Day 1
Arrival in Tbilisi. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check into a hotel. Welcome dinner in a Georgian restaurant, acquaintance with authentic cuisine, traditions of the Georgian feast and good Kakheti wine from the cellars of the Askaneli Brothers company
Day 2
Guided tour of old Tbilisi with a guide.
- Holy Trinity Cathedral, the main temple of the country.
- Freedom Square is the central square of modern Tbilisi.
- Over its bicentennial history, it has changed many names: Headquarters, Theater, Paskevich-Erivansky. In Soviet times, the square bore the name of the Transfederation, Beria, Lenin and Liberty.
- Erekle Square (Tsarskaya Square) - on it you will learn how in ancient Tbilisi even before the appearance of newspapers, information was exchanged between different parts of the city.
- Vakhtang Gorgasali Square (Meydan) is the oldest place of shopping in Tbilisi.
- Sioni Cathedral. Shrines: Cross of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, head of the Apostle Thomas, myrrh-streaming icon of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, a miraculous stone brought by David of Gareja from Jerusalem.
- The fortress of Narikala. Sightseeing walk to the fortress by cable car. Great place for photo sessions.
- Kashveti Temple and a walk along Rustaveli Avenue. You will learn an ancient legend associated with this place and one of the thirteen Assyrian priests who arrived in the VI century in Georgia as missionaries.
- Anchiskhati Temple is the oldest temple in Tbilisi. According to legend, Vakhtang Gorgasali began construction of five temples in the new capital of Georgia, founded by him. Anchiskhati is one of them. Despite the numerous destructions received during the conquest of the city by hordes of Mongols, Arabs, Persians and Turks, the temple will delight you with its beauty and modest grandeur.
- Metekhi Temple - the temple and the castle of the same name were built in this place even under Vakhtang Gorgasali in the 5th century. The current temple dates from the 13th century.
- Abanotubani is a district of sulfur baths. One of the first three areas of ancient Tbilisi. You will see the bathhouse that Pushkin and Dumas loved to visit.
- The statue of the pheasant, from which the history of Tbilisi began, and at the sulfur baths, in which Pushkin and Dumas loved to be
- The waterfall in Legvtahevi (Fig Valley) - is located in the heart of the ancient city. An ideal place to take pictures against the backdrop of a cascading water cascade.
- A walk through the labyrinths of streets of the old city, st. Leselidze and the legendary miniature theater R. Gabriadze
- Sololaki district, labyrinths of old atmospheric streets, Italian courtyards, exquisite front rooms in the classical and Moorish style and houses with a rich history
- Mtatsminda, Holy Mountain. Mamadaviti, Church of St. David of Gareja
- Pantheon of public figures of Georgia. The first significant burial at this place was the burial of the famous Russian writer Alexander Griboedov (1795-1829), later his wife, Princess Nino Chavchavadze (1812-1857) was buried next to him.
- Evening lights st. Chardin
- Peace Bridge and Rike Park - contrasts of the new architecture and high-tech beauty of the city
Day 3
Plan of the day. Departure to Mtskheta. Mtskheta, the monastery of the Holy Cross, the Monastery of the Twelve Apostles (Svetitskhoveli), the worship of one of the main shrines for all Christians, the Robe of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the convent of Samtavro, the relics of St. Father Gabriel, Uplistsikhe cave settlement, arrival in Kutaisi
- Monastery of the Holy Cross, Jvari. It belongs to the first half of the VII century. It is located where, according to historical sources, the Cross was erected by the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina. Georgia’s first World Heritage Site (since 1994).
- Svetitskhoveli Monastery, (life-giving pillar) Cathedral in the name of the Twelve Apostles Sightseeing tour in the accompaniment of a guide. Since 1994 Monument to World Heritage. Main Shrine - You will have the absolutely unique opportunity to worship one of the greatest Shrines for all Christians, the Rize of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was brought to Georgia by the Mtskheta Jews, Rabbi Elioz and his brother Longinos, who were present at the Lord's crucifixion and protested against the unjust court of the Sanhedrin. ..
