Foodie Georgia: gastronomy, wine & nature

Tbilisi

Day 1: Welcome To Tbilisi!

Upon arrival at the airport, meet your guide who will transfer you to your hotel to settle in after your journey.

Tbilisi

Day 2: Explore Tbilisi

After a delicious breakfast, discover the dynamic Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

First, visit Metekhi Plateau with stunning views over traditional houses along the hills of the Old Town; take a cable car to the 4th Century Narikala Fortress to discover the Sulfur Bath District also known as “Tpili” (meaning warm), for its hot springs.  

The architecture in Tbilisi is a blend of various cultural styles. This can be seen in the Betlemi District and the Old Town - with its Georgian Orthodox, Catholic, and Armenian churches, mosques, synagogues, and more. From Liberty Square with the Golden Statue of Saint George you will walk along Rustaveli Avenue and visit the treasury of the National Museum with golden artifacts from the period of Golden Fleece. 

Last, return back to your hotel for a welcome dinner or visit a modern wine bar in the Old Town.  

Tbilisi - Tsalka Canyon - Gogasheni

Day 3: Visit The Cave Town of Vardzia

 After breakfast, discover one of the most remarkable medieval defensive structures in Georgia, the Cave Town of Vardzia.

Did you know Vardzia was built under the reign of Queen Tamar in the 12th Century? Originally it had thirteen floors, internal tunnels, drugstores, and numerous caves. Today, it takes 1.5 hours to walk in the remains of the cave town.

After a Photo-Stop at Khertvisi Fortress, drive to the town of Akhaltsikhe and visit Sapara Monastery hidden in the forest.

In Akhaltsikhe, visit the fortified complex on a hill overlooking the city - the complex played an important role over the centuries and combines architectural styles of different periods, Georgian, Turkish, and Russian.   

Akhalziche

Day 4: The Cave Town of Vardzia

After breakfast you will discover one of the most remarkable medieval defensive structures in Georgia, the Cave Town of Vardzia. Vardzia was built under the reign of Queen Tamar in 12th century. Originally it had thirteen floors, internal tunnels, drugstores, and numerous caves. Today, it takes 1.5 hours to walk in the remains of the cave town. After a Photo-Stop at Khertvisi Fortress drive to the town of Akhaltsikhe and visit Sapara Monastery, hidden in the forest. In Akhaltsikhe visit the fortified complex on a hill, overlooking the city. The complex played an important role over the centuries and combines architectural styles of different periods, Georgian, Turkish, and Russian.

Akhalziche - Goderdzi Pass - Batumi

Day 5: Cross the Goderdzi Pass

Today you will cross Goderdzi Pass and drive towards the Black Sea Coast. On the way, you will enjoy the wonderful landscapes of the mountainous Adjara which is mostly inhabited by Georgian Muslims. We will visit one of such families today during lunch (during school holidays) and learn more about their everyday life and traditions. Alternatively have a picnic at Green Lake. Later have a stop at Makhuntseti Waterfall and a medieval Stone Bridge before arriving in the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Batumi, Georgia’s little Las Vegas. After some rest have a walk along the Boulevard to a popular Beach Restaurant for dinner.

Batumi

Day 6: Explore Batumi

Batumi is the main port of Georgia and an attractive summer holiday destination. Many buildings in Batumi Old town are designed in the Art Nuevo style and recently, some attractive new structures have joined them, for example, an Italian-style Piazza.

Near this square is the statue of Medea with Golden Fleece, a reminder of the legend about the Argonauts. After city tour drive to visit Botanical Gardens at Green Cape. The Gardens offer visitors a diverse array of plants divided into 9 geographical districts. With over 5000 foreign and endemic species, the gardens cover a hillside rising straight up out of the sea. After 1.5 hours of tranquil walk continue to drive to the village Tsikhisdziri and visit Petra fortress from the 6th century, which was restored recently. During the excursion, you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the sea.

Batumi - Kolkheti Nationalpark - Kutaisi

Day 7: Boat Tour and Wine Tasting

A relaxing walk in Shekvetili Musicians Park and afterward a Boat Tour in the Georgian Wetlands of Kolkheti National Park. Continue to drive to Imereti region, in ancient times the Colchis Kingdom where the Argonauts sailed in search of the Golden Fleece. Besides historically significant sights and churches, Imereti is well-known for its hospitality, outstanding cuisine, and the very special sense of humor of its inhabitants. You will visit the winery of two dynamic young ladies for a tasting the wine variety of this region. At the end of the day walk in Kutaisi city center and have dinner with local cuisine in a restaurant by the river.

