Drive away from Kutaisi, across a valley of oak-wood and into the small town of Bagdati. There you'll find a bustling community built in the hills around traditional Soviet monumental architecture, some buildings still in use, some long-ago abandoned. Then it's past the church and into the narrow gorge towards the mineral water resort of Sairme. The road winds alongside the river, occasionally crossing it. As you pass, you are watched over by huge rock formations, towering like sentries above you while between them waterfalls drop. Clinging to the rocks are a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees covered in moss or bright green climbers.

'New Sairme' comes first, with a new Best Western and opposite it an open parking area under construction beside the spa center with pool and mineral water treatments. There is also a wooden climbing "jungle" for extreme-lovers and team-building events. 

Next on the road is the Sairme bottling factory, interesting but closed to the public.

The original Sairme Resort is another 4km along the way and features a mix of old and new hotels, guest houses and apartments to rent, all nestled around a renovated park, the river cutting through.

The park offers paved walkways and cycle paths, flowerbeds and model deer. Robins flutter in pairs and perch on the brightly painted walls. 

There are four different water types in the park for a variety of ills. The first and third are the "fizziest" and lightest in taste, while fountains two and four have a more metallic flavor. Take your own cup or bottle and push the button on the quantity you want- it's free and very cleansing!

When not relaxing in your hotel, you can walk in the park or forest, zip down the zip-lines, have a go at clay-pigeon shooting or paintball, or play billiards with your friends.

Dining options include Cafe Miranda, Bella Italia and other summer-only options.

If you're in a 4x4, you might like to continue on the road out of town- we heard you can get to Abastumani and the Space Observatory within a few hours in good weather.