Tbilisi

You arrive in Tbilisi, the heart of Georgia and the Caucasus. After immigration and security you will be met in the arrivals hall by your private guide and driver. From here you will be transferred in a luxury sedan to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Tbilisi

Morning adventure in Tbilisi, where East meets West. Start at the 13th century Metekhi Church with a great view of the Old Town. Wander through the cobblestone streets, past houses with wooden balconies and Soviet era buildings turned into cafes and bohemian shops. See various churches and mix of old and new architecture. Take the cable car to the Narikala Fortress, an ancient Persian stronghold with great views of the city and the Mtkvari River. A scenic trail will take you to the Mother Georgia statue and to a historic quarter with traditional sulphur bathhouses. In the afternoon, explore Georgian cuisine with a focus on Khachapuri, the national dish. Learn about its regional variations, from the egg and cheese topped Adjarian style to versions with boiled potatoes, yogurt or millet based dough and even lasagna like layering. See how it’s prepared and sample different regional specialties. End the day with a visit to the Bagrationi factory where you will see the production of sparkling wine made from indigenous Georgian grapes. Private tour of the estate, learn about its history and wine making methods and then a tasting of different types of sparkling wine.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tbilisi

Kakheti Wine Region

Depart Tbilisi for the Kakheti region, famous for its wine and hospitality. First stop is the David Gareja complex, a 6th century rock hewn monastery carved into the slopes of Mt. Gareja. Then head to Udabno village, established during Soviet times as a new home for the Svan ethnic group from the Svaneti region. Enjoy a homemade lunch with a local Svan family, taste Svanetian dishes rich in bread, potatoes, meat and cheese, including the savoury Kubdari, a meat stuffed flatbread. After lunch explore the vineyards and visit a traditional Georgian wine cellar in Kondoli village. Taste the exquisite 'Zghia', a natural wine made using ancient methods, including the use of kvevri, large clay vessels integral to Georgian winemaking. End the day with a visit to the Chavchavadze estate in Tsinandali, a 19th century prince’s estate with a beautiful garden, historic winery and a memorial house. This winery was the first in Georgia to bottle wine. Overnight in Tsinandali.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kakheti Wine Region

Get into the local culture with a visit to the Telavi market, a lively open air space where regional farmers sell their fresh produce and homemade goods. Taste the season’s sweetest fruits, sample fresh breads, sweets and collect some local spices. Next visit Gremi, a 16th century architectural complex comprising a royal citadel and a church. Then head to Kvareli town, famous for its wine and cheese pairings, a testament to the Georgian sommeliers. Reserve some appetite for a traditional Georgian barbecue lunch with a local family on their farm, featuring beef or lamb cooked in a simple yet flavourful way. Participate in this culinary tradition where men typically handle the barbecue and women prepare bread and Churchkhela, a unique Georgian confection. End the day with a visit to a local farmer’s home to learn about the art of making kvevri, the clay pots essential to Georgian winemaking.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kakheti Wine Region

Tbilisi

Return to Tbilisi via the beautiful Gombori Pass. First stop is Dezerter Bazaar, Tbilisi’s biggest farmer’s market, where Teona, a local cook, awaits. She will take you through the market and introduce you to the freshest seasonal produce, local meats and artisanal products like pickles and cheese. Then join her at her home to prepare and eat Georgian classics, khinkali and eggplant with walnuts. In the afternoon visit the ancient city of Mtskheta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the main religious sites, Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Before returning to Tbilisi stop by Chardakhi village for a wine tasting at a famous cellar, whose wines are served at the Ritz Carlton in London.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kutaisi

Drive to western Georgia, starting with a visit to Gori, famous as the birthplace of Stalin. Explore the Stalin house-museum and then head to Uplistsikhe Cave town, a historical Silk Road stopover carved into the mountainside. Notice the change of landscape as you enter the Imereti region, with dense forests and mountains. Visit a 100 year old wine cellar in Merjevi village, perched on a mountain slope, where you will discover the wine-making traditions of western Georgia. Lunch at a local farmhouse, taste Imeretian homemade dishes, with Pkhali as the highlight—a delicious vegetable pate blended with walnut paste and fresh herbs. Stop by Chiatura, an industrial town with much of its Soviet character intact, including mines, architecture and a unique cable car system. End the day in Kutaisi.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kutaisi

Kutaisi city tour, over 3000 years old, starting with a walk in the old town and visit to the Bagrati Cathedral. This cathedral is a city landmark, with a turquoise dome visible from across Kutaisi. Listen to the Georgian Polyphonic songs in the courtyard. Then head northwest to the Samegrelo region, famous for its spicy Megrelian cuisine. Visit the Martvili Canyons, where steep cliffs and waterfalls are best seen during a boat ride. Lunch with a local family, featuring traditional wines and Samegrelo’s dish Elarji – a cornmeal porridge with cheese and walnuts. End the day with a visit to the Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This monastery is one of Georgia’s most important sites, an ancient educational centre and the resting place of David the Builder, a Georgian king.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kutaisi

Drive to the Racha highlands, a beautiful region in the upper Rioni river valley surrounded by the Greater Caucasus mountains. This area is famous for its alpine lakes, waterfalls and forests. Taste Racha’s specialties like Lobiani, a bean-filled bread, and Shkmeruli, a garlic chicken dish. Try the region’s wine Khvanchkara, a semi-sweet red wine with berry aromas. Visit the Nikortsminda Church in Racha and a local wine factory to taste the Khvanchkara wine. Lunch with a local family and learn to cook Racha dishes. After lunch enjoy the region’s food, wine and scenery and return to Kutaisi.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tbilisi

Return to Tbilisi and stop in Mukhrani village to visit the estate of Ivane Mukhranbatoni, a famous figure in Georgian winemaking history, who modernized the industry and introduced sparkling wine production. Lunch at the estate’s restaurant, tasting various wines and Chakapuli, a Georgian lamb stew with tarragon, sour plums and garlic. After lunch, wine painting master class. Back in Tbilisi, the evening is free. You can visit the sulphur bathhouses for a relaxing soak, massage or kisi exfoliation.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tbilisi

TBILISI - DEPARTURE

Breakfast in Tbilisi, then free time to explore the city or do some last minute shopping in the boutiques. When you are ready to depart, a private transfer will take you to Tbilisi International Airport for your onward journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast