Destination: Georgia

Cities: TBILISI – SIGHNAGLI- TELAVI- MTSKHETA- GORI –KUTAISI –BATUMI
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Land Cost: $3,400
Single supplement: $640

2013 Small Group Tours

July 20-27, 2013

Day 01: Arrival
Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 02: Tbilisi
After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi’s Old City. Walking along the narrow city streets and exploring the religious and secular architecture, you will get a sense of the history of the city from early centuries to modern times. Different  religious buildings – churches, synagogues, mosques –  abound as well as famous 19thcentury houses with wooden multi-colored balconies. Visit the sulfur baths which made an unforgettable impression on the likes of Pushkin, Lermontov, and Dumas. During the tour enjoy the superb panoramic views of the Old City. Afterwards we will take a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Radisson BLU Iveria (5*) in Tbilisi.  (B/D)

Day 03: Tbilisi – Sighnaghi – Telavi
In the morning, explore the Kakheti region, which is well known for its wine production. Enjoy superb views of the Great Caucasus Mountains and the valleys of Kakheti, learn about the traditions and culture of the country and region, and most importantly, taste wines and delicious food.

Your first stop is to the fortified town of Sighnaghi (18th century). The town preserved its original image and now offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding Caucasus Mountains. Visit  a local winery to taste Georgian wines. Continue to the historical-ethnographic museum. Afterwards drive to a local village to visit local farmers’ wine cellars and taste wine. Later transfer to a winery for more wine tasting and learning about manufactured Georgian wines. Transfer to Telavi.  Dinner and overnight at beautiful boutique property Chateau Mere.(B/D)
Day 4: Telavi – Tbilisi
Visit a local master of Georgian clay jars known as  ‘Qvevri’ which are used for storing wine underground – a traditional method which dates back 8,000 years. Transfer to Alaverdi Cathedral for sightseeing and visiting the wine cellar of the monastery to taste wine made by monks. Later visit Gremi Complex and continue on  to  the home of a local family for lunch and wine. Afterwards, visit a winery for more wine tasting and a tour of the wine factory. Transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight at 4* Ambasadori hotel (B/L/D)
Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Kutaisi
Drive  to visit  the 6th century Jvari Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Mtskheta,  the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, which is 3000 years old. Continue to Uplistsikhe cave town located close to Gori. Here, taste home-made wines of Kartli region. Transfer to Kutaisi, the town of legendary Golden Fleece from the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, and visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site – Gelati Monastery and Academy.  Dinner at hotel restaurant and overnight at 3* hotel Bagrati 1003 in Kutaisi.(B/D)
Day 6: Kutaisi – Batumi
Transfer to the Black Sea coast. Visit Gonio fortress connected with the myth of Jason and  the Argonauts, and a private ethnographic museum. Free time in Batumi. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at 5* Sheraton Batumi hotel with marvelous views of the town of Batumi and the Black Sea. (B/D)

Day 7: Batumi – Gori – Mtskheta – Tbilisi
En route to Tbilisi, visit a winery to learn more about West Georgian wines. Tour the Stalin museum in Gori and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in Tbilisi. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight  at 5* Radisson BLU Iveria in Tbilisi.(B/D)

Day 8: Departure
Early in the morning transfer to the airport and depart.

This tour program INCLUDES the following:
• Visa support
• Private transportation
• Experienced English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees to the historical sites
• Hotel accommodation
• Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
• Wine tasting
• Pre Departure Travel Package

This tour program DOES NOT INCLUDE the following:
• International flights