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Tamaroba – Memorial day of Queen Tamara (8 days, 7 nights)
11.05 – 18.05.
Day 1 (11.05.): Kutaisi – Tbilisi
Arrival to Kutaisi. Meet the representative of the company. Departure to Tbilisi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight
Day 2 (12.05.): Tbilisi
Breakfast. Excursion in Tbilisi. 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 the buildings of the Old Town are historical and cultural sites, this part of the city is round shaped like a clock - full of life, here tourists walk alone or in groups, lovers meet near the Clock Tower. This amazing Tower appeared here recently, built by the Puppet Theatre director Rezo Gabriadze. Here artists exhibit their paintings, artisans offer numerous souvenirs.
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.
During the excursion, we will visit Metekhi Church (V c.), Narikala fortress (IV c.), Sioni Cathedral (VI-VII c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary, the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, Synaxis of Saint Trinity - temple complex of Tsminda Sameba - the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. Walk on Shota Rustaveli Avenue. Nighttime Tbilisi. Dinner. Hotel accommodation in Tbilisi.
     Day 3 (13.05.): Tbilisi – Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Borjomi – Tbilisi
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 Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 4 (14.05.): Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Tbilisi
May 14th: Tamaroba – Memorial Day of Queen Tamara
"Lion, serving Queen Tamara, holds the sword and the shield. Revels in the nectar, the one who witnesses the sun." - for ages in his poem Shota Rustaveli sung about the one, who became the first queen of Georgia and in her gentle hands she brought power and prosperity to the country as a present. Georgian queen Tamara was from the ancient Georgian Bagration dynasty, and was the first woman in the history of Georgia, that came from 1184 (after the death of her father George III) to the throne and became the sole ruler. The reign of this outstanding woman is known to history as the Golden age of Georgia. Georgian church canonized Queen Tamar to the saints and made 14th May a Memorial Day of Queen Tamara.
Breakfast. Travel to Didube - one of the outlying districts of Tbilisi, where almost nothing is historical. Once upon a time there was a sort of village Didube in which George III built a temple of the Mother of God for the birth of her daughter (Queen Tamar). Later in this temple Tamara was married to David Soslan. Then, excursion in the ancient capital of Georgia - Mtskheta - the town-museum, included to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. Visit of the ancient temple - monastery Jvari (VI c.). On the top of the mountain where the temple is placed, opens a fantastic view on the place of conjunction of two rivers - Kura and Aragvi. There also opens a beautiful view on 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. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 5 (15.05.): 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 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). 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 (16.05.): Tbilisi – Gori – Uplistsykhe – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Departure to Gori. On the way, excursion in Uplistsikhe (I millenium BC) – the ancient cave town, that was under the reconstruction stage for centuries and consists of more than 700 caves and buildings, including wine cellars, bakeries, antique theater, hall of receptions of Queen Tamara, preserved to this day. Next, visit Stalin museum. Museum consists of three blocks – museum, house and railway carriage. Excursion to the ancient Goristsikhe fortress, placed on the hill in the city center. Departure to Kutaisi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 7 (17.05.): Kutaisi
Breakfast. 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 has preserved a great variety of murals dating back to XII-XVIII centuries. Therefore, the most wonderful in the architecture of Gelati complex is its frescoes and mosaics. They travel us in ancient past and remind of their creators. Next, excursion to the Cathedral of Bagrati that was erected in Kutaisi during the reign of Bagrat III. It was named after the first king of united Georgia. As a main place of the kingdom, it was consecrated in 1003. Both Gelati monastery with Academy and Bagrati Cathedral are included into the list of World Heritage sites of UNESCO. Then, visit "monastery for the accomplishment of desires" - Motsameta. Monastery overlooks the Rioni river surrounded by rugged coastline vegetation. The legend says that Georgian dukes David and Constantine Mkheidze were executed by Muslims for their devotion to Christianity and the monastery is constructed at the place of their martyrdom. Dukes David and Constantine are canonized; their relics are stored in a large rectangular ark on a dais in the small hall of the monastery. People believe that if you wish something, crawl under the ark three times and venerate holy relics, your wish will come true. Visit the cave of Prometheus, where we recall the legend of Prometheus. Excursion in the Prometheus castor cave. According to the legend, Prometheus was chained on the rock because he gave fire to humanity. The cave is located 5 km northwest of the city of Tskhaltubo. It was discovered in the early 80's of the twentieth century. It is one of the most attractive caves, thanks to its underwater rivers and landscapes. Almost all underwater karst forms: stalactites, stalagmites, and others. Dinner. Overnight.
     Day 8 (18.05.): Kutaisi
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight to back home.
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