Day 1
Arrival in Tbilisi. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Guided walking tour of the old town. Immersion in the history of the city.
- Metekhi is a historical district of Tbilisi on a high cliff above Kura, a place of heroic resistance of Orthodox Georgia. The area was inhabited even by Vakhtang Gorgasal, who built his palace here. The main attraction of Metekhi is the Assumption Church, picturesquely set on the crest of a rock, built in 1278-84. under king Demeter II. In the XVII century, the territory adjacent to the church was turned into a fortress, and on the other side of the river, the Shah Abbas mosque appeared. In 1961, the site in front of the temple was decorated with an equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasal. The Metekhi district itself is a small open-air museum, old buildings with wooden carved balconies, old masonry, entwined with ivy and overgrown grapes near the house. Walking along its streets with a guide and diving into its history is a pleasure
- Abanotubani is the heart of old Tbilisi. This is the place where once, near the sulfur springs that delighted King Vakhtang Gorgasali, the future capital of Georgia was born, and the ancient history of the city is literally in every brick and stone of cobblestone pavements. The sulfur baths themselves, in which Pushkin and Dumas loved to be, are a separate story and era. Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, visiting Tiflis in 1829, shocked by bathing in the Orbelianovskaya (or as it is called "motley") bath, shared his feelings in the essay "Journey to Arzrum." The first baths in the Abanotubani area (“Abano” in Georgian means a bathhouse, “Ubani” means a district) appeared in Tbilisi in the 16th century, where, like Roman terms, it was more a place of social life than just a bathhouse. In the 13th century, during the heyday of the Silk Road, more than 60 sulfur baths operated in Abanotubani, but by the beginning of the 19th century there were about 10 of them left, the same number has survived to this day.
- The fortress is Narikala. From the guide you will hear the fascinating story of the origin of Tbilisi associated with sulfur springs, a walk through the picturesque district of the city to continue along the picturesque Inzhira Gorge with a beautiful high waterfall and overhanging openwork Tbilisi balconies. From the bottom of the canyon, you will climb the spiral staircase to the Narikala fortress with panoramic views that open to the old city. On the way, you will see the unique Juma mosque - one of the few places in the world where Sunnis and Shiites pray together, which is largely a reflection of Georgia’s historical tolerance. Back, you are already descending on the cable car to Rike Park, and the whole of Tbilisi is in full view.
- Park Rike. Today it includes singing fountains, a giant chessboard, a grand piano, a cable car and, of course, the avant-garde project of Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas, a horn for wine. The park is adjoined by a modern and extravagant Peace Bridge by the Italian architect Michele de Lucca. The graceful curves of metal and glass harmoniously complement the image of Rike Park. The bridge connects the right and left banks of the Kura River and looks especially beautiful at night, when the spotlight is turned on. A special flavor of the city is conveyed by a walk along Shardeni and Baratashvili Avenue, with its small sculptures very successfully incorporated into the image of the old city.
Dinner at a Georgian restaurant. A delicious surprise from the company. You are invited to a Georgian restaurant. Especially for you, the best specialists from Georgian dishes: authentic khachapuri, delicious eggplant and peppers in peanut sauce, green and red phali with walnuts, delicious “chakapuli”, young lamb stewed in wine with tarragon sauce, hot pita bread with Tushino cheese, Imereti sulguni and rustic “nadughi” cheese with mint leaves, Tushino khinkali and of course the special aroma of Georgian barbecue on wood, to the sound of glasses of Kakheti wine.
Return to the hotel. Transfer
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. 9.30 Departure on the Georgian military road to the Ananuri fortress.
- Ananur fortress. The fortress arose in the 16th century and for the next two centuries served as the northern outpost of the defense of Transcaucasia, blocking the road leading from the Darial Gorge.
- Zhinvali reservoir. Zhinvali reservoir provides Tbilisi with drinking water and electricity. The dam on Aragvi was built in 1985, its height exceeds one hundred meters, its width is four hundred meters. The volume of water in the reservoir is more than half a billion cubic meters. The grounds offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the reservoir. Ideal place for photo sessions.
