The Impressive 14Th Century Tsminda Sameba Trinity Church

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Impressive 14Th Century Tsminda Sameba Trinity Church The impressive 14th century Tsminda Sameba Trinity Church This is a journey of exploration to the Caucasus and more specifically to three small nations: Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Located between the Black and Caspian Seas, they were former Soviet Republics. Since winning their independence in 1991, they have prospered and joined the world. The Silk Road, connecting Asia and Europe, crossed through these lands, providing them with a long and storied history as well as a sense of belonging. Being at the crossroads, they are neither European nor Asian, but something uniquely different. Why visit the Caucasus? This journey offers insights of a very different world, one with magnificent mountain scenery and a long religious and trading history. Christianity was brought here during the 1st century AD by the Apostles. Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as their national religion in the 4th century. Everywhere we go, we will find religious relics: Pagan, Zoroastrian, Christian and Islamic. It is small wonder then that their respective histories developed with this strong faith and their monuments to the past take the form of religious stone buildings and statues. Virtually every important sight and beautiful landscape is marked by an historic structure. This journey will take us to the major centres such as Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan, where we will find very comfortable accommodations and services. We will also venture into the countryside to experience life as it is today, and where our accommodations while still very comfortable, will be a little more rustic. Group size is strictly limited and we anticipate that the group will fill Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers - Credit Roslyn Craig quickly. Be sure to reserve your places now. Balanced itinerary with 5 nights each in Yerevan and Return economy group airfare from Canada to the Tbilisi plus 3 nights in Baku Caucasus with Lufthansa Airlines Dinners with entertainment in Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan 16 nights in comfortable, first class and deluxe hotels Meals and meetings with local families in Georgia and as indicated or similar Armenia Travel by modern climate controlled motor coaches Visit Gobustan Historic site in Baku, Azerbaijan 42 meals included as noted (B - 17 breakfasts, L - 15 Explore the wine region of Kakheti, Georgia Lunches, D - 10 dinners) Discover the Old Town of Tbilisi, Georgia All entrance fees for included visits Drive the Georgian Military Highway to the Alpine Baggage handling of one suitcase per person (where regions of Kazbegi possible) Khor Virap Monastery, a pilgrimage site for Armenians All gratuities, taxes and fees for included services Cruise the Lake Sevan, the largest freshwater lake in Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value with central Asia purchase of group airfare Visit several UNESCO World Heritage designated sites Services of our Canadian tour leaders plus national guides in each country May 5, Sunday Depart Canada Tour members gather in Toronto for the overnight flights to Baku, Azerbaijan. May 6, Monday Baku, Azerbaijan Escorting this upcoming Caucasus adventure will be Nick Connecting in Europe we continue to Azerbaijan’s capital, and Pam Cannon. Nick and Pam, who are inveterate arriving in the evening. Park Inn Baku (3 nights) travellers, have journeyed through the United Kingdom, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. As two of May 7, Tuesday Baku our most popular leaders, they have escorted both cruise Our morning begins with a visit to Mountain Park and the and tour groups in the last few Martyrs’ Alley Memorial with its panoramic view over Baku. years to a wide variety of Continue to the walled medieval Old Town (UNESCO) for a destinations including Panama, walking excursion. Highlights include the Gyz Galasi or Alaska, South Africa, Europe and Maiden Tower (the oldest building in Baku), ancient South America. Their warm and mosques, the Market Square and Shirvanshahs’ Palace caring personalities and love of (UNESCO – dates from the 15th century). Following lunch travel will be sure to enhance and some free time in the old quarter, we will visit your travel experience. Atashgah, the recreated temple dedicated to the Land of Fires, based on ancient Zorastrian and Hindu beliefs. