In the Homeland of Wine (Wine Tour)

In the Homeland of Wine

(Wine Tour)

  

Day 1: Arrival in the capital of Georgia. At Tbilisi International Airport you will be met by your guide. Transfer to the hotel. After having a rest you will be taken for a dinner at one of local restaurants. Walk through the city.

Day 2: They say that Georgians started cultivating grape and producing wine eight centuries ago. The recent archaeological finds prove this. Scientists found grape seeds in an earthen vessel during the excavations in Kakheti. There are about 500 species of grapes in Georgia and around 70 per cent grows in Kakheti. That is why this region is considered to be the cradle of winemaking in Georgia. You will pay your first visit to Bodbe Monastery.

Bodbe Monastery

The first church here was built in IV century during the life of St. Nino. She is buried right here. You will walk down to the saint spring; its appearance is linked to the name of the saint as well. They say that if a believer dips into the spring he will relieve of all the illnesses. Next stop is in the beautiful city of Sighnaghi. This is the only city in Georgia which is still surrounded with a fort. You will get a chance to walk along the city and enjoy its marvelous views, especially at Alazani Valley. Here, at the restaurant “Maspindzelo”, you will dine then move to “Teliani Veli” Winery. Excursion around the winery. You will taste different kinds of wine with light snacks. A small surprise is waiting for you after tasting. Overnight at the small hotel in the winery. Here you will find only 7 rooms. On the doors of the rooms there are written the names of the wines, you can choose the room of the wine you liked. Each room is designed in colors of the wine of the appropriate name. Move to Alaverdi Cathedral, which was considered to be the highest church in Georgia before the construction of Holy Trinity Cathedral was completed in Tbilisi.

Alaverdi Cathedral

Now the church serves as a monastery. Next visit you will pay to George White Cathedral. If you’re lucky, you’ll see pilgrims living in tents around the cathedral. Move to the monastery and academy Ikalto. Here the greatest Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, the author of the poem “The Knight in Panther’s Skin”, studied. Return to the winery. On your way back you will stop in Telavi, administrative centre of Kakheti. Here you will dine.

Day 3: First time in your life you will wake up in a winery. Your breakfast will be waiting for you in a beautiful tasting room. But this will not be a regular cup of tea or coffee. You will start the morning with tasting wine and chacha. Drive to Telavi, where you can visit the Palace of King Irakli II and see 900-year-old sycamore tree. After this you will visit another winery – GWS. The hosts will show you the plant. You will see the lab, where wine quality is checked and visit the old cellar, where you will find kvevri (clay pot buried in the ground), satsnaheli (a vessel carved from pear wood, where the grapes are being pressed by feet), the ancient clay jugs and bowls. In the tasting room you will taste several types of wine, walk through the amazing garden and enjoy the view of the Caucasus Mountains. It’s time to move to Gurjaani city, located in 37 km from Telavi. Here, in the “Gurjaani Wine House”, you will get a chance to make famous Georgian churchkhela on your own.

Gurjaani Wine House

You also will participate in making of Georgian bread called lavashi, try a wine that is bottled only in 1500-1800 bottles and take part in producing of chacha (grape vodka).

Making Lavashi (Georgian bread)

At the end of the day you will enjoy Georgian feast with good wine and polyphonic singing. The winners of an international competition, the ensemble of folk songs “Gurjaani” will be singing for you. Late in the evening you will return to Tbilisi and check in hotel.

 

Day 4: Excursion to Sulfur Baths district called Abanotubani.

Sulfur Baths district – Abanotubani                    Narikala  Fortress                                                  

A tourist visiting Tbilisi should visit Sulfur Baths for sure. Arabic sages were considering Tbilisi Sulfur Baths among “Wonders of the World”. Famous Russian writers Alexander Griboedov and Alexander Pushkin as well as Alexander Dumas (the father) loved visiting this place. Pushkin wrote about baths: “I’ve seen nothing more luxury than Tiflis baths neither in Russian nor in Turkey”. Bath-house attendant (mekise) will work wonders with you, and the natural sulfur water that heats in the bowels of the earth will rejuvenate you. In the rest room you will find brandy waiting for you. After the bath you will walk along the Old Tbilisi with its narrow streets and carved balconies. At Rustaveli Avenue you will see the sign “World of Wine”. You might think it is a wine shop when you first enter it but there is a small restaurant there as well. The most interesting waits for you on the ground floor; there is 100-years-old cellar where champagne is produced by traditional bottle method. Here you will learn the technology of producing champagne Cuvee Margot. Have you ever heard that sparkling wine is being produced in the downtown? You will have your supper right here, taste national and European cuisine and dishes prepared on the wine bases.

