Georgia: the Crossroads of Europe & Asia

Tbilisi • Kakheti • Sighnaghi • Mtskheta • Gori • Borjomi • Vardzia • Akhalsitkhe • Ananuri • Gudauri • Kazbegi

Discover the intriguing capitals, spectacular mountain scenery steeped in myths and legends, ancient churches, an unbelievable cave-city, and formidable citadels. Georgia boasts millennia of fascinating history, legacies of powerful civilisations from two continents, and landscapes certain to inspire.

Ananuri

Your itinerary

DAY 1 – Flight from the UK

Fly via Istanbul, Warsaw or Munich to Tbilisi.

DAY 2 – Tbilisi

We arrive in Tbilisi in the early hours, from where you will be taken to your hotel. After time to rest, we begin discovering Georgia’s irresistible capital this afternoon on a walking tour. Set in the deep valley of the Mtkvari River, which flows through the old town, Tbilisi has blossomed under the watchful gaze of its founder, King Vakhtang Gorgasali – or rather, his statue, which stands near the 13th-century Metekhi Church and the rakishly perched clifftop houses of the Avlabari quarter. Tonight’s dinner at a local restaurant provides the perfect opportunity to try some delicious Georgian dishes. (B,D) + Included Experience – Guided walking tour of Tbilisi

DAY 3 – Kakheti & Sighnaghi

Today is dedicated to the discovery of Georgia’s 8,000-year-old tradition of viticulture, now protected by UNESCO. Archaeological finds reveal that wine has been produced here since 6000 BC, making Georgians the first to conquer the common grape. We drive east through vast plains to fertile farmlands and vineyards dotted with tiny villages and churches, protected by the peaks of majestic mountains. As we travel

Depending on your date of departure you’ll stay at one of two hand-picked hotels in Tibilisi at the start and end of your tour. The hotels in Borjomi and Gudauri are the same on all departures.

Mercure Tbilisi Old Town Hotel,

Tiblisi HHHH Biltmore Hotel, Tiblisi HHHH Crowne Plaza, Borjomi HHHH Marco Polo Hotel, Gudauri HHHH Crowne Plaza

through the villages, it’s not unusual to see roadside stalls laden with colourful produce for sale. We visit the splendid estate of the princely Chavchavadze family in the village of Tsinandali, which was once Georgia’s cultural centre thanks to Prince Alexander Chavchavadze. The estate’s Englishstyle gardens are set in a lush park filled with mature trees, such as magnolias and sequoias. As we tour the palace’s elegant rooms furnished with antiques, the story of this illustrious noble family comes to life. Afterwards, we visit a nearby winery to discover Georgia’s unique wine-making process, which blends the best of ancient and modern European techniques. Of course, we’ll sample its excellent wines along with an included lunch. We then visit the pretty fortress town of Sighnaghi, set on a hill overlooking green Alazani valley. There’s free time to wander the cobbled streets and take in the incredible panoramas over the valley to the Caucasus beyond. (B,L) + Included Experience – Guided tour of the Chavchavadze family estate, a winery visit with lunch and tasting, and visit to Sighnaghi

DAY 4 – Mtskheta, Gori & Borjomi

This morning we leave Tbilisi and take a short drive towards the former capital, Mtskheta, situated in an extraordinary location where the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers meet. Georgia’s religious heart and the scene of its conversion to Christianity, Mtskheta is home to several UNESCO-protected monuments which we visit today. We also visit the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, an outstanding example of medieval

GEORGIA

Borjomi Gori

Akhalsitkhe Vardzia

KEY

Arrive Depart

Kazbegi

RUSSIA

Gudauri

Ananuri

Tbilisi Sighnaghi

TURKEY ARMENIA

ecclesiastical architecture and another important pilgrimage site, as Christ’s mantle is said to be kept within its beautiful frescoed walls. We continue to Gori, birthplace of Stalin, to tour its famous Stalin Museum, which opened in 1957 and remains largely unchanged since the days of the USSR. Next, we head west to the picturesque resort town of Borjomi, nestled in a deep gorge of the Lesser Caucasus surrounded by coniferous forests. The picture-postcard scenery, mineral springs and crisp air attracted the attention of Georgians as well as the Russian Romanovs, who had a summer palace built nearby. (B,D) + Included Experience – Visit the UNESCO-listed churches of Mtskheta and guided tour of the Stalin Museum

DAY 5 – Vardzia & Akhalsitkhe

Today we travel through the Kura River Valley to Khertvisi’s 14thcentury fortress, before driving to the extraordinary cave-city of Vardzia, a working monastery. During our guided tour, we explore this architectural wonder and see impressive murals. Lunch is at a family-owned restaurant, before we journey through the valley to Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe. Then we return to Borjomi. (B,L,D) + Included Experience – Guided tour of the cave-city of Vardzia and visit the 14th-century fortress of Khertvisi

DAY 6 – Georgian Military Road, Ananuri & Gudauri

We visit Borjomi’s beautiful national park and taste the refreshing mineral waters. After stopping for lunch, we retrace the path of ancient traders along the famous Georgian Military Road. As the road hugs the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir, the dazzling lake provides a marvellous backdrop to the impressive Ananuri fortress. The road grows steeper and narrower and crystal-clear streams and waterfalls appear, along with remote villages. We arrive in Gudauri, a ski resort crowned by serrated green peaks. (B,L,D) + Included Experience – Visit Borjomi’s national park and travel along the Georgian Military Road

DAY 7 – Kazbegi & Château Mukhrani

We continue to the village of Stepantsminda at the foot of snowdusted Mount Kazbek, one of the six

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Your tour includes

• Return flights from a selection of regional airports with hotel transfers • Stay in four-star to four-star superior accommodation, inclusive of all local taxes • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager

(B) Daily Breakfast, (L) 3 Lunches, (D) 5 Dinners Prices are per person. For departure dates, prices and flights, please call or visit our website.

YOUR EXPERIENCES • 5 guided tours including two in Tbilisi, the Stalin Museum, the cave-city of

Vardzia, the Chavchavadze family’s estate, and a tour and tasting in the heart of the Kakheti wine region • Drive along the renowned Georgian

Military Road • 2 visits including the Gergeti Trinity

Church and the UNESCO-listed churches of Mtskheta

peaks of the Caucasus over 5,000 metres. Our destination is the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church, perched unbelievably on a hilltop over 2,000 metres above Kazbegi. We take 4x4 vehicles to the top for astounding views. On our return to Tbilisi we stop at Château Mukhrani, a winery set in a castle, to taste delicious local wines and enjoy a cooking class making Georgian favourites. (B,D) + Included Experience – Visit the Gergeti Trinity Church and Château Mukhrani for a tasting and cookery class

DAY 8 – Tbilisi

Our local guide takes us to Sameba, the Holy Trinity Cathedral. We’ll stroll along Davit Agmashenebeli Avenue and see the eye-catching Bridge of Peace. Our tour includes entrance to the National Museum of History and a funicular ride up Mount Mtatsminda. (B) + Included Experience – Guided walking tour of Tiblisi, entrance to the National Museum of History and a funicular ride up Mount Mtatsminda

DAY 9 – Return flight

Transfer to the airport for your return flight. Some dates depart in the early morning. (B)

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