The 6 Best Day-Trips From Batumi

Petra Fortress in Tsikhsidziri
Petra Fortress in Tsikhsidziri | © Rusudan Beridze / WikiCommons

The coastal city Batumi is the second-largest city in Georgia. Located in the subtropical zone near the Lesser Caucasian Mountains, Batumi is a popular destination for locals and visitors. During summer months, Batumi is a bustling resort, while in winter it is covered in snow. Also an important seaport, Batumi offers many exciting landmarks for you to explore. Once you finish touring around its centers, pick one or two or three of these amazing sites just outside of Batumi and go on a day-trip.

Fortresses of Gonio and Petra

Gonio Fortress, located just an hour drive from Batumi, is a Roman fortification from the second century AD; the area was a well-fortified Roman city in the Colchis Kingdom. It is believed that the grave of one of the twelve apostles, Saint Matthias, is here. Unfortunately, this claim is unverified because the Georgian government won’t allow digging near the presumed grave-site. Other archaeological excavations have been focused on the layers of the Roman fortress.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Gonio Fortress

Gonio Fortress

Petra used to be a fortified town on the coast of the Black Sea in the ancient Colchis Kingdom. During the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (sixth century), the area became an essential Eastern Roman position in the Caucasus. Moreover, because of its strategic locations, from 541 to 563 AD, it became a battlefield for the Lazic War between Rome and Persia.

Petra Fortress

Scholars identify Petra as a ruined settlement of Late Antiquity containing a 656-foot-long (200 m) citadel, baths, urban settlements, water cisterns, and more. Scholars believe that the citadel had a sizable three-nave basilica with a grand narthex and apse (entrance and aisles) that date back to the sixth century. The fortress is located in the village of Tsikhisdziri, a 40-minute ride from Batumi.

Petra Fortress

Mtirala National Park

Building, Park

Mtirala_national_park
© MIKHEIL / WikiCommons``
Located just 17 miles (28 km) away from the city, Mtirala National Park covers 38,790 acres (15,698 hectares) of land between the Black Sea and the Adjara Mountains. You can explore sweet chestnut and oriental beech wood forests, and hike up the two trails to experience Georgia’s breathtaking landscapes.Mtirala in Georgian means “crying.” The area got its name from the 178 inches (4,520 mm) of rainfall the park gets annually, making it the wettest area in post-Soviet countries.
Tsablnari (Chestnut Forest) trail is a 4.3 mile (7km) trek that rises from 869 feet (265 m) above sea level to 1,450 feet (442 m). The trail leads to the waterfall and the lake. The waterfall is covered with Colchic box trees and ivy. And if you happen to like the area, you can camp here or even have a picnic near the designated fire pits.
There’s another two-day trail in the park that takes you 4,101 ft (1,250 m) above sea level. This trail is great for exploring flora, watching roe deer, and running across signs of brown bear, martens, and chamois (goat-antelope). There’s a shelter on the trail that has picnic spots, restrooms, fire pits, and room to accommodate eight hikers overnight.

Kintrishi Protected Areas

Bridge, Church, Forest, Park

Adjoining Mtirala National Park is the Kintrishi Protected Areas, located in Kobuleti District at the gorge of the Kintrishi River. Established in 1959, the area preserves unique flora and fauna, including the famous Colchian willow trees. Covering 46,686 acres (18,893 hectares), the park has many secrets and surprises. Recent archaeological expeditions even revealed pre-Christian monuments in this area.

Tamari’s Bridge | ©dkhinveli / WikiCommons

Martvili Canyon

Natural Feature, Park

Martvili_20
©Paata vardanashvili / WikiCommons
Martvili Canyon is one of the country’s most gorgeous nature spots. Take a walk in the beautiful scenery, ride a boat on the emerald-green Abasha river, and hike up to the waterfalls. The drive to Martvili takes about three hours, and you’ll need half of the day to spend in the park itself. The trail is .4 miles (700 m) long and features two bridges, several viewpoints, and a 30-step staircase formed from large limestone boulders.

Green Lake (Mtsvane Tba)

Green Lake (Mtsvane Tba)

The drive toward Green Lake takes about three hours, but the trip is worth it. Situated in the charming Goderdzi Pass, the lake is 6,752 ft (2,058 m) above sea level and has a natural green color. Relax and take astonishing pictures of the landscape. In warmer months, you can swim in the lake’s green waters.

Green Lake (Mtsvane Tba)

Mtsvane Tba | © Tai Dundua

Machakhela National Park

Bridge, Museum, Park

Another very short drive from Batumi takes you to Machackhela National Park, where you can see one of the oldest and most breathtaking parts of the Adjara region: Machakhela Gorge. Here, you can explore Gvara Fortress, discover waterfalls, visit the village of Ajarisaghmarti, and cross the lovely Tskhemlara arched bridge. You can also visit the Machakhela Ethnographic Museum for a fun history lesson.

Machakhela National Park

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