Amazing Georgia/8 days
The beautiful and diverse country of Georgia with rich history, beautiful cities, breathtaking landscapes and welcoming people. The scenic country was known as the ‘Kingdom of Georgia’ in the medieval period. Blessed with stunning locales, the country though was a simmering cauldron of political upheaval since ancient times. Occupied by many kingdoms like Rome, Arabs, Seljuk Turks, Mongols, Ottoman Empire, Persia, Russian Empire, and consequently Soviet Russia, Georgia’s history is an epic of biblical proportion.
Program:
Day 1: Arrival to Georgia. Tbilisi city tour (Old Town)
Day 2 : Tbilisi – Bodbe-Signagi – Wine Degustatin
Day 3: Tbilisi – -Mtskheta-Gori – Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi
Day 4 : Kutaisi (Gelati,Bagrati)- Sataplia-Batumi
Day 5 : Batumi – city tour
Day 6: Batumi- Botanical Garden-Tbilisi
Day 7: Tbilisi-Stepantsminda(Kazbegi)-Tbilisi
Day 8: Tbilisi-City tour (Liberty Square and Rustaveli Ave) . Departure from Georgia
Program Details:
Day 1: Arrival to Georgia. Tbilisi city tour (Old Town)
Transfer from Tbilisi airport to a hotel, check-in. Breakfast. Sightseeing tour : Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia. Founded in the 5th century by Vakhtang Gorgasali , the monarch of Georgia’s precursor Kingdom of Iberia. One of the paramount places is the sulfur baths of Tbilisi - Abanotubani . Narikala Fortress-also called the mother fortress of Tbilisi, is an ancient symbol of Tbilisi’s defence. The fortress was established in the 4th century. Statue ‘The Mother of Georgia’– the statue is located outside of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, and can be seen for miles around. The view of Metekhi church (XIII c), with the equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali below it, is one of the most widespread images of Tbilisi. Having crossed Metekhi bridge , we will find ourselves on a street named after French traveler Jean Chardin. You will pass by picturesque narrow streets and see the Sioni Cathedral– One of the oldest and certainly one of the most famous temple of Georgia. Anchiskhati Basilica of Saint Mary – the oldest church in Tbilisi, dating back to the early period of Georgian Christianity in the sixth century. Its design differs from the typical later temples. In the evening dinner with folk programme in Tbilisi restaurant.
Day 2 : Tbilisi – Bodbe-Signagi – Wine Degustatin
Breakfast. Today we are going to Kakheti . It will be a fascinating journey to the eastern part of Georgia to enjoy the mountain scenery, picturesque villages, ancient temples and life of the locals. Tasting unique Georgian wines and an acquaintance with the secrets of winemakers is a special zest of this tour to Kakheti. Exploring Kakheti province you will visit town of Sighnaghi, Sighnaghi History and Ethnography Museum, Bodbe Nunnery and have a taste of variety of traditional dishes and famous wines. You will be invited to join a true feast with wine degustation and Kakhetian supra (feast). Return to Tbilisi. Overnight.
Day 3: Tbilisi – -Mtskheta-Gori – Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Check-out and departure. We will visit Mtskheta - Georgia‘s ancient capital, a little town about 20 km to the north of Tbilisi. It is home to a number of very important Georgian religious sites and functions to this day as a kind of spiritual heart of Georgia. It was in Mtskheta that Georgia adopted Christianity in the 4th century (year 326).
Major Highlights:
VIth-century Jvari Church, is actually located not far from Mtskheta on a hill, above the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. The star attraction in Mtskheta is the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, an enormous church originally built in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 11th century. The cathedral’s most incredible claim extends to Jesus Christ, whose robe, brought to Mtskheta from Jerusalem following his crucifixion, is said to be stored here.
Tne next place will be Gori – a city in eastern Georgia, which serves as the regional capital of Shida Kartli. Gori was an important military stronghold in the Middle Ages and maintains a strategic importance due to its location on the principal highway connecting eastern and western parts of Georgia. The territory of Gori has been populated since the early Bronze Age. According to the medieval Georgian chronicles, the city of Gori was founded by King David IV. Visit in the Museum of Stalinism (additional option) and in Uplistsikhe -the unique monument of Georgian culture. It is situated on a rocky massif in 15 km eastwards to the town Gori on the left bank of the river Mtkvari (Kura). The monument attracts our attention from afar with its whimsical image, giving rise to various legends. Transfer to Kutaisi – one of the most ancient cities in Georgia. Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis. Archeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of the kingdom of Colchis as early as the second millennium BC. Arriving to Kutaisi, check-in, dinner.