- Church of the Holy Trinity in Gergeti, a stronghold of faith at the foot of Mount Kazbek. The temple was erected in the 14th century. The Trinity Church in Gergeti became a special symbolic place and symbol of Georgia, because during enemy raids and wars, many religious shrines were sheltered under its dome, including the holy Cross of Nina woven from vines, which, according to legend, the Mother of God handed her deposited before the saint went to convert Georgia to Christianity. The temple was built in a classic cross-domed style at an altitude of 2170 m above sea level. The highest mountain temple in Europe. From the panoramic platform of the temple, views of both the village and the mountains and the majestic Mount Kazbek are opened with absolutely stunning beauty.
- Cuisine of the Heavy / Khevsuretii region. Lunch in a restaurant with panoramic views of the mountains in the village of Arsha.
Return to Tbilisi
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to the Temple of the Holy Cross, Jvari. It belongs to the first half of the VII century. The first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Georgia (since 1994).
- Panoramic view of the city of Mtskheta. A symbolic place, known to us since childhood, from the lines of M. Lermontov’s poem “Mtsyri” ... Where, merging, they make noise, hugging, as if two sisters, jets of Aragva and Kura, there was a monastery ... Tour of the city Mtskheta. Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles Svetitskhoveli. Since 1994, UNESCO World Heritage Monument. Holy place for believing Christians, where the unconventional Chiton of Jesus Christ rests
- Departure to the Borjomi gorge. A walk in the Borjomi park, a unique opportunity to taste the legendary mineral water directly from the source. Regional cuisine of the Borjomi Gorge. Lunch at a restaurant based on local dishes.
- A visit to the Akhaltsikhe fortress Rabat. Rabat Fortress is a real cultural and historical complex on an area of about seven hectares. The territory of the fortress is divided into the lower modern part and the upper historical. The upper part includes the Ahmediye Mosque (XVIII century), the Orthodox Church (XIX century), the family castle of Jakeli, as well as the historical museum. The museum’s exposition presents the ancient history of South Georgia: stone products of the Neolithic era, bronze axes found in these parts, everyday objects of the primitive era, and other artifacts.
Return to Tbilisi.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel. 10.00 Departure to Kakheti.
- St. George's Cathedral, Alaverdi Monastery Complex It was built at the beginning of the 11th century and is one of the highest structures of its time, the Ikalto Monastery Complex. It was founded by one of 13 Assyrian fathers, Zeno of Ikaltoy in the second half of the 6th century. In the XII century, on the initiative of the mentor of King David the Builder, Arsen Ikaltoeli, an academy was built here. Ikaltoy Academy is famous for the fact that Shota Rustaveli studied there (author Vityaz in tiger skin)
- Hiking around Lake Lopota. Excursion to the House-Museum of Al. Chavchavadze and a walk through the beautiful garden of the estate.
- Kakheti, one of the centers of Georgian winemaking. You have to get acquainted with the legendary famous Tsinandali wine exactly in the place where it is produced, appellation (microzone) of Kindzmarauli Aleksa Shaloshvili's winery, an excursion with a tasting tour.
- A walk through the beautiful town of Sighnaghi with a unique architecture and atmosphere that will remind you of little Italy.
Master class of Georgian cuisine. Imereti Khachapuri. The legendary Tushino khinkali with his own hands. Cuisine of the Kakheti region. Dinner specially for guests, traditional Kakheti region home-cooked dishes based on family recipes. Shild Folk Song Ensemble. Kakheti wine for dinner as a gift from the company.
Overnight at the hotel in Telavi
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel. 9.30 Departure to the Georgian-Azerbaijani border.
Azerbaijan is a country of lights! A fascinating journey continues through the cities of Azerbaijan, Sheki-Gabala-Lagich-Shamakha-Baku.
