8 Day Classic Tour to Georgia

Our company rep. meets you in airport. Group transfer to Hotel. Have 5 hours Tbilisi historical district walking tour to visit all prominent historical and cultural monuments. Have a lift by cable to Naricala Fortress and take pictures of panoramic view of the city. Walk along old narrow streets to enjoy the atmosphere of centuries old city and diversity of styles of its architecture.
In the evening have a dinner in local restaurant with show program: Georgian cuisine, local wines, folk music and dancing (25 $ per person, optional).

After breakfast drive to see the 6^th century Jvari Monastery (UNESCO site). The monastery is located on top of a hill overlooking Mtskheta town. A splendid panoramic view of the Mtskheta and its surrounding opens from the viewpoint of the monastery. Next to visit is 12^th c. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta (UNESCO site), which used to be a capital in medieval times. Continue our trip to Gudauri and visit Ananuri Complex 16 – 17^th c. Arrival to ski resort of Gudauri. Overnight in Gudauri hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Stepantsminda by Georgian Military Road take a few stops to taste mineral waters and to take photos of picturesque views of Caucasus mountains. In Stemantsminda change vehicles and drive to the top of Gergeti hill to Holy Trinity Church 14^th c. A stunning panoramic view of Mount Kazbek (5033 m) and Stepantsminda village opens from the Church yard. Drive back to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi hotel.

Check out from the hotel after breakfast and drive to the town of Gori to visit Josef Stalin’s museum. After that take a trip to see one of the most ancient human settlement – Uplistsikhe. It is the 1 c. BC rock hewn town with rather sophisticated structures with many tunnels and passes with halls and compartments preserved to our days in relatively good condition. Take a trip to Tskaltubo through the Ricoti pass where you will see many stores with handmade souvenirs and ceramic pottery.  Arrive to Tskaltubo. Overnight in Tskaltubo hotel.

Hotel check out after breakfast and drive to see the areas’ most remarkable natural attraction — Prometheus cave, or Kumistavi cave, one the world’s largest caves opened for tourists. The length of its tourist rout is 1060 meters, the maximum height of its halls is 21 m. The temperature inside the cave remains unchanged throughout the whole year – 15-16 C.  Next to visit are another two UNESCO sites the one in Kutaisi is Bagrati Cathedral and another one in its outskirts is Gelati Monastery. Bagrati Cathedral was built in 10^th century at the times of King Bagrat. It is recognized as one of the outstanding monuments of Georgian architecture. While Gelati Monastery was founded by King David in 12 century, during the most significant historical events in Georgia. It had preserved a great number of murals.
Next to Visit is Motsameta Monastery, a little beautiful monastery, according to the old legend it was built at the place of execution of Georgian princes David and Konstantin who refused to betray their religion. The Monastery located in a very beautiful place above Rioni river. Drive to Borjomi. Overnight in Borjomi hotel.

Check out from hotel after breakfast and drive to Alhaltsikhe to see Rabat Fortress 14^th c.  Rabat fortress consists of several facilities including citadel, harem, school, mosque, Jakeli castle, mosque, bathes, warehouse and etc.  On the way from Akhaltsikhe to Vardzia visit the country’s oldest fortress – Khertvisi, it was founded in 2^nd century BC, the church inside the fortress was built in 9^th c. and the present walls were constructed in 13^th c. It is located on a high rocky hill above the confluence of rivers Mktvari and Paravani.
Vardzia – one of the most unique historical monuments of Georgia. It was built by legendary Queen Tamar in 12^th c. Vardzia was very rich and prosperous during the years of her reign. Only 600  premises of 3000 survived 2 earthquakes and Persian invasion. Most of the chambers in the town were used as residence connected with secret passages, there were also halls, church, stables, barracks, bakeries, wine pressers, warehouse, stores.
Drive back to Tbilisi with a stop in Borjomi Kharagauli park to taste mineral water and have a short walk.
Transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi hotel.

After breakfast take a trip to wine producing region of Georgia – Kakheti. Visit Georgia’s most sacred place – Bodbe Church in St. George’s Monastery. Nowadays it functions as a nunnery and it is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia due to its association with St. Nino, the 4^th century female evangelist, who’s relics are shrine in St. Nino’s Basilica.
Arrive to the center of Sighnaghi. Take a pleasant walk along the beautiful streets of the town. Enjoy the view of Alazani valley from the walls of 18^th century fortress. Visit Sighnaghi Museum which features a wide collection of ethnographic, numismatic collections and photo and documentary items. Also the museum has a gallery where Niko Pirosmani pictures are exhibited.
Drive to a village to a small private vineyard to familiarize with Georgian wine making traditions and see how local families produce and store vine according to centuries old tradition introduced by UNESCO to the Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Next site to visit is Alexandre Chavchavadze real estate and museum in Tsinandali village. Chavchavadze ( 1786-1846) was 19^th century poet, famous public figure and Kakhetian prince. After excursion through the house and garden a glass of Tsinandali wine is offered to all the guests.
Before driving back to Tbilisi have an excursion in Shumi winery facilities and taste local wines.
Trip back to Tbilisi. Night in Tbilisi hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Hotel check out before 12:00 am. Group transfer to airport. End of service.