Georgia’s Black Sea destination Batumi has been selected by The New York Times as one of 52 locations to visit this year, picked alongside places like Aberdeen, Scotland and Calgary, Canada.

The city – a major local seaside hub of the Adjara province known for its diverse landscape – has seen wider recognition of its tourist potential over the past few years, including in Airbnb’s ’19 destinations to visit in 2019′ list.

Its selection for The New York Times travel advice reflects the city’s natural surroundings and hospitality attractions.

Batumi, a hushed seaside city where verdant mountains slope down to the Black Sea’s smooth stone beaches, offers a different experience [to capital Tbilisi],” Debra Kamin noted in her pick of the city for the list.

The Batumi profile from the newspaper’s website – which ranks the city as the No. 38 destination to visit – also lists accommodation options for travellers, as well as wine-tasting spots.

The Georgian city recently became the first municipality in the country to receive the title of European City of Sport for 2019, while last year it also hosted the 43rd Chess Olympiad with about 4,000 competitors and delegates from 189 countries.

Tourists travelling to Adjara can also look forward to historical and natural sights, from Kobuleti Protected Areas to remains of the 535AD Petra Fortress that served as an East Roman outpost on the Black Sea coast in the 6th century, to Mtirala National Park.

See natural tourist destinations in Adjara in a video by Georgia’s tourism agency

The province also boasts places to spend winter days, including the Goderdzi resort spot which also became subject of a video showcase.

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