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Easter holidays in Georgia (8 days, 7 nights)
Day 1: Kutaisi – Tbilisi
Arrival in Kutaisi. Transfer to Tbilisi. Meeting with a company representative.
Introducing the city. The capital of Georgia is unique. It is located on the several mountain hills, on which the old blocks "creep". Tbilisi, one of the rare places in the world where Orthodox Church, Catholic Cathedral, Synagogue and Mosque can peacefully coexist in the Old City. In the morning, visit the Cathedral of Georgia Sameba (Trinity). Later, visit Anchiskhati Basilica (VI c.), ascend to the holy mountain Mtatsminda, visit church constructed in honor of Holy Father David (VI c.) and quench your thirst with a holy and miraculous spring water. From the observation deck of Mount Mtatsminda you can enjoy beautiful views of Tbilisi. Through the narrow streets, cross the main street - Rustaveli Avenue and go down to the Old Tbilisi. Bypassing the residence of Georgian Patriarch you reach one of the main churches of the capital - Sioni Cathedral, where the scull of Apostle Thomas is buried at the south wall. Nighttime "city of light". Dinner. Hotel accommodation. Overnight.
     Day 2: Tbilisi - David Gareji - Manavi - Sighnaghi
Breakfast. Excursion in David Gareji – the complex of georgian cave monasteries of V century, that were founded by Holy Father David. According to legend, Saint David reached Jerusalem, he took three stones at the gates of of Jerusalem, and went back. Legend says that with those stones he carried out from Jerusalem all the good of Lord. Then the Patriarch of Jerusalem caught up with him and asked to leave these stones. David left two stones, and one of them he brought to Georgia. This stone is still at his grave in the Laura of David-Gareji. You can see it and pray over this stone. Many churches and refectories of the complex preserved frescoes (VI-IXvv.), including Portrait of Queen Tamara. Arrival to the "town of everlasting love" Sighnaghi. First, 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. Lunch in traditional Georgian style. The menu includes only Georgian cuisine from ECO products grown on the "Chateau Fort de Manavi" farm. Excursion in the evening Sighnaghi "city of everlasting love" that is placed at the top of the ridge, overlooking Alazani valley. Now it is fully restored to its original form. Hotel accommodation in Sighnaghi. Overnight.      Day 3: Sighnaghi - Gremi - Alaverdi - Ikalto - Telavi - Tbilisi Breakfast. Arrival to Tbilisi. On the way, excursion in 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 complex of Church of Archangels (XVI -XVII c.). Then, visit of Alaverdi Cathedral (XI c.), the second highest building (more than 50 m), and also monastery cellar. Excurison 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".Excursion in Telavi - main city and administrative center of Kakhetia, museum - fortress of king Erekle II (XVIII c.), that signed Treaty of Georgievsk with the Russian Empire. Hotel accommodation in Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 4: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Free time. Stroll in the city. Preparation for vespers in the cathedral of Georgia Sameba (Trinity). The monumentality and grandeur of this church will forever remain in your memory (worship service in Sameba conducts himself Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II). Overnight. Day 5: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi
The Resurrection of Christ. Easter.
Breakfast. Excursion in the New Jerusalem, ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta – town museum included in the list of protected monument of UNESCO. Visit temple-monastery Jvari (VI c). There you can enjoy Fantastic view of the ancient capital of Georgia - Mtskheta. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029), at the bottom of which one of the major Christian relics Lords Robe is buried. This relic was brought to the city by Jewish citizen of Mtskheta – Ellios who witnessed Crucifixion. Svetitckhoveli is the burial site of many Georgian kings. There is also the part of life-giving pillar. Visit Samtavro monastery, where blackberry bush grows, flowers and fruits whole year round. Near this monastery St. Nino - enlightener, the preacher of Christianity in Georgia of IV century lived and preached Christianity. The date of official adoption of Christianity in Georgia is 324 AD. This fact is associated with the name of St. Nino, with the assistance and participation of the King St. Mirian and Queen St. Nana. It was St. Nino who persuaded the king Mirian and queen Nana to adopt Christianity in Georgia. 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 Mghvimeli are located inside the church. Return to Tbilisi. Closing dinner with national songs and dances. Overnight.
     Day 6: Tbilisi – 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 at the Aragvi river and 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 7: Tbilisi – Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Borjomi – Kutaisi
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, Mosque, Catholic Church and monastery of Benedictine Sisters, synagogue and Armenian Church are placed. Visit Vardzia cave monastery complex (XII- XIII c.) – 19 stored rock town. 900 m along the left bank of Kura river. In 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. Departure to Borjomi. We will taste the worldknown mineral water Borjomi from the spring. Return to Kutaisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 8: Kutaisi
Breakfast. Free time. Farewell, Transfer to the airport.
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