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the Caravanserai Restaurant with a lively folklore show. BLD Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia - Credit Butcher May 8, Wednesday Gobustan / Baku This morning we will venture to Gobustan National Historical - Artist Preserve (UNESCO), an open-air museum littered with Neolithic rock drawings, an outstanding collection of more than 6,000 engravings dating back some 40,000 years which is noted for its amazing landscapes. After lunch by the Caspian, we will visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, with exquisite examples dating back to the 16th Century. Balance of day at leisure to explore the city. BL May 9, Thursday Baku / Shamakhi / Sheki Drive into the foothills of the Greater Caucasus crossing Muganly Pass and follow the old Silk Road route. At Svetitsikhoveli Cathedral, Georgia’s largest and the burial Shamakhi we visit the historic Mosque Juma (Friday) and place of royalty. Drive over the Jvari Pass (2,395 m), Yeddi Gumbez (Seven Domes) Royal Mausoleum, burial stopping near Gudauri, the highest village on the road place of the Shirvan Khanate. Sheki, one of the oldest before arriving in Kazbegi (1,700 m), a picturesque village Azerbaijan towns, has a medieval fortress, Sheki Khans’ overshadowed by Mount Kazbek (5,047 m). Continue in Palace, and a local handicrafts workshop. In the village of 4x4s to the 14th century Tsminda Sameba Trinity Church, Kish, founded around 3000BC, we visit the historic church for fine views of the snow-capped mountains. and the caravanserai (or inn) from earlier times. Porta Caucasia (1 night) BLD Sheki Saray Hotel (1 night) BLD May 14, Tuesday Gori / Uplistsikhe / Tbilisi May 10, Friday Kakheti / Kvareli, Georgia Enjoy the mountain scenery en route Ananuri Fortress, This morning we cross into Georgia and enter the Kakheti overlooking the Aragvi Valley and Zhinvali Reservoir. region, Georgia’s famous wine district and a picturesque Uplistsikhe, or ‘the Lord's Citadel’, is a cave town hewn into land dotted with fine mature vineyards. Visit Khareba the living rock. Dating from the 7th century BC, the centre Winery, with a wine cellar carved into the rock, to sample was a strategic point on the ancient Silk Road. We will see some wine. Explore the fortified 16th century Gremi a large central hall for pagan rituals, living rooms and a Complex, including the Church of the Archangels, a three- 9th century church. Continue to Gori, the birthplace of story castle, a bell tower museum and a wine cellar. Visit Stalin (1879). Visit Stalin’s Museum, which includes the the Tsinandali Estate before we arrive at our hotel, which original wooden hut, Stalin’s birthplace, and Stalin’s private overlooks Ilia Lake and two rivers. railway car. Later we continue back into Tbilisi. Royal Batoni Hotel (1 night) BLD Courtyard by Marriott (1 night) BL May 11, Saturday Nekresi / Signagi / Tbilisi May 15, Wednesday Tbilisi / Yerevan, Armenia Historic Nekresi Monastery was founded by a Syrian monk Departing early, we make our way to the Armenian border in the 6th century. Enjoy a special treat; visit a local family where we meet our Armenian Guide and coach. Set on a and enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal, complete with high plateau surrounded steep forest-grown slopes, is the Georgian wines and ‘chacha’, the Georgian version of monastery of Hagh Pat (UNESCO site), Following lunch, Grappa. In the royal hill-town of Signagi, walk through the we continue through the heart of Armenia to the nation’s old quarter, noted for its narrow cobbled streets and typical capital and largest city, Yerevan. Modern Yerevan was houses with wooden balconies and shuttered windows. redesigned and rebuilt in the early part of the 20th Century Weather permitting there are fine views of the Kakheti area with a tremendous amount of development since the end of and eastern Caucasus summits. Visit the 9th century the Soviet era. This “pink city” was constructed using a Bodbe monastery which is now a convent and an important pink tufa stone, quarried locally. Pilgrimage site for Georgians. This afternoon we continue Hyatt Place Hotel (5 nights) BLD to Tbilisi, the capital and largest city in Georgia. Courtyard by Marriott (2 nights) BLD May 16, Thursday Yerevan This morning we will discover the city, both ancient and May 12, Sunday Tbilisi modern as we tour Republic Square, the Park Cascade Our day begins in the Old Town, with its winding roads, (with its amazing sculptures), the remarkable Matenadaran alleys and wooden balconies. Highlights include Metekhi Library (with over 17000 rare manuscripts) and the moving Church (overlooking the river), the Sulphur Baths Genocide Memorial. Following lunch at a selected (Abanotubani), the cable car ride to the Narikala restaurant, we will visit the State History Museum (noted Fortress (impressive ruins overlooking the Old Town and for its relics from the Stone Age to recent times) and one of the Mtkvari River), Sioni Cathedral, the heart of Georgian the producers of the local Ararat brandy and wine. Other Orthodoxy, and the Anchiskhati Church (ancient style of highlights include busy Mashtoc Avenue and the House of Georgian church). After lunch, we ride the Funicular for Opera and Ballet. BL spectacular views of the city. The balance of the day will be free with time to explore the Old Quarter and Rustaveli, the May 17, Friday Etchmiadzin / Zvartnots / Yerevan main street which is the heart of the city, lined with elegant Etchmiadzin dates from 117AD and was once the capital of Renaissance and neoclassical buildings. BL Armenia. It was here that St Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of Christ descending to earth.
