MAY HOLIDAYS IN TBILISI-BATUMI

COLLECTIVE GUARANTEED GROUP TOUR TO TBILISI FOR MAY HOLIDAYS

ACCOMODATION: 4 NIGHTS IN TBILISI
DATES:  29.04 -03.05, 30.04-04.05, 01.05-05.05, 04.05-08.05

DAY 1 TBILISI  

• Arrival in Tbilisi, meeting at the airport with a representative of the company. 
• Transfer to the hotel. Check-in, leisure time.
• Free time (Night at the hotel in Tbilisi).

DAY 2 TBILISI-MTSKHETA-TBILISI

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Transfer for an excursion to the ancient museum city of Mtskheta.
• Mtskheta is an ancient museum city, the former capital of Eastern Georgia.
• Visit the ancient and unique monasteries of Jvari and Svetitskhoveli (both monuments are UNESCO World Heritage sites), which are a mandatory part of any visitor's program in Georgia.
• "Jvari" - the first monastery in Georgia, 5-6th century. It is here that St. Nino erected her cross made of grapevine and began preaching Christianity. Lermontov placed Mtsyri here and described the beautiful view from this sacred place in his poem.
• "Svetitskhoveli" - the central cathedral of Georgia, 10th century. Kings were crowned and buried here. Unique frescoes and treasures of world Orthodox culture are preserved within the walls of this monastery.
  
  

Optional: Visit to a home wine cellar. Homemade wine of 2 types - red, white, and chacha (grape brandy). The winemaker will share the history of grape culture and wine production in Georgia. Lunch and Georgian cuisine masterclasses (additional payment – 20 USD per person).

• Transfer to Tbilisi.
• Sightseeing tour of Tbilisi:
• If you have not been to the capital of Georgia yet and are interested in urban planning and the history of architecture, a walking tour of Old Tbilisi is perfect for you.
• Take a selfie against the backdrop of the ancient 12th-century Metekhi Church and colorful carved balconies simultaneously.
• After enjoying the magnificent panorama of the Old City, we will take a cable car to the Narikala Fortress - the main citadel for many centuries. Then we'll descend through narrow cobbled streets and visit the only mosque in Tbilisi. Walking deeper into the Ingorokva Gorge, we'll see the small Legvtakhevi waterfall - a rare phenomenon within the city limits.
• The next stop on our walking tour is "Abanotubani" (literally "bath district") known for its healing sulfur baths. Previously, they served not only as centers of personal hygiene and rejuvenation (predecessors of modern spas) but also provided opportunities for interesting public meetings. Nowadays, they also serve delicious lemonade! Those interested can peek inside and book a time in the famous sulfur baths. Don't forget to order mikhese - a special type of massage and peeling, essential for the local bath experience. (Visit to sulfur baths is an additional cost).
• We will also stroll across the pedestrian "Bridge of Peace," with its futuristic design standing out from the general architectural ensemble of our capital.
• The Sioni Cathedral (17th century) won't escape our attention either. Being the main Orthodox Cathedral and the residence of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia until the construction of the Holy Trinity Church in 2004, it is an important landmark of the city.
• We will also see the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi - Anchiskhati (6th century BCE).
• And how can one pass by the clock tower of the famous Marionette Theater of Rezo Gabriadze? This imagination-stirring object undoubtedly is part of our tour route. (Night at the Tbilisi Hotel).

Distance from Tbilisi to Mtskheta is 30 kilometers.

DAY 3 TBILISI-BODBE-SIGHNAGHI-TBILISI

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Our first stop on the journey is a winery. Here, we will learn numerous facts about the traditions of Kakhetian winemaking. The history of winemaking in Georgia dates back centuries. However, modern times have brought many innovations, including pioneering technologies. During the tour of the winery, we will discover how ancient customs and modern innovations are combined to create exceptional wines. This beverage is rightfully considered the national heritage of Georgia, often referred to as the cradle of wine.
• After the tour, we will have the opportunity to taste various types of wines, gaining practical insight into the taste nuances and characteristics of each variety.
• Next, we head to the Bodbe Monastery, a popular pilgrimage site. It houses the relics of the Equal-to-the-Apostles St. Nino (thanks to whom Christianity became the official religion of Georgia in 326 AD). Additionally, the St. Nino bath is located here, where one can immerse in consecrated water.
• We then proceed to Sighnaghi, also known as the City of Love. Despite recent restoration work, the pristine, historical appearance of the city has been preserved. Exploring the picturesque streets, we'll immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of past centuries. Cobblestone paths will lead us through charming houses adorned with carved balconies to the top of the hill, revealing a mesmerizing view of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains.
• We will stroll along the fortress walls surrounding Sighnaghi: during wartime, all 28 watchtowers guaranteed the protection of nearby villages. Remarkably, the fortress has survived to this day.
• Transfer to Tbilisi.
• Dinner at a restaurant with a folklore program. (Night at the hotel in Tbilisi).

Distance from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi is 130 kilometers.

DAY 4 TBILISI

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Free day. (Night at the hotel in Tbilisi).

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:

1. Borjomi, Akhaltsikhe – Rabati Fortress:
   
2. Ananuri, Gudauri, Kazbegi:

DAY 5 TBILISI

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check-out from the hotel.
• Transfer to Tbilisi Airport.

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Transfer: Airport – Hotel – Airport
• Transportation services according to the tour program
• Accommodation in a hotel of the selected category with breakfast included
• All excursions as per the tour program
• Wine tasting in Kakheti
• Guidance by a Russian-speaking guide during excursions
• Dinner at a restaurant with a folklore program
• Entrance tickets to museums along the route
• Cable car rides to Narikala

PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Airplane tickets
• Personal expenses
• Lunches and dinners outside the program
• Medical insurance
• Visit to a home wine cellar near Mtskheta - Wine and chacha tasting, lunch, and Georgian cuisine masterclasses
• Optional excursions

*The specified prices may change according to the exchange rate of the dollar at the time of booking.
*The specified hotels may be replaced with similar ones.
*The company reserves the right to change excursion days and the sequence of tourist sites according to weather and other force majeure circumstances.
*Transfers airport – hotel – airport will be provided for all flights from 08:00 to 21:00.
*For transfers from 21:00 to 08:00 (nighttime), there is an additional charge of +20 USD per car.