- Sheki. Lunch at the gastronomic restaurant "Taste of Memories". The regional cuisine of Sheki is one of the most special in Azerbaijan. You have to try piti in pots of baklava, salted white cucumbers. Excursion program in the city of Sheki: Inspection of the historical and architectural complex "Yukhara Karavansaray" (XVIII-XIX centuries), the fortress wall and towers of the medieval city (XVIII-XIX centuries), the palace of Sheki Khans (XVIII centuries), a round Albanian Christian church). Palace of Sheki Khans. Sheki is a city not only of culinary specialists, but also of artisans, traders and craftsmen. Sheki silk shawls and silk products are especially famous around the world.
- Gabala. There are many historical and architectural monuments in the vicinity of Gabala (Udinsky temple). Just recently, the temple was restored and today it is open for visiting parishioners of the Udine Christian community and tourists who want to see with their own eyes the ancient attraction of Azerbaijan. The restored temple was built at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries on the site of an ancient Albanian church, once erected by the will of St. Elisha, a Christian preacher and enlightener revered in Caucasian Albania. Therefore, now, the temple bears his name. Just through the Gabala region there passed the unique tourist route “Alexander Dumas in the Caucasus. Gabala is the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. The nature is fabulous. Huge forests of chestnuts and nuts grow here. Very beautiful rivers and waterfalls flow.
- Lahic. Dinner at the restaurant. You have to get acquainted with specialists of regional cuisine. Local kutabs are especially piquant. Lahic is a village of hereditary artisans. Here, residents sell metal and copper products. Life in Lahic goes slowly, around there are small houses diluted with oriental flavor, narrow streets. The products of local artisans are of particular interest, they are largely unique in their kind.
- Shamakhi. I immediately remember the great A.S. Pushkin and the Shamakhi Queen, who was just from this city. Inspection of the Juma Mosque (VIII century) of the city of Shemakha.
Arrival in Baku. Check in hotel.
Day 6
Breakfast in the hotel. 09:30 Meeting with a guide in the hotel lobby and departure for an excursion.
Modern Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, a unique combination of East and West, old and new, traditions and innovations, the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its beautiful promenade, one of the longest and most futuristic architecture of modern buildings in the world. We will begin our acquaintance with Baku from the Old City. The old city (Icheri Sheher) walking tour accompanied by a guide. A true open-air museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have a walk through the history of the city in which to this day all the splendor of 1000 year old architecture has been preserved, in which the evolution of tastes and preferences of various eras is traced, starting from the Sassanid era, the period of early Islam to the period of the oil boom during which rich people of different nationalities with their preferences and cultural traditions tried to give the city a unique charm and style.
- Gosh gala gapysy, from here your acquaintance with the old city will begin. The fortress wall (XII century) of the city is equipped with towers, loopholes and served as reliable protection of the city.
- Market Square is a sacred place for fire-worshipers and Zoroastrians. The old city is unique in many respects because it retained the temporary connection and architectural heritage of the three religions — Zoroastrianism, fire worship, Islam and Christianity.
- Maiden's Tower. Many legends are associated with the legacy of this place covered in a halo of mystery. You will learn in detail the whole fascinating story from the guide.
- The bath of Haji Gaib. In the old town, a lot of medieval baths have survived, which served as a cult place at that time. Hamams - baths with saturated steam are an integral element of the East. The bath of Haji Gaib (15th century) was discovered in the 60s of the 20th century.
- Caravanserais of Baku. As you know, the Great Silk Road passed through the territory of Azerbaijan and Baku was literally crowded with trafficked people from all over the world. At the same time, certain preferences were traced, traders from India and the countries of the Middle East stayed in the Bukhara and Multan caravanserais (XIV and XV centuries). Merchants who arrived by sea made deals mainly in the Khan caravanserai (XVII century).
- The Museum of Miniature Books, the only one of its kind in the world. Created on the basis of a private collection of Zarifa Salakhova. The museum contains miniature books published both in pre-revolutionary Russia and in Soviet times. In addition, the museum displays books published in Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, from the republics of Central Asia, as well as Europe.
