sign in sign up
<<
Home , Bodbe Monastery, Dilijan National Park, Geghard, Haghpat Monastery, Hripsime, Khor Virap

MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE

Treasures & Traditions of &

May 6–17, 2019 MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE

Dear Travelers and Friends,

Nestled between the Black and Caspian Seas, the former Soviet Republics of Armenia and Georgia offer millennia of history and culture, with a rich legacy of art and that is virtually unknown to Westerners. Please join the Museum Travel Alliance next spring to discover the region’s many World Sites, enjoy world-renowned hospitality, and admire the stunning natural beauty of this mountainous area, known as the birthplace of wine.

A guest lecturer who is an expert on the art of the region will join us on our trip, and we'll be greeted locally by museum curators, artists, and professionals in their fields at some of the many locations we will visit. This access to experts is one of the features of all the trips offered by the Museum Travel Alliance.

Begin in , Armenia, where we will visit museums, the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, and the studio of a player. Discover some of Armenia’s marvelous medieval and , starting with the impressive ruins of Zvartnots . Spend a morning at 4th-century Etchmiadzin, visit chapels and churches at the pilgrimage site of , and view the of the temple at .

Admire gorgeous lakes and scenery and visit a medieval before crossing the Georgian border to . Discover the museums and churches of this ancient city, visit a working nunnery set amid breathtaking , and enjoy a wine tasting in a hilltop village. Journey to , Georgia’s spiritual heart since was established here in the 4th century, and stop in Gori to see the museum that traces ’s trajectory from impoverished native son to leader of the USSR.

This is a truly awe-inspiring journey, and I hope you will join us to experience these less-visited countries. And you will enjoy traveling in the congenial company of members from a number of museums and cultural institutions.

Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Yerevan, photo by Dan Lundberg Sincerely,

Jim Friedlander President, Museum Travel Alliance

HIGHLIGHTS TRACE the influence of Byzantine art and culture through these early Christian nations EXPLORE spectacular ancient monasteries, many in dramatic settings EXPERIENCE Armenia’s unique musical traditions at a private demonstration of polyphonic singing

ENJOY an exclusive wine tasting in a hilltop village in Georgia, where wine production dates back 8,000 years Treasures & Traditions of Armenia & Georgia

May 6–17, 2019

Caspian FRIDAY, MAY 10: / Sea Drive to the Khor Virap monastery to learn about its rich history. Built during the reign of the Arshakids Dynasty, it was at one time used as a pit-dungeon, and Saint , who introduced Christianity to Armenia, Mtskheta was imprisoned there. From here we can see the legendary Gori . Continue to Noravank for lunch and a visit GEORGIA Sighnaghi Bodbe to the monastery, a great religious and cultural center of Black Tbilisi Sea the . Return to Yerevan this afternoon. B,L SATURDAY, MAY 11: GEGHARD ARMENIA Explore the popular pilgrimage site of Geghard, a Yerevan medieval complex including churches and chapels built Zvartnots Geghard beside and into the surrounding cliffs. Here we will enjoy a Noravank private demonstration of Armenia’s renowned polyphonic singing. At the temple at Garni, view evidence of Roman occupation of the area, with its well-preserved mosaics. See (Armenian flatbread) being made for our lunch. The balance of the day is at leisure in Yerevan. You may wish to attend a performance this evening. B,L

MONDAY, MAY 6: DEPARTURE SUNDAY, MAY 12: YEREVAN Depart by air for Yerevan on an overnight flight with a During a last day in Yerevan, view the collections of the connection. , a repository of medieval and books on history, medicine, literature, theology, and TUESDAY, MAY 7: YEREVAN, ARMENIA more. Continue to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, with Arrive this evening in Armenia’s of Yerevan, its dynamic collection of contemporary art and sculpture situated on the Razdan River, for check-in at the centrally for a visit and free time for lunch. Stop at the Armenian located Armenia Marriott Hotel on Republic Square. Genocide Memorial before returning to the hotel. Dine WEDNESDAY, MAY 8: YEREVAN together at a popular restaurant this evening. B,D Begin the day with a visit to the studio of a duduk player (a wind instrument made from the wood of the apricot tree) who will introduce us to this region’s rich musical heritage. At the National History Museum, discover its rich collection of prehistoric, , and medieval artifacts. Following free time for lunch, visit the museum dedicated to the Soviet Armenian film director and artist Sergei Parajanov. Gather this evening for a lecture, followed by a welcome dinner. B,D

THURSDAY, MAY 9: ZVARTNOTS / ETCHMIADZIN Discover some of Armenia’s marvelous medieval monasteries and cathedrals starting with the impressive ruins of the 7th-century and the nearby Saint Church, also from the 7th-century and one of the oldest in the country. Continue to Etchmiadzin, the patriarchate of the Armenian Church, where we will admire the collections of its Treasury and museum. After lunch, return to Yerevan for a free evening. B,L

