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Pearls of the Caucasus - Georgia, Armenia
Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Borjomi – Armenia: Gyumri – Arich – Talin – Ashtarak – Khor Virap – Yerevan – Matenadaran – Zvartnots – Echmiadzin – Gegard – Garni – Yerevan – Sevan – Dilijan – Sanahin – Haghpat–Tbilisi – Kazbegi / Gudauri – Tbilisi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Tbilisi (11 days, 10 nights)
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Day 1: Tbilisi
Arrival to Tbilisi. Meeting with the representatives of the agency. Hotel accommodation. Excursion in Tbilisi. 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. "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 it is 2-3-storey houses, built of brick and stone, and having the special 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. Walking tour at the Shota Rustaveli avenue. Dinner. Overnight in the hotel in Tbilisi.
     Day 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta - Tbilisi
Breakfast. Excursion of the ancient capital of Georgia Mtskheta - the town-museum, included to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. Visit of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029), at the bottom of which is buried one of the major Christian relics Lords chiton, as well as 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. 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 placed inside. Visit of the ancient temple - monastery Jvari (VI c.). Arrival to Tbilisi. Free time. Dinner. Overnight in the hotel.
     Day 3: Tbilisi - Borjomi – Akhaltsykhe
Breakfast. On the way to Akhaltsikhe visit Borjomi. Try the world-famous Borjomi mineral water from the spring. Next, move to the newly renovated fortress Akhaltsykhe home of Charles Aznavour, the ancient center of Catholicism in Georgia. In the complex, along with the Orthodox Church of Saint Marina, located the mosque, a Catholic church and convent of sisters benedekt, the synagogue and the Armenian Church. Hotel accommodation in Akhaltsikhe. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 4: Akhaltsykhe - Vardzia - Gyumri – Yerevan
Breakfast. A visit to the cave monastery complex Vardzia (XII-XIII cc.) - 19 longline rock city. Over 900 m along the left bank of the Kura River in the steep wall of mountains carved about 600 premises - churches, chapels, living cells, storage rooms, baths, treasuries, libraries. Preserved secret passages, remains of water and irrigation systems. Vardzia – is a sight of the era of the Golden Age. In a monastery fortress lived more than a thousand monks, and during the attack of enemies it could hide up to 20 thousand people. Moving into the territory of Armenia. Crossing the border (about 30 minutes - 1 hour). Change of buses and guides. On the way to Yerevan a dinner in Gyumri. Hotel accommodation in Yerevan. Overnight.
     Day 5: Yerevan - Echmiadzin - Zvartnots – Yerevan
Breakfast. Yerevan city tour. Armenian capital Yerevan – is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is the same age as Babylon and Rome. The year of foundation of the city is 782 BC - then the king of Argishty founded fortress of Erebuni. On the hill of the park Tsitsernakaberd is built a monument to the victims of genocide in 1915. Near fortieth meter obelisk in the form of a pointed forked pyramid. In 2001 in Yerevan to the 1700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia was erected a magnificent temple of Gregory the Illuminator.
A trip to the ancient capital of Armenia Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin). Tour on territory of catholicosate - the residence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic church, visit to the First Cathedral of Saint Echmiadzin (Holy Etchmiadzin - 303g.n.e.), whose title translates as "The Descent of the Only-begotten", which means "Place of the descent of Christ." Cathedral was founded at the beginning of the IV.immediately after the adoption of Christianity by Armenians. According to legend, a place for the construction of the church was given by Gregory the Illuminator by Christos. Visiting the Museum "Treasury Etchmiadzin", which kept a spear that wounded Jesus Christ, as well as many other unique relics and artifacts. Visiting the ruins of unique Zvartnots temple. Holy Etchmiadzin and the Temple of Heaven of Vigilant Powers Zvartnots is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, excursion to the Museum and visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial. A visit to the Armenian Catholic Church. Dinner at the Armenian restaurant. Master class from the chef. Overnight.
     Day 6: Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Matenadaran – Yerevan
Breakfast. Excursion to the cave (carved out of rock) Gegard Monastery (XII-XIII century). The name of Geghard is connected with a lance, which according to legend was pierced Christ on the cross by one of the Roman legionaries guarding him. Rhomboid plate tip of that spear is kept in the museum of the Cathedral of Echmiadzin. Excursion to the summer residence of Armenian kings - the fortress of Garni (III century BC - XIII century of our era), and the pagan temple of the sun (I century), built by King Trdat in 77. Lunch in a rural village. Return to Yerevan. Sightseeing of the Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts - Matenadaran, which operates under a unique museum-library of ancient manuscripts. Visit and tasting in the Yerevan Brandy Factory "Ararat." Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
     Day 7: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank – Yerevan
Breakfast. Visit to the legendary Khor Virap, dungeons, where for the thirteen years was imprisoned St. Gregory the Illuminator, who later turned Armenia into the first Christian nation in the world in 301 AD. Here, from the chapel, awaits us an unforgettable view of Mount Ararat. Lunch in a cave. Next trip to Noravank - monastery complex, built in the XIII century AD 122 km from Yerevan, on the narrow ledge of a tortuous gorge of the Arpa River near the Armenian town Eghegnadzor. The gorge is famous for the sheer red cliffs that rise behind the monastery, on the territory of which is located in the two-story church Astvatsatsin with narrow cantilevered staircases. Noravank was founded in 1205 by Bishop Hovhannes, the former abbot of the monastery in Vahanavank. The monastic complex includes the church Karapet (St. John the Baptist), the chapel of St. Gregory (St. Gregory) with a vaulted hall and churches of Blessed Virgin (Virgin Mary). Return to Yerevan. Closing dinner in a beautiful Armenian restaurant. Overnight.
Day 8: Yerevan - Sevan - Dilijan - Sanain - crossing the border in Bagra – Tbilisi
Breakfast. A trip to the blue pearl of Armenia and the Caucasus, the largest of the lakes - Lake Sevan (1900m). Climbing the stairs to the observation deck to the monastery of Sevanank, with a magnificent view of the lake. Visiting the Monastery. Moving to Dilijan. The city recently opened Museum of Art, which widely presented Russian and Armenian (I. Aivazovsky, Minas Avestyan, etc.) of the XIX-XX centuries., Western European paintings XVII-XIX centuries (Jean-Baptiste Greuze, range master Correggio, the Flemish masters of the XVII century. Etc.) and artifacts of archaeological cultures that have been studied in the Tavush ethnographic collection. Excursion around the monastery Sanain. Sanain monastery occupies a small, about 2 hectares of territory in the central part of which, around the main temple Sanain - Astvatsatsin - built Amenaprkich church and chapel of St. Gregory (X c.), the building of the Academy (XI c.), library (1063g.) gallery building (end of X century.), vestibule (1181g.) and bell tower (XIII c.). Crossing the the Georgian-Armenian border Bagratashen. Drive to Tbilisi. Crossing the border (about 30 minutes - 1 hour). Change of buses and guides.Hotel accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
     Day 9: 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 10: Tbilisi - Bodbe - Sighnaghi - Manavi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Moving to the "city of eternal love" Sighnaghi. En route visit monastery complex of St. George and the tomb of St. Nino in the village of Bodbe. Excursion around "the city of eternal love" Sighnaghi, which is located on top of a ridge that overlooks the valley Alazan. 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. Return to Tbilisi .Overnight.
     Day 11: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Depending on the departure time, spare time. Buying souvenirs. Transfer to the airport.
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