Gelati Monastery - Martvili - Mestia

Day 8: The UNESCO World Heritage Gelati Monastery

Located 15km from Kutaisi city center is one of the most important sites in Imereti region, the Gelati monastic complex (UNESCO World Heritage). The greatest Georgian King, David the Builder, founded the complex as a center of enlightenment at the beginning of the 12th century. On your way to the Greater Caucasus Mountains, you will visit a local Tea Farm, learn how tea is produced, and taste different tea. Later have a photo stop at Enguri Dam, the biggest building of this kind in the Caucasus (Georgia mainly produces electricity – even for export – with waterpower). Continue to Mestia, the capital city of Upper Svaneti region (UNESCO World Heritage).

Mestia

Day 9: Visit Mestia

Nestled high in the Caucasus Mountains and thus preserved by its long isolation, the Upper Svaneti province is an exceptional example of mountain scenery scattered with medieval-type villages and protective tower-houses. During the walking tour, you will come across some villages and enjoy beautiful landscapes. In the afternoon have another panoramic view from Zuruldi Mt. or visit the Museum of Svaneti with its rich collection of archeological and ethnographic materials as well as Georgian Orthodox icons painted in the unique Svan style.

Ushguli

Day 10: Mount of Georgia Shkhara

After 2 hours of off-road drive you will arrive in Ushguli, one of the highest permanent inhabited settlements in Europe at 2400m above sea level. The highest summit of Georgia – Mt. Shkhara (5068m) stretches up to the north of the community offering amazing views and walking trails. Typical Svanetian protective towers are dotted throughout the area.

Natakhtari - Telavi

Day 11: Journey to the wine region of Georgia Khakheti

Awesome Domestic Flight over the Greater Caucasus Mountains to central Georgia. If you have more than the 15 KG luggage with you, your driver can carry some bags in his car for you (he leaves Mestia on Day 9 and will pick you up at Natakhtari Airport today). Flight duration is approx. 45 minutes. After landing transfer to a local family in Tianeti, where you will learn how to cook Georgian dumplings Khinkali and taste very special cheese “dambalkhacho”. Then you will discover the most important Georgian Wine Region Kakheti. Learn more about the 8000 years of viniculture here (UNESCO and Guinness book of Records) Next to the city Telavi you will visit a local family handcrafting the clay vessels Quevri which are essential for the traditional Georgian way of producing natural wine. Chacha tasting at the family (Georgian Grappa).

Alaverdi Monastery - Gremi - Tsinandali

Day 12: King Erekle II. Castle

Stop at the Castle of King Erekle II. and visit Iqalto Monastery with the medieval academy. Visit Alaverdi Cathedral in the beautiful Alazani Valley. The Monks at Alaverdi are cultivating more than 200 regional grape varieties in the garden of the Cathedral. Afterward discover Gremi Citadel, a former residence of Kakhetian Kings and the only remaining of a once rich commercial town on the Old Silk Road. The Town was destroyed by the Persians and never rebuilt. Tour in dukes estate of the Chavhchavadze family in Tsinandali before visiting the splendid regional winery for a comparing wine tasting (Quevri vs. conventional production). Back to your hotel and free time.

David Gareja - Tbilisi

Day 13: Lavra Monastery

On our way back to Tbilisi you will discover David-Gareji Cave Monastery next to the border with Azerbaijan. One of the 13 Assyrian Monks, David, founded the complex in the 6th century. Upper monastery Udabno with the most beautiful wall paintings is temporarily closed. You will visit Lavra monastery and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the surrounding hills and rare species of birds are an additional highlight of a trip to the area. Upon arrival in Tbilisi Check-in at your hotel. In the evening visit a splendid restaurant located in an Old Town Villa within a typical quarter of the city.

Mtskheta

Day 14: Mtskheta - the old Georgian Capital City

Free time until early afternoon. Tour to the former Georgian Capital Mtskheta (UNESCO World Heritage). First visit Jvari Church above the confluence of two rivers and later drive to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the spiritual center of the country. For Dinner on your last evening in Georgia you will have a real local people experience. Let us buy all needed ingredients for BBQ Dinner at the local farmers market and drive to a forest near Tbilisi. Enjoy picnic-dinner the Georgian way with Georgian barbeque “mtsvadi” next to local people, celebrating their events noisy, singing and dancing. Wine or beer included.

Tbilisi

Day 15: Goodbye Tbilisi!

Enjoy a free morning. At a given time, a driver will meet you and drive you to the airport. We wish you a good flight home!