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Georgia – Azerbaijan – Georgia Kutaisi – Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Tbilisi – Kazbegi / Gudauri – Mtskheta – Baku – Shemakha – Sheki – Bodbe – Manavi – Sighnaghi – Gremi – Kvareli – Telavi – Alaverdi – Ikalto – Tbilisi – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Batumi – Zugdidi – Kutaisi (15 days, 14 nights) Day 1: Kutaisi – Borjomi Arrival to Kutaisi. Meeting with the representatives of the agency. Departure to Borjomi. Tasting of the worldknown mineral water Borjomi from the spring. Dinner. Overnight in the hotel.      Day 2: Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe fortress – Vardzia – Tbilisi Breakfast. Departure to recently reconstructed Akhaltsikhe fortress, the motherland of Charles Aznavur, the ancient center of Catholicism in Georgia. 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. Departure to Tbilisi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight. Day 3: Tbilisi Breakfast. Excursion in the capital of Georgia. The capital of Georgia is unique. It is located 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. "Old Town" - is the historic center of Tbilisi, that is located at the root of Mtatsminda (Holy Mount) mountain. Almost all of the buildings of the Old Town are historical and cultural sites, this part of the city is round - the - clock full of life, here walk alone or in groups tourists, meet lovers near the Clock Tower. This amuzing Tower appeared here recently, built by the Puppet Theatre director Rezo Gabriadze. Here artists exhibit their paintings, artisans offer numerous souvenirs. Basically there are 2-3-storey houses, built of brick and stone, and of particular Tbilisi architecture, distinguished by narrow streets, galleries and carved wooden balconies. Tbilisi is one of the rare places in the world, where can peacefully exist in the Old Town orthodox church, catholic cathedra, synagogue and mosque. During the excursion, visit of: Mechetian Church ( V c.), Narikala fortress ( IV c.), Sioni Cathedral ( VI-VII c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary, the oldest surviving church, Synaxis of Saint Truinity of the temple complex of Tsminda Sameba - the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. Walk at the Shota Rustaveli avenue. Dinner. Overnight in the hotel.Day 4: Tbilisi – Kazbegi / Gudauri – Tbilisi Breakfast. In the morning departure from Tbilisi in the direction of Stephantsminda (Kazbegi). On the way to it, we will explore the scenic fortress Ananuri (XVI century), situated on the river Aragva and fantastic beauty of Jinvali reservoirs. Passing the ski resort Gudauri (2200m.), a stunning drive along the Terek River, through the Cross Pass (2400m) leads us to the Stephantsminda (Kazbegi). Excursion around Kazbegi: Church of the Blessed Trinity Gergeti (2170m above sea level). In clear weather, opens a stunning, phantasmagorical view of one of the highest peaks in Georgia - Mountain Kazbek (5147m). Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 6: Baku Meeting at the train station. Breakfast. Excursion in Baku: the oil capital of the Caucasus, the city which is the beginning of the twentieth century is often called the Paris of the East. The city where the Nobel brothers created its oil empire and brought the European spirit in the architecture of the city. The city that struck the imagination of Al. Dumas by its famous temple Arteshgyak. The temple, built 2,500 years ago in Surakhani, area in Baku, an oil-rich, in the place where the land is under a constant output of natural gas that is worshiped by the fire worshipers, contributed to even greater popularity of Baku oil and gas. Alexandre Dumas wrote that in 1859, met here three fire worshipers. Visit - Icheri Shekher - Old Town, Palace of the Shirvan (XV century) - built in due to transfer of the capital of the state of Shirvanshahs, Shamakhi in Baku. According to legend, before the construction of the palace in the various parts of the city were hung pieces of meat. The palace was built on the place where the meat addled the latest, as there was air healthier and cleaner. Palace forms a complex, which also includes Divankhana, Tomb of Shirvanshahs a palace mosque with a minaret, bathhouse and mausoleum of the courtier scholar Seid Yakhya Bakuvi. In 1964, the complex was declared a museum and was put under the state protection. A unique architectural and cultural ensemble is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Juma mosque in Baku is located in the historic district in Icheri Shekher. During its existence, the mosque was reconstructed several times. In 1899, with funding from the Baku merchant Haji Shikhali Dadasheva on the site of an old mosque was built new Juma mosque, where on sme assumptions, once there was a temple of fire worships. To Juma mosque is adjacent minaret, built in 1437. The grandest and most mysterious monument of Baku is the Giz Galasi - Maiden Tower, rising in the south-eastern part of the fortress of Icheri Shekher. The tower was built on a ledge of the coastal cliffs, with totally unique form, it has no analogues in the East. According to one legend, the Shah fell in love with his own daughter and decided to marry her. Terrified by the impending marriage with his father, and in attempt to dissuade him, the daughter asked to build a tower and wait until it is completed. When the tower was completed, Shah did not change his decision and then she climbed on the tower and rushed out into the sea. After that the stone on which the princess fell was called the "Stone of the Virgin," and the girls, as brides, bring there flowers. In 1964, the Maiden Tower became a museum, and