My “mineral” vacation: how I fell in love with Borjomi

Road from Tbilisi: first impressions

My acquaintance with Borjomi began on a sunny April morning. After a wonderful, but a little hectic week in Tbilisi, I decided to go to the famous Georgian resort. The road took about two hours, but they flew by!

I rented a car, although many tourists prefer minibuses or taxis. Honestly, I never regretted it - the panoramic views along the highway were worth every minute behind the wheel! Along the way, the road meandered between the mountains, climbing higher and higher, and the air became cleaner and fresher.

Somewhere halfway there, I could not resist and stopped at a roadside stand. Friendly grandma Nino treated me to homemade tarragon lemonade and freshly baked khachapuri. "How can you go to Borjomi on an empty stomach?" she asked with a smile, refusing to take money from me. Here it is - the famous Georgian hospitality!

First meeting with Borjomi

When I first saw Borjomi, I was struck by this amazing harmony of nature and a cozy town. Imagine: high mountains covered with lush forests, and below, in the valley, a small town is hidden, as if hidden from the whole world.

I checked into a small cozy hotel "Likani", located just 10 minutes walk from the famous park. The owner of the hotel, Uncle Givi, greeted me as if I was his long-lost nephew! "Have you come to drink water? That's right! But first you need to eat!" he said and immediately took me to lunch.

Georgian cuisine: a special love

Oh my God, this food! A real feast awaited me in a small family restaurant: khinkali with mountain greens (what could be tastier than khinkali?), lamb shashlik, baked eggplants with walnuts and, of course, homemade wine.

“In Borjomi, you need to eat a lot,” Givi explained to me with a laugh, “so that you have something to treat with our water!” As it turned out, there was some truth in this joke – after a hearty meal, a glass of mineral water really did feel like a miracle cure.

Central Park: immersion in history

The next day, I went to the famous Borjomi Park. This place literally breathes history! Walking along the shady alleys, I learned the amazing history of this place from the local guide Georgiy.

“You know,” Georgiy said, “these springs were known back in the first millennium! But their modern history began in the 1830s. One Russian soldier noticed that locals were coming to a strange spring, drinking water and rubbing it on their sore joints. He told a military doctor about it, and he discovered the healing properties of the water."

Georgy showed me an amazing pavilion above spring No. 1, built in the 19th century. "Look," he smiled, pointing to an old photograph, "members of the Russian imperial family rested here! And they say that Tchaikovsky himself liked to sit on this bench!"

The first sip: sensations and impressions

I will never forget my first sip of Borjomi straight from the spring. It is not at all what we are used to drinking from bottles! The water was hot (about 38 degrees), with an intense mineral taste and bubbles that literally exploded in your mouth.

"Drink in small sips," an elderly woman standing next to her mug advised me. "And don't rush. Our water needs to be respected, it doesn’t like haste.”

I followed her advice and spent the whole day in the park, periodically returning to the spring. By the evening, I had already noticed that my chronic indigestion, which had been tormenting me for the past months, was bothering me less. Maybe it’s self-hypnosis, or maybe it’s the real magic of Borjomi water?

Excursion to the plant: revealing secrets

On the third day of my stay, I signed up for an excursion to the Borjomi bottling plant. It was one of the most interesting experiences! It turns out that the water is extracted from a depth of about 1,500 meters! It is formed deep underground, where it is saturated with minerals under the influence of volcanic gases from the Bakuriani mountain range.

“It takes our water from 8 to 10 years to rise to the surface,” plant engineer David proudly said. “During this time, it passes through layers of volcanic rocks up to 150 million years old and collects more than 60 different mineral components!”

The most amazing thing is that the water rises to the surface under natural pressure – no pumps are needed to extract it. “Borjomi is living water,” David smiled. “It decides when to come to the surface.”

Health treatments: more than just drinking

At the Borjomi Palace sanatorium, I decided to try real health treatments. The doctor prescribed me a course of mineral baths and a drinking regimen – 200 ml of warm mineral water three times a day, 30 minutes before meals.

The mineral baths were a real revelation for me! Immersing myself in the warm, bubbling water, I felt every cell of my body fill with energy. After a 15-minute procedure, my body felt incredibly light and my mind clear.

“We treat not only the stomach and liver,” nurse Tamara winked at me. “We treat the soul! Look around – is it possible not to get well in such a paradise?”

The surrounding area: breathtaking beauty

In my free time from treatment, I explored the surrounding area of ​​Borjomi. One of the most memorable was a trip to the Rabati fortress in the city of Akhaltsikhe (about an hour's drive from Borjomi). This 11th-century fortress amazed me with its grandeur and how beautifully it tells about the past and traditions of the region.

I also went to Vardzia, a cave city from the 13th century during the time of Queen Tamara. Imagine: an entire city carved out of the rock! When you stand there, it seems like you are in another dimension, where time flows differently.

Results of my "therapeutic vacation"

In ten days in Borjomi, I noticed amazing changes in my well-being. Digestive problems disappeared, my sleep improved, I even lost a couple of kilograms! But most importantly, I felt some kind of inner harmony and calm.

I spent my last evening on the hotel terrace, sipping homemade wine and looking at the mountains. Uncle Givi sat down next to me and asked: "Well, did our water help you?"

"Not only water," I answered honestly. "Your mountains, air, food... and especially people. All together it creates a real miracle."

Instead of saying goodbye

Leaving Borjomi, I bought a bottle of local water. Now, every time I open it at home, I remember this cozy town in the mountains, a shady park with springs, smiling people and the amazing feeling of peace and joy that I experienced there.

If you ever find yourself in Georgia, be sure to visit Borjomi! And it's not just about the healing water - it's about the special energy of this place, which heals no worse than any minerals. As my new friend Givi used to say: "They don't come to Borjomi - they return to Borjomi." Now I know that it's true. And I will definitely come back!

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