Programme

Day 1: Amsterdam - Tbilisi You fly direct from Amsterdam to Tbilisi. The flight takes about 3,5 hours (there is a time difference of 3 hours). On arrival in Tbilisi you will check in at the hotel. In the evening, we will organize a welcome dinner for you in a local restaurant.

Dag 2: Tbilisi - David Garedga - Sagarejo - Tibaani - Sighnagi Today begins your exploration of Georgia. First you will go to the cave monastery of David Gareja (6th century) (60 km). David Gareja is one of the most attractive areas of Georgia with its wild nature, magnificent murals and beautifuly painted caves. After visiting the monastery, you will drive to Sagarejo caves (40 km) where you will have lunch in a typical Kakhetian restaurant. You will get acquainted with local food and wine. After lunch you will continue to Tibaani (60 km). Tibaani is one of the most picturesque wine villages surrounded by numerous vineyards. You will visit a local wine cellar where, led by a professional sommelier, you will taste local wines and chacha. You will continue your journey into Sighnaghi (30 km). This fortress town was the site where Georgian kings brought their armies together. You will take a walk through the narrow streets surrounded by the rampart with its 23 towers. After your tour you will go to the hotel. At night, you will have your dinner at a local restaurant. You will not only taste local dishes but will also hear and see how they are prepared. After dinner you will take a romantic walk through Sighnaghi back to your hotel.

Day 3: Sighnaghi - Bodbe - Qvareli - Telavi On the third day of your journey you will travel from Sighnaghi to Bodbe (15 km). In Bodbe,  you will visit the 4th century monastery. In the monastery lies buried Nino, a woman from Cappadocia. Nino converted the Georgians to Christianity. After visiting the monastery you will continue to Qvaleri (40 km) where one of the most famous Georgian wines is produced. You will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch you will drive through Nekresi (monastery from the 4th century) and Gremi to Telavi (35 km). After having checked in at the hotel, you will have some time to look around in Telavi. At night you will have dinner at a local restaurant where besides tasting local dishes you will also be able to participate in their preparation.

Day 4: Telavi - Alaverdi - Tbilisi Today you will start with a tour of Telavi. You will visit the royal palace (18th century), the pantheon and the palace of King Erekle II. Then you will drive to Alaverdi (37 km). In Alaverdi you will visit the Alaverdi monastery and the Shuamta monastery. After lunch you will visit Tsnandali museum with its unique old wine collection. Then you will travel to the nearby Kalauri where you will visit a local winery.  You will discover there how wine and chacha are made. Optionally, you can join in the picking of grapes. You will also learn how to bring out a Georgian toast and how wine is drunk from special dishes. After dinner you will drive back to Tbilisi (110 km).

Day 5: Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Tbilisi From Tbilisi, you will continue your journey to Mtskheta (20 km). Mtskheta is the ancient capital of Georgia. You will visit the monasteries of Jvari and Svetitskhoveli. Both monasteries are on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. You will have lunch at a local restaurant. At lunch, you will learn about food from the Kartli region. After lunch you will drive to Gori, the heart of the Kartli region (50 km). Gori is the birthplace of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. After a brief visit to Gori you will drive to Uplistsikhe (25 km). Uplistsikhe is a thousand years old city of caves. At the height of its existence, Uplistsikhe consisted of 700 caves, nowadays there are about 150 caves left. During your visit you will have a look at several caves. After visiting Uplistsikhe you will  return through Gori to Tbilisi (95 km). On your way back, you will have your dinner in Gori.

Day 6: Tbilisi Today is an extensive tour of Tbilisi on the program. You will visit the Metekhi Church (12th century), the Anchiskhati basilica (6th century), the bathhouse with its warm sulfur springs and the Georgian bakery "Thone" where you will be able to taste the delicious "Shoti" bread.  You will also visit the citadel of Tbilisi, the Botanical Park and Mount Mtatsminda, the architectural and artistic symbol of Tbilisi, including the pantheon where famous Georgians are buried, the Church of Father David and a cableway.

Day 7: Tbilisi Today you will have the opportunity to look around in Tbilisi again at your leisure. Tbilisi has a beautiful old town, a number of excellent museums (including the ethnographic, historical and archaeological museum), different impressive churches and is a paradise for people who love shopping. Take a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue. At night, you will enjoy your farewell dinner with a traditional Georgian family.

Day 8: Tbilisi - Amsterdam This morning you will fly with a direct flight back to Amsterdam.