Zugdidi, Georgia

Capital City

Zugdidi may have a population of only 50,000, but it's hardly a sleepy backwater. This western Georgian city is the sixth-largest in the country, a former capital bustling with political and cultural history. However, newcomers should be prepared for the bureaucratic headaches that come with navigating the city's Soviet-era legacy. The climate is humid subtropical, which means hot, muggy summers and chilly, damp winters. And while the city has its fair share of architectural gems, the urban landscape still bears scars from the 1990s Georgian civil war. Overall, Zugdidi is best suited for history buffs and those drawn to the Caucasus region's unique blend of cultures.