Discover Georgia Tour

On this brand new tour, discover Georgia, a country with a unique richness of ancient history, home of the famous Colchis Kingdom, and the mountain where, according to the Greek mythology, Prometheus was chained. It is where the first hominids arrived in Europe from Africa (the reason why white people are called Caucasians) and it is the country with the oldest known viniculture in the world (dating back 8000 years - the Georgian Word for wine is considered to be the origin of vino, wine, wein).  Add to this a distinctive melting pot cuisine and an extremely welcoming culture of hospitality and this is a new tour with a lot to offer. Set on the borders of Europe and Asia, Georgia is a Christian country surrounded by Muslim neighbours with a heritage from the civilisations of both continents, yet at the same time preserving its own language and culture that is peculiar to the South Caucasus.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly to Tbilisi, local orientation and dinner
Fly from London Heathrow to Tbilisi via Amsterdam. On arrival transfer to the hotel for check in for a two-night stay in the heart of the nation’s capital city. After time to freshen up we will take a short walk to the nearby Statue of ancient King Parnavaz, which is also located near a splendid local restaurant called Khedi (View) and where our gastronomical exporation of Georgian cuisine begins. After dinner transfer back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Tbilisi
A full day guided tour on foot and by coach to show you some of this ancient city’s vast and historic array of sights. We start by walking up to the Sameba Cathedral area above the city.  From here we drive to Metekhi Plateau with the Virgin Mary Assumption Church located on the left bank of the river Mtkvari opposite the Old Town and with the Statue of the City Founder King Wachtang I. Gorgasali. The cable car takes us up to the Narikala Fortress, dating from the 4^th century, with splendid views over the city. From here to the sulphurous Bath District that gave the City its name as the warm City where brides were inspected, multi-day weddings were celebrated, deals were made and meetings with enemies were held. When the Persians conquered the city in 1795, the impotent Shah Aga Mohammed Khan, hoping for a cure, is said to have visited one of the baths. It was no use - and so, disappointed, he ordered the city to be laid waste. After a break for lunch (not included) you will discover more of Old Town, including 6^th century Georgian Orthodox Sioni Cathedral, named after Mount Zion in Jerusalem. Since the early 14^th century, the church has housed various valuable relics, including the Skull of the Apostle Thomas and the vine cross of Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the early 4^th century. Finally, to Liberty Square and the National Museum with its stunning treasury of Golden artifacts from the famous ancient Colchis Kingdom, after which we will walk along central Rustaveli Avenue via the Parliament and the Opera to view externally the residence of the Georgian President. Dinner at the characterful Black Lion restaurant, housed in a mansion in a less touristic part of the City.

Day 3: Tbilisi - Ananuri - Gudauri - Gergeti – Stepantsminda
Today we head towards the Greater Caucasus Mountains and its jaw-dropping scenery. En-route we start our day of visits with the Ananuri Fortified Church at Jinvali Lake, named after martyr Ana, who kept the secret of how to enter the Church. We continue along the Old Georgian Military Road to the winter sport resort of Gudauri, where we will take the cable car across the pass with spectacular views as we climb to 3,000m. A short drive takes us to the village of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) at the foot of Mt. Kazbek (5054 m), where according to the ancient Greek Legend, Prometheus was tied up. From here we’ll take 4WD Jeeps up to Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,200m. Check-in to our hotel for one-night stay. This evening we will visit a local family for a cooking-class of preparing and cooking the traditional Georgian mountain dish, Khinkali Dumplings.

Day 4: Stepantsminda - Telavi - Kisiskhevi
From Stepantsminda our journey continues to the major Georgian Wine Region of Kakheti. Here you will learn about the 8,000 years of winemaking in the area, starting with a visit to a family-owned business, now run by the sixth generation of the family, that produce the gigantic Qvevry clay vessels, necessary for the traditional Georgian way of natural winemaking. Lunch is included with a tasting of the family’s wine and grappa. After a photo stop at the Fortress of King Erekle II, we will arrive at our winery hotel and check-in for two nights. Enjoy some free time, perhaps by the pool, before a tour of the winery followed by a tasting. Evening free at leisure.

