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Jewish heritage in Georgia
Tblisi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Telavi – Alaverdi – Ikalto – Tbilisi – Kazbegi/Gudauri – Fortress Akhaltsykhe – Vardzia – Borjomi – Kutaisi – Zugdidi – Mestia – Ushguli – Batumi – Gori – Mtskheta – Tbilisi (14 days, 13 nights)
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Day 1: Tbilisi
Arrival to Tbilisi. Meet with the representative of the company. Hotel accommodation. 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. Tbilisi is one of the rare places in the world, where Orthodox Church, catholic cathedral, synagogue and mosque can peacefully exist in the Old Town. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 2: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Excursion in the city. Visit Methekhi Church (V c.), Sioni Cathedral (VI-VII c.), Synaxis of Saint Trinity of the temple complex of Tsminda Sameba – the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. Walk tour in the 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 in 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. By recently constructed funicular way reach Narikala fortress (ІV c.). There you can observe the city from a bird's flight. Visit Sioni cathedral (VI-VII c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St. Mary, the oldest surviving church in the city.
Visit synagogue. Get Familiar with the history of the Jews of Georgia. If possible meet with the representatives of the Jewish community in Tbilisi.
Free time. Dinner. Overnight in Tbilisi hotel.
     Day 3: Tbilisi – Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Manavi – Telavi
Breakfast. Departure to the "town of everlasting love" – Sighnaghi. Visit Bodbe village and the monastery complex of St. George and the grave of St. Nino who brought Christianity to Georgia. Upon request, the ablution in the holy water of the increate spring near the monastery that heals the sick and make miserable people happy. 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; (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. Hotel accommodation in Telavi. Overnight.
     Day 4: Telavi – Telavi – Alaverdi – Ikalto – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Departure to Telavi. Visit to the local market in Telavi. Here you can buy local spices. Excursion in Telavi – the main city and administrative center of Kakheti. The most famous sight of the city is the museum-castle of King Irakli II (XVIIIv.), who signed a treaty with George Russian empire. 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". Departure to Tbilisi. Hotel accommodation Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 5: Tbilisi – Kazbegi/Gudauri – 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.), 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 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 – Fortress Akhaltskhykhe – Vardzia – Borjomi – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Departure 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, mosque, Catholic Church and monastery of Benedictine Sisters, synagogue and Armenian Church are placed. Visit synagogue.
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 Golden Age. More than thousands of monks lived there, and when being attacked, 20 thousand of people could find shelter there. Arrival to Borjomi. We will taste the worldknown mineral water Borjomi from the spring. Departure to Kutaisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 7: Kutaisi
Breakfast. Excursion in the ancient city Kutaisi that is more than 3 thousand years old. Visit Gelati (XII c.) monastery and academy, established by the great Georgian king David IV the Builder. Gelati monastery and Academy is included to the list of World Heritage sites of UNESCO. Visit Bagrati cathedral and the "monastery of accomplishment of desires" - Motsameta.
Visit “Big Synagogue”. If possible meet with the representative of the Jewish community of Kutaisi.
Excursion to the cave of Prometheus. According to the legend, Prometheus gave the fire to people, and because of that he was enchained to the rock. Dinner. Overnight in Kutaisi.
     Day 8: Kutaisi – Zugdidi – Mestia
Breakfast. Departure to Zugdidi. The treasure of Zugdidi is graceful patrimonial palace of Dadiani princes, with the nicest park. Currently, it is a museum with magnificent historic collection, including the death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. The oldest aristocratic family of Dadiani is known for its relation with Napoleon Bonaparte. One of the most precious Christian relics - Cincture of the Virgin Mary is kept in Vlakerna church. It 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 9: Mestia – Ushguli
Breakfast. Excursion in Mestia, that is included to the in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit historic-ethnographical museum, district of medieval church and fortifications. Departure to Ushguli. Departure to Ushguli. Dinner. Overnight in hotel.
     Day 10: Ushguli – Batumi
Breakfast. Excursion in Ushguli - Svanetian village located at an altitude of 2200 m. above sea level, the highest mountain permanent settlement in Europe, included into the list of USESCO World Heritage sites. Visit Lamaria Church (2300 m. above sea level), Ushguli museum of icons and Ethnographic Museum. Departure to Batumi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 11: Batumi
Breakfast. Excursion in the city. Batumi is a "Georgian Singapore", the most famous Black Sea resort of Georgia, with the population of 120 000 people. A visit 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), Argonauts square with Medea statue. Walk in boulevard.
Visit Synagogue. Get familiar with the history of Jews in Georgia. If possible meet with the representatives of Jewish community in Batumi.
For extra charge optional excursions in Gonio Apsar fortress - the oldest fortress in Georgia, on the board with Turkey. The fortress was built in I-II century AD, and served as citadel of Roman at first, and then of the Byzantine Empire. Total length of fortress is 900 m, walls height - 5 m, the height of each of the eighteen towers is 7 m. Upone request, visit of Botanical Garden that has more than 5,000 exotic plants, including rose garden, where is about 1,200 varieties of roses. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 12: Batumi – Gori – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Departure to Tbilisi. On the way, visit Stalin museum in Gori. Museum consists of three blocks – the museum itself, house and the railway carriage. Excursion to the ancient Goristsikhe fortress, placed on the hill in the city center. Arrival to Tbilisi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 13: Tbilisi – Mtskhetа – Tbilisi
Breakfast. 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. The part of life-giving pillar is located there 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.). Return to Tbilisi. Farewell dinner with Georgian folk songs and dances. Overnight.
     Day 14: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Free time. Souvenir purchase. Transfer to the airport.
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