The South Caucasus: Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
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Land Program Rate: $6,995 (per person based on double occupancy) Single Supplement: $1,190 Included: All accommodation, hotel taxes • Meals per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) • Arrival/departure transfers for passengers arriving/departing on scheduled start/end days • All overland transportation per itinerary by private vehicles • Special cultural events and extensive sightseeing, including The South Caucasus: entrance fees • English-speaking guides in Baku and Armenia; MIR Tour Manager throughout the itinerary • Baggage handling at the hotels; gratuities to local guides, drivers, Tour Manager and restaurant staff during included meals • Azerbaijan visa Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia support and processing, including fees • Comprehensive pre-departure packet Not Included: International airfare to Baku/from Yerevan. Our tour operator MIR Baku • Tbilisi • Tsinandali • Yerevan Corporation can assist with reservations • Travel insurance • Meals not specified as included in the itinerary • Personal items such as telephone calls, laundry, excess September 11-22, 2022 baggage fees, visa fees (excluding Azerbaijan), alcoholic beverages with included meals Air Arrangements: Program rates do not include international airfare to Baku/from Yerevan. Because of the global nature of our members and patrons, there is no group flight for this program. MIR will send a recommended air itinerary upon request. What to Expect: This trip is moderately active due to driving distances and the extensive walking and stair climbing required. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least two miles a day Affairs Council of Philadelphia World Center One Penn Ste 1055 1617 JFK Blvd., 19103 PA Philadelphia, (with or without the assistance of a cane) over uneven terrain while keeping up with the group and stand for extended periods of time during walking tours and museum visits. Flexibility and the willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are essential to the enjoyment of this program. Reservations and Payments: Mail the completed registration form with a check payable to MIR Corporation-Trust or credit card information to World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. Final payment for all land and air costs is due 60 days prior to departure on July 13, 2022. Final payment is accepted by check or bank transfer only. birth e of birth e of CVC Council Email Dat Dat Cancellations and Refunds: All cancellations must be made in writing to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and MIR, and the following cancellation charges will apply: Cancellations received 61 or more days before departure, forfeit the $500 per-person non-refundable deposit; those received 31 to 60 days before departure, forfeit 50% of the land-tour cost per person; those received 30 days or fewer before departure, no Philadelphia, Affairs Council of World refund. Refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the full tour for Zip any reason at all. World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and MIR reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw the tour announced (i.e., cancel a tour). MIR reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a participant in a tour, or to require any participant 13, July is due by the tour for . Final payment to withdraw from a tour at any time at his/her own expense, when such action is determined by tour staff to be in the best interest of the health, safety, or general welfare date Exp of the tour group or of the individual participant, and subject only to the requirement that not guaranteed) are er (shares the recoverable cost of unused services and accommodations be refunded, if any. (Work/Cell) (Work/Cell) Smok Note: Neither World Affairs Council of Philadelphia nor MIR accept liability for any airline www.wacphila.org cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of non-refundable tickets in connection class conomy with this tour. It is recommended that you not purchase international flights until State/Province instructed by MIR. This itinerary is based on a minimum of 8 participants and the exact E schedule of events and speakers is subject to change. Single Travelers: We make every effort to match single travelers who request a roommate; the single supplement will apply if no match is found. Insurance: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is available from World Affairs Council. Details will be sent upon receipt of your registration. Responsibility: A detailed statement of limitations and exclusions of liability of World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and MIR for loss of property, injury, illness or death will be provided to passengers upon enrollment and is available to prospective travelers upon request. A signed release of liability/assumption of risk agreement is required for trip participation. MIR Corporation: CST #2082306-40. WST #601-099-932. in passport) name #1 (as listed ull Credit card