Georgia In-depth Exploration

This morning, your driver-guide will meet you at your hotel for a 40-minute drive to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. In the 4th century AD, it witnessed Georgia become the second country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion. 

Upon arrival, let’s explore Jvari Monastery on a hilltop. We’ll see the large wooden cross erected by St. Nino, a female missionary who guided Georgia’s conversion. From here, you can also enjoy panoramic views of the old city and the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. We’ll then visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a famous pilgrimage site known for housing Jesus’ holy robe.

After that, let’s return to Tbilisi and visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the third tallest Orthodox cathedral in the world. It was built to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christianity, and the 1500th anniversary of the independence of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Your eyes may be caught by the over 7-meter-high (23 ft.) dome covered in pure gold. It shines day and night, illuminating Tbilisi and serving as the spiritual pillar of the city. 

Next, we’ll go to Metekhi Old Town adjacent to Mtkvari River, and visit Metekhi Church. Let’s admire the statue of King Vakhtang I Gorgasali, known as the “Father of Georgia,” standing in front of the church. Across the river stands the “Mother of Georgia” statue, holding a goblet and a sword in her hands, symbolizing the Georgians’ hospitality and bravery. Later, follow your guide through the modern 150-meter-long (492 ft.) Bridge of Peace to Meidani Square, where you could explore the retro underground market which was once the largest and most famous trading center in the Caucasus on the Great Silk Road.

Then, let’s leave the bustling old town and head to the 22-meter-high (72 ft.) Leghvtakhevi Waterfall. This is the source of the sulfurous hot springs in Tbilisi. After that, take a cable car to the ancient Narikala Fortress, and enjoy panoramic views and the “Mother of Georgia”. Our tour will conclude on Shardeni Street, after which your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Tbilisi (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel for your 2-hour private ride to Sighnaghi town in Kakheti, Georgia’s largest wine-producing region. The town, with its medieval buildings and Georgia’s only well-preserved defensive city walls, will take you back to the age of chivalry. Interestingly, Sighnaghi also has a romantic nickname, the “City of Love”. There is a 24/7 wedding registry for couples from all over the world, and is becoming a popular spot for holding weddings. We’ll visit the Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe, Sighnaghi’s revered religious center, where St. Nino is buried.

★ Discover the Flavors of Georgian Wines & Food

Then, let’s continue by an hour’s drive to Khareba Winery, explore the cellars and vineyards and uncover the secrets of Georgia’s wine. There are about 800 varieties of grapes in the world, and Georgia alone boasts over 500 native varieties! As early as 8,000 years ago, Georgians were making wine using egg-shaped Qvevri clay pots, and the deep-colored Saperavi red wine is the representative. Even today, most family wineries in Kakheti still use this traditional method. Besides tasting different wines, you’ll also have chance to experience making traditional foods, Shoti bread and Churchkhela candy. Churchkhela is a common street snack also related to grapes! First, you’ll need to string roasted walnuts, almonds, and other nuts together, and then get them coated with grape juice mixed with flour and sugar. After it’s dried, the dessert will be ready.

After the exciting tour, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel in Tbilisi.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Tbilisi (3 stars) or similar

Today, your driver-guide will escort you to delve into the Kazbegi region, a part of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. It is named after the 5,054-meter-high (16,581 ft.) Mount Kazbek, whose stunning scenery attracts hikers from around the world. We’ll drive along the Georgian Military Highway connecting Georgia and Russia, and stop at historical sites and natural wonders.

Our first stop is the Ananuri Fortress overlooking the Aragvi River. We’ll admire its well-preserved medieval churches and exquisite reliefs. Legend has it that, during a siege, the fortress, with a secret passage to water, provides a refuge for the locals. Later, a woman named Ana was captured by the enemy, and she never revealed the location of the passage until she died. So, the fortress was named after her. We’ll then visit the Gudauri Ski Resort, Georgia’s largest one, and the natural Vedza Sour Waters, observing the rust-red pools and tasting the astringent mineral water.