- Samtavro, an active convent, in which Tsar Mirian and his wife Nana are buried, were the first to be baptized by the Christian faith from Saint Nino in 337. Shrines: On the territory of the temple you can bow to the elder Gabriel, one of the most revered Georgian saints. By the decision of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Elder Gabriel was glorified in the face of the saints as the reverend. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to include the name of the Monk Gabriel in the month of the Russian Orthodox Church with the establishment of the celebration of his memory on November 2.
- Departure to Uplistsikhe, an ancient cave city. According to archaeological data, Uplistsikhe became a cult center in the late II - early I millennium BC. E. Uplistsikhe Caves are UNESCO protected sites. To date, no more than 150 caves from a huge settlement have survived, where the number of grottoes carved in the rock once exceeded 700. According to archaeologists, people in Uplistsikhe lived already in the first millennium BC
Arrival in the city of Kutaisi. Dinner. Overnight at the guest house.
Day 4
Plan of the day. Motsameta. Monastery of St. David and Constantine, numbered among the holy great martyrs of the Georgian church. Gelati, Church of the Nativity of the Virgin. Natural cave complex of stalactite rocks Prometheus / Sataplia. Bagrati. Cathedral of Kutaisi.
Breakfast at the guest house.
- Departure to the cave complex in Sataplia. It is located at a depth of 80 meters below sea level. Inside, the cave is decorated with calcite sap-droplets: stalactites, stalagmites and stalagnates. Without exaggeration, we can say that you have to see a truly fabulous spectacle, while natural formations of a bizarre form are decorated at the highest artistic level, German designers were engaged in highlighting.
- Return to Kutaisi. Hiking in the old town. Lunch at the authentic restaurant "Chambers"
- Departure to Motsameta. It was built in the 7th – 8th centuries and is famous for its architecture and unique paintings of the 16th century. Around the monastery is amazingly beautiful canyon. Panoramic views of the gorge of fabulous beauty open from the observation deck of the complex. Shrines: The ark with the relics of Saints David and Constantine is located in the main temple of the monastery. The Argve princes David and Constantine fiercely resisted the Arab invaders, who invaded western Georgia in 735-737. having angered Marwan, who was known for his cruelty, the second (Deaf) Arab caliph, who demanded that the Eristavs betray the Christian faith, to which he received persistent refusal and cruelly tortured David and Constantine, who earnestly accepted the torment and met death with dignity.
- Gelati. The architectural complex was founded in 1106 by the Georgian king David IV the Builder and was the most important center of culture, science and education. The Academy was founded at the monastery, the building of which has recently been restored. The complex includes the Church of St. George, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, the Nativity Cathedral, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the building of the Gelati Academy. In 1994 included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- In the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, unique murals dating from the 12-18th centuries have been preserved. The main property of Gelati, of course, is a 12th-century mosaic depicting the Virgin and Child between the two Archangels. Shrines: Necropolis of the Kings of Georgia, David IV the Builder, Demeter I, George III and others, Kings of Imereti Bagrat III, George II, George III, George VI, Alexander V, Solomon I
- Cathedral Church in Bagrati. The Bagrat Temple (Bagrati) was built during the reign of Bagrat I. It was in this temple in 1089 that David IV the Builder was crowned. This magnificent cathedral is one of the best examples of late medieval architecture. In the XVII century the temple was destroyed by the Turks. Three hundred years he stood in a dilapidated condition and in August 2012 was restored.
Dinner. Overnight at the guest house.
Day 5
Plan of the day. Departure to Borjomi. Akhaltsikhe fortress complex, Rabat. A walk in the Borjomi park, tasting of the canteen of Borjomi healing mineral water
Breakfast at the guest house.
- 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.
- Arrival in Borjomi. Walk in the Borjomi park. Tasting water from a natural spring with healing mineral water Borjomi
- Return to Tbilisi. Dinner at the guest house.
