DESTINATION GEORGIA 6 DAYS/ 5 NIGHTS WINE TOUR PACKAGE OFFER IN 2017
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TBILISI Meeting at Tbilisi International Airport with a guide. Transfer to the hotel. Hotel check-in. Short rest.
DAY 2: TBILISI CITY TOUR
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide. Explore Tbilisi, the capitaal of Georgia founded in the 5th c by King Vakhtang Gorgasali. First visit to Metekhi church (13th cc) a cross – cupola church, part of the Royal residential complex. Continue the tour going down to Sioni Cathedral, considered the symbol of Tbilisi. A short glimpse Anchiskhati basilica and bell tower (6 -18th cc.). Lunch at a restaurant. After lunch visit to Narikala Fortress (4th c.) – main citadel of the city, which overlooks the oldest part of Tbilisi. During centuries Narikala was considered the best strategic point of the city. Ascending by funicular road, descending by foot. After the getting panoramic view we visit Sulphur bath houses. Walk through the old town, the ancient streets where the souvenir shops are located. Visit to “Vino Underground” and degustation of Georgian wine. Next visit to National Museum of Georgia that contains an exhibition of gold work. These are extraordinary specimens of gold filigree and reposes work discovered at important archaeological sites. Dinner at a local traditional restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 3: TBILISI – BODBE – SIGHNAGHI – VELISTSIKHE – TELAVI
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Kakheti region. First visit to St. George’s monastery complex in Bodbe. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, due to its association with St. Nino, the 4th c. female evangelist of Georgians, whose relics are kept there. Arrival to visit Sighnaghi. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch visit 300 year-old wine cellar (marani) in Velistsikhe. Tasting Georgian home made wines that will give you opportunity to join the Georgian culture and traditions. Driving to Telavi. On the way visit Georgian Duke`s palace-museum of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze in Tsinandali and tasting typical Georgian wine. Arrival in Telavi – the main city and administrative center of Georgia’s eastern province of Kakheti. Hotel check in. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at a hotel in Telavi.
DAY 4: TELAVI – ALAVERDI – NAPHAREULI – GREMI – KVARELI – TBILISI
Breakfast at the hotel. First we will visit Alaverdi Monastery – the greatest temple of the mediaeval Georgia. Earliest parts of it date back to 6th c. The present day cathedral dates to the 11th c. The monastery as well as other cathedrals in Kakheti is almost deprived of all decors however, it still makes a strong impression thanks to its immense sizes and harmony and the stretched high in the sky accentuated dome. Next visit Twins Wine Cellar in the Village Naphareuli. Wine making in the company is based on Kakhetian method of wine production and follows family traditions of wine making. Visit museum of old and new types of cellars and wine degustation. Next stop – Gremi –16th century architectural monument. The complex is what has survived from the once flourishing town of kingdom of Kakheti in the 16-17th cc. It functioned as a lively trading town on the Silk Road and royal residence until being razed to the ground by the arms of Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1615. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit to Kindzmarauli wine cellar situated in the town of Kvareli. Here you can visit a historic wine cellar and taste Georgian wine. Departure for Tbilisi. Hotel check-in. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 5: TBILISI – MTSKHETA – MUKHRANI – TBILISI
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia. You will have the opportunity to visit: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th c.) – one of the sacred places of Georgia, the burial place of the Holy Mantle of Christ and Jvari Church (6 – 7th cc.) – church of the Holy Cross, masterpiece of the early Medieval Period. Samtavro Archbishopric Cathedral (11th c.) – the altar and the dome of it still bear some fragments of the paintings, particularly image of the Savior inside an oval on the dome hemisphere – unfortunately, greatly damaged – and themes from the Gospels. Lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch excursion to manor and winery “Chateau Mukhrani”. Visit Prince Ivane Mukhranbatoni’s castle built in XIX century, garden, underground cellar and stable. The winery offers you to taste the exclusive selection of Château Mukhrani Wines and learn more about the oldest wine-making traditions. Drive to Tbilisi. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.
DAY 6: DEPARTURE DAY
Transfer to the airport and departure.
