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Catholic places in Georgia (10 days)
Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Kutaisi– Zugdidi – Mestia – Ushguli – Batumi – Kutaisi– Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Ananuri – Gudauri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi (10 days, 9 nights)
Day 1: Tbilisi
Arrival to Tbilisi. Meet with the representative of the company. Hotel accommodation.
Excursion in the capital of Georgia. The capital of Georgia is unique. It is located on the several mountain hills, on which the old blocks "creep". 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 full of life, here tourists walk alone or in groups, lovers meet near the Clock Tower. This amusing Tower appeared here recently, built by the Puppet Theatre director Rezo Gabriadze. Here artists exhibit their paintings, artisans offer numerous souvenirs there. Basically, there are 2-3 storied houses, built of brick and stone that have a 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 cathedral, synagogue and mosque. If possible – meeting with a representative of Catholic church. During the excursion, visit of Methekhi Church (V c.), Narikala fortress (IV c.), Sioni Cathedral (VI-VII c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St. Mary, the oldest surviving church, Synaxis of Saint Trinity of the temple complex of Tsminda Sameba – the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. Walk on Rustaveli Avenue. Night Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight in Tbilisi hotel.
     Day 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Borjomi – Akhaltsikhe
Breakfast. Attend morning catholic service in Tbilisi (according to the time). Excursion in ancient capital – Mtskheta – the town-museum, included to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029), at the basement of which one of the major Christian relics – Lords Tunic is buried, brought in Georgia by Ellious, Jewish citizen of Mtskheta who witnessed crucifixion. This is the burial place of many Georgian kings too. Visit Samtavro Monastery, where the blackberry bush grows, flowers and fruits whole year round. St. Nino – the enlightener of IV century – lived and preached nearby. Wonderworking icon of Iberian Mother of God, wonderworking icon of St. Nino, grave of St. King Mirian and Queen Nana, hallows of St. Abibos Nekreseli, St. Shio Mgvimeli are located inside. Visit Temple-Monastery Jvari (VI c.).
Departure to Borjomi. Taste famous Borjomi water from the spring. Departure to the Akhaltsykhe fortress, the motherland of Charles Aznavour, 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 Evangelical church. Hotel accommodation in Akhaltsikhe. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 3: Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Attend morning service in the Catholic Church (according to the time). Next, visit Vardzia cave monastery complex (XII- XIII c.) – 19 stored rock town. 900 m along the left bank of Kura river, in the plumb wall of the mountain, around 600 buildings are cut out there – among them churches, chapels, parrocks, pantries, baths, libraries. There are preserved secret passages, remains of plumbing, and irrigation system. Vardzia – is the site of Golden Age. More than thousands of monks lived there, and when being attacked, 20 thousand of people could find shelter there. Departure to Kutaisi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 4: Kutaisi – Zugdidi – Mestia
Breakfast. Departure 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. On the way to Mestia, we can enjoy the fantastic views of four waterfalls and three mountain peaks of the Caucasus - Ushba, Mazera, Shkhelda. Hotel accommodation in Mestia. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 5: Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia
Breakfast. Excursion in Mestia, that is included to the in the number of World Heritage sites by UNESCO. Visit of the historic- ethnographical museum, medieval church and fortification districts of Mestia. Arrival to Ushguli. Excursion in Ushguli - Svanetian village located at an altitude of 2200m above sea level, the most high-mountain permanent settlement in Europe, included to the World Heritage sites List of UNESCO. Visit of Lamari church (2300 m above sea level), Ushguli museum of icons, Towers of Queen Tamara, Ushguli Ethnographic Museum. Return to Mestia. Dinner. Overnight.
      Day 6: Mestia – Batumi
Breakfast. In the morning departure to Batumi. Batumi - is a "Georgian Singapore", the most famous Black Sea resort of Georgia, with the population of 120 000 people. A visiting card of Batumi is a popular place of residents and visitors of the city, - it is Batumi Piazza, built in 2009. In 2010, a new, 7 meters high, moving sculpture of Love became the adornment of the city. The statue is a figure of a woman and a man. They seek to each other, in 8-10 minutes they move in a original and beautiful way towards each other and eventually merge as one. Excursion in Batumi: animated fountains (laser show), worldknown dolphinarium, Argonauts square with Medea statue. Visit of 2 catholic churches: old and new. Service in the church. Overnight in the hotel in Batumi.
     Day 7: Batumi – Kutaisi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Departure to Kutaisi. Excursion in Kutaisi that is 3 thousand years old. Visit Monastery and Academy Ghelati (XII c.) founded by the Georgian king David IV the Builder. Gelati is included in the list of world heritage site of UNESCO. Visit Bagrati Cathedral (XI c.). Excursion to the Prometheus castor cave, where, according to the legend, Prometheus gave the fire to people, and because of that he was enchained to the rock. Moving to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 8: Tbilisi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Departure to the Kakheti region. On your way, visit Bodbe village and the monastery complex of St. George and the grave of St. Nino who brought Christianity to Georgia. Excursion in "town of everlasting love"- Sighnaghi located at the top of the ridge overlooking Alazani Valley. 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.Return to Tbilisi. Overnight.
     Day 9: Tbilisi – Ananuri – Gudauri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. In the morning, departure from Tbilisi in the direction of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). On the way, we visit the picturesqueAnanuri fortress (XVI c.), overlooking 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 Ghergeti (2170 m. above the sea level). With fair weather condition there is a chance to enjoy stunning mountain Kazbek (5147 m), one of the highest tops of Georgia. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 10: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Free time according to the flight schedule. Souvenir purchase. Transfer to the airport for your flight to back home.
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