Day 6
Plan of the day. Departure to Kakheti. Alaverdi Monastery Complex, Ikalto Monastery Complex, Telavi, Walking in the City, Tsinandali, House Museum Al. Chavchavadze
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Kakheti.
- St. George's Cathedral, the Alaverdi monastery complex was built at the beginning of the XI century and is one of the highest buildings of its time.
- The monastery complex of Ikalto. 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 Ikatoeli, an academy was built here. The Ikaltoy Academy is famous for the fact that Shota Rustaveli studied there (author Vityaz in tiger skin). Shrines: Moshi of Zenon of Ikaltoy
- Telavi, a walk around the city with a sightseeing tour.
- Visit to the Shumi winery, a sightseeing tour with a wine tasting from the Shumi company. White wines - Tsinandali, Rkatsiteli, red Saperavi, mukuzani, Kindzmarauli
- Homemade dinner at the guest house, based on authentic local dishes at the Guest House
Day 7
Plan of the day. Gremi Castle, Nekresi Monastery Complex, Sighnaghi, sightseeing tour, Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino. Return to Tbilisi.
Breakfast at the Hotel
- Gremy Castle. The fortress and castle were built by King Levan in 1563. The city was located on an area of about 40 hectares and was conditionally divided into three parts: the royal residence, the church and the market.
- The monastery complex of Nekresi. A unique place for several reasons. Firstly, it was from here that Christianity began to spread throughout Georgia. Secondly, in Nekresi is the oldest church in the country, the Church of John the Baptist, dating from the 4th century,. And thirdly, from the top of the mountain on which the monastery stands, a stunning view of the Alazani Valley opens. An integral part of the Nekresi monastery complex is the wine storage, or “marani”. This is an open gallery with recesses in the floor for the installation of jugs. A serpentine leads directly to the monastery, which you will have to overcome either on your own or in a minibus
- Sighnaghi, guided tour. The city was founded in the XVII century under King Irakli II and, as locals say, it is the only city in Georgia that has completely preserved the fortress walls. The fortress wall is lined with watchtowers, which you can climb to enjoy magnificent views of the Alazani Valley. After the restoration, Sighnaghi turned into a European town with narrow stone-paved streets, winding and steep, and blocks of one- and two-story houses under bright red tiled roofs in the style of South Italian classicism. A leisurely walk through its streets will bring you tremendous pleasure.
- Bodbe (monastery of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina) is a stavropegial convent of the Georgian Orthodox Church, founded in the 4th century. In 314 AD, the wife of the Iberian king Miran III, Queen Nana converted to Christianity. She was baptized by St. Nino of Cappadocia. According to one legend, during the hunt, the king stopped seeing. He asked "God Nino" for help, and his sight returned to him. Returning from the hunt, the king met with Nino and was soon baptized.
- Saint Nina in the last years of her life retired to Bodbe where she served until the end of her life. King Mirian over the grave of St. Nina erected a temple in honor of St. George, the heavenly patron of Georgia, and a monastery arose near him. A visit to the monastery of St. Nino and your sincere prayer before the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God will fill your hearts with special joy and reverence. Meeting of pilgrims with Mother Superior Shrines: Relics of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina, the Enlightener of Georgia, “Iverskaya” Icon of the Mother of God
- The monastery complex David Gareji. The complex is about 20 monasteries carved in the rocks. The main monastery is considered to be St. Lavra. David, which is located on the northern slope of the mountain that separates Georgia and Azerbaijan. The border runs along the top of the mountain, which Georgian historians call Udabno, by the name of one of the monasteries. The complex’s oldest monastery, the Laurel of David, was founded at the beginning of VI in the Syrian monk David, one of 13 Syrian fathers who settled in the natural cave of Gareja. In the Church of the Transfiguration of God is located the tomb of David of Gareja himself. This holy place is visited by many pilgrims.
- Return to Tbilisi. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8
Airport transfer