Recommended publications
  • Armenia 2020 June-11-22, 2020 Tour Conductor and Guide: Norayr Daduryan
    Armenia 2020 June-11-22, 2020 Tour conductor and guide: Norayr Daduryan Price ~ $4,000 June 11, Thursday Departure. LAX flight to Armenia. June 12, Friday Arrival. Transport to hotel. June 13, Saturday 09:00 “Barev Yerevan” (Hello Yerevan): Walking tour- Republic Square, the fashionable Northern Avenue, Flower-man ​ ​ statue, Swan Lake, Opera House. 11:00 Statue of Hayk- The epic story of the birth of the Armenian nation 12:00 Garni temple. (77 A.D.) ​ 14:00 Lunch at Sergey’s village house-restaurant. (included) 16:00 Geghard monastery complex and cave churches. (UNESCO World Heritage site.) ​ June 14, Sunday 08:00-09:00 “Vernissage”: open-air market for antiques, Soviet-era artifacts, souvenirs, and more. th 11:00 Amberd castle on Mt. Aragats, 10 ​ c. ​ 13:00 “Armenian Letters” monument in Artashavan. 14:00 Hovhannavank monastery on the edge of Kasagh river gorge, (4th-13th cc.) Mr. Daduryan will retell the Biblical ​ ​ parable of the 10 virgins depicted on the church portal (1250 A.D.) ​ 15:00 Van Ardi vineyard tour with a sunset dinner enjoying fine Italian food. (included) June 15, Monday 08:00 Tsaghkadzor mountain ski lift. th 12:00 Sevanavank monastery on Lake Sevan peninsula (9 ​ century). Boat trip on Lake Sevan. (If weather permits.) ​ ​ ​ ​ 15:00 Lunch in Dilijan. Reimagined Armenian traditional food. (included) 16:00 Charming Dilijan town tour. 18:00 Haghartsin monastery, Dilijan. Mr. Daduryan will sing an acrostic hymn composed in the monastery in 1200’s. June 16, Tuesday 09:00 Equestrian statue of epic hero David of Sassoon. 09:30-11:30 Train- City of Gyumri- Orphanage visit.
