Arrival to Tbilisi, meeting with your driver at the arrival hall of the airport. Meeting sign: «CAPITAL GEORGIA TRAVEL».
Transfer to the hotel of your choice and accommodation.

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Optional activities for today:

• Dinner in a local restaurant with entertainment program – Georgian folk-show. It will be your first
acquaintance with the famous Georgian cuisine. Round-trip transfer included.

• Traditional Georgian Sulfur Bath. We will make reservation for you and arrange transfers.

After breakfast, you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby and start your personal discovery of Georgia with a city tour of its capital city, Tbilisi. First stop will be at glorious Sameba – the main cathedral and the tallest religious building of the country. Next up is Metekhi Church located in the neighborhood of the same name and gracefully situated on a cliff above Mtkvari river. Your guide will then take you to the new Rike Park to admire the view and perhaps take a few photos in front of The Bridge of Peace, a stunning modern structure designed by Italian architects and one of the new symbols of the city.

One of the highlights of the day is a visit to Narikala – the capital’s ancient fortress, where the stunning views over the city will open out before you. You’ll be whisked to the top in a cable car and after your visit will wander down by foot through the narrow and historic streets of the Old Town, among them the newly renovated Shardeni kucha – the street which never sleeps, and one of Tbilisi’s nighttime hot spots.

After the city tour, you’ll be ready for lunch. Your guide will be happy to recommend a local restaurant so you can try some Georgian dishes (lunch may be booked in advance – USD 15 PP) or you are free to find your own spot if you prefer.

In the afternoon you’ll visit a beautiful and historic suburb of Tbilisi, Mtskheta – the old, legendary capital of Georgia, just 20km from the city center. The historic capital of Eastern Georgia (Kartli) and set at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers, Mtskheta has remained at the spiritual heart of Georgia since Christianity was established. The Svetitskhoveli cathedralremains at the center of the Orthodox church and has inspired many Georgian poets and artists over the years. Legend has it that a seamless robe of Christ’s is buried somewhere within the temple and you’ll find fragments of paintings dating back to the 11th century, including one depicting a hand which stories tell is the hand of the cathedrals architect which king Giorgi amputated to stop him making another cathedral as beautiful as Scetitskhoveli.

Afterwards you’ll visit Jvari Monastery (Monastery of the Cross), previously a pagan temple and latterly turned into Christian church. Perched on a windblown, rocky promontory, take some time to enjoy the exceptional scenery and take some photos of this amazing UNESCO world heritage listed structure. In the evening return to the hotel and spend the evening exploring the city on your own.

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Optional tours/activities for today:

• Visit to the peasant family near Mtskheta. The tour includes degustation of the locally produced wine (aimed for the export). Additionally we may include the dinner with the family during this tour and master classes of cooking Georgian cuisine.

• Tour to the National Museum of Georgia. See the treasury of ancient Georgian Kingdoms, Soviet Occupation exposition and other significant historical artefacts.

• Tour to the Ethnographical Museum. Open-air museum where you can see the authentic Georgian houses.

• Dinner with traditional Georgian dishes, wine and national show program (Georgian dances and songs). Round-trip transfer included.

After breakfast, departure to Uplistsikhe – an impressive cave-city in Eastern Georgia, which was a significant cultural center before the Christian era. The name Uplistsikhe literally means “The God’s Castle” and the cave complex sits 10km east of Gori in modern day Georgia. One of the most ancient settlements in the Kingdom of Kartli (Iberia) the town became a major political and religious center for the Kingdom, and its foundations were later ascribed to the mythical Uplos. Step back in time as you wander the caves, passing temples which predate Christianity, pagan sacrificial sites, bakeries, an amphitheater and a Christian basilica. You can view many of the artifacts recovered from the ancient city at the National Museum in Tbilisi.

After visiting Uplistsikhe we will drive to the resort town of Borjomi. Borjomi is an incredibly beautiful place, located in a lush valley of the Mtkvari River and famous for its spring water and Romanov Summer palace, Likani. Here you will visit the famous Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park where you can taste real Borjomi water right from the spring. The water became popular in the 19 th century when Tsarist soldiers discovered the springs and spread word of their health giving properties. Nowadays the salty, fizzy spring water divides opinion, but remains one of Georgia’s most famous exports. After the tour return back to Tbilisi for overnight.

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Optional tours for today:

• Tour to Gori. Visit the city where Joseph Stalin was born and tour inside the museum dedicated to him.

• Tour to Bakuriani, beautiful village in the valley, surrounded by mountainous landscape.

Breakfast in the hotel. This day is dedicated to a visit of Kakheti, in the eastern part of Georgia, famous for the old tradition of wine-making. We will visit the nunnery of Bodbe, a significant pilgrimage site in Georgia due to its association with St Nino. 3km away are St Nino’s spring, believed to have been created through St Nino’s prayers and believed to have strong healing powers. We’ll then move on to the highlight of today’s tour – a visit to Signagi, the so-called “city of love”. Packed full of 19 th century architecture Signagi resembles an Italian city with its Mediterranean-style colorful, small houses and narrow old streets. With views over the Alazani valley to the Caucasus on the horizon the town is a very pleasant place to while away an afternoon.
You have time to visit the Signagi Museum- a well displayed, modern museum where you’ll learn more about life in Kakheti.
After the tour of Signagi, we’ll visit one of the traditional, authentic wineries of Kakheti where you will discover more about the traditional methods of wine making in Georgia, and perhaps sample a bottle or two. Return to Tbilisi after the tour.

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Optional tours for today:

• Tour to Telavi and Tsinandali – a noble estate and museum. Wine degustation in the historic winery can be added for extra fee.

• Tour to David Gareja Monastery Complex – one of the significant symbols of Kakheti.

In the morning we will depart for Kazbegi Our journey will take us along the Georgian Military Road to the fortress and monastery of Ananuri which is located on the bank of Jinvali reservoir. Ananuri is the seat of the Dukes of Argavi, a dynasty which ruled the area during the middle ages and saw many battles won and lost. Remaining occupied by various Dukes and Kings until the early 19 th century the complex included two fortifications and two churches, one of which, the Church of Assumption contains the remains of frescos, most of which were destroyed in a fire in the 18 th century.

Later on we will visit the pride of many Georgians – the ski resort Gudauri, located at an altitude of 2195m. With kilometers of ski runs, the cheapest ski passes in Europe and sun drenched south facing slopes the resort offers fabulous terrain for beginners and advanced skiers alike. In summer hiking, horse riding, birdwatching and climbing are some of the many activities on offer.

Finally, we will go up the mountain by 4×4 jeeps and enjoy the breath-taking views from the Gergeti Trinity Church –– built in medieval time the church is located on the slope of Mount Kazbek with the Caucus mountains rising in the background. The only cross-cupola church in Khevi, photos of the church and detached bell-tower have become symbols of Georgia, inspiring travelers to from across the world to visit Georgia.

After the tour, we will travel back to Tbilisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. This day is free for you to explore Tbilisi on your own. Please see the optional tours below which may be added. Your dedicated manager will be glad to recommend any venues and places to visit.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Your driver will meet you at the hotel lobby for the scheduled transfer to Tbilisi International Airport.
We are looking forward to arrange another vacations for you in the future!

If you would like to extend your journey and visit other parts of Georgia or other countries in the region
(Armenia/Azerbaijan) – our specialists will be happy to suggest you an extended itinerary.