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The scent of Georgia: the sea, wines and mountains in one package
Kutaisi – Batumi – Borjomi – Akhaltsykhe – Vardzia – Tbilisi – Ananuri fortress – Gudauri – Kazbegi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi - Manavi – Mtskheta – Kutaisi (8 days, 7 nights)
Day 1: Kutaisi – Batumi
Arrival to Kutaisi. Meet the representative of the company. 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. Excursion in 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 2: 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:
Visit Gonio Apsarus fortress - the oldest fortress in Georgia situated on the board with Turkey. The fortress was built in I-II century AD, and served as Roman citadel from the beginning and later, the citadel of Byzantine Empire. Total length of fortress is 900 m, walls height - 5 m, the height of each of the eighteen towers is 7 m.
Visit Botanical Garden. It offers more than 5 thousand exotic plants including Rose Garden with 1200 kinds of roses. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 3: Batumi – Borjomi – Akhaltsykhe
Breakfast. Departure to Borjomi. We will taste the worldknown mineral water Borjomi from the spring. Arrival to recently reconstructed Akhaltsykhe fortress, the motherland of Sharl 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. Dinner. Overnight in Akhaltsykhe.
Day 4: Akhaltsykhe – Vardzia – Tbilisi
Breakfast. 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 – among them churches, chapels, parrocks, pantries, baths, libraries. There are 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, 20 thousand of people could find shelter there. Departure to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 5: Tbilisi – Ananuri fortress – Gudauri – 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 6: Tbilisi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi - Tbilisi
Breakfast. Excursion to Kakheti region. Visit Bodbe village and the monastery complex of St. George and the grave of St. Nino who brought Christianity to Georgia. Upon request, bathing in the holy waters of the holy spring, that heals the sick and makes miserable people happy. Excursion in the "town of everlasting love" - Sighnaghi, that is located at the top of the ridge, overlooking Alazani valley. Currently the city is totally reconstructed in its original architectural style. 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. 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 7: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Excursion to Tbilisi. The capital of Georgia is unique. Located on several hills, ancient district is spread out on the terraces of the slope. Tbilisi - is a beautiful Kura river 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 every building of the Old Town is historical and cultural site, this part of the city is always cheerful. Here, alone or in groups, tourists walk around, some of them meet their beloved ones near the Clock Tower. This amazing Tower was recently constructed by the Puppet Theatre director Rezo Gabriadze. Here artists exhibit their paintings, artisans offer numerous souvenirs. Every building is not more than three stored resembling old Tbilisi architectural style with brick walls and curved wooden balconies.
Tbilisi is one of the rare places in the world, where Orthodox Church, catholic cathedral, synagogue and mosque can peacefully coexist in the territory of Old Town. During the excursion, visit of: Metekhi Church ( V c.), Narikala fortress ( IV c.), Sioni Cathedral ( VI-VII c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary, the oldest existing church in the capital, Synaxis of Saint Trinity - the temple complex of Tsminda Sameba - the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. Walk on Rustaveli Avenue.
Next, excursion to ancient capital of Georgia – 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 Georgian 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.). Arrival to Kutaisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 8: Kutaisi
Breakfast. Free time. Souvenir purchase. Transfer to the airport. Home return.
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