South of Tbilisi, the forests grow denser, and the mountains close in, protecting one of Georgia’s most storied regions. In Borjomi, every trail eventually reaches water — mineral-rich and bubbling from the earth in cool, clear springs. Here, pine forests fill the air with a fresh, resinous fragrance, while each morning begins with the gentle hush of dew and birdsong.
Borjomi: Springs of Renewal
For generations, the name Borjomi has carried a quiet promise of wellness and retreat. Today, parks shaded by ancient trees, elegant 19th-century pavilions, and winding forest trails still evoke an era when poets and kings came to restore the spirit. Along the riverside, Borjomi’s famous mineral water flows freely. Its taste is at once sharp and soft — an elixir drawn straight from the heart of the Caucasus.
Rabati Fortress: Guardian of the Valleys
Beyond Borjomi’s wooded embrace, the formidable silhouette of Rabati Fortress rises against the horizon. Layer upon layer of ramparts, towers, and domes reveal a thousand years of history shaped by traders, armies, artisans, and priests. Inside the walls, mosques and churches stand side by side, their stones warmed by centuries of sun and layered with countless stories. Here, every step offers a direct encounter with Georgia’s ever-changing and enduring soul.
Vardzia: A City Beneath the Mountain
Farther south, the road descends into the valleys of Samtskhe, where cliffs are honeycombed with history. Suddenly, Vardzia — a city carved into living rock — emerges from the mountainside. Hundreds of chambers, tunnels, and chapels link through secret stairways and winding galleries. In the twelfth century, Georgian craftsmen shaped it as both a monastery and a refuge. Today, Vardzia stands as a triumph of devotion and vision, a place where faith found shelter in stone and time flows in deep, quiet currents.
Journeys Shaped by Wonder
For guests of Bellevue Boutique Hotel, the landscapes of Borjomi and Vardzia are waiting, vivid and alive. We are honored to craft journeys that reveal not only monuments and vistas, but the enduring spirit that makes this valley a sanctuary for body and soul.