in 2000 was included in the UNESCO list. Dinner. Overnight in the hotel. Day 7: Baku – Shemakha – Sheki Breakfast. Excursion in Shemakha - one of the oldest and most interesting cities. Founded approximately in V c. BC, in the IX. BC was the capital of an extensive kingdom of Shirvan, in the XVIII c. - Shemakhan Khanate. The main attraction of the city is Giz-Galasi fortress (Gulistan, XI-XII centuries.) - the last refuge of Shirvanshahs, mausoleum of Eddie Gumbez "Seven Domes" with numerous tombs of rulers of Shemakha, Juma Cathedral Mosque (X c., rebuilt in the XIX century.) , numerous ruins of buildings of X-XVII centuries. It is a recognized center of carpet weaving. Arrival to Sheki. Sheki is located 380 km west of Baku, near the Georgian border. Archaeological evidence suggests that the city can be considered one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus, many findings in its territory are more than 2,500 years old. Excursion in Sheki - Summer Palace (1797) with luxurious murals and tracery windows "shebeke, stone fortress (XVIII c.), Numerous caravanserais (many of them are now restored and turned into hotels and restaurants), the house of Sheki Khans , Juma Mosque (XVIII c.), the minaret of the mosque Gileilin (XVIII c.), medieval baths, rich museum og Local History. Visit of the Palace of Sheki Khans (XVIII AD). Shaki - a recognized center of silk production and climatic resort. Souvenirs buying. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Sheki. Day 8: Arrival to Georgia. Bodbe – Manavi – Sighnaghi Breakfast. Drive through Lagodekhi to Georgia. Arrival to the " town of everlasting love" Sighnaghi. Visit the monastery complex of St. George and the grave of St. Nino, that brought Christianity to Georgia in the Bodbe village. 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; 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. Hotel accommodation in Sighnaghi. Overnight.      Day 9: Sighnaghi – Gremi – Kvareli – Telavi Breakfast. Excursion in the "town of everlasting love" Sighnaghi, that is placed at the top of the ridge, overlooking Alazani valley. Departure to Telavi. On the way, 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. Here is also located the Church of the Archangels (XVI - XVII c.). Arrival to Kvareli, and visit of the wine warehouse, 7.7 km long with the vinotheque of vintage wines. Hotel accommodation in Telavi. Dinner. Overnight.       Day 10: Telavi – Alaverdi – Ikalto – T bilisi Breakfast. Excursion in Telavi – main city and administrative center of Kakhetia. The main highlight is the museum-fortress of tsar Erekle II (XVIII c.), that signed Treaty of Georgievsk with the Russian Empire. Then, visit of Alaverdi Cathedral (XI c.), the second highest building (more than 50 m), and also monastery cellar. Excursion in the ancient Ikalto Academy (X-XII c.), where studied the great Georgian poet and philosopher Shota Rustaveli, the author of the worldknown poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin". Hotel accommodation in Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight. Day 11: Tbilisi – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi Breakfast. Excursion in Gori. Excursion in the Stalin museum. Museum consists of three blocks - museum, house and railway carriage. In passing, excursion in Uplistsikhe (I centuries BC), ancient cave town, that was finishing the building for centuries, and included more than 700 caves and buildings, including wineries, bakeries, antique theater, hall of receptions of Queen Tamara, preserved to this day. Departure to Kutaisi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight. Day 12: Kutaisi – Batumi Breakfast. Excursion in the ancient city Kutaisi, that is more than 3 thousand years old. Visit Gelati monastery and academy, established by the great Georgian king - David IV the Builder. Gelati monastery and academy are included into the list of World Heritage sites of UNESCO. Visit Bagrati Cathedral. Visit the Prometheus cave, where we recall the legend of Prometheus. According to the legend, Prometheus was chained on the rock because he gave fire to humanity. Arrival to Batumi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.      Day 13: Batumi Breakfast. Excursion in the city. Batumi - is "Georgian Singapore" - the most famous Black Sea resort of Georgia, with the population of 120 000 people. A visit card of Batumi - a beloved place for both local residents and visitors of the city - is Batumi Piazza built in 2009. In 2010, a new, 7 meters high, moving sculpture of Love became the adornment of the city. The monument is represented by a figure of a woman and a man. They seek for each other, during 8-10 minutes they move towards each other and eventually merge as one in original way. Excursion in Batumi: animated fountains (a laser show), famous dolphinarium, Argonauts square with statue of Medea. For extra charge:
Dinner. Overnight. Day 14: Batumi – Zugdidi – Kutaisi Breakfast. Ddeparture to Zugdidi. The treasure of Zugdidi is graceful patrimonial palace of Dadiani princes, with great park. At the present time, it is a museum with uncommon historical collection, icluding the death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. The oldest aristocratic family of Dadiani princes is known for its relations with Napoleon Bonaparte. In Vlakherna church, in Zugdidi, is kept one of the most precious Christian relics - Cincture of the Virgin Mary - christian relic, that belonged to Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. Departure to Kutaisi. Dinner. Overnight. Day 15: Kutaisi Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and return home.
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