Cultural Tour in Georgia 6 days / 5 nights Day 1 Arrival in Tbilisi Accommodation in hotel Free time Few words about Tbilisi Even if you only have a short time in Georgia, you have to spend at least a half-day exploring Tbilisi’s Old Town. The architecture in the city’s historic district is a beautiful mixture of Georgian, Byzantine, Oriental and Neo-Classical European styles. It dates back more than 1,500 years and was founded by Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia (known as Iberia at the time) in the second half of the 5th-Century AD. The name derives from the Georgian word for warm, “T'pili.” Sliced by the River Mtkvari, which divides the city west and east, the lovely setting is ripe for exploring. Overnight in Tbilisi Day 2 Breakfast at the hotel Drive to Kakheti Region Visit Telavi - the main city and administrative center of Georgia's eastern province of Kakheti. Telavi and its surroundings are rich in historical, architectural and natural monuments. The first archaeological findings from Telavi date back to the Bronze Age. One of the earliest surviving accounts of Telavi is from the 2nd century AD, by Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemaeus, who mentions the name Teleda (a reference to Telavi). The reign of King Erekle II -is still called affectionately "Patara Kakhi" (Little Kakhetian), who was born and died in this city, was a special epoch in the history of Telavi. During this period (1744–1798) it grew into a strategic and cultural centre. Erakle II established there a theological seminary and founded a theatre. Erekle II's reforms touched upon all aspects of life in the country. They changed fundamentally the political, economical and cultural orientation of Kartli-Kakheti and, subsequently of the whole Georgia. His name became a symbol of freedom and national independence of the Georgian people. Visit “Chateau Mere” opened in September 2011 near Telavi. “Chateau Mere” entertains its guests and visitors with a wide range of activities: picking and crashing grapes, learning about wines and cheese making, baking bread, making churchkhelas (fruit leather coated walnuts), riding horses, hiking, shopping for local produce, products and hand-crafted gifts. Visit Tsinandali - The village in Kakheti, noted for the estate and its historic winery which once belonged to the 19th-century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846). Tsinandali Estate is the cradle of classical winemaking of Georgia, the place where Georgian wine was first bottled. Saperavi of 1841 and other 19th century historical vintages are still preserved at Princely Oenotheque. Alaverdi Monastery is a Georgian Eastern Orthodox monastery which was founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph (Yoseb) Alaverdeli in the 6th century, who came from Antioch and settled in Alaverdi, then a small village and former pagan religious center dedicated to the Moon. Overnight in Telavi Day 3 Breakfast at the hotel Drive to Sighnagi Visit Gremi - 16th-century architectural Gremi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti in the 16th and 17th centuries. Founded by Levan of Kakhetnument – the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels – in Kakheti, Georgia. Since 2007, the monuments of Gremi have been proposed for inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nekresi - Monastery is one of the largest monastery complexes in the Kakheti region of Georgia and was founded by St. Abibos Nekreseli, one of the famous thirteen Syrian fathers. Situated on top of a steep hill overlooking the Alazani valley, the complex contains various ecclesiastical buildings built at different times, including: the Blessed Virgin Church (VI-VII century); a basilica-type church that dates to the IV century (one of the earliest surviving Christian churches); a two-storey bishop’s palace (IX century); a four-storey tower (XVI century); and a wine cellar (marani). Visit Tunnel Winery Khareba - near Kvareli in Khaketi region, is Georgia’s largest wine cellar – 7.7 km of tunnels and galleries that maintain a constant temperature of 12-14 degrees C and 70% relative humidity all year round – perfect storage conditions for wine. Originally built for military purposes during the Cold War, the tunnels (gvirabi) were purchased by the Winery Khareba who restored them and use them to store and age about 25,000 bottles of its wine. The complex consists of two main tunnels linked by 13 smaller galleries 500 meters long. Sighnagi - is one of Georgia's smallest towns, City of wine and love, as it is being called in recent years, is very much appealing to those who are tired of rush and hustle, and like everything lovely, cute and small. Located on a steep hill, Signagi overlooks the vast Alazani Valley, with the Caucasus Mountains visible at a distance. Visit the Museum of Sighnaghi Learn more about the history of the city, the region, and look at the rare works by Niko Pirosmani and Lado Gudiashvili. Bodbe Monastery - Originally built in the 9th century, it has been significantly remodeled, especially in the 17th century.Located two kilometers far from the Sighnaghi, this beautiful monastery is one of the most important places for Georgians, because St. Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia, is buried there. Her grave can be visited – people say that the saint helps fulfill your cherished wishes.Strolling through the magnificent monastery garden makes you feel calmed down and relaxed... You can also go down to the holy spring of St. Nino, and plunge into healing cold water. Return to Tbilisi Overnight in Tbilisi Day 4 Breakfast at the hotel At 11:30am meeting with a guide at the hotel and we start a city tour. Sameba - The cathedral of XX c. The church of XIII c. located on the bank of the river Mtkvari in the old city; Metekhi Straddling the Mtkvari River is an arresting new pedestrian bridge “Bridge of Peace” courtesy of Italian architect Michel De Lucchi- the structure composed of glass and iron with a 150 m canopy roof connecting Old Tbilisi with a new recreational park on Rike. Abanotubani (baths’ district),- The Asian-type coloring baths built on the hot sulfur springs-all the bath are below the ground level and are overlapped by semicircular domes and are naturally lit via glass lantern over the cupola Walk along Chardin Street a very narrow and short, it is named after a French explorer Jan Chardin who visited Tbilisi in 1663. It’s a great way to wander around the local art galleries and souvenir shops with a chance to refuel in one of the area’s many cafes. Sioni – The former Cathedral of VI-XIII cc. with the wall painting of XIX-XX cc; Anchiskhati - The ancient basilica of the VI c. in the old city; Art Museum of Georgia- is one of the leading museums in the country of Georgia. Falling under the umbrella of the Georgian National Museum, AMG is located near Freedom Square, Tbilisi and possesses around 140,000 items of Georgian, Oriental, Russian, and other European art. By cableway visit Narikala– An ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Kura River. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. Newly built in 1996–1997, it replaces the original 13th-century church that was destroyed in a fire. By Funicular Railway we go up in Mtatsminda (holy land)- free time to walk in a park, near the park you can have a dinner at Funicular Restaurant by additional price. Overnight in – Tbilisi Day 5 Breakfast at the hotel Drive to Mtskheta ancient city-museum is one of the oldest cities of Georgia, it is located approximately 20 kilometres north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi river. Mtskheta was founded in the 5th century BC. It was capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia (Kartli) from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was a site of early Christian activity, and the location where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Kartli in 337. It remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Jvari Monastery (6th century) in Mtskheta are amongst the most significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture, and are historically significant in the development of medieval architecture throughout the Caucasus. Visit Chateau Mukhrani - which is based on the historical tradition of wine-making in Mukhrani region. This is the first and the only true Georgian Royal Chateau, which unites four key components: vineyards, winery, castle and history. In 1512 Mukhrani became the prince’s estate, governed by Bagrationi royal family. Mukhranian wine production was established by Ivane Mukhranbatoni a famous representative of royal family, political and public figure of the 19th century. In 1876, Ivane Mukhranbatoni returned from France with Chateau concept knowledge and since then the history of Château Mukhani’s winemaking starts. Uplistsikhe - "the lord's fortress" is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia, some 10 kilometers east of the town of Gori, Shida Kartli.Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran, as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Uplistsikhe is identified by archaeologists as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Return to Tbilisi Overnight in Tbilisi Day 6 Brekfast at the hotel Free time Transfer to the Airport Have a safe flight! PRICE INCLUDES (PER PERSON): 1.