Georgia: Land of Wine

 

Tbilisi	Courtyard by Marriott	2 nights
Kvareli	See note below	2 nights
Tbilisi	Courtyard by Marriott	1 night
Kutaisi	See note below	1 night
Ambrolauri	See note below	1 night
Batumi	Intourist Hotel	1 night
Tbilisi	Courtyard by Marriott	1 night

Outside the capital Tbilisi accommodation is limited.  Whilst we are able to name the hotel in Batumi (although it will be subject to availability) in Kvareli, Kutaisi and Ambrolauri you will stay in comfortable 3 star properties which will be confirmed on booking.  All will have private facilities.

10 days from £1685

excluding international flights

DAY 1 - Arrival in Tbilisi.

On arrival in Tbilisi you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. Recommended flight from London: bmi from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Tbilisi.

Your World Discovery Georgia holiday begins after breakfast when you meet your private guide and set off on a walking tour of Georgia's capital city, founded in the 5th century by King Gorgasili.  Highlights will include the 12th century Metechi Church, the ancient Sulphur Bath Houses, Sioni Cathedral, symbol of the city, the Narikala Fortress and the State Museum of Fine Arts.  Lunch is included in a local restaurant.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 3 - The 'Wine Route'.  Kvareli.

Drive along the 'Wine Route', through a beautiful landscape of wine-producing villages. This is the Kakheti region of Georgia and is synonymous with wine.  Visit Bodbe Convent (8th–9th century), then continue to the Royal Town of Signagi, one of the crossroads of the famous Silk Road, surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers.  Visit the 'Marani' (wine house) at Gurjaani, which produces its own vintage wine.  You will enjoy lunch here.  A local wine maker will host some wine tasting, and you will also see traditional Georgian bread baking.  After lunch visit the double-cupola 9th century Kvelatsminda Church in Gurjaani.  Next visit the Tsinandali Estate with its beautiful botanical garden, museum and wine cellar which belonged to prince Chavchavadze - an eminent public figure and poet of 19th century.  Drive to the picturesque lakeside town of Kvareli for dinner and overnight.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 - Gremi.  Telavi.  Alaverdi.

After breakfast visit the Architectural Complex of Gremi, which includes the 16th century castle and the Church of the Archangels.  Enjoy lunch and wine tasting in Napareuli – where twin brothers will lead you to their vineyards and “Marani”. Wine making here is based on family traditions, and began many generations ago; the wine has natural filtering for 4 months and is not chemically processed. Napareuli produces some of Georgia's most interesting wines.  In the afternoon drive to Telavi to visit the museum, the elegant 11th century Alaverdi Cathedral (pictured) and the 12th century Ikalto Monastery.  Before dinner visit Kindzmarauli Winery and taste wines from the Kindzmarauli micro-zone.  Dinner and overnight in Kvareli.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 - Davit Gareja.  Return to Tbilisi.

This morning visit the important rock-cut monastery complex of Davit Gareja, located in a virtual desert close to the border with Azerbaijan.  Founded in the 6th century by St David (one of the 13 Holy Syrian Fathers), the complex once boasted as many as 20 monasteries carved into the sandstone cliffs.  Frescoes still adorn many of the caves.  The tour involves 2-3 hours of walking.  Picnic lunch will be provided. In the evening return to Tbilisi for overnight.
Meals included: Full breakfast, picnic lunch.

DAY 6 - Mtskheta.  Jvari.  Svetitskhoveli.  Gelati.  Kutaisi.

A short distance to the northwest of Tbilisi lies the former capital Mtskheta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been populated since the second millennium BC and is regarded as the cultural and religious heart of Georgia.  Visit the stunning 6th century Jvari Monastery built on a hill overlooking the old capital, and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Georgia's most sacred religious site.  Next drive to the historical village of Koreti, where the Sharvadze family have made wine in the traditional Georgian way for generations. The old methods and wine traditions described in pre-Christian Greek and Roman historical annals are still followed.  Enjoy lunch in the village in one of the 'Maranis'.  In the evening visit the monastery of Gelati, set in beautiful countryside and renowned for its great 12th century Cathedral of the Virgin.  Reach Kutaisi for dinner and overnight.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - Khvanchkara.  Nikortsminda.  Continue to Ambrolauri.

Drive to picturesque mountain region of Racha-Lechkhumi to see vineyards, taste the famous Khvanchkara, a naturally semi-sweet wine of local production, and the white semi dry wine, Tetra.  Lunch in the village.  In the afternoon visit the 12th century Nikortsminda church with its excellent wall paintings, and the 18th century Barakoni church located in a pleasant spot beside the Rioni River.  Dinner and overnight in the town of Ambrolauri (pictured).
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 - Lechkhumi.  Batumi on the Black Sea coast.

Drive to one of Georgia's oldest wine-producing regions - Lechkhumi.  Visit the villages of Lailashi and Orbeli, where you will taste special wines from Lechkhumi micro zone.  After a lunch in one of the villages, drive to Batumi on the shores of the Black Sea. Before dinner (not included) take a short walking tour to explore the city.  Overnight in Batumi.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 9 - Batumi.  Gonio.  Return to Tbilisi.

Batumi existed as a small town as far back as the time of the Greeks, and then under
the Ottomans, but under the Russians it grew in size and importance, and was the
Black Sea outlet for oil from the Caspian.  Just outside Batumi lies the Roman fortress at Gonio (3rd century BC), where archaeological excavations are still ongoing.  Also visit Batumi's Botanical Garden, founded in 1912 by the famous Russian botanist Andrey Krasnov.  In the afternoon return to Tbilisi, where in the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner at a selected local restaurant.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 10 - Depart for home.

Private transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights.

We recommendthe direct non-stop services of bmi from London Heathrow. Flights operate on four days of the week throughout the year but only 2 will fit this particular duration - Friday and Saturdday departures. Timings differ slightly from day to day; those shown below are for a Friday departure, returning on a Sunday:
Heathrow/Tbilisi. Depart at 13.00; arrive Tbilisi at 23.45
Tbilisi/Heathrow. Depart at 07.50; arrive Heathrow at 13.00

Georgia Holidays: Land of Wine (Tour Reference: WDGA003)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Fridays and Saturdays	Price
May to October	£1685

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or double rooms with private facilities.
• 9 full breakfasts 7 lunches and 5 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout.
• All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees.
• The services of a private driver throughout.
• The services of a private English-speaking guide for the included sightseeing.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
  
• Optional sightseeing.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Georgia holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.