Day 4 : Kutaisi (Gelati,Bagrati)- Sataplia-Batumi
Breakfast. Check-out. This day will be spent traveling on the legendary land of Colchis through Imereti region to Ajaria. Visit in Gelati Monastery , one of the most famous buildings in the city and a great example of medieval Georgian architecture. Remarkably well preserved, it is one of Georgia’s UNESCO heritage sites. The construction of Bagrati Cathedral (visit), named after Bagrat III, the first king of united Georgia, started at the end of the 10th century and was completed in the early years of the 11th century. The cathedral and monastery represent the flowering of medieval architecture in Georgia. Next we will visit Sataplia Nature Reserve (the main attraction -Preserved Dinosaur Footprints). Arrival to Batumi. Check inn. Dinner.
Day 5 : Batumi – city tour
After breakfast we will have an excursion around Batumi. This relaxed tour focuses on visiting the main city highlights: The famous Miracle Park and Boulevard are the pride of Batumi – Alphabet tower, Batumi lighthouse, Fountain Chacha Tower, Ali and Nino moving sculpture are located exactly in Miracle Park. The statue of Neptune in front of Batumi Drama Theater in the city of Batumi was erected in 2010. The statue and its fountain is a copy of the Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza del Nettuno in the town of Bologna in Italy. The original sculpture was completed by the Flemish sculptor Giambologna in 1567. The Medea monumentin Batumi was designed by Davit Khmaladze and erected in Europe Square in 2007. In Greek mythology, Medea was a daughter of King Aieti , the king of Kolkheti in present day western Georgia. Medea helped Jason to steal the legendary Golden Fleece . The magnificent Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God) (XIX c), The Batumi synagogue (1904), The Batumi Mosque Orta Dgzame (XVII), The Church of the Holy Spirit -a Roman Catholic church (2000). Free time. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 6: Batumi- Botanical Garden-Tbilisi
Breakfast. Today we will visit Botanical Garden. This is one the biggest (111 ha) and richest botanical gardens in the world. Located near Mtsvane Kontskhi (Green Cape) resort, it was the brainchild of the prominent Russian botanist and physical geographer Andrey Krasnov. The plants species displayed come from many utterly different climatic and landscape zones. After visiting Botanical garden we will go to Tbilisi. Check inn. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 7: Tbilisi-Stepantsminda(Kazbegi)-Tbilisi
Breakfast. Today we will have a trip across Georgian Military Highway in the South Caucasus. It is one of the most spectacular roads in this region/ It passes the spectacular Ananuri fortress, then climbs the sides of the dramatic Aragvi River Valley, then over the Jvari Pass (2395m) and down into Kazbegi (1700m). Surrounded by gigantic mountains, Kazbegi is a picturesque settlement overlooked by one of the biggest peak –Mount Kazbek (5047m) – one of the six 5000 metre peaks of the Caucasus. The Sameba Church in Gergeti is beautifully situated on the hill above the town and provides splendid views of Mt. Kazbek. The region, with its many valleys and peaks is one of the most popular walking destinations in Georgia. The nearby Chaukhi Mountains provide superb rock-climbing, with numerous routes. The Gudauri ski resort located just the other side of the Cross Pass on the southern slopes of the Caucasus offers the best skiing and heli-skiing in the Caucasus. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 8: Tbilisi-City tour (Liberty Square and Rustaveli Ave) . Departure from Georgia
Breakfast. Tbilisi city tour. Rustaveli Avenue & Liberty Square – formerly known as Golovin Street, Rustaveli Avenue is an avenue in central Tbilisi named after the medieval Georgian poet, Shota Rustaveli. The Avenue starts at Freedom Square and extends for about 1.5 km in length. Rustaveli is often considered as the main thoroughfare of Tbilisi due to a large number of governmental, public, cultural, and business buildings that are located along or near the Avenue. Visit in National Museum. Georgian National Museum maps the development of Georgia’s material culture from the Bronze Age to the early 20th century. The Treasury holds a stunning collection of intricate jewellery and artefacts wrought in gold and silver, dating back thousands of years. Lunch. Transfer to the airport.
