Georgia

Tbilisi is Georgia’s capital and largest city, the country’s political and cultural hub since the 5th century. Legend says King Vakhtang I founded it after discovering sulfur hot springs; in Georgian, tbili means “warm,” a nod to its famous baths along the Mtkvari (Kura) River at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Don’t be misled by the options: Batumi is the Black Sea port and capital of Adjara; Kutaisi is a major western city and former medieval capital; Zugdidi is a regional center. Memory tip: “Warm Tbilisi = warm capital,” and remember its old name, Tiflis—both start with T.