Georgia & Istanbul - Wine, mountains, monasteries & more...
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Gergeti church
the hagia sophia, istanbul
foothills of the lower caucus mountains
making wine the old fashioned way
inside the Blue mosque
a little vino anyone?
old city tbilisi
Khertvisi fortress
traditional architecture in Borjomi
spices at the local market
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August 27 to September 9, 2021
SMALL GROUP TRIP 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, and Istanbul, the crossroads of civilization. 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.
Istanbul is one of the most amazing cities on the planet. The Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the spice market and more. East meets west, Europe meets Asia and ancient meets modern all wrapped up in a dazzling assault on the senses. $1899 for the 2 week package includes all transfers between airports and hotels in Georgia and Istanbul, four nights in the heart of Old Town Tbilisi within walking distance to all the sights, a half day city tour of Tbilisi upon arrival, three nights in the beautiful Crowne Plaza Hotel in the spa town of Borjomi with plenty of free time to explore the city, A night in a family run guesthouse in Stepansminda, breakfasts daily, , 4 lunches, winery tours and tastings, castle and cave city tours, an English speaking Georgian guide for the entire trip, 4 nights in the historic center of Istanbul with a tour of the city and English speaking guide and a pre departure meeting and orientation before we go. Direct international airfare on Turkish Airways is not included in the package price and will be purchased separately at time of booking. Prices are based on double occupancy. There is a single supplement fee of $599. Direct flights on 4 star Turkish Airways to Tbilisi with a short layover in Istanbul, a 4 day stopover on the way back, all air taxes and fuel surcharges is $941 at the time of this writing. Transportation to JFK is available for an additional charge. This is a rare opportunity to visit a truly remarkable and little known country. Georgia has it's own 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 day touring the famous Kakheti Wine Region, complete with tasting stops at world renowned wineries and some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. We'll visit ancient fortresses and cave cities. Three nights in the spa town of Borjomi, at the entrance to the the vast wilderness of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park where we can hike, bike 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. Nearby, trails wind through the vast wilderness of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. In the park, the centuries-old Mtsvane Monastery (Green Monastery) is made of green-tinged stones. Itinerary
Day 1 – Friday August 27: Departure Our Turkish Airways flight TK4 departs 12:30 in the afternoon from JFK and we arrive in Tbilisi the following morning after a brief layover in Istanbul. Day 2 – Saturday August 28: Airport Tbilisi/Tbilisi Arrive in Tbilisi this morning and take a walking tour of Old Tbilisi, a blend of Asian and European charm. Located in the gorge of Mtkvari River it hugs the riverbank with Mt. Mtatsminda and the Narikala Fortress towering over the oldest quarter of Tbilisi. We’ll see the highlights of the Old Town with beautiful ancient Orthodox Christian Churches, picturesque cobblestone streets, the famous Sulphur Baths, the Narikala Fortress, the ultra-modern Bridge of Peace, Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue. After the tour we’ll check into our hotel and have the rest of the day free to relax and wander the town. Overnight in the first class Shota Rustaveli Hotel Tbilisi. Day 3 – Sunday August 29: Tbilisi Breakfast served at the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore this very walkable city complete with museums, shops, restaurants, cathedrals and more. Overnight in the Shota Rustaveli Hotel Tbilisi. Day 4 – Monday August 30: Tbilisi/Sighnaghi/Velistsikhe/Tbilisi After breakfast at the hotel we’ll board our private coach and travel through the Kakheti region where they’ve been making wine in their unique style for thousands of years, and experience some local Kakhetian hospitality. Our first stop will be the tiny town of love, Sighnaghi, surrounded by a defensive wall. Take a walk, enjoy the views and continue to a tour and tasting at the world renowned Pheasant’s Tears winery which produces their all natural and organic wine according to the ancient traditions. Lunch (included) at a local family owned vineyard with home-made food and wine. Then some free time to visit their very unique "museum" before heading home toTbilisi. Overnight in the boutique Shota Rustaveli Hotel Tbilisi. Day 5 – Tuesday August 31: Tbilisi/Mtskheta/Kazbegi Today we visit the ancient capital and religious center of Georgia, Mtskheta, and see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the 6th century Jvari Church of the cross. Our route continues north along the famous Georgian Military Highway. On the way we’ll stop at the Ananuri fortified church and enjoy the views of the lake. Then we’ll head north again through some gorgeous mountain scenery to Stepantsminda where we’ll have some free time to explore and stay overnight at a guesthouse in Kazbegi. Day 6 – Wednesday September 1: Kazbegi/Borjomi In the morning we head up to the famous 6th century Gergeti Church in the shadow of 18,000’ Mt Kazbegi. Afterwards we’ll drive to the spa town of Borjomi and have the evening free in town. Dinner (included) and overnight at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Day 7 – Thursday September 2: Borjomi/Vardzia/Borjomi After breakfast today we visit one of the highlights in Georgia – the 12th century cave town complex of Vardzia. Wandering in this cave town will truly take you back to the 12th c period of the Georgian renaissance. We’ll see an underground church with the original frescoes, dwelling quarters, wine cellars and granaries, pharmacies and even a library. On our way back we’ll stop to climb up to the 10th century Khertvisi fortress with commanding views of the river below. Dinner (included) and overnight at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Day 8 - Friday September 3: Borjomi After breakfast in our hotel you’ll have the day free to wander the town, visit the hot springs, go for a hike, mountain bike ride or horseback in the Borjomi national park. Or maybe just lounge by the pool and enjoy the local cocktails. Dinner (included) and overnight at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Day 9 – Saturday September 4: Borjomi/Uplistsikhe/Tbilisi After breakfast this morning we head back to Tbilisi with a stop along the way to delve deep into to Georgia’s ancient history. We’ll tour the cave city Uplistsikhe, an ancient pagan spiritual center, which used to host the old caravans transporting goods from Asia to Europe along the Great Silk Road. Overnight in the Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi. Day 10 – Sunday September 5: Georgia to Istanbul After breakfast today we say our goodbyes to Georgia and head to the airport for our 10:40 am flight to Turkey. After our arrival we'll get settled into our hotel and set out on a half day guided tour of the historic core of Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul. Day 11 – Monday September 6: Istanbul After breakfast today we say our goodbyes to Georgia and head to the airport for our 10:40 am flight to Turkey. After our arrival we'll get settled into our hotel and set out on a half day guided tour of the historic core of Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul. Day 12 – Tuesday September 7: Istanbul Today is a free day to explore the incredible city that is Istanbul. Optional walking tour to some of the lesser visited neighborhoods. Overnight Istanbul. Day 13 – Wednesday September 8: Istanbul Free day to soak up Istanbul. Maybe take a ferry ride up the Bosphorus or get lost wandering the Grand Bazaar. So much to see, taste and smell! Overnight Istanbul. Day 14 – Thursday September 9: Departure After a leisurely breakfast we'll head to Istanbul's brand new airport for our flight TK1 departing from Istanbul at 1:30 and arriving in JFK at 5:25 pm. We should be back in Easton by 8:30 . 
fresh pomegranate
the bosphorus at night, istanbul
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