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At the places of early Christianity. Georgia - a Christian country
Tbilisi – Ikalto – Alaverdi – Gremi – Telavi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Sagaredjo – Tbilisi – Vardzia – Borjomi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi, (7 days, 6 nights)
Day 1: Tbilisi
Arrival to Tbilisi. Meeting with the representatives of the agency. Hotel accommodation. An evening Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 2: Tbilisi – Ikalto – Alaverdi – Gremi – Telavi
Breakfast. Drive to Telavi. On the way excursion to the monasteries Dzveli-Shuamta and Axali Shuamta (literally Old and New Shuamta). These two monasteries are quite different from each other in architecture and were created at different times. Monastery Dzveli Shuamta is more ancient monument and is an ensemble of several old churches. Monastery Axali Shuamta was built later in the XVI century. Monastery complex includes large temple, bell tower and fence. Excursion in the ancient Ikalto Academy (X-XII c.), where studied the great Georgian poet and philosopher Shota Rustaveli, the author of the world known poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin". Then, visit of Alaverdi Cathedral (XI c.), the second highest building (more than 50 m), and also monastery cellar. Then, excursion in the 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. Drive to Telavi, hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 3: Telavi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Sagaredjo – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Visit the monastery complex of St. George and the grave of St. Nino, that brought Christianity to Georgia in the Bodbe village. Upon request, bathing in the holy waters of the increate spring, that heals the sick and make miserable people happy. Excursion in the "city of everlasting love" Sighnaghi. Walk in the ancient city Sighnaghi, that is located at the top of the mountain range, overlooking the Alazani valley. It is now fully restored to its original form. 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: an excursion to the Art Gallery, organized directly on the territory, where amazing works of local masters are presented; (optional for extra charge) 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. Dinner in traditional Georgian style. The menu includes only Georgian cuisine from ECO products grown on the "Chateau Fort de Manavi" farm. Then, drive to Sagaredjo, where is located Cathedral Ninotsminda, 575. Currently functioning nunnery. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 4: Tbilisi – Vardzia – Borjomi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. 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. Drive to Borjomi. On the way to it, excursion to Safarsky monastery, which is located in the mountains near Meskheti in the South East. It was founded by St. Sawa in the XIII century. Functioning friary. Currently it is the home for 20 monks and novices who are living on agriculture and donations from the public. On arrival in Borjomi we will try the world-famous Borjomi mineral water from the spring. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 5: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi
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. Wonderworking icon of Iberian Mother of God, wonderworking icon of St. Nino, grave of St. Tsar Merian and Tsarina Nani, hallows of St. Abibos Nekresky, St. Shio Mhvimskoho are inside. Lunch in the restaurant.
Next, excursion to Shio-Mgvime medieval monastery - a monastic architectural complex in Georgia, near the town of Mtskheta. According to sources the monastery was founded by the receiver and the pupil of one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers - John Zedazeni, Shio. In the middle of the VI c. in the last years of his life, Father Shio as a hermit in a dark and deep cave (Mgvime) and after his death, according to his will, he was buried there. His tomb in Shio Mgvime (Cave of Shio) is considered a sacred place. In XI century, over the cave was built a temple, which was later referred to the Church of St. John the Baptist. Dinner. Overnight.
    
Day 6: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour in Tbilisi. Visit of Mechetian Church ( V c.) Synaxis of Saint Trinity of the temple complex of Tsminda Sameba - the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. Walking tour in the city. "Old Town" - is the historic center of Tbilisi, that is located at the root of Mtatsminda (Holy Mount) mountain. We will go up on the latest lift to the castle Narikala (IV c.), during it we will be able to see the whole city form the bird's eye, will visit in the Old Town Sioni Cathedral (VI-VII c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary, the oldest surviving church. We will also visit Alexander Nevsky Church - Orthodox Church under the jurisdiction of the Georgian church in the capital of Georgia. Along with the church of St. Vladimir in the area of Vera is one of two churches in Tbilisi, where worship is fully is performed on the Church Slavonic language. Walk along Shota Rustaveli Avenue. Free time. Closing dinner with dances and songs. Overnight in the hotel in Tbilisi.
     Day 7: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Free time. Transfer to the airport for your flight to back home.
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