A Taste of Georgia - Wine, mountains & monasteries.
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More than a Yoga retreat - A Yoga Adventure!!!
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$2799 includes air, hotels, tours, tastings, daily yoga practice and so much more!!!!
October 11th - 20th, 2019. Join Laurel Attanasio and discover the magic of this ancient place, on the old Silk Road that linked Asia to Europe and with a 7000 year tradition of wine making. All are welcome to join for the yoga classes, but always keep in mind that they are optional. YES, you can easily bring your partners, friends and family who are not yogis!
The Republic of Georgia is situated between the Black and Caspian seas along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route linking Europe to Asia. With Russia to it's north and Turkey to the south, it's about as far East as you can go and still have the feel of Western Civilization with it's Orthodox Christian churches and medieval castles.
The 10 day package includes direct flights on 5 star Qatar Airways to Tbilisi with a short layover in Doha, all air taxes and fuel surcharges, all transfers between airports and hotels in Georgia, two nights in the heart of Old Town Tbilisi within walking distance to all the sights, a half day city tour of Tbilisi upon arrival, two nights at the Lovely Lopota Lake Resort & Spa in the heart of wine country, two nights in the beautiful Paradise Hotel in the spa town of Borjomi , A night in the Stancia guesthouse in Stepansminda, breakfasts daily, 5 dinners, 2 winery tours and tastings, castle and cave city tours, an English speaking Georgian guide and a pre departure meeting and orientation before we go. Prices are based on double occupancy. There is a single supplement fee of $499. Airport departure taxed and fuel surcharges are included but subject to change until time of booking, Round trip between Easton and the Airport available at additional cost. Meet Your Yoga Teacher, Laurel:
Laurel has been teaching yoga for over a decade throughout the Lehigh Valley and all over the globe. She often likes to describe herself as a yoga gypsy who loves her home, but loves to explore the beauty of the world and help others experience it with her. Her yoga teaching style encourages her students to disconnect from the world and reconnect with themselves. Flow through yoga poses, breathe with intention and connect with the beauty within and without. Laurel’s classes are for all levels and she will provide modifications as needed. Join Laurel in Peru for another epic adventure. Want to know more about Laurel and her teaching style, click HERE! http://laurelattanasio.com/mi-vida-loca/ This is a rare opportunity to visit a truly remarkable and little known country. Georgia has it's own eastern orthodox religion, alphabet, language and has traditions that go back millennia. The Georgian people comprise their own ethnic group, completely separate from Russians, Slavs or Turks. With 7000 years of wine making history, everybody makes wine in Georgia, and many farmers make their own aged brandy too! In accordance with true Georgian hospitality, don't be surprised if someone offers you a taste of their own "cognac" while you're shopping at their stall.
Tbilisi is a city steeped in a rich history. It's come a long way since the Rose Revolution of 2003 ousted the post-Soviet Shevardnadze government. To Tbilisi's eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving fabulous fresh food, up-to-date lodgings, funky bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernised transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. All of which make it a much easier, and more fun, city to visit and live in than it was just a few years ago. Now is the time to see it before it's discovered by everyone else! We'll hike to the 6th century Gergeti Church in the shadow of 18,000' Mount Kazbegi. We'll spend a couple days touring the famous Kakheti Wine Region, complete with tasting stops at world renowned wineries, two nights in the gorgeous lakeside Lopota Resort & Spa, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. We'll visit ancient fortresses and cave cities. Two nights in the spa town of Borjomi and it's Central Park where we can hike to the natural hot springs or just relax amid the beautiful surroundings of the town. There will be plenty of free time to explore on your own as well. Borjomi is a city famous throughout the former Soviet Union for its salty-sour, love-it-or-hate-it fizzy mineral water, Borjomi is a small resort town in the green valley of the swift Mtkvari River. Russian soldiers discovered a health-giving mineral spring here in 1810, and Count Vorontsov, a Russian governor, later developed Borjomi as a resort, one that became particularly fashionable when Duke Mikhail Romanov (brother to Tsar Alexander II) built a palace at nearby Likani in the 1890s. From the downtown Borjomi, trails wind through the Central Park to the open air natural hot springs. Itinerary
