Ancient Lands and Flavors

Day 0:

• arrival in the Tbilisi airport in the late evening hours

Day 1: Tbilisi airport – Sarajishvili factory – Tbilisi sightseeing (60 km)

• arrival in Tbilisi, hotel accommodation, time for rest, breakfast at the hotel
• sightseeing in the old town of Tbilisi, walk along Rustaveli Shota Avenue, Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati Basilica, cable car ride to the Narikala Fortress with a wonderful view of the city, walk to the waterfall located in the city center, in the district sulfur baths
• for those interested (optional) a visit to the famous Tbilisi sulfur baths, a visit to private baths with a sauna and hot health waters, massages and peeling
• visit and tasting at the “Sarajishvili” brandy factory – the first and oldest Georgian brandy from 1884.
• dinner at a famous restaurant, combined with a show of traditional Georgian dances
• return to the hotel for overnight stay in Tbilisi

Day 2: Tbilisi – David Gareja – Udabno – Bodbe – Signagi (250 km)

• after breakfast, departure to Kakheti – a land known for its wine production and unique medieval heritage. Drive to the steppes in the south of the country and visit the complex of David Gareja rock monasteries from the 6th century
• break for a snack in Udabno at a local restaurant serving specialties of Swan cuisine.
• transfer to Sighnaghi – a town with a 2.5-kilometer defensive wall, known for the oldest wine festival in Georgia, and on the way visiting the Bodbe Monastery – the burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity
• dinner in local restaurant
• accomodation in Signagi

Day 3: Signagi – Wine tour – Gremi – Supra – Signagi (160 km)

• after breakfast, departure to the Alazani Valley with a stop at the local market in Gurjaani
• visit to the vineyard and museum in Numisi, Kindzmarauli wine factory, Khareba vineyard – a tunnel converted into a wine warehouse – tastings
• Gremi fortress – the old capital of Kakheti, serving as the capital of Kakheti until the 16th century, overlooking the vast Alazani valley
• organization of supra – a traditional Georgian feast at a friendly host’s vineyard, combined with tasting of wines and local dishes, Georgian cuisine workshops (baking bread, making churchkhela or khinkali) and live music
• return to Signagi, overnight stay

 Day 4: Signagi – Mtskheta – Ananuri – Gudauri/Stepantsminda (215 km)

• after breakfast, drive to Georgian Military Road, connecting Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz
• sightseeing of the city of Mtskheta, which until the 5th century AD served as the capital; visiting the legendary temple of Svetitskhoveli, the place of coronation and final resting place of the rulers of Georgia; transfer to the Jvari Monastery located on the top of the hill
• break for an individual meal
• on the way visiting the Ananuri fortress from the 17th century, located by the Zhinvali water reservoir
• photo stop at the Jvari Pass (2379 m)
• arriving in Stepantsminda/Gudauri, dinner and overnight in the hotel

Day 5: Gudauri/Stepantsminda – Truso Valley – Tsminda Sameba – Gudauri/Stepantsminda (40 km)

• after breakfast, all day off-road to the Truso Valley, known for its mineral springs, lakes, medieval defensive towers, the Abano monastery and the Zakagori fortress
• a walk in the valley, tasting the mineral waters and an outdoor picnic with local shepherds and baking skewers
• in the afternoon, drive to one of the most beautifully situated monasteries in Georgia – Gergeti Holy Trinity which lies at an altitude of 2250 m above sea level. at the foot of Mount Kazbek (5033 m)
• return to Gudauri/Stepantsminda, dinner and overnight in the hotel

Day 6: Gudauri/Stepantsminda – Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe (280 km)

• after breakfast departure to Borjomi and a walk through the beautiful park with numerous medical waters
• free time, break for an individual meal
• transfer to Akhaltsikhe, visiting the Rabati fortress, a city of intersection of many cultures
• dinner and overnight in hotel in Akhaltsikhe

 Day 7: Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Khertvisi – Tbilisi (280 km)

• after breakfast, transfer to the monumental rock city of Vardzia, founded in the times of Queen Tamara (12th-13th centuries), which in its heyday could accommodate up to 50,000 people. inhabitants
• visiting the Khertvisi fortress, the construction of which began in the 2nd century BC.
• return to Tbilisi through the vast Javakheti Highlands
• hotel accommodation in Tbilisi, walk around the old town and free time
• farewell dinner at a restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel

Day 8: Tbilisi Airport (20 km)

• transfer to the airport