Wonders of Georgia: A 10-Day Cultural and Christian Exploration

We start Tbilisi full day sightseeing from the main cathedral nearby the presidential residence of Georgia. Holy Trinity (Sameba) Cathedral is the highest among the Christian Orthodox churches (103m below the dome). A beautiful yard with unique flowers and fountains makes the entrance of the cathedral very pleasant. The next stop is Metekhi Church, located on the rocky cliff above the River Mtkvari. Visit Tbilisi Mosque, Legvtakhevi waterfall, and Sulfur bathhouses. Continue to Narikala Fortress I century. The fortress was used to defend the city. There are outdoor cafes and bars, souvenir shops, and art galleries located near the Maidan square. Overnight in Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Borjomi. Visit Borjomi park and Rabati Castle. Borjomi is famous for its curative sparkling mineral waters. Borjomi is a hydrothermal health spa resort in the southern region of Samskhe-Javakheti in Georgia. The natural artesian springs are coming to the surface without pumping. After tasting, Borjomi sparkling water, walk through Borjomi park. Rabati Castle is a medieval castle complex of Asian style in Akhaltsikhe. Built in the 9-12th century, Rabati castle developed under the influence of different cultures over subsequent centuries and this is reflected in its architecture. Within the 7 hectares castle complex there is a Church, a Mosque, a Minaret and a Synagogue. Return to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Ananuri. Visit Ananuri fortress and Gergeti Holy Trinity Church in Kazbegi. Ananuri fortress is found in the same-name village on the Georgian Military Road. In the XVI - early XIX centuries, Ananuri was the main stronghold on the way from Daryal Valley to Dusheti and from Russia to Georgia. Today it is one of the main points of tourist routes in Georgia. The main advantage of the Ananuri fortress is its relative preservation: for the last few centuries no stone walls or towers have collapsed, what is more impressive, some slabs have survived. It is still possible to contemplate the Assumption Church and Church of the Savior with ancient frescos, belfry, main tower and bath. Gergeti Holy Trinity Church is located in Kazbegi municipality, 2200 meters above sea level. It is the most popular tourist destination in Georgia. The Trinity Church of Gergeti, with its history and location, is the face of Georgia - a Christian Island hidden in the most beautiful nature. Overnight in Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Kakheti. Visit KTW winery in Kakheti, Signaghi city and Bodbe Monastery. Drive to Kakheti - a region known for its wine-making traditions. Visit the winery "KTW". Tasting different sorts of delicious Georgian wine. Sighnaghi (‘The City of Love’) is perhaps Georgia's single most attractive town, with an amazing position perched on a lofty hilltop facing the snowcapped Caucasus looming in the distance across the vast Alazani valley. Full of 18th- and 19th-century architecture and with a vaguely Tuscan feel. Bodbe Monastery is one of the most important pilgrimage places in Georgia, because the country's patron saint, St. Nino, is buried there. At the end of 90-ies around the spring of water which emerged under the influence of prayers of St. Nino was constructed tub of water for ritual baths and a small church named after her parents – St. Zabulon and St. Sosana. People believe that water has miraculous properties. Overnight in Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Mtskheta (Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Samtavro Monastery) and Uplistsikhe Cave Town. Mtskheta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been inhabited since before 1,000 BC and was once the capital of the early Kingdom of Iberia (today’s Eastern Georgia). The ancient geographer Strabo described Mtskheta as a highly developed city with a water supply system, markets, and stone houses. Mtskheta was also the religious center of the country, with a number of major shrines to Georgia’s pagan pantheon; these would later be replaced by churches when St. Nino converted the country to Christianity in around 326 AD. Although the capital was moved to the more easily defended Tbilisi at the beginning of the VI century, Mtskheta continued to be the coronation and burial place of Georgian kings, and the seat of the Patriarch, who is also known as the Bishop of Mtskheta. Uplistsikhe is an ancient cave town from the 2nd half of the 2nd millennium BC. situated on the crossroads of important trade routes. It was the main center of paganism and represents a complex of halls, caves, theatres, altars, pagan temples, secret tunnels, prisons, pharmacies, passages-streets all carved out of stone over an area of 4 hectares. Uplistsikhe is listed among the historical monuments protected by UNESCO. Overnight in Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Departure to Kutaisi. Visit Martvili canyon and Sataplia. Martvili Canyon is a picturesque landmark of water and rocks. 700 m long stone-paved circular route starts from Martvili Canyon visitor center and crosses the Dadiani historical trail. There are 2 bridges, 3 platform views and historical 30 steps stair constructed by large limestone boulders. Visitors can enjoy a 300-meter boat tour on river Abasha and beautiful views of the mountain river canyon. The length of the route the boats take along the river is about 1 km, and the trip takes about 30 minutes (including photo stops). Sataplia will surprise you with its unique sightseeing… Easy pedestrian tourist routes are convenient for travel and provide an opportunity to visit the conservation building of dinosaur footprints, exhibition hall, unique karst caves, Colchic Forest and the wild bee habitat area. A beautiful view of the Imereti region overlooks from the glass panoramic construction. Overnight in Kutaisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Batumi. Visit Batumi Botanical Garden and Gonio fortress. Batumi’s garden is of the oldest, biggest and more important plant research facilities in the region. There are close to 2,000 different species from across the globe represented in 9 different zones, all connected by a dozen different walking paths and off-road hiking trails. It’s also one of the best places in Batumi to enjoy the view of the Black Sea and the city skyline. Gonio Fortress near Batumi, also known as Gonio-Apsaros Fortress, is the oldest citadel in the country of Georgia whose formation dates back to the Roman Empire. Occupying 4.5 hectares (over 11 acres) near the city of Batumi in Adjara Region, Gonio Fortress is regarded as a rare and vital link to Georgia’s ancient past. Return to Kutaisi. Overnight in Kutaisi

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery and Motsameta Monastery Bagrati Cathedral is located in Kutaisi, Imereti region, on Ukimerioni hill. It was built in 1003, during the reign of Bagrat III. Bagrati Temple is an important monument of Georgian culture, both in terms of architectural solution and symbolic significance. It is a symbol of the unity and strength of our country. Until the end of the XVII century, the monument was safely preserved. In 1692, the Ottomans, entered from Akhaltsikhe, captured the Kutaisi fortress and blew up the Bagrati temple during the battle... Nowadays, the church is completely restored. The Bagrati Temple has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994, but was removed from the list after restoration. The Gelati Monastery, with its main buildings erected between the 12th and 13th centuries, was an important religious, cultural and educational center of Georgia. The monastery complex is included in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list and its architecture is well known for wonderful mosaics and frescos. King David the Builder, the most celebrated King of Georgia, is buried in the yard of the monastery The Motsameta Monastery was built in the 11th century, but its current appearance was acquired in the 19th century. The history of the monastery's founding is associated with the names of the Argveti princes - David and Konstantine Mkheidze. In the 8th century, during the invasion of Murvan the Deaf, they put up great resistance to the Arab commander, and were eventually martyred. The Georgian Church canonized them as saints. In the 11th century, Bagrat IV built a small, domeless church on the site of the church destroyed by the Arabs and transferred the remains of the saints to a new church. The name Motsameta is also associated with this history. Departure to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi

Free time. Check-out. Transfer to the airport in Tbilisi. Departure