bakuriani, as you turn off at Tsagveli, lies the Timotesubani monastery where you can see the tenth century church of the Holy Virgin built from red sandstone. The inner chambers of the church, built in the time of Queen Tamar, are covered with extremely well preserved frescos from the thirteenth century.
There is a 35km rack railway leading through a narrow gorge from Borjomi to Bakuriani, Georgia’s ‘winter sport capital’/ This century old railway offers tourists ski-routes, rope-ways, sport and health basis and efficient hotel service all year round.
Qvabiskhevi and Likani
Other historical monuments situated in the National Park area are St Mary’s church at the National Park entrance in Qvabiskhevi and Chitakhevi (‘the Green monastery’). The Tsar Romanoff Palace and Park in Likani, built in 1895 after the discovery of the first healing spring is also worth a visit for its splendid gardens and is the most popular tourist destinations in the region. Built as the Russian Tsar’s summer residence, Likani Palace is built on the banks of the river Mtkvari.
Kharagauli
Situated in the northern part of the National Park, the climate is subtropical and the landscape represented by river gorges, karst topography and mineral water springs. Here, you will also find traditional home industries, including some of the best honey in the country, earthenware crockery and basketry works
Akhaltsikhe
Adigeni district
Here you can visit the monasteries of Zarzma and Chule or rest at the mountain mineral water spa resort of Abastumani. You can also travel via the Zekari Pass, also known as the ‘Sun Gate’ to Bagdati to taste the best cheese in Imereti called Sulguni or drink their famous Sairme medicinal water.
Akhaltsikhe to Vardsia
Getting a marshutka, or minibus, to take you from Akhaltsikhe to Vardsia is easy, but with public transport you will miss a lot of interesting places including the ‘Green monastery’, Atskhuri fortress, Khertvisi fortress, Tmogvi and Vanis Qvabebi caves and the wonderful hot thermal water swimming pool at Vardzia.
Sairme
Rich with curing mineral water springs, Sairme is surrounded by hectares of coniferous and deciduous forests where you can see pines, fir, beech, lime and chestnut centennial trees.
Nunisis
At Nunisis a cable-way will take you to the top of the hills for panoramic views of the area. There are many excursions and after your walks, water treatments are available at the spa resort as well as massages that will have you feeling rejuvenated.
Marelisi
After the hustle of Tbilisi, the warm wooded mountains of Marelisi are a relaxing change. This Imeretian village in the sub-tropical west Georgia is a great place to stay with its authentic, self-sufficient atmosphere. There are walks along the wild Bjoliskhevi River all year round, at every level from easy to difficult and taking an average of 4 or 10 hours. You walk through varied woodland with a slightly more tropical feel than the Borjomi side of the park. Passing waterfalls, springs and a wide variety of flora.
Surami
Noted for its diverse landscapes and abundance of historical monuments, Surami town itself houses The Mother of God Church complex built in the sixteenth century, St. George’s Church built in the eighteenth century and the modern Kviratskhoveli Church built in 1998.
The Surami Fortress earliest structures possibly date to the twelfth century, but it has been reconstructed several times since then. The Museum of Lesya Ukrainka is dedicated to the memory of the notable Ukrainian poet Lesya Ukrainka (1873–1913) who spent her last months in Surami. The Museum is Ukrainka’s last home, she died and also includes a library and Ukrainka’s monument created by the Georgian sculptor Tamar Abakelia and unveiled in 1952.