TREASURES OF GEORGIA 13 - 20 MAY 2019 Tour Leader: Tania Illingworth Guest Lecturer: Dr Yaroslava Bilinkina EXPLORE ANCIENT CULTURE AND SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPES Tania Illingworth (née Tolstoy) is leading this one-off tour to Georgia next May. Explore the spectacular highland country of Georgia, the world’s oldest Christian nation, accompanied by the Curator of Georgian Artefacts from the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Dr. Yaroslava Bilinkina will introduce us to the ancient culture and history of Georgia whilst seeing its many World Heritage monuments at a time of year when the climate is warm and wild flowers are in bloom. Situated between the subtropical Black Sea coast, the Caspian Sea and the snowy peaks of the Caucasus, the state of Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Georgia’s rich heritage has been hugely influenced by both Byzantine and Persian cultures. With Russia (and Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino–Balkar, North Ossetia-Alania) to the north, Turkey to the west, Armenia and Iran to the south and Azerbaijan to the east, Georgia remains a fiercely independent nation after years of oppression by the Russian Tsars and the Soviet Union. Georgia’s mix of natural beauty and medieval history has made this small country one of Eastern Europe’s most fascinating destinations. Ateni Sioni orthodox monastery Tbilisi Narikala Fortress 8-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 13 MAY 2019 13 May London / Tbilisi predominantly vocal and widely Georgia which contains a collection known for its rich traditions of vocal of magnificent medieval Christian Depart London Heathrow on a polyphony with famous deep art, including stunning gold and Georgian Airways overnight flight male voices. silver jewellery from the ancient land to Tbilisi. of Colchis, spectacular modern and contemporary paintings by Georgian 14 May Tbilisi artists and masterpieces of Oriental, Arrive Tbilisi in the early morning. Western European and Russian Transfer and check into the centrally decorative arts. Dinner under own located 5* Biltmore Hotel where four arrangements. Optional Opera or nights are spent. Morning at leisure. Ballet, depending on the schedule of the Tbilisi State Opera and Lunch under own arrangements. Ballet company. Bodbe monastery Afternoon illustrated lecture with Dr Yaroslava Bilinkina on Discovering 16 May Tbilisi & Mtskheta Georgia: From Tbilisi to the Black 15 May Tbilisi Sea. Afternoon walking tour of vibrant Depart by coach to see more of Tbilisi. Depart by coach to Mtskheta, the Tbilisi Old Town, beginning with Visit the Sameba Cathedral in the ancient capital and spiritual heart of a visit to Sioni Cathedral, the seat Armenian quarter of the city. Visit the Georgia since early Christian times. of the Catholicos of the Georgian Giorgi Chitaia Open Air Museum of See the UNESCO World Heritage church, and the Anchiskhati Church, Ethnography, where folk architecture Sites of Jvari Monastery located on the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi and colourful craftwork from various the top of the hill and the grand 11th dating back to the 6th century. Walk regions of the country can be seen. century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a along the picturesque cobbled streets masterpiece of medieval Georgian of the old quarter. Take the funicular Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon architecture. See stunning views to see the ancient 4th century visit to the Georgian National over the Kura and Aragvi Rivers Narikala Fortress overlooking the Museum, the largest museum on these southern slopes of the dramatic Kura River. Dinner at a local complex in the country. Here visit Caucasus Mountains. restaurant enjoying the first taste of the National Gallery established legendary delicious Georgian cuisine in 1920 by Dimitri Shevardnadze Late lunch at a local restaurant where and wines accompanied by Georgian which houses various exhibition of cuisine still follows traditional old singing. Georgian folk music is fine art. Also visit the Museum of Georgian recipes. Return to Tbilisi. 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Uplistsikhe Svetitskhoveli Cathedral Optional visit with Tania to the and cultural centres of pre-Christian with St. Nino, the 4th century Museum of Occupation, documenting Kartli, one of the predecessors of the evangelist whose tomb is enshrined the seventy years of the Soviet Rule Georgian state and flourished until here. Coffee stop and bread tasting in (1921 – 1991) and dedicated to the it was ravaged by the Mongols in a village on the way. history of the anti-occupational, the 13th century. Drive through the national-liberation movement of verdant agricultural heart of Georgia Private lunch with a Georgian family Georgia as well as to the victims to the village of Ateni, see the Ateni in Sighnaghi. Proceed to the fortress of Tsarist and Soviet political Sioni Church (early 7th century). town of Sighnaghi (meaning ‘City repressions throughout this period. of Love’) high in the mountains Return to the hotel. Dinner under Lunch