The sub-tropical European seaside city that’s perfect for a holiday in every season
A COASTAL city in Europe has been named as the continent's leading all-season destination, with its warm weather making it a good place to visit year-round.
The relatively unsung city is known as both a "party capital" and a place to explore nature, with plenty on offer for people of all persuasions.
Its food and culture are also both significant reasons why people from all over choose to pay a visit.
You may not have heard of Batumi in Georgia, but at the 2023 World Travel Awards, it claimed some prestigious titles, including Europe's Leading All-Season Destination and Europe's Leading Emerging Tourism Destination.
It is the second largest city in the country and has a subtropical climate, with temperatures remaining warm throughout the year.
In August, the hottest month, average highs are around 23C while January is the coolest month with average temperatures closer to 7C.
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The Black Sea waters that can be found on Batumi's shores are so inviting that they have been renamed the "Hospitable Sea" by Greek visitors, with an average annual sea temperature of 16.7C.
One of the main spots to visit in the city is right by the shore, with the Batumi Seaside Boulevard popular among both locals and visitors.
The Boulevard is at the heart of the city and has been its main recreational retreat since 1881, according to .
They say it is home to "gardens, colonnades, theatres, dancing fountains and the famous Alphabet Tower, all beside the sparkling sea".
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It's a popular spot for watersports as well, with sailing, diving and kayaking among a number of activities that people enjoy doing, particularly in the summer months.
It's also a popular site for live music, with the Black Sea Jazz festival drawing musicians from all over, while internationally renowned DJs are also frequent visitors to the city.
Its music scene makes it a popular destination among European party-goers, looking for a place to enjoy an evening out.
claims: "It's the party capital of the region, with a nightlife to match, which increasingly includes big name international DJs on the beachfront clubs."
For those not interested in partying, there's plenty of nature to be immersed in, with the mountains of Ajara and three national parks, recognised by UNESCO for their "unique natural attributes," all on the city's doorstep.
They include the Machakhela National Park, home to the Machekhela Gorge and the ruins of fortresses, as well as martens, wolves, brown bears and lynx.
Meanwhile, Kintrishi National Park and Mtirala National Park offer the likes of the Kintrishi River Gorge and the famous Tsablnari Waterfall.
Birdwatchers also love visiting the area, with an annual birdwatching festival taking place in September, during migration season.
Species of eagle, owl, buzzard, kite and vulture can all be seen in the skies above the city and its surroundings.
After a busy day exploring, or a night of partying, there's plenty of interesting food to try, with Khachapuri among the most popular.
The Georgian staple consists of a pizza-like bread filled with cheese and often an egg.
There are also Khinkali, a dumpling that originated in the mountainous regions of Georgia, a hearty beef soup called Kharcho and Nigvziani Badrijani, stuffed aubergines, among plenty of other options.
They'll provide visitors with enough energy to get involved in Khorumi and Perkhuli, two Georgian folk dances that play a big part in Batumi's culture, inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia list.
A night in Batumi can be booked online from as little as £6 a night, although more luxury options are available for as little as £33 a night.
However, getting to the city from the UK isn't easy with no direct flights currently available.
Changing at Istanbul is currently the easiest route, with return flights available from around £350 per person.
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Meanwhile, Batumi is also home to one of the world's fanciest McDonald's.
It also has one of the world's weirdest service stations.
