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Easter in Georgia
Tbilisi – David Gareji – Manavi – Sighnaghi – Gremi – Alaverdi – Ikalto – Telavi – Kazbegi – Akhaltsikhe – Wardzia – Borjomi – Mtskheta - Tbilisi, (8 days, 7 nights)
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Day 1: Tbilisi
Arrival to Tbilisi. Meeting with the representatives of the agency. Hotel accommodation. First aquantace with the city. The capital of Georgia is unique.It stands on the several mountain hills, on which "creep" the old blocks. Tbilisi – is a beautiful river Kura with its picturesque rocky shores, that flows across the whole city. Tbilisi is one of the rare places where can peacefully exist in the Old Town an orthodox church, Catholic cathedral, synagogue and mosque. We start the morning with the visit of Synaxis of Saint Truinity of the temple complex of Tsminda Sameba. Then, we will visit Anchiskhati Basilica of St. Mary. We will go up to Mtatsminda (Holy Mount) mountain, and pray in the monastery of V c., founded by Father David and quench the thirst with the water from the holy spring. From the sightseeing platform of Mtatsminda mountain we will overlook a beautiful view of Tbilisi. In the narrow streets, crossing the main street of the city – Rustaveli Avenue – we will go down to the Old Tbilisi and bypassing the Patriarchate of Georgia will come directly to one of the main churches of the capital – Sioni Cathedral – where we can venerate Apostle Thomas. Evening landscapes – the "city of light." Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 2: Tbilisi – David Gareji – Manavi – Sighnaghi
Breakfast. Excursion in David Gareji – the complex of georgian cave monasteries of V century, that were founded by Holy Father David. According to legend, Saint David reached Jerusalem, he took three stones at the gates of of Jerusalem, and went back. Legend says that with those stones he carried out from Jerusalem all the good of Lord. Then the Patriarch of Jerusalem caught up with him and asked to leave these stones. David left two stones, and one of them he brought to Georgia. This stone is still at his grave in the Laura of David-Gareji. You can see it and pray over this stone. Many churches and refectories of the complex preserved frescoes (VI-IXvv.), including Portrait of Queen Tamara. Arrival to the " town of everlasting love" Sighnaghi. Then, passing through, acquaintance with the history of the Manavi Fortress (XI century) and the Manavi Temple (XVIII century). The church was built in 1794 by the abbot of the monastery of John the Baptist from the monastery David Gareji - Ephraim. In the 17th century here was located the royal vineyards and the estate of Heraclius II. Stop in the pearl of Kakheti - a private estate "Chateau Fort de Manavi". In the program of the visit: tasting of wines and chacha, produced according to traditional old Georgian technology directly in the marani "Chateau Fort de Manavi" from grapes grown in the estate's own vineyards. The highlight of the tasting will be "Manavi Green" - a wine made from a special grape variety that grows only in the area of the village of Manavi in Georgia. Lunch in traditional Georgian style. The menu includes only Georgian cuisine from ECO products grown on the "Chateau Fort de Manavi" farm. Excursion in the evening Sighnaghi "city of everlasting love" that is placed at the top of the ridge, overlooking Alazani valley. Now it is fully restored to its original form. Hotel accomodation. Overnight in Sighnaghi
     Day 3: Sighnaghi – Gremi – Alaverdi – Ikalto – Telavi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Arrival to Tbilisi. On the way, vexcursion in Gremi royal fortress (XVI c.). The complex is surrounded by the wall with towers and embrasures. The remains of the secret underground passage, that leads to the river, survived. Here is also located the complex of Church of Archangels (XVI -XVII c.).
Next, visit Alaverdi Cathedral (XI c.), the second highest church (more than 50 m) and also monastery cellar. Excurison in the ancient Ikalto Academy (X-XII c.), founded in VI century by Holy Father Arsen, where studied the great Georgian poet and philosopher Shota Rustaveli, the author of the worldknown poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin". Then, Excursion in Telavi - main city and administrative center of Kakhetia, museum – fortress of tsar Erekle II (XVIII c.), that signed Treaty of Georgievsk with the Russian Empire. Hotel accomodation in Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 4: Tbilisi – Kazbegi – Tbilisi
Breakfast.In the morning, departure from Tbilisi in the direction of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). On the way, we visit the picturesque Ananuri fortress (XVI c.), located above the Aragvi river and also, attracting visitors with the beauty of Zhinvali reservoir. Leaving behind the ski resort Gudauri (2200 m), enjoy the stunning trip along Tergi river, through Cross Pass (2400 m). Visit Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). Excursion in Kazbegi: church of the Holy Trinity of Gergeti (2170 m. above the sea level). With fair weather condition there is a chance to take a look of the stunning mountain Kazbegi (5147 m), one of the highest tops of Georgia. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 5: Tbilisi – Akhaltsikhe – Wardzia – Borjomi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Arrival to the recently restored Akhaltsikhe fortress, the motherland of Charles Aznavur. In the complex, together with Orthodox Church of St. Marina, are placed mosque, catholic church and monastery of Benedictine Sisters, synagogue and Armenian church. Visit of Vardzia cave monastery complex (XII- XIII c.) – 19 stepped rock town. For 900 m along the left bank of Kura river, in the plumb wall of the mountain, around 600 buildings are cut out – churches, chapels, parrocks, pantries, baths, libraries. There preserved secret passages, remains of plumbing, and irrigation system. Vardzia- is the site of the era of Golden Age. More than thousands of monks lived there, and when being attacked, to 20 thousand of people could shelter there. Arrival to Borjomi. Tasting of the worldknown mineral water Borjomi from the spring. Arrival to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 6: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Free time. Walk along the city. Preparing for vespers in the cathedral of Georgia Sameba (Trinity). The monumentality and grandeur of this church will forever remain in your memory (worship service in Sameba conducts himself Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II). Dinner. Overnight.
Day 7: Tbilisi – Mtskheta - Tbilisi
Resurrection of Christ. Easter
Breakfast. Excursion to the New Jerusalem, in the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta - the town-museum, included to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. Visit of the ancient temple – monastery Jvari (VI c.). On the top of the mountain where the temple is placed, opens a fantastic view on the place of junction of two rivers – Kura and Aragvi. There also opens a beautiful view on the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta.Visit of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029), at the bottom of which is buried one of the major Christian relics Lords chiton, one of the most important sacred artifacts of the New Testament that after the crucifixion of Christ was brought to Mtskheta by Elioz – one of the witnesses of his death on the cross, and it is also the burial place of many of the Georgian kings. Here is also the part of life-giving pillar. Visit of Samtavro monastery, where year round grow, flower and fruit blackberry bush, near of which in the IV century lived and preached St. Nino- enlightener, the first preacher of Christianity in Georgia. The official adoption of Christianity in Georgia in 324 is associated with the name of St. Nino, with the assistance and participation of the King St. Miriam and Queen St. Nana. It was St. Nino who persuaded the king Miriam and queen Nana to adopt Christianity in Georgia. Woderworking icon of Iberian Mother of God, woderworking icon of St. Nino, grave of St. Tsar Merian and Tsarina Nani, hallows of St. Abibos Nekresky, St. Shio Mhvimskoho are inside. Return to Tbilisi. Closing dinner with national songs and dances. Overnight.
    
Day 8: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Free time. Farewell with guests, transfer to the airport.
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