A Taste of Georgia - Wine, mountains, monasteries & more...
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Gergeti church
lunch
foothills of the lower caucus mountains
making wine the old fashioned way
on the drive to Kazbegi
a little lunch anyone?
old city tbilisi
Khertvisi fortress
traditional architecture in Borjomi
spices at the local market
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May 14 - 23, 2027
Discover the magic of this ancient place, on the old Silk Road that linked Asia to Europe, with an 8000 year tradition of wine making, and some of the most beautiful scenery you've ever experienced. 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 Kakheti wine region to the east of the country is as beautiful as the food and wine are delicious. We'll stay two nights in this region exploring and experiencing the culture in depth. May is a beautiful time of the year to go. The wildflowers are blooming, the weather is pleasant, and the crowds of summer haven't yet arrived. $3649 for the 10 day package includes international airfare on Turkish Airways*, all transfers between airports and hotels in Georgia, three 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 in the beautiful Crowne Plaza Hotel in the spa town of Borjomi with plenty of free time to explore the city, A night in Stepansminda at the base of Kazbegi mountain, two nights in Telavi, the heart of the Kakheti wine region, breakfast daily, 6 lunches, winery tours and tastings, castle and cave city tours, an English speaking Georgian guide for the entire trip, and a pre departure meeting and orientation before we go. Prices are based on double occupancy. There is a single supplement fee of $599. Transportation to JFK is available for an additional charge. Airfare is subject to change until time of booking. See additional airfare notice below. 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 8000 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 two days 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. Two nights in the spa town of Borjomi, where the world famous Borjomi Natural Spring Water originates. 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. Telavi- As the heart of the Kakheti wine region, it offers authentic, non-touristy experiences, including the Batonis Tsikhe fortress complex, a lively local market, and close access to the regions many wineries Itinerary
Day 1 – Friday May 14: Departure Our Turkish Airways flight TK4 departs 12:30 in the afternoon from JFK and we arrive in Tbilisi the following afternoon after a layover in Istanbul. Day 2 – Saturday May 15: Welcome to 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 Boutique Hotel Tbilisi. Day 3 – Sunday May 16: 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 centrally located Shota Rustaveli Boutique Hotel Tbilisi. Day 4 – Monday May 17: Tbilisi/Sighnaghi/Velistsikhe/Telavi 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 to our new home in Telavi. Overnight in the gorgeous Agarani Estate just outside Telavi. Day 5 – Tuesday May 18: Telavi/Gavazi/Kvateli/Telavi This morning we take a short walk in the town of Telavi – once the capital of Kakheti Kingdom. We visit a vibrant local agricultural market, 900-year old plane tree, the old streets of Telavi keeping the secrets of Soviet repressions, and a tasting stop at a local cheese café to learn more about Georgian cheeses. Then we'll head for rustic lunch to a local family farm in a small village to experience true Georgian hospitality. On our way back we’ll visit a larger local winery to taste bottled Georgian wines. Overnight at the luxurious Agarani Estate just outside of Telavi. Day 6 – Wednesday May 19: Telavi/Kazbegi On our way north into the mountains we'll stop at the 16th century Ananuri fortified church and enjoy the views overlooking the lake. Our route continues along the famous Georgian Military Highway with amazing mountian scenery along the way, passing through the ski resort town of Gudauri, and over the Cross Pass to arrive in the small town of Stepansminda at the base of Kazbegi mountain. Overnight in the 4 star Porta Caucasia Hotel. Day 7 – Thursday May 20: Kazbegi/Borjomi In the morning we head up the mountain to the world famous UNESCO heritage 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. Overnight at the fabulous Crowne Plaza Hotel. Borjomi. Day 8 - Friday May 21: Borjomi/Vardzia 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 fabulous Crowne Plaza Hotel. Day 9 – Saturday May 22: 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 Boutique Hotel Tbilisi. Day 10 – Sunday May 23: Departure After breakfast we'll head to the airport for our flight to Istanbul. After a brief layover we'll board Turkish Airlines TK1 departing from Istanbul at 1:30 and arriving in JFK at 5:25 pm. We should be back in Easton by 8:30 . *Airfare prices are estimated and based on current prices. Final airfare schedules and prices will be available ten months prior to the trip. In the meantime I have done my best to estimate pricing based on current trends. The final air price may vary slightly. 
Gaumarjos!
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