12-Day Classic Cultural Tour of Georgia

In the morning, drive to the Kakheti region that is famous for its old winemaking traditions. Visit a traditional Qvevri workshop in Vardisubani, run by the Kbilashvili family, where you’ll observe the ancient clay vessel–making process and learn about Georgia’s 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition. Continue to Alaverdi Monastery, which was established by monk Joseph Alaverdeli, who came from Antioch and resided in Alaverdi. The first church in Alaverdi was built in the sixth century. The current Cathedral was built as part of an 11th-century Georgian Orthodox monastery. The monastery is surrounded by fortifications.

Continue to Tsinandali. Visit the house museum of Alexander Chavchavadze, a famous public figure and poet from the nineteenth century. At the time, Georgian nobles were known for their sophisticated European taste, as evidenced by the exquisite English Garden that surrounds the house. The house's wine cellar contains a unique selection of Georgian and European wines. You will be served a glass of Tsinandali white wine as a welcome gift. Drive to Telavi, the largest town of Kakheti. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Gremi fortress, which was built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The fortress now houses a church, a 15th-century tower palace, and a museum exhibiting site artefacts. Continue to Kvareli. Visit the Khareba Winery - a unique wine cellar/tunnel carved deep within the Caucasus Mountains. Enjoy wine tour and tasting. Continue to Sighnaghi, the famed city of love located on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the Alazani Valley. The remainder of the defensive wall, with 23 towers, is still standing around the town. Climb one of the towers and walk along the wall until you reach the next one. Continue to the Bodbe monastery, which was built in the IX century. It is currently used as a nunnery, but it also serves as a tourist attraction. Drive back to Tbilisi. Spend the night at the hotel.

In the morning, head to Kazbegi. Along the way, stop by Jvari monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site erected in the sixth century on a hill overlooking the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers' scenic confluence. Carry on to Ananuri Fortress. A magnificent complex consists of two churches with an ornately decorated façade, several towers, and defense walls. With a view of the Zhinvali reservoir in the background, all of these structures create a stunning panorama. Continue to Kazbegi on the Georgian Military Highway. Make photo stops at the Gudauri View Point, also known as the Friendship Monument, and the Jvari Overpass Travertine Natural Monument. Reach Stepantsminda. Hike or drive to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church to take in the breathtaking views of Mount Kazbek (5033 m). Drive to Gudauri for an overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, drive to Gori, the city where Joseph Stalin was born. Visit Stalin's house-museum and make a photo stop at Gori Fortress. You will see the house where Stalin was born and spent his childhood, a defense pavilion, Stalin's armour-plated train carriage, and a museum. Continue to Uplistsikhe cave town, located 15 kilometres from Gori on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. It dates back to the first and second millennia B.C. Uplistsikhe played a prominent role in politics, religion, and culture during the Hellenistic and Late Antique periods, as well as being an important trade center on a route connecting Asia and Europe. The complex contains several significant cave structures, including the "Theatre," a temple from the first or second centuries AD, the pre-Christian Temple of Makvliani, the large hall known as the Hall of Queen Tamar, Uplistsuli Church, the triple-church basilica on top of the hill, and a long tunnel leading down to the Mtkvari river.

Take the highway to the west of Georgia. Pass via the Likhi Ridge, also known as the Rikoti Pass, which connects Georgia's east and west. Arrive at Kutaisi, the ancient city with a history dating back around 3500 years. The earliest records of Kutaisi can be found in the Myth of the Argonauts from Greek mythology. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, In the morning, visit the Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Georgia. Symbol of Georgia's "Golden Age," which depicts economic expansion and political strength between the 11th and 13th centuries. Built by King David the Builder's order. Explore the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites made by nature at Prometheus Cave near Kutaisi. Only six of the 22 halls are open to visitors. Natural Monument is 40 meters below sea level and 1.8 kilometres long. Drive to the Svaneti region, which leaves an indelible impression on every visitor. The contrast between lush woodlands and snow-capped high mountain peaks is unforgettably beautiful. Nature is not the only thing to see; a local defense stone tower (Koshki) rising from the back of the houses, along with all of this natural beauty, creates an image that every tourist wishes to capture. Overnight in Mestia.

In the morning, take a 4x4 drive to the upper Svaneti. Since 1996, the remote town of Ushguli has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with more than 40 historic Svan towers and snowy Mountain Shkhara (5193m – Georgia's highest mountain) in the background. Take a stroll through the village and up to the hill to see the X century Lamaria Church. Make your way back to Mestia. Margiani's local house museum is a must-see. Explore an old svans house and a tower known as "Margianis Machubi." Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit the Svaneti Historic and Ethnography Museum*, which houses historical artefacts from the Svaneti region, such as unique icons and engravings, a rich collection of manuscripts, medieval weaponry, iron, silver, and copper ornaments, jewellery, pottery, textiles, and other items depicting ancient. Drive to Batumi, Georgia's second-largest city, in the Adjara region. Drop off at the hotel.

*Instead of the ethnography museum, we can incorporate a 4x4 trip to Koruldi Lakes if the weather permits. The lakes themselves are not particularly large, but the panoramic vistas and reflections of the majestic Tetnuldi Mountains in the lakes will not disappoint. (An additional payment is required.)

In the morning, begin a sightseeing tour of Batumi, one of the oldest seaside cities of Georgia, founded in the 8th century, while the original settlement Batus is referenced in literature dating back to the 4th century BC. Batumi now offers us not only historical parts of the city but also a 7-kilometre boulevard with modern architecture, bungalows, café-lounges, restaurants, children's attractions, benches, sculptures, and dancing fountains.

On our walking tour, we will explore old and new Batumi, including Europe Square, the beautiful Piazza Square with St. Nicholas Church, Chacha Fountain, 6 May & Nuriegel Lake, Alphabet Tower, "Ali and Nino" statue, Batumi Port, and Seaside Park. Take a cable car to the stunning viewpoint of Batumi. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, visit Makhuntseti Waterfall and the ancient arched stone Makhuntseti Bridge. Continue driving to Akhaltsikhe, through scenic Upper Adjara, known for its lush mountains, traditional villages, and authentic Georgian culture. Akhaltsikhe derives its name from the Georgian words for "New Castle." The city was well-known for its tolerance and religious diversity since it housed people of various nationalities and religions. Even today, Georgian, Armenian, and Catholic churches, as well as a synagogue and a mosque, can be found here. Explore Rabati Castle. The Castle's history dates back to the IX century, but it was totally renovated in 2012. Its architecture, labyrinths, churches, and mosques now attract tourists. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Vardzia, one of Georgia's three cave towns. Take a photo stop along the road at Khertvisi Castle, an X to XIV century fortress overlooking the Paravani and Mtkvari Rivers. Vardzia spans approximately 500 meters along the cliff, providing a spectacular view. The town's history dates back to the XII-XIII centuries, with King George III and his daughter Tamar, afterwards known as King Tamar. Only 400 of the 3000 caverns remain today. Aside from living rooms, the complex features tunnels, churches, and wine cellars. Here you can see portraits of King George and King Tamar.

On the way, stop in Borjomi, which is known throughout the world for its mineral water springs and is surrounded by forested hills on all sides. It was one of the most popular vacation spots in the former Soviet Union. Take a short stroll through Borjomi Central Park. Continue to Tbilisi. Overnight at the hotel.

Conclude your 12-day tour to Georgia with a check-out from your Tbilisi hotel and a transfer to the airport. Depart from Tbilisi, carrying with you a treasure trove of memories, etched with the rich history, natural beauty, and cultural diversity of Georgia.