Then, we’ll arrive at one of Georgia’s most iconic landmarks, the mountain-top Gergeti Trinity Church. From below, you can soon notice this 14th-century stone church. The surroundings are majestic snow-capped peaks shrouded in mist, like a fairyland in a painting. No wonder it’s praised as “the church closest to heaven”. Follow your guide to hike to the summit, overlook Mount Kazbek and the townscape, and unwind in the tranquil alpine meadows and fresh air. After the tour, your driver-guide will escort you back to Tbilisi in about 4 hours.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Tbilisi (3 stars) or similar

This morning, enjoy a 1.5-hour private transfer to Gori with your driver-guide, and first visit Uplistsikhe Cave Town, one of the world’s oldest rock-hewn towns. Situated by the Mtkvari River, it features hundreds of houses, theaters, temples, and other rooms carved into the sandstone hillside, dating back to the 1st century AD! Your driver-guide will show you the temples dedicated to the sun goddess and the earth god, as well as Christian churches. Why can different religions coexist harmoniously in Uplistsikhe? The truth is, excavating rooms from the rock was difficult, but demolishing them was even more so! These structures are like a three-dimensional chronicle, recording the changes here over 2,000 years. You can find the ancient winepresses and cellars, and feel Georgian people’s enduring love for wine.

Next, let’s return to Gori city center to visit the Stalin Museum. The city is the birthplace of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin (1878-1953). The museum is a retro building expanded from the small house where Stalin was born. Here, you can see the personal belongings from his childhood, as well as his iconic clothing, pipe, and even a bulletproof train carriage. Although there are mixed opinions of this ruler, we can get a more comprehensive understanding of him from here.

After the visit, we’ll continue to Borjomi by a 1.5-hour drive. Upon arrival, your drive-guide will assist you with hotel check-in.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Borjomi Bridge Hotel (4 stars) or similar

In the morning, grab your water bottle and let’s head to Borjomi Central Park to sample the famous mineral water! Coming from a volcanic underground water system, Borjomi’s thermal spring water has a salty and slightly astringent taste. Moreover, it’s naturally rich in bubbles, which are believed to help improve gut health. Especially in the 20th century AD, the water was considered to have significant therapeutic effects, sweeping the sanatoriums in the Caucasus. It is said that when Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968 AD), the world’s first person to travel in space, returned to Earth, the first thing he said to the doctor was, “I want to drink some Borjomi.” Let’s have a try on the legendary water at the spring in the park! 

Next, we’ll drive an hour to Akhaltsikhe Town to visit the Rabati Fortress, Georgia’s most beautiful and largest medieval fortress. The town is a cultural melting pot. Within the fortress, you can find buildings of various faiths, including synagogues, mosques, and Orthodox churches. Don’t miss the Akhmediya Mosque. Modeled after Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it has both Islamic and Orthodox elements. 

After another hour’s drive, we’ll visit Khertvisi Fortress, situated on a rocky cliff at the confluence of rivers. In the 2nd century BC, fortifications began to be built here. It was besieged and destroyed multiple times, even by Alexander the Great (356-323 BC)! After the tour, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel in Borjomi.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Borjomi Bridge Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Today, after meeting your driver-guide at your hotel, begin your day with a 2-hour private ride to Kutaisi, one of Georgia’s largest and oldest cities. First, we’ll visit the Motsameta Monastery, built in the 11th century AD and dedicated to two martyred princes. In the 8th century AD, these two brothers bravely resisted against the invading Arabs, but failed and were captured. The Arabs promised to spare their lives if they renounced Christianity and converted to Islam. Even after ten days of torture, they remained steadfast in their faith. Finally, they were thrown into the river, and the river water was stained red with blood. Locals recovered their bodies and buried them, and thus the monastery was built in their memory.

Our next stop is Gelati Monastery, the oldest surviving monastery in Georgia. It was built in 1106 AD by King David the Builder (1073-1125 AD), the greatest medieval Georgian monarch. Upon entering, you’ll pass through the Gate of King David. It was the king’s request to be buried here so that all pilgrims could cross his tomb. Inside, you can admire the ancient frescoes, and outside, you can enjoy views of Kutaisi and the surrounding mountains.

Then, we’ll have an exterior visit of the Prometheus Cave, where Prometheus suffered for stealing fire according to Greek mythology. Afterward, we’ll continue to the coastal Batumi, known as the “Pearl of the Black Sea.” Your driver-guide will assist you with hotel check-in. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: New Wave Hotel, Batumi (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your driver-guide will meet you at your hotel to embark on our Batumi city sightseeing. Let’s first go to the picturesque Batumi Botanical Garden. As one of Georgia’s oldest gardens, it boasts nearly 2,000 different plant species from around the world. Peaceful walking paths and trails meander through the garden, leading us into the dense forest. As we go deep, an ancient liriodendron tree grove will catch your eye. There is a century-old giant tree lying across a shallow stream, forming a natural bridge. The trunk is covered with thick emerald green moss, making you feel like stepping into Alice’s Wonderland. Also, you can take a look from the Upper Park observation deck for a breathtaking view of the Black Sea.

