Georgia – Culture & History

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

Overnight in Tbilisi.

In the afternoon we visit the National Museum and its collections of "Golden Treasures" from Antiquity. At the end of the day we visit the Dry Bridge, a popular spot for its flea market.

Walking time: approximately 3h.

A short stop at the Bodbé Monastery, where Saint Nino rested while spreading Christianity in Georgia, gives us the opportunity to learn about the story of the evangelising saint, a very important figure in Georgian religion.

We continue our journey to the small, charming village of Sighnaghi, where we stroll through its cobbled streets and along its ramparts, admiring the magnificent panorama of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h.

We pass through Telavi, the capital and historic town of Kakheti, where we discover a colourful local market.

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

We continue our journey to a local house with an ancient wine cellar, where the locals will show us their traditional wine-making methods, which are very different from European practices. Wine tasting.

Next stop is the 11th century Alaverdi Cathedral.

Return to Tbilisi via the 1600m high Gombori Pass with its picturesque scenery.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 2h30.

On the way to Kazbegi, visit the Ananuri Fortress with its picturesque view of the Jinvali Reservoir. Cross the legendary Georgian Military Road, one of the most beautiful in the world, through valleys, gorges and finally the Cross Pass at 2,300m altitude.

Arrival at Stepantsminda, Kazbegi.

Visit to the Holy Trinity Church of Gergeti, 300m above the village. If you wish, it is possible to hike to Gergeti Church.

.Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately. 3h.

We then discover the abandoned rock-cut city of Uplistsikhe (about 1h30), dating from the 2nd century, overlooking the Mtkvari River.

We continue our tour with a visit to Atenis Sioni, a 7th century Orthodox church about ten kilometres south of the town of Gori. The church is located in the Tana Valley, famous for its historical monuments, authentic landscapes and unique regional wine.

Visit the local wine cellar of the Ateni region, wine tasting.

Walking time: 2h.

Tour of the city and its UNESCO sites: Gelati Monastery, illustrating Georgian culture from the 10th to the 18th century, the masterpiece of the golden age of medieval Georgia, the centre of science and education during this period. Then a visit to the recently renovated Bagrati Cathedral, the city's landmark, dating from the 10th century.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h.

Then visit a winery that produces the famous and very pleasant semi-sweet red wine Khvanchkara, a proud local appellation. Wine tasting.

Return back to Kutaisi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 4h.

Option: visit an archaeological site - Nokalakevi (3rd century B.C.), which bears witness to the ancient Kholkhid culture, and/or visit the Martvili Monastery (7th-10th century), remarkable for its beautiful frescoes.

Continue to Mestia, in the mountainous region of Svaneti, via the town of Zugdidi. Svaneti is one of the regions associated with the myth of the Argonauts, who extracted gold from lambskin. Situated on the southern slopes of the Great Central Caucasus, it is surrounded by peaks between 3,000 and 5,000 metres high.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 6h.

We take the difficult road to Upper Svaneti. On the way we visit the village of Adishi and a small church decorated with murals typical of the region. We continue to Ushguli, one of the two highest villages in Europe, recognised by UNESCO, with its authentic, traditional Svanetian towers.

Return to Mestia.

Transfer: Private 4x4 vehicle, approximately 4h.

Continuation to Batumi. On the way, visit the Batumi Botanical Garden, set in the beautiful coastal hills.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 5h30.

Explore an archaeological site - the Gonio fortress and museum, followed by a short hike into the mountains to see the Makhuntseti waterfall and ancient stone bridge.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 4h.

We then head to central Georgia to visit Borjomi, with its magnificent park and natural mineral springs.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 6h.

Return to Tbilisi via Tsalka, stopping to visit the Poka Monastery on the shores of the wonderful Paravani Alpine Lake.

Arrival in Tbilisi in the evening.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 5h30.

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