Day 5: Nekresi, Gremi and Tsinandali
Today promises to be one of the highlights of our journey, as we become an active part of the grape harvest called rtveli, the traditional harvest holiday in Georgia accompanied by feasts, musical events and other celebrations. You will spend an hour or two picking and stomping the grapes and filling of the Qvevri. In Georgia, where wine has an iconic significance, the tradition of rtveli dates back to ancient times, having its roots in the festivity of mid-Autumn – it usually lasts for several days, with people starting work early in the morning and ending the day with a feast to the accompaniment of traditional folk songs. Our involvement will be more leisurely with a light lunch and an afternoon of visits including the Nekresi Monastery, dating back to the 4th century and one of the oldest surviving churches in Georgia. A short photo stop will be made at Gremi Citadel the only surviving relic of a once rich trading town on the old Silk Road that was later destroyed by the Persians and a visit to the Tsinandali Dukes Estate before returning to the hotel/winery for time to freshen up before the evening activities. This evening we will join the Grape Harvest feast called Supra with the traditional Toastmaster Tamada, and plenty of wine and food plus a singing ensemble.

Day 6: Kisiskhevi - Bodbe - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi
A farewell tour of the wine region takes us to the Bodbe Monastery, where St. Nino (who brought Christianity to Georgia in the early 4th century) is buried. We then head to nearby Sighnaghi, an atmospheric town, scenically located above the Alasani Valley, considered to be the Georgian Tuscany. A walk in the narrow streets and along the town wall will work up an appetite for a light lunch in a local restaurant above the valley, before returning to Tbilisi. After checking in to our hotel for a two-night stay we take the funicular ropeway up to holy Mt. Mtazminda for a panoramic city view. This evening dinner will be in a local restaurant followed by a leisurely walk along the Bridge of Peace and Rikhe Park back to the hotel.

Day 7: Uplistsikhe - Gori – Mtskheta
Our last day takes us out of the city to the extraordinary ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe ("Fortress of the Lord") above a branch of the ancient Silk Road. It contains various structures from the early Iron Age to the late Middle Ages and is also renowned for the coexistence of its Pagan and Christian architecture. It has been identified by archaeologists as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia, dating back to 2BC. From here, we head to the former Georgian capital Mtskheta (an UNESCO World Heritage Site), famed as the spiritual centre of the country with its Svetitskhoveli Cathedral said to house part of the Robe of Jesus Christ and the Jvari Church above the river valley. Lunch will be taken in the garden of a local family before returning to the capital. Farewell dinner in the modern part of the city at one of the best restaurants in town.

Day 8: Flight home
Very early transfer to Tbilisi airport for return flight to London Heathrow via Amsterdam.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions, weather and tour manager’s discretion

Please note this tour has been classed as ‘Demanding’ due to the very busy touring days and some of the walking tours on the itinerary and is therefore not recommended for those with walking difficulties.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 30 passengers.

Included

• Return flights from London Heathrow to Tbilisi via Amsterdam
• Seven nights’ accommodation on bed and breakfast basis in high standard hotels as detailed, based on shared occupancy of twin/double room
• Four lunches
• Six dinners
• Two wine-tastings
• Cooking class of Khinkali Dumplings
• Traditional Grape harvest experience with Toastmaster, wine and music
• Coach transport throughout the programme as detailed and all entrance fees as detailed
• English speaking local guide throughout  
• Tour manager throughout

Not included

• Holiday insurance
• Double for sole use supplement
• Room upgrades
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry and telephone calls
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTELS

Clocks Hotel, Tbilisi (4 nights total)

Modern four-star hotel combining modern and traditional architecture, located in the historic old town. Facilities include bar, restaurant and very comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer and a kettle.

 Hotel Website

Intourist Hotel Kazbegi, Stepantsminda (1 night)

Simple four-star modern, but traditional, hotel in the centre of the town. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, garden and terrace and if offers comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone safe and minibar.

Hotel Website

Schuchmann Wines Chateau, Kisiskhevi Village (2 nights)

Winery and hotel combined the four-star Schuchmann Wines Chateau is a great place to stay in the wine region. As well as wine tours and tastings, it has a bar, restaurant, billiards, gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and outdoor jacuzzi. Accommodation is in two-bedroom villas which the group will share. Each two-bedroom villa has two isolated/private bedrooms with their own individual en-suite bathrooms plus TV, telephone, wifi, air-conditioning, minibar and hairdryer. There is a common living area with fireplace, sofa, kitchen and dining table within each villa. All villas have private terraces with views of the Caucasus Mountains and Alazani Valley.

 Hotel Website