Highlights: 9 day tour
With its legendary hospitality, delicious food and abundance of local wines, Georgia is one of the most welcoming countries you will ever visit. This is an ideal itinerary for the first time visitor to Georgia.
Price from:
£1635 pp
With its legendary hospitality, delicious food and abundance of local wines, Georgia is one of the most welcoming countries you will ever visit. This itinerary is an absolute must for first-time visitors, as not only will you see diverse landscapes (including the majestic mountain scenery of the Caucasus and the golden vineyards of the Kakheti region), but you will also journey up the Georgian Military Highway as well as visiting Gori and its startlingly flattering museum devoted to its famous son – Stalin.
New for 2009 we include an overnight at the Abastumani Observatory where you can view the night’s sky
through its several large telescopes. On this tour you will have your own private car with driver and English-speaking guide and we also include many waist-expanding Georgian meals.
,
Price Includes:
Return flights in economy class with bmi direct from London Heathrow, All airport taxes and security charges, Accommodation in three-star hotels and guesthouses with breakfast, Half board on days 6 and 8 (breakfast and lunch), Full board on days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, All transfers and transportation throughout, Sightseeing with English-speaking guide, Entrance fees on sightseeing tours
Price Excludes:
Alcohol with meals, Regional Add-ons from Aberdeen, Belfast,Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester from £80 per person return
Notes:
£1635 is valid for 2-3 persons travelling
£1505 for 4-5 persons travelling
£175 single room supplement
9 Day Itinerary
DAY 1
FLY TO TBILISI
Fly to Tbilisi.
DAY 2
TBILISI
Arrive Tbilisi, transfer to hotel for overnight stay. After a brief rest you will start with a full day tour of Tbilisi.
DAY 3
MTSKHETA AND GUDAURI
Excursion to Mtskheta and head up the Georgian Military Highway to Gudauri. En route visit Jvari Church, Svetitskhoveli, Samtavro and Kazbegi. Overnight in hotel in Gudauri.
DAY 4
GORI AND ABASTUMANI
Drive to Gori, birthplace of Stalin and home to the Joseph Stalin Museum. Included is a visit to the cave town of Uplistsikhe and a stop in Borjomi before overnight at the Abastumani Observatory. After dinner there will be an excursion to the observatory museum and a chance to see the sky at night.
DAY 5
KUTAISI VIA VARDZIA
Head south towards the Turkish border to Vardzia, a spectacular cave town built into the Erusheli Mountain by Queen Tamar in 1185. Final destination is Kutaisi, ancient capital of Colchis. Overnight stay in guesthouse.
DAY 6
KUTAISI TO TBILISI
Morning excursion of Kutaisi’s most famous sights including Bagrati Temple and Gelati Monastery, before returning to Tbilisi. En route back to Tbilisi, visit Montsameta Monastery and Ubisi Church. Arrive Tbilisi and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 7
TBILISI TO KAKHETI REGION
From Tbilisi visit David Gareja Monastery Complex and the Larva Monastery. Continue to Telavi, through the vineyards of Kakheti. Overnight stay in guesthouse.
DAY 8
KAKHETI REGION TO TBILISI
Today is spent exploring the Kakheti region including Tsinandali, estate of the 19th-century poet and Kakhetian Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, also known for its production of some fine wines. A stop is made at Alaverdi Cathedral, Gremi complex and the Cathedral of Ninotsminda. Return to Tbilisi and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 9
FLY TO UK
Morning transfer to airport for flight back to the UK.
