Best of Georgia - 8 days (GE-02)

Arrival in Tbilisi and check in to the hotel.

Today begins with a city tour of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. We will also visit the treasury at the Georgian National Museum and take a stroll along Rustaweli Avenue.

We drive to Mtskheta, explore the UNESCO-listed Jvari Church and then continue to the Kazbegi region up to the Gergeti Trinity Church and descend to Gudauri.

Today’s destination is the birthplace of Stalin, Gori. We will also visit Uplistikhe Cave Town. After that, we drive to Kutaisi to explore Gelati Monastery and the 12th century Academy Complex.

We will visit Bagrati Cathedral and Prometheus Cave with its breathtaking examples of stalactites and stalagmites.  Afterwards we drive back to Tbilisi to enjoy a folklore show.

The wine-growing region of Kakheti is today’s target. To conclude the day we’ll visit the Bodbe Monastery of St Nino, the woman who preached the Christianity in Georgia.

We’ll visit the Alaverdi Monastery and Gremi Complex. In Napareuli we will enjoy a wine tasting in the local winery, Drive back to Tbilisi for our final overnight stop.

Departure to the airport.

Arrival in Tbilisi and check in to the hotel. (D)

Today begins with a city tour of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. We’ll start in the Old Town where we’ll pay a visit to the 13th century Methekhi Church before making our way to inspect the Narikala Fortress. Constructed in the 4th century, they’re some of the oldest fortifications in the city. The tour continues with a look at the 6th century Antchiskhati Church, the 12th century Sioni Cathedral and also a historic synagogue. A visit to the treasury at the Georgian National Museum will be an interesting stop before we take a stroll along Rustaweli Avenue, one of Tbilisi’s most important streets. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B, D)

Leaving Tbilisi after breakfast, we drive to Mtskheta, one of Georgia’s ancient capitals and an important religious centre. We’ll explore the UNESCO-listed Jvari Church, which dates from the 6th century, and then the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Continuing our journey along the Georgian Military Highway, we’ll stop for a tour of the Ananuri architectural complex before driving on via the ski resort of Gudauri to the stunning mountain landscapes of the Kazbegi region. There, we’ll take an included jeep tour up to the Gergeti Trinity Church, built in the 14th century at an altitude of 2170 metres before descending to Gudauri for an overnight stop. Overnight in Gudauri. (B, D)

Today’s destination is the birthplace of Stalin, Gori.  In Gori we visit Uplistikhe Cave Town, an important stop along the ancient Great Silk Road. After that we drive to Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city. Here we visit Gelati Monastery and the 12th century Academy Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Kutaisi. (B, D)

Today’s sightseeing programme begins with a visit to Bagrati Cathedral, constructed in the 11th century. Near Kutaisi we visit Prometheus Cave with its breathtaking examples of stalactites and stalagmites. Afterwards we drive back to Tbilisi where we’ll enjoy a Gala Dinner in a traditional restaurant accompanied by folk dancing and/or singing. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B, D)

The wine-growing region of Kakheti is today’s target but first we’ll make a stop at the Davit Gareja Cave Monastery in this arid region.  Afterwards, we’ll drive to the town of Sighnaghi whose fortifications feature a wall enclosing the town punctuated by 29 towers. To conclude the day we’ll visit the Bodbe Monastery of St Nino, the woman who preached the Christianity in Georgia in the 4th century before overnighting in Signagi. (B, D)

Continuing our journey through Kakheti’s wine growing region, we’ll visit the Alaverdi Monastery and Gremi Complex. In Napareuli we will enjoy a wine tasting in the local winery, Twins Wine Cellar. Passing through Gombori we will drive back to Tbilisi for our final overnight stop. Overnight in Tbilisi. (B, D)

Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to the airport to catch your flight home. (B)