    [Show full text]
  • Tour to Georgia 10 Days /9 Nights
    TOUR TO GEORGIA 10 DAYS /9 NIGHTS Day 1: Arrival at Tbilisi Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi. Day 2. Tbilisi (B/L/-) Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of the historic part of the city, which begins with a visit to the Metekhi Temple, which is one of the most famous monuments in Tbilisi. This temple was honored in the 13th century, on the very edge of the stony shore of the Kura and the former fortress and residence of the Georgian kings. The first Georgian martyr, Queen Shushanika Ranskaya, was buried under the arches of the Metekhi temple. Inspection of the Tbilisi sulfur baths, which are built in the style of classical oriental architecture. These are low, squat buildings, covered with semicircular domes with large glass openings in the center, serving as windows that illuminate the interior, as the baths themselves are below ground level. In the old days, people here not only bathed, but also talked, lingering until dawn, and the city matchmakers arranged special days on special days. In the baths gave dinner parties, concluded trade deals. Walk on the square Maidan, which was the main shopping area of the city and along small streets known under the common name "Sharden". Narikala Fortress, which is the most ancient monument, a kind of "soul and heart of the city." The date of construction of the fortress is called approximately IV century AD, so it stands from the foundation of the city itself. Later, the fortress was expanded and completed several times.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan 4
    ©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd 317 Behind the Scenes SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK We love to hear from travell ers – your comments keep us on our toes and help make our books better. Our well- travell ed team reads every word on what you loved or loathed about this book. Although we cannot reply individually to postal submissions, we always guarantee that your feedback goes straight to the appropriate authors, in time for the next edition. Each person who sends us information is thanked in the next edition – the most useful submissions are rewarded with a selection of digital PDF chapters. Visit lonelyplanet.com/contact to submit your updates and suggestions or to ask for help. Our award-winning website also features inspirational travel stories, news and discussions. Note: We may edit, reproduce and incorporate your comments in Lonely Planet products such as guidebooks, websites and digital products, so let us know if you don’t want your comments reproduced or your name acknowledged. For a copy of our privacy policy visit lonelyplanet.com/privacy. Stefaniuk, Farid Subhanverdiyev, Valeria OUR READERS Many thanks to the travellers who used Superno Falco, Laurel Sutherland, Andreas the last edition and wrote to us with Sveen Bjørnstad, Trevor Sze, Ann Tulloh, helpful hints, useful advice and interest- Gerbert Van Loenen, Martin Van Der Brugge, ing anecdotes: Robert Van Voorden, Wouter Van Vliet, Michael Weilguni, Arlo Werkhoven, Barbara Grzegorz, Julian, Wojciech, Ashley Adrian, Yoshida, Ian Young, Anne Zouridakis. Asli Akarsakarya, Simone
    [Show full text]
  • Zvartnots Airport Expansion Project (Phase 2) (Armenia)
    Extended Annual Review Report Project Number: 43922 Investment/Loan Number: 7308/2620 October 2013 Loan Zvartnots Airport Expansion Project (Phase 2) (Armenia) In accordance with ADB’s public communication policy (PCP, 2011), this extended annual review report excludes information referred to in paragraph 67 of the PCP. CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS Currency Unit – dram (AMD) At Appraisal At Project Completion 13 February 2010 30 August 2012 AMD1.00 – $0.00262 $0.00244 $1.00 – AMD381.50 AMD409.36 ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank AIA – Armenia International Airports AmIA – American International Airports DEG – Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellchaft EAP – environmental action plan EBITDA – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization EBRD – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ECG – Evaluation Cooperation Group EIA – environmental impact assessment EMP – environmental management plan EROIC – economic return on invested capital ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization IEE – initial environmental examination OSPF – Office of the Special Project Facilitator RAP – resettlement action plan ROIC – return on invested capital RRP – report and recommendation of the President WACC – weighted average cost of capital ZIA – Zvartnots International Airport NOTES (i) The fiscal year (FY) of the Government of Armenia ends on 31 December. FY before a calendar year denotes the year in which the fiscal year ends, e.g., FY2010 ends on 31 December 2010. (ii) In this report, "$" refers to US dollars. Vice-President L. Venkatachalam, Private Sector and Cofinancing Operations Director General T. Freeland, Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) Director M. Barrow, Infrastructure Finance Division 1, PSOD Team leader E. Gregori, Unit Head, Project Administration, PSOD Team member s H. Cruda, Senior Safeguards Specialist, PSOD S.
