8-days tour in Georgia

Arrive Tbilisi International Airport. Meet your guide and drive to Tbilisi. Check-in to hotel at noon. Start sightseeing in the capital of Georgia. Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum houses the best-known samples of Georgian artwork. The permanent exhibitions display artworks from medieval times up to 20th century. Continue the tour visiting Metekhi church, cross cupola church, part of the Royal residential complex; Sulfur baths, favourite place of Tbilisi citizens and foreign guests; Sioni Cathedral (7th -19th cc); Anchiskhati basilica and bell tower (6th -18th cc); Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square. Overnight at hotel. - - - Hotel

In the morning, depart Tbilisi and drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns, the cultural and religious center of Georgia. Today, it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a living museum, with many architectural and historical monuments. Visit Jvari (temple of the Holy Cross), built in the 6th century standing on a high hill overlooking the confluence of two majestic rivers Aragvi and Mtkvari. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XI century). Continue to Kutaisi, the second biggest city in Georgia which, according to the legend was the ultimate destination of the Jason and Argonauts searching for the Golden Fleece. Visit Bagrati Cathedral (XI c.), Gelati Academy (XII c.) built by King David the Builder. Overnight in Kutaisi. B Rcheuli Palace, Aksai Hotel, Continental, or similar

In the morning, drive to mysterious Svaneti region through Inguri gorge. The region is home to a special ethnic group of people – heroic and courageous Svans, distinguished by their culture, traditions and customs from the rest of Georgia. Svanetia is also known for its original architecture and is called “the Country of Thousand Towers”, which had layed both economic and defensive function. Mestia still has dozens of such medieval stone houses with the watchtowers and inhabited towers which were used to protect valleys and churches (the 10 th – 14 th centuries). Visit Mestia Ethnographical Museum, Svan original house “machubi” and tower “koshki”. Overnight at hotel. B D Hotel

After breakfast at hotel drive to Ushguli village, the highest standing settlement in Europe (2,200 m). Spend time in Ushguli strolling old narrow streets. Visit Lamaria Church complex with impressive wall frescos (XII). Locals believe that it was under this church that Queen Tamara was buried. Enjoy picturesque view of Mt. Shkhara. Ushguli architectural complex is a valuable architectural and historical monument listed in the World heritage of UNESCO for its exclusiveness. There are about 70 families living in Ushguli (around 200 people). Return to Mestia. Dinner and overnight at hotel. B D Hotel

Drive back to Kutaisi after breakfast. On the way, stop at Dadiani’s (Princes of West Georgia) Palace in Zugdidi. Continue driving to Kutaisi. Overnight in Kutaisi. B Rcheuli Palace, Aksai Hotel, Continental, or similar

In the morning, depart Kutaisi and drive to the city of Gori. Explore Joseph Stalin museum featuring original house where he was born, and his private armored train carriage. Continue to Uplistsikhe (“Fortress of God”), rock-hewn town dating back to Hellensitic period. Uplistsikhe is located on the left bank of Mtkvari River and is notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight at hotel. B Hotel

In the morning, depart Tbilisi and drive to Kakheti region. Kakheti is located in eastern Georgia and is known as the cradle of Georgian Wine. Here, in Alazani Valley some unique grape varieties, such as Kindzmarauli, Manavi, Saperavi are cultivated. Visit Bodbe Nunnery (XIX c.), burial site of St. Nino who brought Christianity to Georgia in IV c. Continue road to royal Sighnaghi, a small town located on a hilltop providing beautiful views of Alazani river valley and the Caucasus Mountain Range. Have a tour and wine tasting in wine cellar “Khareba”. Initially constructed as a military tunnel, it is now one of the biggest wine storages in Georgia with its total length of 7.7 km. Visit residence of one of the most beloved and notable Georgian families – princes Chavchavadze. Return to Tbilisi. B Sharden, GT Hotel, Kopala, KMM New, Old Tiflis, or similar

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. Departure. End of the tour. B - - -