Autotour – The Essentials

Walking tour of the city of Tbilisi, discovering its old district with its cobbled streets and traditional houses with wooden balconies, on the banks of the Mtkvari River. We visit the city's points of interest: the Metekhi church and its plateau offering a superb view of the old town, the Narikala fortress - the ancient symbol of the city, the baths district (Abanotubani) known for its sulfurous hot springs.

In the afternoon, visit the National Museum and its collections of "Golden Treasures" from ancient times.

Optional: Instead of visiting the museum, we suggest you climb Mtatsminda hill for a splendid panoramic view of the city, or visit the recently renovated Marjanishvili district with its Art Nouveau buildings.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 1h.

On the way to Kazbegi, visit the Ananuri fortress, offering a picturesque view of the Jinvali reservoir. Cross the legendary Georgian military road, one of the most beautiful in the world, through valleys, ravines and finally the Cross Pass at 2,300m altitude. Arrival at Stepantsminda, Kazbegi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h, 160km.

Overnight in Kazbegi.

Early in the morning, visit the 14th-century Trinity Church of Gergegti, 300m above the village of Stepantsminda.

Departure for Gori - a Soviet city and central part of Georgia, birthplace of Joseph Stalin - where we can visit Joseph Stalin's house museum and his armoured vehicle.

Discover then the abandoned rock-cut town of Uplistsikhe (approximately 1h30), dating from the 2nd century and overlooking the Mtkvari River.

Continue to Samtskhe-Javakheti region, the South part of the country. Stop in Borjomi, remarkable with its natural mineral springs.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 5h10, 300km.

Overnight in Borjomi.

In the morning visit Borjomi park, taste Borjomi's unique natural mineral water.

Departure for the cave town of Vardzia, located on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. The rock-cut monastic complex is a picturesque Georgian monument from the 12th and 13th centuries, surrounded by high mountains and rocky cliffs, with a distinctive type of architecture. You visit this site, which requires a good level of physical fitness - the multi-storey caves are linked by narrow tunnels cut into the rock.

Return to Tbilisi via Tsalka, passing the Paravani alpine lake. Arrival in Tbilisi in the evening.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 6h, 300km.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

We explore the ruins of the Ikalto Academy, where the eminent 12th-century poet Shota Rustaveli, author of the Georgian literary masterpiece "The Knight in the Panther's Skin", studied.

Next stop: Alaverdi Cathedral, dating from the 11th century.

Visit Tsinandali - a historic palace and winery once owned by Alexander Chavchavadze, a 19th-century aristocratic poet. The palace combines Georgian architecture with Italian inspiration.

Arrival in the capital and historic city of Kakheti - Telavi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h, 150km.

Overnight in Telavi.

The journey continues to the small, charming town of Sighnaghi, with its cobbled streets and historic wall. Admire the splendid panorama of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus. Visit the remarkable ethnographic museum with the exhibition of Niko Pirosmani - famous Georgian painter.

Visit a local wine house with an old wine cellar, where you can learn about the traditional Georgian method of wine-making, very different from European practice. Tasting of local Qvevri wine.

Visit to the Bodbe monastery, where Saint Nino stopped to rest during the spread of Christianity in Georgia, and learn about the history of the evangelizing saint, a very important figure in Georgian religion.

Arrival in Tbilisi. Drop off the car at your hotel or rental office.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h30, 200km.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 30 minutes, 20km.