8 days Georgian Fairytale
You will have a magical week in Georgia. Tour gives a complete picture of traditions, culture, nature and sole of the country and the people living here. During this tour you will be charmed by the beautiful landscapes and pretty towns, ancient monuments of culture, you will meet the local people who live and keep different traditions, speak different dialects, but all of them treat guests with the Georgian hospitality. You will discover Georgian cuisine and have taste famous Georgian wines.
Day 1 Tbilisi/Telavi/Sighnaghi
After breakfast drive to east Georgia. Today we make Wine tasting Tour in Kakheti region. We’ll visit Tsinandali Wine cellar and Al. Chavchavadze house museum. Sightseeing tour of Telavi. It’s the main city and administrative center of Kakheti. First archaeological findings from Telavi date back to Bronze Age. Excursion to the residence of the King Erekle the II. Shuamta Monasteries (5th -17th c.c.). Shuamta - a complex made up of three churches of different periods. The churches at this complex are built in different centuries; Ikalto Monastery founded in the 5th century, the largest centre of culture and education at that time. Alaverdi Monastery, date back to the 6th century. The present day surviving cathedral is part of an 11th century Georgian Orthodox monastery. Visit Gremi, the 16th century architectural monument – the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels – in Kakheti. Afterwards drive to Sighnaghi, Love town. Sighnaghi town-museum is one of the smallest ones in Georgia. Sighnaghi is famous of wine and traditional carpets.
Overnight in Sighnaghi.
Day 2 Sighnaghi/Mtskheta/Tbilisi
After breakfast visit Bodbe monastery. On June 1, Orthodox Church of Georgia marks the day of St. Nino’s entrance from Cappadocia. Her tomb is still shown at the Bodbe Monastery in Kakheti region. St. Nino has become one of the most venerated saints of the Georgian Orthodox Church and her attribute, a Grapevine cross, is a symbol of Georgian Christianity. Drive to Mtskheta (UNESCO Heritage Site), an ancient capital of the Georgian Kingdom from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. Jvari Monastery (6th c.); Svetitskhoveli Cathedral built in the 11th century. Drive to Tbilisi. Sightseeing tour of evening Tbilisi. Metekhi Church (13th c.); Old Tbilisi; Sulfur Baths; Narikala Fortress (4th c.); Sioni (13th c.) and Anchiskhati Churches (6th c.); Trinity Cathedral (the 2nd ML).
Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 3 Tbilisi/Gori/Borjomi/Bakuriani
After breakfast drive to Gori. The city was founded by one of the greatest kings of Georgia, David the Builder (1089–1125). On the way visit Samtavisi, an 11th century Georgian Orthodox cathedral. The first monastery on this place was founded by the Assyrian missionary Isidore in 572 and later rebuilt in the 10th century. Visit The Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori. Afterwards visit Uplistsikhe, "the lord's fortress", which is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. Built on a high rocky left bank of Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the 2nd ML BC to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures. Afterwards drive to Borjomi. Have free time to take a walk in Borjomi Park. Taste natural mineral water “Borjomi”.
Dinner and overnight in Bakuriani.
Day 4 Bakuriani/Vardzia/Kutaisi
After breakfast drive to Vardzia. On the way visit Khertvisi Castle (9th-10th c.c.); Vardzia, a rock-hewn complex on the left bank of the river Mtkvari was founded in the 12th -13th c.c., during the reign of Giorgi III and Queen Tamar. Initially planned as a town-fortress, the complex became a well fortified monastery, which had a significant role in political, cultural, educational and spiritual life of the country. In the middle of the complex there is a Church of Assumption, richly decorated with mural painting. Drive to Kutaisi. Kutaisi is the second largest city of Georgia in its west part founded about 40 centuries ago, former capital of the west Georgian Kingdom Colchis, to which is related the myth of Golden Fleece and Argonauts. Visiting Bagrati Temple (11th c. UNESCO heritage).
Overnight in Kutaisi...
Day 5 Kutaisi/Zugdidi/Mestia
After breakfast visit Gelati Monastery (12th c. UNESCO heritage). Visit smaller monastery of Motsameta, spectacularly sited on a cliff-edge. Afterwards drive to Sugdidi. Visit Dadiani Palace there. The representatives of Dadiani Dynasty were acquainted with world history, culture latest technical achievements. They were tightly involved in the social events. The Palace keeps 41 000 museum objects. Most of them are unique and invaluable examples of Georgian and foreign art. Drive to the direction of Svaneti. En route we visit Enguri Dam with the height of 271 meters (the highest dam of this type in the world). The Dam makes a water-storage reservoir in the picturesque gorges of Samegrelo and Svaneti mountains. It's time to get ready for the most exciting part of the trip - a journey to Svaneti, the region of the highest mountains and glaciers and the most abiding ancient traditions.
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Mestia.
Day 6 Mestia/Ushguli/Mestia
After breakfast drive to Ushguli. Visit Laghami Saint George's church (7th-12th c.c.) and Svan dwelling complex. We will have lunch from the lunchboxes and afterwards visitsss: The church of St. George in Nakipari (1130 AD) and Ethnographic Museums in Ushguli. Ushguli is considered to be the highest populated place in Europe (2200 m above sea level).
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Mestia.
Day 7 Mestia/Batumi
After breakfast visit Latali and Lenjeri single-nave basilicas of the 8th-9th-14th c.c., built by stones without ornamentation, with the interior richly decorated with murals. Afterwards drive to Batumi the most beautiful city of Georgia. Have a free time in Batumi to take a walk across the beach in a famous Batumi boulevard.
Overnight in Batumi.
Day 8 Batumi/Tbilisi
After breakfast Batumi sightseeing. Visit Gonio Fortress, Petra castle and Batumi botanical garden. In the evening drive to Tbilisi
End of tour.
Other details available upon request
Package Includes:
Inland transportation
Tour Guide
Hotel Accommodation (in the cities) Double room
Guest House Accommodation (in the villages)
Meals according to the program
1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
CD with trip photos
Leaving party at the National restaurant
Package Excludes:
Air fare
Single room supplement
Meals except described
Alcoholic beverages
Travel insurance
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