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Unique Georgia: tour description |
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Day 1: Amsterdam - Tbilisi Arrival in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant. Day 2: Tbilisi We embark on a walking tour of the city, passing through the old quarters and center, with its famous sulfur springs along the Mtkvari River. Traditional houses with balconies and grape vines accompany our stroll towards Narikhala, the 4th century fort overlooking the city. The fort provides an exquisite view of the city and region. Additional highlights include the Sioni Cathedral-the residence of the Patriarch of Georgian Orthodox Church and the Metekhi Temple. We spend the afternoon visiting the national museum. Day 3: Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Ananuri - Tbilisi Our tour begins in Mtskheta - the ancient capital of eastern Georgia. Georgia s conversion to Christianity occurred in Mtskheta in 337 AD and it is considered one of Georgia s most important religious centers. St. Nino erected the first Christian cross and the first churches were built here. We will visit the monasteries of Jvari (6-7th century), perched on a cliff overlooking Mtskheta and the Svetitskhoveli cathedral (11th century). According to legend, Christ s robe is buried here. Christ is thus expected to appear here on the day of reckoning to speak to the people. We continue to the Ananuri fort along the Aragvi river. Day 4: Tbilisi - Borjomi - Kutaisi Traveling to Kutaisi via Borjomi. we visit the old summer residence of the Czar family Romanov, which later belonged to Josef Stalin. Day 5: Kutaisi - Zugdidi - Mestia Kutaisi is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Colchis. We begin with a visit to the Bagrat Cathedral (11th century), lying high above the Rioni river. There are many churches and monasteries from the middle ages around Kutaisi. These include the Gelati Monastery, with its famous UNESCO world-heritage mosaic, also in a spectacular location. We then continue to Zugdidi and the mountain village Mestia, where we stay the night in guest houses. Day 6: Mestia We first visit the historical and ethnographical museum which houses manuscripts and artefacts from the 9th-16th centuries including: religious tracts, icons, various metal objects, gold coins of the antique and late antique periods and several Bronze Age treasures. We later visit the villages Latali and Lenjeri and beautiful single-nave basilicas of the 8th-9th-14th centuries, built by stones without ornamentation, with the interior richly decorated with murals. Day 7: Mestia - Ushguli - Mestia Ushguli is referred to as the highest village in Europe (7200 feet above sea level) and contains an architecturally unique Middle Age fortification, surrounded by the 16,000-feet giants of the Caucasus mountain range. In Ushguli we will also visit the historical museum. Day 8: Mestia - Kutaisi We drive from Mestia to Kutaisi. On the way to Kutaisi, we will visit the palaces of The Duke of Samegrelo in Zugdidi and the 10th century church of Martvili. We will stay overnight in Kutaisi. Day 9: Kutaisi - Uplistsikhe - Tbilisi After breakfast we drive to Uplistsikhe (fortress of God), an unusual medieval cave town that developed over hundreds of years beginning in the first millennium BC. At its peak, it was an important trade centre occupying 22 acres. Day 10: Tbilisi Free day! This is an excellent opportunity to explore bustling Rustaveli Prospect, visit some museums or purchase some souvenirs. During our last evening dinner you will be treated to special Georgian polyphonic music, performed by an authentic Georgian men's choir. Day 11: Tbilisi - Amsterdam We depart from the hotel and transfer to the airport for our return flight to Amsterdam.
More information: Dates, prices and practical information
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