    [Show full text]
  • Armenia, Republic of | Grove
    Grove Art Online Armenia, Republic of [Hayasdan; Hayq; anc. Pers. Armina] Lucy Der Manuelian, Armen Zarian, Vrej Nersessian, Nonna S. Stepanyan, Murray L. Eiland and Dickran Kouymjian https://doi.org/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T004089 Published online: 2003 updated bibliography, 26 May 2010 Country in the southern part of the Transcaucasian region; its capital is Erevan. Present-day Armenia is bounded by Georgia to the north, Iran to the south-east, Azerbaijan to the east and Turkey to the west. From 1920 to 1991 Armenia was a Soviet Socialist Republic within the USSR, but historically its land encompassed a much greater area including parts of all present-day bordering countries (see fig.). At its greatest extent it occupied the plateau covering most of what is now central and eastern Turkey (c. 300,000 sq. km) bounded on the north by the Pontic Range and on the south by the Taurus and Kurdistan mountains. During the 11th century another Armenian state was formed to the west of Historic Armenia on the Cilician plain in south-east Asia Minor, bounded by the Taurus Mountains on the west and the Amanus (Nur) Mountains on the east. Its strategic location between East and West made Historic or Greater Armenia an important country to control, and for centuries it was a battlefield in the struggle for power between surrounding empires. Periods of domination and division have alternated with centuries of independence, during which the country was divided into one or more kingdoms. Page 1 of 47 PRINTED FROM Oxford Art Online. © Oxford University Press, 2019.
    [Show full text]
  • Div. XII/Comm. 46/PG International Schools for Young Astronomers – ISYA the 32Nd ISYA, at Byurakan Observatory, Armenia, 12 Sept
    Div. XII/Comm. 46/PG International Schools for Young Astronomers – ISYA The 32nd ISYA, at Byurakan Observatory, Armenia, 12 Sept. - 3 Oct. 2010 Excerpt from a report by Jean-Pierre De Greve, Chairman PG ISYA Introduction The 32nd ISYA 2010, held at Byurakan Observatory, Armenia, was characterized by a very large number of applicants (more than 100) from a large number of countries from the region. Because of the close connections between the observatory and research groups in France and Germany and the fact that for students of those countries grants were available outside the ISYA funding, it was decided also to accept a few students from these countries in order to enlarge the international character of the student body. The following organisations sponsored the ISYA programme: Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS), Armenian National Academy of Sciences (NAS RA), Armenian State Committee for Science (SCS), Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, DAAD), International Astronomical Union (IAU), Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (NASL), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The IAU allocated funds provided by the NASL to cover the travel expenses of the participants (visa, insurance, and air fare, local transport, and cultural trips). BAO, ArAS, NAS RA, SCS, and UNESCO provided accommodation for students at the observatory hotel and for lecturers in Yerevan hotels, meals and coffee breaks during the school, as well as other expenses (social events, participants’ kits, administration expenses). DAAD provided travel grants for three German students. Location The Byurakan Observatory is one of the main observational centers of the former Soviet Union and an important observatory with modern facilities in the Middle East region.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgian Country and Culture Guide
    Georgian Country and Culture Guide მშვიდობის კორპუსი საქართველოში Peace Corps Georgia 2017 Forward What you have in your hands right now is the collaborate effort of numerous Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, who researched, wrote and edited the entire book. The process began in the fall of 2011, when the Language and Cross-Culture component of Peace Corps Georgia launched a Georgian Country and Culture Guide project and PCVs from different regions volunteered to do research and gather information on their specific areas. After the initial information was gathered, the arduous process of merging the researched information began. Extensive editing followed and this is the end result. The book is accompanied by a CD with Georgian music and dance audio and video files. We hope that this book is both informative and useful for you during your service. Sincerely, The Culture Book Team Initial Researchers/Writers Culture Sara Bushman (Director Programming and Training, PC Staff, 2010-11) History Jack Brands (G11), Samantha Oliver (G10) Adjara Jen Geerlings (G10), Emily New (G10) Guria Michelle Anderl (G11), Goodloe Harman (G11), Conor Hartnett (G11), Kaitlin Schaefer (G10) Imereti Caitlin Lowery (G11) Kakheti Jack Brands (G11), Jana Price (G11), Danielle Roe (G10) Kvemo Kartli Anastasia Skoybedo (G11), Chase Johnson (G11) Samstkhe-Javakheti Sam Harris (G10) Tbilisi Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Workplace Culture Kimberly Tramel (G11), Shannon Knudsen (G11), Tami Timmer (G11), Connie Ross (G11) Compilers/Final Editors Jack Brands (G11) Caitlin Lowery (G11) Conor Hartnett (G11) Emily New (G10) Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Compilers of Audio and Video Files Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Irakli Elizbarashvili (IT Specialist, PC Staff) Revised and updated by Tea Sakvarelidze (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator) and Kakha Gordadze (Training Manager).
