Trip to 26/4 – 2/5

Day 1: Sadakhlo Border –

A: As continuation from Armenia: Meeting at the Georgian-Armenian border in Sadakhlo, change transport and guide and transfer to Tbilisi. Dinner in the traditional Georgian restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

B: Arrival directly to Tbilisi Airport: Transfer to the hotel.

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Day 2: Tbilisi Sightseeing

Tbilisi sightseeing program – visit the Old and New Towns. The city offers a great variety of sights, most of them very ancient. All the places of interest in the Old Town are very close to each other, within a few minutes’ walk. We start our visit to Old Tbilisi from (13th century), then walk to the Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral (6th-7th centuries) and Anchiskhati Church (6th century). Afterwards we drive up to Mother Georgia statue and walk down to Narikala Fortress (4th century) en route enjoying beautiful views of Old Town. Then we visit Sulphur Baths. This marks the end of the Old Town. In the afternoon visit the treasury of Georgian Art Museum before taking a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel.

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Day 3: Tbilisi – – Gori - Kutaissi

Today we visit the ancient capital and religious center of Georgia – Mtskheta and see its historical places: (6th century) and () where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites. along the Great Silk Road to the town of Gori. Photo stop at Stalin’s house and statue, then visit Uplistsikhe Cave Town (1st millennium BC) – one of the main points on the great east- west trade route. Once a flourishing city now offers a walk among the ancient streets, rock- carved theatre, royal halls and pharmacy, while the remains of granaries and large clay wine vessels give us some clue as to the daily life of the inhabitants. Afterwards continue to the land of the Golden Fleece – province in West Georgia. Imereti is an area of cool springs, green fields and beautiful gardens and its main town is the second largest in the country. Overnight and dinner in Kutaisi in a guesthouse (rooms with private facilities).

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Day 4: Kutaisi – Bakuriani

The sights in and around Kutaisi are certainly worth visiting. The splendid ruins (11th century) and and Academy () are UNESCO World Heritage sites.From Kutaisi we drive to ski resort Bakuriani. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bakuriani.

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Day 5: Bakuriani - - Bakuriani

In the morning travel to Vardzia. The magnificent cave town – Vardzia (12th century) is one of the highlights of the trip. It stretches over half a kilometer along the river Mtkvari and has 19 tiers. There used to be about 3000 caves. It’s got a church hewn out in rock with amazing 12th century frescos. The complex also includes dwellings quarters, small hall-type churches, refectories, wine cellars, pharmacy, etc. Today we will also visit Khertvisi fortress (10th century).

Dinner and overnight in Bakuriani.

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Day 6: Bakuriani – Bodbe – Signagi – Tsinandali – Telavi

We travel to – the famous wine-growing region. We visit Ninotsminda church in Bodbe (4th century.) and the fortified town of Signagi (18th century). The town preserved its original image and now offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding Mountains. Continue to the farmer’s house to see a unique 300 year-old wine-cellar. We get acquainted with the Georgian way of wine-making, quite different from the European one and drink typical Georgian wine straight from the clay jars. Visit the estate of Georgian dukes in Tsinandali from 19th century.

Accommodation in Telavi in a private guesthouse with shared facilities. Dinner at the guesthouse.

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Day 7: Telavi – Tbilisi

In the morning we will have an opportunity to visit a typical Georgian market in Telavi. Then we’ll drive to visit Alaverdi cathedral (11 th century) and make foto-stop at fortification (16 th century). Lunch with a Kakhetian family with home made dishes and wine. Drive to Tbilisi. Dinner in the traditional Georgian restaurant. Overnight in at the hotel.

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Day 8: Departure

Transfer to the airport.