Georgia – From the Mountains to the Sea

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

In the afternoon, continue your visit to the National Museum and its collections of "golden treasures" from ancient times.

At the end of the day, visit the Mtatsminda Hills and take a funicular ride over the city.

Walking time: approximately 3h.

We then explore the Ikalto Monastery, founded by St Zeno, one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers, at the end of the 6th century, as well as the ruins of the Ikalto Academy, where the eminent 12th century poet Shota Rustaveli, author of the great masterpiece of Georgian literature "The Knight in the Panther's Skin", studied.

We continue our journey to a local house with an ancient wine cellar to learn more about the traditional method of making Georgian Qvevri wine, which is recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Wine tasting.

The next stop is the 11th century Alaverdi Cathedral. It stands in the middle of the Alazani plain, surrounded by the Great Caucasus mountain range.

Visit to the Chavchavadze family estate in Tsinandali, including the memorial house, a magnificent garden, a historic cellar and a wine cellar. The estate belonged to the 19th century poet and aristocrat Alexander Chavchavadze. The cellar houses the oldest bottled wine from 1814 - the first wine bottled in Georgia by Alexander Chavchavadze.

Arrival in Telavi, the historic city of Kakheti.

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

Visit the charming town of Sighnaghi, which overlooks the Alazani Valley and offers stunning panoramic views. Wander the narrow cobbled streets with their pastel coloured houses.

Continue to Bodbe Monastery, originally built in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 17th century. The monastery is associated with Saint Nino, who was a evangelist to the Georgians in the 4th century. This visit allows us to learn about the history of the evangelising saint,  who was a very important figure in Georgian religion.

We continue to the monastery complex of David Garedja, located in a desert area near the border with Azerbaijan. This monastery was founded in the 6th century by St David, one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia to strengthen Christianity. The monastery consists of two parts: the first is the Lavra, where the main sanctuary is located, and the second is Udabno, which is located on the hillside on the Azerbaijani side and is richly decorated with frescoes. The latter is currently closed to visitors.

Return to Tbilisi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 5h30, 180km.

Visit the troglodyte town of Vardzia on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. The monastery complex carved into the rock is a picturesque Georgian monument dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. The high mountains and rocky cliffs present a distinctive type of architecture. A visit to the site requires a good level of physical fitness - the multi-storey caves are connected by narrow tunnels carved into the rock.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 4h10, 210km.

Depart for the Ambrolauri - Racha region via the Nakerala Pass. Views of the Tqibuli reservoir and Lake Shaori on the way. Racha is a mountainous region known for its specific wine due to its soil and topography. Visit the 10th century Nikortminta Church, a gem of Georgian architecture with lapidary sculptures.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h30, 175km.

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

Continue to Batumi, a modern city on the Black Sea - attractive European and Asian architecture, churches, cobbled streets, active night and day life, especially in summer. Evening stroll through the city.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 4h20, 240km.

Continue to the Batumi Botanical Garden, set in the beautiful coastal hills.

Depart for Kutaisi - Georgia's second largest city. Visit to UNESCO sites: Gelati Monastery, illustrating Georgian culture from the 10th to the 18th century, the masterpiece of the Golden Age, the centre of science and education in medieval Georgia. Visit the recently renovated Bagrati Cathedral, the city's landmark, dating from the 10th century.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h30, 180km.

Next we discover the abandoned rock-cut city of Uplistsikhe, whose complex dates back to the 2nd century and overlooks the Mtkvari River.

On the way to Kazbegi, we stop at the Ananuri fortress, which offers a picturesque view of the Jinvali reservoir. Crossing the legendary Georgian Military Road, one of the most beautiful roads in the world, through valleys, gorges and finally the Cross Pass at 2,300m.

Arrival at Stepantsminda, Kazbegi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 6h, 365km.

Option: We can organise a hike to the church of Gergeti (2h, 6km).

Drive to Mtskheta - former capital of the Kingdom of Iberia, visit the 4th century Jvari ("Cross") Monastery on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. Visit the 11th century Svetitskhoveli ('Life-Giving Column') Cathedral. The monuments of Mtskheta are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Tbilisi.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h30, 160km.

Continue to the archaeological site of Dmanisi, on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Excavations at this site are particularly valuable for world history: hominid fossils dating back 1,800,000 years have been found, supporting the claim that Georgians were the first Europeans.

Drive to Tbilisi and free time to explore the city.

Transfer: Private vehicle, approximately 3h40, 200km.

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