- The streets of old Baku are known all over the world thanks to the filming of the legendary Soviet films, such as “The Diamond Arm”, “Tehran 43”, “Amphibian Man”, “Arshin Malalan” (which was translated into 80 languages and broadcast in different parts of the world ). In the old city, for handmade lovers, souvenir shops in which you can find beautiful products in memory of Baku made by the skillful hands of artisans are of great interest. Workshop Ali Shamsi. The artist’s workshop is a real treasure where he stacks bizarre things brought from distant lands (skulls, stuffed animals, stones, souvenirs, etc.), dried pomegranates, metal and improvised installations, and a huge number of paintings of various subjects and sizes. The workshop is imbued with the spirit of Azerbaijan, it is here that everything seen. You in the old city will finally be put into place.
Lunch at a local restaurant serving national cuisine.
Further, our tour will pass through the more modern part of our capital, which covers the time period from the end of the 19th century, the 20th century and the 21st century, in which Baku is a metropolis, the capital of modern Azerbaijan.
- The architectural complex "FlameTowers" is an architectural ensemble that consists of three skyscrapers symbolizing the flames. In buildings 190 meters high, apartments, offices and hotel rooms are located. The towers themselves are completely covered with LED screens, the animation of which is clearly visible even from the farthest points of the city.
- Visit to Nagorny park. The park with its terraces, stunning greenery, an observation deck, from where an incredible panorama of the city and the Baku bay opens. Great place for photo sessions.
- Museum of Carpet and Applied Arts, whose design is distinguished by its originality - the museum is built in the form of a folded carpet. The museum is a treasury of Azerbaijani national culture, showing the carpet in close interconnection with other types of traditional art of
- Azerbaijan. His collection contains about 14,000 carpets, embroidery, clothing, copper-clad products, jewelry, modern works of glass, wood, felt.
- Philharmonic named after M.Magomayev, was built in 1910-12. under the project “Summer House for Public Meetings”.
- The building of the executive power of Baku is one of the pearls of the city’s architecture, originally intended for the Baku City Council. The foundations of the Baku City Council were laid in May 1900. The building project belongs to the Polish architect Jozef Goslawski.
- Governor's garden. A special role in creating this beautiful garden belongs to the military governor of Baku. By his order, merchants who came to the city by sea, as a special duty, were supposed to deliver several cubic meters of fertile land.
- The building of the Heydar Aliyev Center is a pearl of world architecture, awarded the high status of the best building in the world in 2014, the author of the project is architect Zaha Hadid.
Dinner at the restaurant (national cuisine, included). Transfer to the hotel
Day 7
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with a guide in the hotel lobby and departure for a tour
- Temple of fire worshipers "Ateshgah" Azerbaijan is one of many places on earth where you can still observe elements of the cult of fire and the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. The territory of the temple of fire worshipers is known throughout the world for a unique natural phenomenon. At various times revered by Zoroastrians, Hindus and Sikhs, it was built in the 17th-18th centuries on the site of unquenchable sacred lights.
- "Yanardag" ("Burning Mountain") is a natural eternal flame burning since ancient times on the hillside of the Absheron Peninsula. It does not go out when there is a strong wind, nor rain, nor snow.
Lunch at the restaurant of Azerbaijani cuisine on the Absheron peninsula.
- Open-air historical and ethnographic reserve "Gala" in the vicinity of the village of the same name in the north-eastern part of the Absheron Peninsula: archaeopark, restored fortress and museum of antiques. On the territory of the museum complex, which occupies 1.2 hectares, monuments of architecture and architecture found on the peninsula are collected and restored. Traditions and life, foci of ancient settlements, mysterious mounds, petroglyphs and other types of architectural monuments dating back to the III-II millennium BC, are maximally recreated in their original form
Dinner at the restaurant (national cuisine, included). Transfer to the airport of Baku.
Note: it is possible to book an extra night in Baku or a return transfer to Tbilisi.