Mountains shrouded in clouds: discover Gomismta, summer 2019's most popular Georgian destination

A thick layer of fog greets visitors as they ascend to enter the resort town located in the Ozurgeti Municipality in the country's south-west. Initially used for grazing by farmers from Adjara and Guria provinces, usage of Gomismta as a holiday destination emerged slowly but surely starting in the early 20th century. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Despite limited visibility due to fog, visitors are seen working in yards of cottages in Gomismta. In the decades following the end of World War II a road was paved leading from the Guria province city of Ozurgeti to the resort, with around 500 cottages used by up to 5,000 annual holidaymakers in its natural setting. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A view on the valley that marks as a natural separation between Guria and Adjara provinces through the town. The number of cottages and holiday-goers increased steadily throughout the decades during the Soviet era with around 1,500 cottages found here in the 1980s. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Children are seen playing in an open yard of a cottage in Gomismta. The resort is known for its benefits to health including climate therapy for respiratory illnesses. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A woman from the Adjara province prepares sour cream with a local recipe before selling the product to holidaymakers. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Perched between 2,100-2,700 metres above sea level, Gomismta is known for summer climate ranging from warm to chilly, with winters bringing cold and a high volume of snow. The air carries 75 percent humidity at the location. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Children photographed walking from a single grocery store in a basic building in the middle of the resort. The town also has a bakery set up in similarly simple premises. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Young holiday-goers play cards to pass time. The resort has no internet access and limited areas of mobile phone coverage. Methods of passing time here mostly involve no electronic gadgets. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

The serene location, found amid largely untouched natural surroundings, not only provides health benefits but is also a popular destination for parents with young kids. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Surrounded by a layer of fog, young vacationers play football on an improvised pitch. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Men work to set up power lines to the town. Despite growing numbers of holiday-goers throughout the second half of the 20th century, the first attempts for delivering electricity to Gomismta were only made in the 1991, shortly before civil war and economic turmoil in Georgia curtailed any large-scale efforts. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Surrounded by spruce- and fir forests, Gomismta boasts mineral water springs, with resort season running for three months in summer. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Despite a lack of infrastructure - no electricity, running water or internet access - Gomismta has gained popularity through its views that have served to earn it the title of "the resort in the clouds". Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Located 340km from capital Tbilisi and about 30km from regional centre Ozurgeti, the resort is accessible via an unpaved road that can be navigated by light vehicles. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A trademark sunset view from one of the hills in Gomismta. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Holidaymakers gather on a hilltop to watch sunset. The natural sights and health benefits are the only attraction for the town in the absence of amusement venues, cafes and other features of convenience. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A sunset scene sees vacationers gather to watch the sight in Gomismta. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

With no electricity there is no outside lighting for cottages, prompting those spending time at the resort to stick close to their cottages. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A dusk scene in Gomismta, where every august visitors hold the Gomismtoba celebration for the town, mostly involving sports games and a horse race. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Cottages lined up on a downhill in Gomismta, with cloud cover providing a backdrop. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A view overlooking cottages and a twisty road leading through the resort. One of natural attractions of Gomismta is Lake Tchintchao, accessed by an unpaved road accessible only to off-roading SUVs. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A woman from the Adjara province seen working in the early morning hours. Locals from nearby towns flock to the resort to bring farm animals for grazing and prepare dairy products in Gomismta. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

A woman working during early morning hours in the resort town. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Among notable dairy products made by locals from surrounding towns is 'kaimaghi', a cream separated from milk. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Holiday-goers watch clouds below the mountains of the resort location next to a road sign leading out of Gomismta. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.