Easter in Georgia

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Arrival - Tbilisi

Arrival in Tbilisi, meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

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Discover the region's history stretching from the 1st millennium BC to the 20th century

Early departure for Gori - the central part of Georgia, we discover an abandoned town Uplistsikhe (about 1h30) near Gori, dug into the rocks dating from the 2nd century, overlooking the Mtkvari river.

Continuation to Borjomi, remarkable for its natural mineral springs, visit of Borjomi Park and tasting of Borjomi unique mineral water. Visit to the Green Monastery of Borjomi.

Arrival in Vardzia.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 4h30, 275km.

Walking time: 2h.

Overnight in Vardzia.

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Discover the region of fortresses

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

Departure for the Sapara monastery (9th century) near Akhaltsikhe. Then on to Gori - the Soviet city and birthplace of Joseph Stalin.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h50, 175km.

Walking time: 2h.

Overnight in Gori.

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Holy Friday and red eggs for Easter

Today is Holy Friday. According to Easter tradition, the eggs are dyed red to represent Christ's blood, and the hard shell of the egg symbolizes Christ's sealed tomb, whose crack symbolizes his resurrection from the dead. Traditionally, we exchange colored eggs with our loved ones on Easter Day, greeting each other with the words "Christ is Risen". We don't eat colored eggs until Easter Day.

In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Mtskheta, former capital of the Kingdom of Iberia. Here, we have the opportunity to attend the Orthodox mass with the ritual of the "Descent from the Cross of Christ", which takes place in the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral ("Life-giving column"), the place where Christ's robe is buried. This is a very important day for believers. You can listen to the "Lamentation" song, which symbolizes and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Even if you are not a believer, it is easy to join in the ritual in a spirit of reverence.

Visit to the Jvari ("Cross") Monastery perched on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers.

Arrival in Tbilisi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 2h, 110km.

Walking time: 1h.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

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Holy Saturday and tradition of baking traditional cake called "Paska"

Departure to discover one of the most beautiful sites in the Kakheti region, the eastern part of the country.

A short stop at Bodbé monastery, where Saint Nino stopped to rest while spreading Christianity in Georgia, gives us the opportunity to learn about the history of the evangelizing saint, a very important figure in Georgian religion.

We continue our journey to the small and charming village of Sighnaghi, strolling through its cobbled streets and along the wall, admiring the splendid panorama of the Alazani valley and the Caucasus.

In Georgia, tradition calls for the preparation of a special cake called "Paska". We arrive at a local family's home to prepare Easter Paska with the locals. Normally, we don't eat the cake until Easter Day.

It is possible to attend the Orthodox midnight liturgy. Georgians welcome Easter together in church with the words "Christ is Risen". After mass, everyone keeps their candles lit and takes them home. The ritual doesn't stop at the church doors. Back at home, the doorway is marked with a cross made from the candle, and an oil lamp or large candle is lit in the light of the resurrection.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 2h, 110km.

Walking time: 1h.

Overnight in Sighnaghi.

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Easter Sunday

It's Easter today! It’s time to break the red-colored eggs and taste the "Paska" cooked on Saturday.

We visit local family in Kvareli to prepare a very traditional Easter dish "Chakapuli" - the dish widely known and particularly loved by Georgians, the mixture of meat (veal or lamb) and a large quantity of herbs and Mirabelle plum).

Before the dish prepare, the local family presents their traditional method of winemaking, very different from French practice. Then we taste their wine.

We discover other richness of Kakheti by visiting Gremi fortress and Alaverdi Cathedral (11th century).

We arrive in the capital and historical city of Kakheti – Telavi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 2h30, 150km.

Walking time: 1h.

Overnight in Telavi.

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Visit Tbilisi, the majestic capital of Georgia

Traditionally, on the first Monday after Easter, we visit cemeteries to commemorate our deceased ancestors. You can join in this tradition with the locals.

Return to Tbilisi.

Discover the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi, exploring its old quarter 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.

Possibility of taking Tbilisi's famous sulfur baths.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 2hrs, 95km.

Walking time: 3h.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

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