    [Show full text]
  • Armenian Monuments Awareness Project
    Armenian Monuments Awareness Project Armenian Monuments Awareness Project he Armenian Monuments Awareness Proj- ect fulfills a dream shared by a 12-person team that includes 10 local Armenians who make up our Non Governmental Organi- zation. Simply: We want to make the Ar- T menia we’ve come to love accessible to visitors and Armenian locals alike. Until AMAP began making installations of its infor- Monuments mation panels, there remained little on-site mate- rial at monuments. Limited information was typi- Awareness cally poorly displayed and most often inaccessible to visitors who spoke neither Russian nor Armenian. Bagratashen Project Over the past two years AMAP has been steadily Akhtala and aggressively upgrading the visitor experience Haghpat for local visitors as well as the growing thousands Sanahin Odzun of foreign tourists. Guests to Armenia’s popular his- Kobair toric and cultural destinations can now find large and artistically designed panels with significant information in five languages (Armenian, Russian, Gyumri Fioletovo Aghavnavank English, French, Italian). Information is also avail- Goshavank able in another six languages on laminated hand- Dilijan outs. Further, AMAP has put up color-coded direc- Sevanavank tional road signs directing drivers to the sites. Lchashen Norashen In 2009 we have produced more than 380 sources Noratuz of information, including panels, directional signs Amberd and placards at more than 40 locations nation- wide. Our Green Monuments campaign has plant- Lichk Gegard ed more than 400 trees and
    [Show full text]
  • Collector Coins of the Republic of Armenia 2012
    CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA 2012 YEREVAN 2013 Arthur Javadyan Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Dear reader The annual journal "Collector Coins of the Republic of Armenia 2012" presents the collector coins issued by the Central Bank of Armenia in 2012 on occasion of important celebrations and events of the year. 4 The year 2012 was full of landmark events at both international and local levels. Armenia's capital Yerevan was proclaimed the 12th International Book 2012 Capital, and in the timespan from April 22, 2012 to April 22, 2013 large-scale measures and festivities were held not only in Armenia but also abroad. The book festival got together the world's writers, publishers, librarians, book traders and, in general, booklovers everywhere. The year saw a great diversity of events which were held in cooperation with other countries. Those events included book exhibitions, international fairs, contests ("Best Collector Coins CENTRAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA Literary Work", "Best Thematic Posters"), a variety of projects ("Give-A-Book Day"), workshops, and film premieres. The Central Bank of Armenia celebrated the book festival by issuing the collector coin "500th Anniversary of Armenian Book Printing". In 2012, the 20th anniversaries of formation of Armenian Army and liberation of Shushi were celebrated with great enthusiasm. On this occasion, the Central Bank of Armenia issued the gold and silver coins "20th Anniversary of Formation of Armenian Army" and the gold coin "20th Anniversary of Liberation of Shushi". The 20th anniversary of signing Collective Security Treaty and the 10 years of the Organization of Treaty were celebrated by issuing a collector coin dedicated to those landmark events.