After returning to the city center, let’s visit the 130-meter-high (426.5 ft.) Alphabetic Tower. The huge steel structure is wrapped with two bands resembling the double helix of DNA, on which are the 33 Georgian letters. The Georgian language has been in use since the 3rd century BC, and is deeply ingrained in the DNA of the Georgian people. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy the enchanting scenery of Batumi.

Next, not far from the tower, let’s explore the Ali and Nino Monument, a modern installation art work. The two 8-meter-high (26 ft.), hollowed-out metal figures are not static. They play out a tragic love story every 10 minutes! Every day, they repeatedly approach each other, kiss, embrace, and then pass through each other. Your driver-guide will share you the story of Ali, an Azerbaijani boy, and Nino, a Georgian girl, who fell in love but were eventually separated by war and religion.

Our final stop is the Italian-style Batumi Piazza Square. There is a soaring clock tower amidst the colorful buildings of trendy restaurants and cozy cafes. Look at the ground beneath your feet, you can see Europe’s largest marble mosaic. It’s composed of over 88 million tiny tiles, depicting elegant marine deities and mermaids. After some leisure time in the square, your driver-guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: New Wave Hotel, Batumi (4 stars) or similar

Enjoy a free day in Batumi today! Why not spend a whole day relaxing by the sea?

In the morning, you can head to Batumi Beach for exciting water sports such as jet skiing and paragliding, or take a Black Sea cruise and feel the soothing sea breeze. Go swimming or relax on a beach chair, enjoying the sun and sand. When engaging in water activities, please be mindful of safety, and always pay attention to your physical condition. 

In the afternoon, you may take the iconic Argo Cable Car over the Port of Batumi, enjoying a panorama. Deep in the sunless seabed, black sludge accumulates, and that’s why the sea looks dark blue and named Black Sea.

In the evening, take a leisurely stroll along Batumi Boulevard, admiring the sculptures and the distant mountains, and watching a sunset. The boulevard comes alive after dark, and you may encounter outdoor concerts and other events. If you want a unique experience, taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel is the best way to enjoy the urban night scene from above.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: New Wave Hotel, Batumi (4 stars) or similar

Today is another free day for you to further enjoy your wonderful holiday in Batumi! You may explore the Old & New Batumi by yourself.

As you stroll along the cobblestone streets of Old Batumi, the Ottoman-era wooden houses will take you on a journey back to the 19th century AD. Admire the exquisite iron railings, the graceful Medea Statue, and the Gothic spires of the Central Cathedral. Perhaps just around a corner, the futuristic Batumi Tower will bring you a strong visual impact. Together, they create an alluring scene of space-time folding.

Agricultural Market is another good choice to immerse in the cultural charm. Here you can find almost all local fruits, vegetables, spices, and honey, as well as authentic specialties like salty cheese and ham. More importantly, you’ll have chance to interact with the friendly locals, and get a glimpse into their daily lives.

► Recommended Restaurant in Batumi (at your own expense):
Tavaduri, a 15-minute walk east of your hotel, is worth trying. It offers authentic Georgian cuisine, such as Khachapuri cheese bread and Georgian dumplings. Kebabs and wine are a common pairing for locals. 
Average Cost per Person: USD 10-15
Address: JJQG+XW3, Batumi

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: New Wave Hotel, Batumi (4 stars) or similar

Today, before leaving Batumi, your driver-guide will accompany you to visit a hidden Roman ruin nestled in the mountains: Gonio Fortress. It dates back to the 1st century AD when Batumi was a remote frontier of the Roman Empire. The Emperor Hadrian (76-138 AD) oversaw its construction to ensure the security of the eastern Black Sea coast. Now, we can climb the ancient walls for a panoramic view of the fortress. You can see the remains of two bathhouses and even the water pipes that supplied water for them!

After the tour, your driver-guide will escort you back to Tbilisi, a journey of approximately 5 hours. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Tbilisi (3 stars) or similar

Today is the last day of your tour. According to your flight schedule, your driver-guide will escort you to Tbilisi Airport and see you off there. We look forward to seeing you again!

Meals: Breakfast