Short tour: Kutaisi – Tbilisi*

 

 

Arrival to Kutaisi. Meeting with the representatives of the agency. Departure to Tbilisi. Hotel accommodation. Optional folklore welcome dinner with Georgian songs and dances (for extra charge). Overnight.

 

 

Breakfast. Panoramic tour in Tbilisi. The capital of Georgia is unique. It is located 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 centre 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 amazing Tower appeared here recently, built by the Puppet Theatre director Rezo Gabriadze. Here artists exhibit their paintings, artisans offer numerous souvenirs. There are mainly 2-3-storey houses built of stone and brick, and they have a special Tbilisi architecture, which is characterized 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 cathedral, synagogue and mosque.

During the excursion visit of: Mechetian Church ( V c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary – the oldest surviving church, Synaxis of Saint Truinity, temple complex of Tsminda Sameba – the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. The rise by the cable car (tickets for extra charge) to the Narikala fortress ( IV c.).

Next, excursion to the ancient capital of Georgia Mtskheta. 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 temple-monastery Jvari ( VI c.). At the top of the mountain where the temple is located, opens a fantastic view on the place of confluence of two rivers – Kura and Aragvi. There also opens a beautiful view on the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta.

Return to Tbilisi. Overnight in the hotel.

 

 

Day 3: Tbilisi – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Kutaisi

Breakfast. Departure to Kutaisi. On the way, isit the Stalin museum (tickets for extra charge). Museum consists of three blocks – museum, house and railway carriage. Next, excursion to Uplistsikhe (I centuries BC) – a wonderful cave town, that was finishing the building for centuries, and included more than 700 caves and buildings, including wineries, bakeries, antique theater, hall of receptions of Queen Tamara, preserved to this day.

Excursion in the ancient city Kutaisi, that is more than 3 thousand years old. Visit of Gelati monastery and academy, established by the great Georgian tsar David IV the Builder. Gelati Monastery has preserved a great variety of wall paintings dating back to XII-XVIII centuries. Therefore, the most wonderful in the architecture of Gelati complex is its frescoes and mosaics, that return the all gone days and remind us about its creators.Then excursion to the Cathedral of Bagrati that was erected in Kutaisi during the reign of Bagrat III, was named after the first king of united Georgia, as a main palace of the kingdom, was consecrated in 1003. Both Gelati monastery and Academy and Bagrati Cathedral are included to the number of World Heritage sites by UNESCO. Then, visit of the "monastery of accomplishment of desires" Motsameta. Monastery overlooks the Rioni river surrounded by rugged coastal vegetation. The legend says that this small monastery stands on the place of the execution of the Georgian kings David and Constantine Mkheidze by Muslims, because they were faithful to Christianity. Prince David and Constantine are canonized, their relics are stored in a large rectangular ark on a dais in the small hall of the monastery. There is a legend among the tourists, that if you ask the holy princes something, crawl under the ark three times and venerate to their relics, your wish will come true. Overnight.

 

 

Breakfast. Free time for souvenirs buying. Transfer to the airport. Return home.