    [Show full text]
  • The Treasures of Georgia 10 - 21 September 2022
    THE TREASURES OF GEORGIA 10 - 21 SEPTEMBER 2022 FROM £3,395 PER PERSON Tour Leader: Bridget Wheeler RICH HERITAGE, MEDIEVAL HISTORY & NATURAL BEAUTY Situated between the subtropical Black Sea coast, the Caspian Sea and the snowy peaks of the Caucasus, the state of Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Georgia’s rich heritage has been hugely influenced by both Byzantine and Persian cultures. With Russia (and Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkar, North Osetia-Alania) to the north, Turkey to the west, Armenia and Iran to the south and Azerbaijan to the east, Georgia remains a fiercely independent nation after years of oppression by the Russian Tsars and the Soviet Union. Georgia’s mix of natural beauty and medieval history has made this small country one of Eastern Europe’s most fascinating destinations. Bodbe Monastery Uplistsikhe Alazani Valley 12-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 10 SEPTEMBER 2022 10 September London ancient land of Colchis, spectacular and filled with historical sights. modern and contemporary paintings Visit Bodbe Nunnery, just outside Suggested flights (not included in the by Georgian artists and masterpieces Sighnaghi. In the 4th century, after cost of the tour) Georgian Airways of Oriental, Western European and Georgia converted to Christianity, A9 752 departing London Gatwick at Russian decorative arts. Dinner at a Saint Nino, the queen responsible for 22.50 hrs. local restaurant. the conversion, withdrew to Bodbe Gorge where she died. She wanted 11 September Tbilisi to be buried in a church in Bodbe 12 September Tbilisi Arrive Tbilisi at 06.35 hrs. Transfer and rather than being taken away to be Morning walking tour of Tbilisi.
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Gayane Church
    Masarykova univerzita Filozofická fakulta Seminář dějin umění Saint Gayane Church Bakalárska diplomová práca Autor: Michaela Baraničová Vedúci práce: prof. Ivan Foletti, MA, Docteur es Lettres Brno 2020 ii Prehlasujem, že som svoju bakalársku diplomovú prácu vypracovala samostatne a uviedla všetkú použitú literatúru a pramene. .............................................................. Podpis autora práce iii iv On the ancient peak of Ararat The centuries have come like seconds, And passed on. The swords of innumerable lightnings Have broken upon its diamond crest, And passed on. The eyes of generations dreading death Have glanced at its luminuos summit, And passed on. The turn is now yours for a brief while: You, too, look at its lofty brow, And pass on! Avetik Isahakyan, “Mount Ararat”, in Selected Works: Poetry and Prose, ed. M. Kudian, Moscow 1976. v vi My first sincere thanks belong to my thesis’ supervisor, prof. Ivan Foletti, for his observations, talks and patience during this time. Especially, I would like to thank him for introducing me to the art of Caucasus and giving me the opportunity to travel to Armenia for studies, where I spent five exciting months. I would like to thank teachers from Yerevan State Academy of Arts, namely to Gayane Poghosyan and Ani Yenokyan, who were always very kind and helped me with better access of certain Armenian literature. My gratitude also belongs to my friends Susan and colleagues, notably to Veronika, who was with me in Armenia and made the whole experience more entertaining. To Khajag, who helped me with translation of Armenian texts and motivating me during the whole process. It´s hard to express thanks to my amazing parents, who are constantly supporting me in every step of my studies and life, but let me just say: Thank you! vii viii Content Introduction.........................................................................1 I.
    [Show full text]
  • Wikivoyage Georgia.Pdf
    WikiVoyage Georgia March 2016 Contents 1 Georgia (country) 1 1.1 Regions ................................................ 1 1.2 Cities ................................................. 1 1.3 Other destinations ........................................... 1 1.4 Understand .............................................. 2 1.4.1 People ............................................. 3 1.5 Get in ................................................. 3 1.5.1 Visas ............................................. 3 1.5.2 By plane ............................................ 4 1.5.3 By bus ............................................. 4 1.5.4 By minibus .......................................... 4 1.5.5 By car ............................................. 4 1.5.6 By train ............................................ 5 1.5.7 By boat ............................................ 5 1.6 Get around ............................................... 5 1.6.1 Taxi .............................................. 5 1.6.2 Minibus ............................................ 5 1.6.3 By train ............................................ 5 1.6.4 By bike ............................................ 5 1.6.5 City Bus ............................................ 5 1.6.6 Mountain Travel ....................................... 6 1.7 Talk .................................................. 6 1.8 See ................................................... 6 1.9 Do ................................................... 7 1.10 Buy .................................................. 7 1.10.1
    [Show full text]