number card Credit mailing address) from (if different Address Billing cardholder of Signature in passport) name #2 (as listed Full please) (no PO boxes Mailing address (Home) City Phone preferences: Please note ($1,190). at the single supplement rate available wherever a single room alone and prefer I am traveling with accommodations share I will with a Non-smoker share to like I would Mail this form with check payable to MIR Corporation-Trust or credit card information to to information card or credit MIR Corporation-Trust to with check payable Mail this form 19103 1055, Philadelphia, Ste PA 1617 JFK Blvd., Center, One Penn in be processed will Reservations only. check or bank transfer by is accepted Final payment departure. prior to 2022, 60 days availability. subject to receipt, of order hold place(s). $ ($500 per person) to deposit of The enclosed non-refundable Council.I am a member of Discover American Express Visa Mastercard MIR Corporation-Trust to Enclosed check, payable F International airfare is not included in the tour price. A recommended flight itinerary will be sent by our tour operator upon operator our tour flight itinerary be sent by will A recommended price. airfare is not included in the tour International confirmation. home city my between air itinerary estimate and fare Please send me a recommended class Business in: Baku/Yerevan and or visit 209 or 215-561-4700, [email protected] at (800)942-5004 ext. Affairs Council World contact information, more For ©2021 MIR Corporation, all rights reserved. Photos: MIR Corporation World Affairs Council of Philadelphia 800-942-5004 / 215-561-4700 Dear Council Travelers, Daily Itinerary [email protected] / www.wacphila.org From the mists of the past to the 21st-century geopolitical spotlight, the Sep 10-11 Depart USA • Arrive Baku, Azerbaijan Southern Caucasus countries of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia have Depart the USA en route to Azerbaijan. Arrive in Baku and transfer to the hotel, where always figured prominently. the remainder of the evening is at your lesiure. In flight; Hilton Baku Hotel or similar In Azerbaijan, medieval buildings cozy up to dazzling high rises and avant-garde architecture. Rugged mountains, sprawling vineyards, and sumptuous spreads welcome visitors to Georgia, the birthplace of wine. Sep 12 Baku And in the shadow of biblical Mt. Ararat, thousands of carved stone After orientation, explore Baku’s Old Town district, a beautifully preserved medieval crosses, or khachkars, dot the landscape, a reminder of the strong faith UNESCO Heritage Site. Stroll through Martyr’s Lane, a memorial park perched that has shaped Armenia. above the bay with sweeping views of the city and the iconic Flame Towers, a nod to The historical importance of these countries is matched only by their Azerbaijan’s Zoroastrian history. Discover the colorful history of Azeri carpet weaving strategic importance today. The oil-rich Caspian Sea, Georgia’s dispute at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. Conclude the day with a private reception with Russia and the mutual distrust between Armenia, Azerbaijan, at the Nobel Brothers’ former home, Villa Petrolea, followed by a welcome dinner and a and Turkey are some hot button issues that have complex and ancient roots. Local speakers throughout will shed a modern light on untangling traditional mugham musical performance. Hilton Baku Hotel or similar (B, L, D) these historical roots. Explore these beautiful countries, sheltered and challenged by the steep terrain of the Caucasus Mountains, and by their Sep 13 Baku own interconnectedness. Start the day with a visit to Gobustan, a UNESCO-listed park forty miles outside of L: An aerial view of Tbilisi, Georgia. R: Khor Virap monastery, on the border of Armenia and Turkey Make your reservation today by calling (800) 942-5004 or (215) 561-4700, Baku, where quarry workers discovered ancient petroglyphs dating back 20,000 years. An or email [email protected]. excellent modern museum adds to the experience. Return to Baku for lunch at a local Sep 18 Tsinandali • drive to Tbilisi restaurant.This afternoon we will request a U.S. Embassy briefing. Hilton Baku Hotel or Tour the Alexander Chachavadze House Museum, the home of the 19th-century similar (B, L) hero and poet, who also established the country’s first winery. Depart for Tbilisi, arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant. Explore the Dry Bridge Market, Sep 14 Baku • fly to Tbilisi, Georgia a veritable trove of trinkets and treasures. Ride the funicular up the side of Mt. Tour the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, designed by Iraqi-British architect, Ms. Zaha Mtatsminda for dinner and sweeping views of the city below. Tbilisi Marriott Hotel or Hadid, with its sweeping curves and extensive art exhibits, followed by a visit to the similar (B, L, D) Zoroastrian Fire Temple at Atashgah, originally built over a burning natural gas vent by Hindi-speaking Indians in the 1800s. As early as the 6th century, Zoroastrians lived on Sep 19 Tbilisi • drive to Yerevan, Armenia the peninsula and might have worshipped here.