Treasures of Georgia

Welcome to Georgia! First we will introduce you to Tbilisi. ​​This ​city has been dominated by traders, warriors, tyrants and dictators in turn. Take a walk around the old town and breathe in the living past. ​We’ll take time to visit the city’s​ well-known museums and theatres, art galleries, churches, archaeological excavations, ​sulphur ​bathhouses, narrow streets.​ Discover Kakheti – ​the world-famous wine region that may even be the birthplace of wine-making! Enjoy breathtaking views of Kizikhi area and unusual Charm of Sighnaghi Royal Town. Wine-tasting at local winery is not to be missed!

Travel to the​ ​old ​capital of Georgia – Mtskheta, where we will visit ​many​ UNESCO World Heritage Sites. ​First​, Jvari, the 6th century cross-shaped monastery built atop​ a cliff, overlooking the ​​junction​ of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit the rock-carved​ town of Uplistsikhe. ​Dating back to 1000 BCE, Uplistsikhe​ is notable for ​its​ unique combination of ​ancient rock cutting styles, and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Here, you can see ancient wine presses carved in stone. Explore Kutaisi – the ancient Kingdom of Colchis and the second largest city of modern Georgia. ​Its cathedrals date back to the 10th and 11th Centuries, and for hundreds of years, were the epicenters of culture and education in Georgia.

Travel to ​the town of​ Mestia. ​Its ​first inhabitants, mainly gold prospectors, settled ​this isolated area in ​ancient times. For centuries​,​ the Svan ethnic group was cut off from the outside world​,​ and for this reason their culture ​was almost perfectly ​preserved.​ Explore Ushguli - one of the highest villages in Europe and the architecturally unique Middle Age village-fortification ​that stands there​, surrounded by the 5000m giants of the Caucasus Mountain Range. Ushguli and the whole ​of​ Upper Svaneti ​​are ​UNESCO World Heritage site​s​. Emblematic ​Svanetian ​watch​towers are found throughout the village. Visit Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi - a castle-like building from the 17th to 19th centuries. Later in the evening, we will e​njoy​ a performance by a local Svan singing group, and their polyphonic songs​.

Batumi is one of Georgia’s oldest cities, dating back to the 3rd Century BCE​, Batumi is ​even​ mentioned by Greek and Roman sources as one of the Black Sea’s principal ports. Visit ​the​ seaside park​s​ and ​the old-city district, full of ​cafes, shops, churches, ​and the Batumi Sea Port. Walk through the Botanical Gardens to see beautiful plants from all over the world and​ an amazing view of the Black Sea.​

Explore Samtskhe that is considered as the cradle of Georgian culture. The road leads past arid and stone-terraced landscapes, green valleys littered with centuries old fortresses. The climate and cool water springs are healthy here and landscapes are impressive. Continue our trip and visit Vardzia Cave Complex, founded in the 12th-13th cc. The complex became a well-fortified monastery, which had a significant role in political, cultural, educational and spiritual life of Georgia. Visit Poka nunnery complex and enjoy cheese tasting; cheese is produces by nuns on the territory of monastery.

Back to Tbilisi. Explore this ancient city on your own. ​Before our ​farewell dinner​, a traditional ​polyphonic ​ensemble will serenade ​us at ​a ​traditional restaurant. We’ll celebrate the end of our awesome journey in the​ atmosphere of ​a ​Georgian dinner party, ​complete ​with ​delicious food,​​ song and ​​ speeches ​​ ​by the ​“Tamada” – toastmaster​!