Please Note: Based on the days activities, we will either begin with an all-levels energizing yoga flow, then head out to immerse ourselves in the surrounding culture and nature. Or, we will conclude our afternoons with a feel-good flow that will help us unwind from the days activities. All are welcome to join for the yoga classes, but always keep in mind that they are optional. YES, you can easily bring your partners, friends and family who are not yogis! Day 1, Friday, October 11: Depart from JFK Transportation from the Easton Park and Ride will be available for an additional cost. Departure from Easton TBD. Qatar Airways Flight 704 departs JFK at 11:05am. We will arrive in Tbilisi the following morning at 11:30am after a brief layover in Qatar. Day 2: Saturday, October 12: Tbilisi Arrive in Tbilisi and transfer to Hotel Iota Free afternoon and evening to rest and explore. Overnight at Hotel Iota. Day 3: Sunday, October 13: Tbilisi Begin the day with an energizing yoga flow. Take a walking tour of Old Tbilisi. Tbilisi is a blend of Asian eeriness and European charm. Located in the gorge of Mtkvari River it’s shaped out in accordance with the terrain and forms a very beautiful city with Mt. Mtatsminda embracing the entire town, Narikala Fortress topping up the oldest quarter of Tbilisi – Kala and Metekhi Church overlooking Mtkvari River from a rocky plateau. In this classic tour of Tbilisi you’ll see the highlights of the Old Town with beautiful Orthodox Christian Churches, Mosque, Synagogue, famous and refreshing Sulphur Baths, narrow cobbled streets with hanging wooden carved multi-colored balconies and the 19th century houses following the architectural styles of the 19th century Europe, Narikala Fortress, the Glass Bridge of Peace, Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue. Overnight at Hotel Iota. Day 4: Monday, October 14: Tbilisi/Sighnaghi/Lopota Today, travel in Kakheti, region of wine making, centuries old elaborate feasting traditions and local Kakhetian hospitality. Our first stop will be the tiny town of love, Sighnaghi, which is situated inside the defensive wall. Take a walk, enjoy the views and continue to a local winery which keeps the ancient traditions of wine producing. The method of wine making in Georgia is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage Intangible list. Transfer to Lopota Lake Resort. Stress free yoga flow before dinner. Dinner and overnight at a Lopota Lake Resort. Day 5: Tuesday, October 15: Lopota/Telavi/Tsinandali/Lopota Begin the day with an energizing yoga flow. After breakfast, visit the town of Telavi with its colorful agricultural market and tiny historical center. Then, we will visit the Tsinandali Museum and garden. For lunch, we will visit a winery to enjoy Georgian food and Georgian wines along with local cheeses. Return to Lopota. Dinner and overnight at a Lopota Lake Resort. Day 6: Wednesday, October 16: Lopota/Ananuri/Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) Begin the day with an energizing yoga flow. Transfer from Lopota to Kazbegi after stopping at UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jvari Monastery (6th century) and Church of Ananuri. Dinner and overnight in Stepansminda in Hotel Stancia. Day 7: Thursday, October 17: Kazbegi/Mtskheta/Borjomi Morning walk (moving meditation) to Gergeti Church. Return to Kazbegi and drive to Borjomi, a spa town. Additionally, while in Borjomi, there will be an option, for a small fee, to visit the Natural Hot Pools. Dinner and overnight at Paradise Borjomi Hotel. Day 8: Friday, October 18: Borjomi/Vardzia/Borjomi Begin the day with an energizing yoga flow. Today we visit one of the highlights in Georgia – Vardzia Cave Town (12th c). On our way, we stop to climb to the Khertvisi Fortress (10th century). The town still amazes its visitors with its grander, beauty and mystical atmosphere. Wondering in this cave town will truly take you back to the 12th century when Georgia was flourishing, the period of Georgian renaissance. Here, you will see a small enchanting church made beautiful by its frescoes, dwelling quarters, wine cellars and granaries, pharmacy and even the library can still be seen. Return to Borjomi. Dinner and overnight at Paradise Borjomi Hotel. Day 9: Saturday, October 19: Borjomi/Uplistsikhe/Tbilisi Begin the day with an energizing yoga flow. In the morning, we drive to delve deep into Georgia’s ancient history by visiting the cave city, Uplistsikhe, which used to host the old caravans transporting goods from Asia to Europe as it was on the Great Silk Road route. After our adventures for the day, we say our goodbyes to Georgia and head to the airport for our 9:25 pm flight home. Day 10: Sunday, October 20: JFK We’ll be back to JFK via flight QR 703 from Qatar at 9:00am and should be back in Easton by noon. Please Note: Daily itinerary subject to change. |