If you want to organize calm winter holidays in a unique climate and watch the planet Venus even in the daytime – the resort Abastumani is a perfect destination for you. This mining-balneological resort is located 220 km from Tbilisi on the southern slopes of the Meskheti Range, 1,270-1,340 meters above sea level.

Pine-tree forests covered with snow looks like a Christmas fairy tale. It is a true delight to stroll there and catch a glimpse of the fascinating views.

The prestigious Georgian composer Zakaria Paliashvili created his opera “Daisi” in Abastumani, which was one of the most well-organized resorts of that time. Abastumani had numerous visitors before the 1990s and it must come as pleasant news that the rehabilitation process of Abastumani will begin this year. Some important landmarks will have their authentic look returned, including a nunnery in Romanov’s Palace. This building is really quite unique, as it was constructed without even a single nail.

The thermal waters of Abastumani are world-famous and curative for many diseases, including rheumatic, neural and dermatological problems. There is also a bath-house, dating back to the times of the Russian Kings, which is supplied with natural Sulphur waters.

In ancient times Abastumani was a residency of King (Queen) Tamar. Later, some representatives of Russia’s Royal Family undertook a course of medical treatment there. Among them was Giorgi Romanov, who left the throne because of serious lung disease and settled in Abastumani. Two-storey summer and winter palaces were built in this period. Giorgi Romanov added greatly in his contribution to establishing and developing a resort in Abastumani.

Abastumani, with its surroundings, is regarded as an etalon of ecologically clean nature with unique atmospheric conditions – high transparency of air, windless weather and clear nights. As a result of such climate, the fi rst mining astrophysical observatory in the Soviet Union was introduced there in 1932 5km from Abastumani, located 1,700 meters above sea level.

The Observatory has been running wide-profi le studies ever since and visitors have an opportunity to view a telescope with a 40-cm refractor lens. There are also 15 telescopes and different equipment for atmospheric research. The observatory is a unique place in Europe and it is highly recommended for tourists to visit this site, take a guided tour and observe celestial bodies at night. The Observatory is also home to lots of extremely important discoveries: two comets, some small planets, 8 new stars and several groups of stars have so far been discovered from there. Brand new equipment – a camera for shooting the whole sky, and a meteor-station -were installed in the Observatory not long ago and now it is possible to shoot the whole sky and get meteorological information in a 24-hour regime.

There are six guest-houses in Abastumani, and prices per night start from 50 GEL. It is also possible to stay in privately owned houses for approximately 20 GEL.