and wine tasting with a family commanding breathtaking views own arrangements. in Gori. Afternoon visit to see the of the Alazani Valley – the most Joseph Stalin Museum, devoted to important wine region in Georgia, the most famous native of the city, producing three quarters of the 17 May Tiblisi & Gori who became head of the government country’s wine grapes. The fertile Drive to Gori. Arrive in Uplistsikhe, and led the Soviet Union from 1925 environment of the lower Caucasus known as ‘God’s Fortress’ the to 1953. Continue to Chateau is what makes Georgian wine remarkable ancient cave city, all Mukhrani, where the interiors and extraordinary; it is one of the oldest hewn out of rock on the banks of the gardens were designed by French viticulture regions in the world. Kura River. Uplistsikhe, is an ancient architects in the late 19th century. rock-hewn town which played a The chateau became a cultural centre significant role in Georgian history for the Georgian elite. Enjoy a private over a period of approximately 3,000 wine tasting and dinner. Return to years. Archaeological excavations the hotel. have revealed extraordinary artifacts dating from the late Bronze Age up to the late Middle Ages. The ancient 18 May Tibilisi / Kakheti cave city was built on a rocky bank of This morning drive eastwards through the Mtkvari River, approximately 15 one of the most beautiful regions of Marani Cradle Winery kilometres east of the town of Gori. Georgia and stop on the way to visit Between the 6th century BC and 11th the monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe – The valley takes its name from century AD, Uplistsikhe was one of one of the major pilgrimage sites in the Alazani River that flows along the most important political, religious, Georgia, because of its association the eastern border of Georgia 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK TOUR PRICES PER PERSON Tour Price £3,380 Single Supplement £815 PRICE INCLUDES • Economy class scheduled flights • Air passenger duty, passenger service charge, airline security charges, airport taxes and fuel surcharges where applicable – currently £115 (liable to change without notice) • Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary • Breakfast daily; 5 lunches; 4 dinners • All entrance fees, visits, excursions and transportation as per the itinerary • Gratuities in restaurants for included meals • Gratuities to guide/s • Gratuities to driver/s • Porterage • Local English-speaking guide/s • The services of your tour Georgia’s wine-growing region leader throughout PRICE EXCLUDES • Travel insurance and is known as the cradle of Continue to visit Ikalto Monastery, wine production in the world with founded by the Syrian Saint Zenon in • Items of personal expenditure (e.g. archeological sites dating back 8,000 the 6th century. telephone calls / laundry etc.) years. The river is the major source • Opera/ballet tickets and transport of irrigation and drinking water for Lunch at a nearby restaurant. Drive to and from the theatre the country and has also become to the imposing 11th century Alaverdi • Government levies or taxes a source of power after Chinese St. George Cathedral dominating the introduced after costing and investors built hydroelectric power surrounding landscape. The original publication of this programme on plants here. Also see the Sighnagni monastery was founded by the monk 26/07/18 Museum housing diverse exhibits on Joseph (Abba) Alaverdeli, who came ethnography, archaeology, from Antioch and settled in Alaverdi. musical instruments. Return to Tbilisi to check into the Biltmore Hotel for a further night. Private dinner with Paul Rodzianko, Farewell dinner at a local restaurant owner of the famed Marani Cradle with Georgian singing. of Wine Vineyard and descendant of the famous Russian family. Paul Rodzianko’s grandfather was one 20 May Tbilisi / London of the members of the Russian Free morning to explore Tbilisi, Provisional Government who visiting markets, craftworks, persuaded Nicholas II to abdicate in carpet shops or jewellery making. 1917. Check into Kvareli Lake Hotel Alternatively, enjoy the famous for one night. Orbeliani hot spring sulphur baths. Tbilisi is home to several historical bath houses due to its abundance of 19 May Kakheti / Telavi / Tbilisi natural hot springs, popular This morning drive to Telavi, the with everyone! administrative and economic centre of the Kakheti region. See the ancient Lunch under own arrangements kingdom of Kakheti’s Batonis Tsikhe, before transferring to Tbilisi airport to (Master’s Fortress) which was both check in for a Georgian Airways flight an 18th century fortress and a palace. back to London Heathrow. Tbilisi w YOUR TOUR TEAM TANIA ILLINGWORTH TOUR LEADER Tania Illingworth (nee Tolstoy) is three quarters Russian by birth, all her grandparents having fled the Russian Revolution in 1918. A degree in Russian Language & Literature, with Byzantine Art, reinforced her passionate interest in all aspects of the former Russian Empire. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Communism, Tania has travelled widely throughout Central, Eastern Europe and Russia.