Lavash making, Garni MONDAY, MAY 13: YEREVAN / TBILISI, GEORGIA ACCOMMODATIONS Admire views of and the National Park ARMENIA MARRIOTT HOTEL YEREVAN en route to see the early church and funerary monuments Centrally located on Republic Square, the Marriott Yerevan at Odzun. Continue to the dramatic Monastery, is a sophisticated modern hotel behind an elegantly carved a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 13th century this stone façade. On-property amenities include soundproof monastery, which includes a renowned , was among rooms, three restaurants serving international cuisine, and a the largest religious and educational centers in Armenia. spa with a beauty salon and fitness center. In the afternoon cross the Georgian border to Tbilisi, one of the most ancient cities in the and Georgia’s Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan capital almost continuously since the . It has long been an important stop on the international trade route and has many ties to Armenia. Check in at the historic Tbilisi Marriott; dinner is at the hotel. B,L

TUESDAY, MAY 14: TBILISI Spend the day exploring Tbilisi. See the Church of the Virgin and tour the excellent collection of icons at the Museum of Fine Arts with a specialist. A walk in the includes the synagogue, the 13th-century Armenian church, the cathedral, and the new Bridge of TBILISI MARRIOTT Peace. After lunch at leisure, visit the Open-Air Museum of This historic hotel, built in 1915, is near Tbilisi’s major Ethnography, featuring houses and traditions from around landmarks and features a fitness center and two restaurants the country. This evening feast on Georgian specialties, serving international and French cuisine. Rooms offer deluxe followed by a traditional performance. B,D bedding, a marble bathroom, and modern technology. WEDNESDAY, MAY 15: TBILISI / BODBE / SIGHNAGHI Overlooking the vivid green of Valley and the , the 9th-century is dedicated to St. Nino, who converted the to Christianity in the 4th century. The working nunnery still draws many pilgrims to the saint’s tomb. Sample Georgian wines during lunch in the attractive town of Sighnaghi. Return to Tbilisi in the early evening. Alternatively, enjoy light hiking in a spectacular mountain setting during a day trip to the village of . From here, you can view Holy Trinity Church, built in the 14th century at an Tbilisi Marriott elevation of over 7,000 feet, and Mount Kazbeg, one of the most beautiful peaks in the Caucasus. B,L PROGRAM RATE $7,499 per person, double occupancy THURSDAY, MAY 16: TBILISI / MTSKHETA / GORI $8,499 single rate Visit Mtskheta, Georgia’s former capital and a spiritual center since the dawn of Christianity. Discover the RATE INCLUDES impressive 11th-century Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, one n Ten nights accommodations as per itinerary of the holiest sites in Georgia, and the 6th-century Dzhvari n Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, Cathedral, with its magnificent view over the town. Then D=Dinner); bottled water and coffee / tea with all meals; house continue to Gori and visit Joseph Stalin’s birthplace wine at included lunches and dinners and museum. Return to Tbilisi, where we celebrate a n Airport / hotel / airport group transfers for all participants on fascinating trip during our farewell dinner tonight. B,L,D suggested flights n Escorted sightseeing by private motor coach; entrance fees for included visits FRIDAY, MAY 17: TBILISI / RETURN n Enrichment program of lectures and special events Depart the hotel early this morning for the flight home. B n Taxes, service, and porterage charges; gratuities to local guides and drivers DISCLAIMER: The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of The Museum Travel Alliance. For complete NOT INCLUDED IN RATE International airfare; passport fees; meals not details, please carefully read the terms and conditions at specified; alcoholic beverages other than noted in inclusions; personal items and expenses; airport transfers other than for those on suggested https://museumtravelalliance.com/faq.php flights; excess baggage; trip insurance; any other items not specifically mentioned as included. Khor Virap Monastery, Armenia, photo by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian

THE MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE TREASURES & TRADITIONS OF ARMENIA & GEORGIA n MAY 6–17, 2019 RESERVATION FORM

To reserve a place, please call The Museum Travel Alliance at 212-324-1893 or 855-533-0033, fax: 212-344-7493; or complete and return this form with your deposit of $1,000 per person (of which $500 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to The Museum Travel Alliance. Mail to: The Museum Travel Alliance, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd floor, New York, NY 10018-3721.

______Name(s) in full as on passport(s). Please print.

______

______Address

______City State Zip

______Telephone (home) (business)

______Fax E-mail

ACCOMMODATIONS Hotel room preference p One bed p Two beds p Single I wish to share a room with ______

MTA MUSEUM AFFILIATION______

FORM OF PAYMENT p Enclosed is my check (payable to The Museum Travel Alliance) p Debit card p Credit card

______Name on credit card

______Credit card number

______3- or 4-digit security code Expiration date

I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program (see https://museumtravelalliance.com/faq.php to review or call for a copy). I/We agree to full payment 120 days prior to departure. Each participant must sign below.

______Signature (required) Date

______Signature (required) Date

Front cover photo: Himeji Castle, photo by mzagerp B_19LNDEVN0506_MTA