Date: 27-29th May 2026ย
Travelled: 280 kms from Mestia to Batumi in Georgia
Visited: Sisa Tura, Dadiani Palace and Batumi
Stayed: Salvador Hotel
After a short morning walk and breakfast the lemmings report to the bus at the appointed time. There is no lift in the Paliani so our luggage is carried down to the bus by a Georgian weight lifter, even he has trouble with Pamโs bag.
The lemmings are a little quiet this morning, no one is looking forward to driving back down that dodgy road. An hour or so later our guide announces the green lemmings bus has broken down and we need to go back and get them. Our driver is not happy as he needs to drive on another few kms just to find somewhere to turn around.
By the time we drive back to their bus load them up and start again another hour is lost, itโs going to be a long day. The bus is full now as we drive back down the valley.
We go on for lunch at Sisa Tura a farm in the Samegrelo Region of Georgia. Our guide describes it as an eco farm with a small house museum. It seems to us that eco means lots of long grass and weeds. Pictured above the old timber cottage that has been retained in its original furnishings etc.
Doesnโt sound too exciting but they served an excellent lunch, very traditional Georgian and served with wine fermented on the farm.
From the farm we continue on to Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi, pictured below. The palace would be an interesting 15 minutes, but we have a guided tour from a very serious looking old lady probably retired from her career serving as a KGB agent or perhaps a prison guard in some gulag in Siberia. Everything had to be translated, like watching paint dry.
We finally roll into Batumi just before 8pm. Driving into the city we have some nice views across the Black Sea and the modern skyline.
Batumi, is described as a Black Sea resort and port city, the capital of the Georgian republic of Adjara. Driving the final waterfront promenade it looks good for a walk in the morning. Once booked in we go for a walk looking for something to eat but end up back at the hotel for soup and pizza.
Up early we walk the waterfront for 30 minutes. The beach is not Cronulla but the local tourists like it. We breakfast and join the red lemmings on the coach for a Batumi tour day. Our first stop is the ruin of Petra Fortress about 20 minutes drive. We have a local guide for this tour and he was informative and kept us interested for an hour.
The fortress has changed hands more often than a Sydney coffee shop. But it has some lovely views up and down the coast.
On to our next stop the Botanical Garden, not a highlight but we enjoyed the walk.
Back in the centrum in good time our guide releases the lemmings for lunch. We make for the Bavarian restaurant because our guide said the coffee was good, it wasnโt so we will adjust his tip. The toasted sandwich was good and the Heineken even better, mind you Brian and his wife Gail kept asking for a local beer, the waiter kept shaking his head. I suggested with a name like The Bavarian they probably only serve German beer.
Anyway the photos tell the rest of the day.
One of the lemmings organised a nights out at an upmarket Georgian restaurant with entertainment. Cannot say the food was the best but the entertainment was fun.
So thatโs Batumi done !
Tomorrow morning weโre off early for the long drive to Tbilisi, a night in the Holiday Inn and on to the airport and the long flights back home.
Just a couple of closing comments as this is our final post for the Caucuses.
Not So Good :The bus speed limit is 80kph so it takes a long while to get anyway. Coffee is a challenge. Sometimes the days are very long and you wonder why we need to visit two wineries in a day. Stray dogs everywhere, although according to our guide the locals feed them. The Georgianโs are little loud by nature and and their language a little harsh, just how they are.
The Good Side : Beautiful scenery and snow capped mountains. Learning about the history and culture of 3 countries in a difficult geopolitical location. Best strawberries ever ! Small group of 13 people on a mid-size bus, so you always have spare seats. Our 13 lemmings were all seasoned travellers making for good conversations. All 3 guides very passionate about their countries. Good value for your Aussie $, all breakfast and several lunches and dinners included. No itโs not a fight just two Georgians chatting.
Thanks for coming along.
Michael + Pam
