Georgian Discovery - Tour in Georgia 8 Days

Arrive Tbilisi International Airport. Meet your guide and drive to Tbilisi. Check-in to hotel at noon.
Tbilisi sightseeing tour – the Old Town and the New City. We begin our tour at the compact area of Old Tbilisi. Starting at the church of Metekhi, we walk to the brick domes of sulfur baths and then on to Narikala fortress – overlooking Mtkvari river gorge. After that we visit the synagogue, and the Sioni and Anchiskhati churches, which mark the end of the Old Town. After we visit the treasury of the National Museum of Georgia, walking along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi and visit the treasury of the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the third biggest Orthodox Church in the world. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns, the cultural and religious center of Georgia. Today, it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a living museum, with many architectural and historical monuments. Visit Jvari (temple of the Holy Cross), built in the 6th century standing on a high hill overlooking the confluence of two majestic rivers Aragvi and Mtkvari. Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XI century). Continue to Kutaisi, the second biggest city in Georgia which, according to the legend was the ultimate destination of the Jason and Argonauts searching for the Golden Fleece. Visit Bagrati Cathedral (XI c.), Gelati Academy (XII c.) built by King David the Builder. Overnight in Kutaisi.

After breakfast drive to mysterious Svaneti region through Enguri gorge.
Svaneti is known for its original architecture and is called “the Country of Thousand Towers. Mestia still has dozens of such medieval stone houses with the watchtowers and inhabited towers which were used to protect valleys and churches (the 10 th – 14 th centuries). Visit Mestia Ethnographical Museum, Svan original house “machubi” and tower “koshki”. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at hotel drive to Ushguli village, the highest standing settlement in Europe (2,200 m). Spend time in Ushguli strolling old narrow streets. Visit Lamaria Church complex with impressive wall frescos (XII). Locals believe that it was under this church that Queen Tamara was buried. Enjoy picturesque view of Mt. Shkhara. Ushguli architectural complex is a valuable architectural and historical monument listed in the World heritage of UNESCO for its exclusiveness. There are about 70 families living in Ushguli (around 200 people). Return to Mestia. and overnight at hotel.

Drive back to Kutaisi after breakfast. On the way, stop at Dadiani’s (Princes of West Georgia) Palace in Zugdidi. Dadiani Palace was the home of the final ruling family of the Principality of Samegrelo, whose reign ended in 1857 when Russian Imperial rule began. The complex was built primarily by Russian architect Leonid Vassilyev. It includes the palace of Ekaterine Chavchavadze -Dadiani, the last queen of Samegrelo, a residence for her son Niko Dadiani, a monastery, and a large garden which is now the Zugdidi Botanical Gardens. Continue driving to Kutaisi. Overnight in Kutaisi.

After breakfast drive back to Tbilisi. On the way visit Gori. Explore Joseph Stalin museum featuring original house where he was born, and his private armored train carriage. Continue to Uplistsikhe (“Fortress of God”) . Uplistsikhe is located on the left bank of Mtkvari River and is notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Arrive in Tbilisi. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning, depart Tbilisi and drive to Kakheti region. Kakheti is located in eastern Georgia and is known as the cradle of Georgian Wine. Here, in Alazani Valley some unique grape varieties, such as Kindzmarauli, Manavi, Saperavi are cultivated. Visit Bodbe Nunnery (XIX c.), burial site of St. Nino who brought Christianity to Georgia in IV c. Continue road to royal Sighnaghi, a small town located on a hilltop providing beautiful views of Alazani river valley and the Caucasus Mountain Range. Have a tour and wine tasting in wine cellar “Khareba”. Return to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Check-out from the hotel. Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.