Day 5: Move to Georgia’s ancient capital – eternal town of Mtskheta. They believe that praying here three times is equal to one praying in Jerusalem. On the hilltop there is one of the oldest Georgian cathedrals – Jvari Monastery built in the 6^th century. From here one can see the confluence of the Aragvi and the Mtkvari Rivers. Next visit to pay to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral built in 11^th century. The sanctuary for all the Christians – Jesus Christ’s robe, in which he was crucified, is kept in this medieval church.

Mtskheta                                                             Jvari                                                 

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11^th Century)

A lot of interesting facts you will learn about Samtavro Nunnery. Behind the fortress wall of the nunnery you’ll find a little church and a bush of blackberry planted at the times of St. Nino (the Enlightener of Georgia).

Samtavro Nunnery

Next stop is Shio-Mgvime medieval monastic complex. A friendly dinner at restaurant “Armazis Tskaro” is waiting for you after your excursion. Return to Tbilisi.

Shio-Mgvime

 Day 6: Can you imagine your state after such a night? Alexander Dumas (the father) who visited Georgia couple of centuries ago was in the same condition. But he helped himself by eating Georgian dish called khashi. “Are we worse than Dumas”, you might ask and you will be right. From the early morning you will be taken to a small restaurant “At Zurab’s”. According to the tradition when they eat khashi they take 100 grams of vodka – better if it is chacha. But the owner of the restaurant has his own recipe – a glass of champagne. After your unusual breakfast you will have some free time. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

TOUR FEES:

330 euros per person for groups of 12 persons.

390 euros per person for groups of 6 persons;

570 euros per person for groups of 4 persons;

780 euros per person for groups of 2 persons;

The price includes:

• Accommodation in 3* hotel in Tbilisi and in the hotel of “Teliani Veli” Winery;

• Three meals a day and all friendly feasts;

• Transfer along the route;

• Guide service on the route;

• Visits to “Teliani Veli” and GWS Wineries;

• Visit to “Gurjaani Wine House”;

• Visit to Sulfur Baths

Extra charges:

• Airline tickets;

• Accommodation in 4* and 5* hotels.

 Contact Us – 

+995 55 78 64 37            ,                         +995 95 56 38 56
e-mail – caucasustbilisi@gmail.com
geomoderntour@gmail.com

WELCOME TO GEORGIA!

Georgia is a Eurasian country in the Caucasus located at the east coast of the Black Sea. It is bordered on the north by Russia, on the south by Turkey and Armenia, and on the east by Azerbaijan. It is a transcontinental country, located at the juncture of Eastern Europe and Western Asia – in other words, located in the transitional, mountainous Caucasus region of Eurasia.

In Georgia everyone can find something to his liking – from snowy peaks to subtropical shores, from deserts to lush forests, from cities to enchanting villages. You may discover magnificent monuments and riches of nature, unique ancient models of history and archeology. Come to the country of the Gold fleece, and you will feel all beauty of its majestic nature.

Georgia is the country where the West meets the East, the crossroad of various civilizations and cultures, often totally different and controversial.

Georgia is the country where the piece of Christ’s robe is kept.

First European came fromGeorgia(The sculls are found in Dmanisi) 1.7 000000 years ago. The fact is accepted and acknowledged by the scholars and scientists of all over the world.

Georgia is the cradle of wine. The oldest seeds of grape and wine make apparatus were found in Georgia, and even the word wine comes from Georgian word g’vino.

We are home to more than 500 unique variety of grape, most of them used for wine, more than anywhere else in the world.

Our company can offer you the most convenient way to organize your leisure vacations. You can visit as historical places, as places where you can perfectly have a rest. Our company serves both individual clients, and the groups. Our tours can be changed according to your wishes.

contact us – +995 55 78 64 37, +995 95 56 38 56
e-mail – caucasustbilisi@gmail.com
geomoderntour@gmail.com