Gergeti Trinity Church Wonders of Privately escorted tour – 9 days/8 nights

Bordered by Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, Georgia is situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, its culture reflecting the influence of diverse ancient civilisations. Georgia is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, with spectacular natural beauty and dramatic mountain ranges and with its centuries-old unique tradition of wine making, the country is a paradise on earth for lovers of wine and cheese. Day 6 to Gori, Inclusions Your hotels Uplistsikhe & zz 8 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3 & 4-star hotels zz – Tiflis Palace This morning, you drive to the town of zz Meals – 2 lunches, 3 dinners, bottled water daily zz Tsinandali – Radisson Gori, the heart of the Kartli region and zz Arrival/departure transfers by car zz Stepantsminda/Kazbegi – Rooms birthplace of Josef Stalin. Explore the zz Transportation by A/C vehicle zz Akhaltsikhe – Lomsia ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe – the oldest cave town in Georgia, once a zz Escorted throughout by English speaking guide Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. zz Sightseeing as specified flourishing city as one of the major stops along the Silk Road. Continue your journey to Akhaltsikhe via the spa-town of , Day 1 Tbilisi Day 3 Tbilisi to Sighnaghi, monastery is perched on a rocky mountain famous for its mineral springs. Dinner and Arrival in Tbilisi, where you will be met Kondoli & Tsinandali top overlooking . Svetitskhoveli, overnight Akhaltsikhe. BD and transferred to your hotel. Overnight Today you explore the wine the royal cathedral of Georgia, was used Tbilisi. region, offering superb views of the Great for centuries as the coronation and burial Day 7 Akhaltsikhe & Vardzia Caucasus Mountains. In the fortified town of place of the Georgian monarchs. It is Today you drive to Vardzia, the Day 2 Tbilisi Sighnaghi you will visit a small ethnographic considered to be one of the holiest places magnificent cave town of the Golden Age. After breakfast, you begin your sightseeing museum displaying some paintings by in Georgia. Continue up the Georgian This awe-inspiring cave complex stretches tour of this ancient city from the Old Georgia’s most beloved artist – Pirosmani. Military Highway and visit the 17th century over half a kilometre and consists of Town, with its winding lanes and leafy Enjoy lunch with a local family and try fortified church complex of Ananuri, 3,000 caves over 19 tiers. It’s up to you courtyards, overhung by wooden some of their home made wine and visit a overlooking the turquoise waters of the how much of the complex you wish to balconies. You will see the 13th century local wine cellar for a tasting. Continue to Zhinvali reservoir. Overnight explore. The tiny church hewn from the Metekhi Church, the Synagogue, Sioni Tsinandali for a tour of a local duke’s estate. Stepantsminda. B rock features some beautiful 12th century Cathedral (dating from the 6th-7th Dinner and overnight Tsinandali. BLD frescoes. During your trip you will also centuries) and 6th century Anchiskhati Day 5 Stepantsminda see the Khertvisi fortress and visit the Church. Then you’ll be driven to the Day 4 Tsinandali to Mtskheta Today you visit the remote 14th century fortress of Rabat (closed on Mondays). Mother Georgia statue and walk down & Stepantsminda Gergeti Monastery, dramatically perched Rabat was occupied and liberated by to the 4th century Narikala Fortress After breakfast, head north, stopping at on a rocky outcrop 2170m above sea level. Turks, Mongols, Arabs and Russians and exotic brick-domed Sulphur Baths. Mtskheta, Georgia’s ancient capital and You have the option of walking (1.5-3 during its chequered history, resulting Continue with a visit to the stunning religious centre. You will visit the UNESCO hrs depending on your pace and fitness in a fascinating combination of different treasury of the Georgian State Museum World Heritage sites of and level) or travelling by car. Overnight architectural styles. Dinner and overnight (closed Mondays). Overnight Tbilisi. B Svetitskhoveli. The 6th century Jvari Stepantsminda. BL Akhaltsikhe. BD

Tour prices & departures Day 8 Akhaltsikhe to Tbilisi GREATER Kazbegi After breakfast, return to Tbilisi. Overnight CAUCASUS Prices shown per person in AUD. MOUNTAINS Tbilisi. B RUSSIA Daily departures Apr-Oct 2020. Departures Twn Sgl Day 9 Tbilisi Tour services end after breakfast with your KAKHETI 1-30 Apr, 1 Jul-31 Aug 2979 3825 REGION transfer to the airport. B Gori If only one person on tour 5229 Akhaltsikhe Mtskheta Kondoli Uplistsikhe 1 May-30 Jun, Tsinandali 1 Sep-31 Oct 3171 4039 Discover more This is a suggested itinerary and Vardzia Tbilisi If only one person on tour 5464 can be tailor made to your own Mtkvari Sighnaghi zz Supplement applies for Fri & Sat nights requirements. TURKEY in Tsinandali & Kazbegi ARMENIA AZERBAIJAN

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