Georgia wine fest "Rtveli"

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Tbilisi International Airport. Transfer to a hotel.

Stop At: Tbilisi International Airport, Tbilisi, Georgia
Arrival at Tbilisi International Airport. Transfer to a hotel. Accommodation.
Duration: 15 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 2: Tbilisi - Mtskheta sightseeing tour

Stop At: Jvari Monastery of Mtskheta, Georgia
After breakfast, the day starts with exploration of a fabulous city Tbilisi – a city of wonders. Our first destination will be Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi – the highest cathedral in Georgia, which is unique with architecture. It is a synthesis of different church styles in Georgia. Next destination is Metekhi, situated on a hill, which is overlooking the river Mtkvari, Rike Park and the Bridge of Peace – the 13th most unusual bridges in the world and a modern architectural masterpiece. We will walk down from Metekhi to the bridge, passing through the Rike Park. On the bridge, you can take tons of photos with old Tbilisi views –with presidential palace, Narikala Fortress, the river Mtkvari and Metekhi in the background. It is a breathtaking view from below. Next, we will travel by a cable car to the Narikala Fortress, which represented an entrance gate into the city in the distant past and from there you can admire the entire city. After Narikala, we will move to Bath District. As you are approaching Abanotubani (the Bath District), the smell of sulfur is getting stronger and stronger, since the baths are built on naturally occurring hot sulfur springs. Legvtakhevi waterfall situated in the heart of the city – it is the first Tbilisi from where you can take unforgettable memories with you by only a few clicking on your video camera. Enjoy strolling in Meidan square through a narrow Sharden street, full of cozy cafes, restaurants, wine tasting bars and souvenir shops, to the statue of Tamada, a replica of a small statue found near Kutaisi, dating back to the 7th century BC, which proves a Georgian wine tradition from the ancient time. From Tbilisi, you will visit old capital of Iberia – Mtskheta with its gorgeous and once the major cathedral of Georgia – Svetitskhoveli, designated as UNESCO world heritage site and go up to the Jvari Monastery, majestically towering Mtskheta with an impressive view over the confluence of two major rivers of Georgia – Mtkvari and Aragvi. In the evening, you can have an optional dinner in one of Georgian restaurants which will be extra 25$ per person. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 3: Tbilisi - Bodbe – Sighnaghi – Telavi

Stop At: Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino, Signagi Georgia
In the Morning, after breakfast and checking out from the hotel, our tour guide and driver will lead you to the east part of Georgia – Kakheti, known as a wine region with its amazing vineyards causing never-ending memories especially in autumn when grapes are ripe and hanging from the wine trees. We will visit Bodbe to enjoy views over Alazani Valley, beautiful nature that keeps you speechless and move to Sighnaghi – ‘a city of love’ fortified by a defensive wall with towers facing the Greater Caucasus mountains. It is newly rebuilt city with fascinating streets and brown tile roofs. We will walk along the wall and breathe the fresh air of Sighnaghi. Our next destination will be a wine factory. You will taste different types of wine there and have a tour inside. After that, we will move to Telavi and see 900 years old plane tree. In the evening, you will have dinner in Georgian national family with Georgian songs. Overnight in Telavi.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 4: Rtveli

Stop At: Telavi Wine Cellar, Kurdgelauri Village, Telavi 2200 Georgia
Rtveli (Georgian: რთველი) is the traditional vintage (the process of picking grapes and making wine) accompanied by celebrations that mark the end of the agricultural cycle for the year. The vine also has an iconic and religious significance in Georgia and the tradition of rtveli dates back to ancient times, having its roots in the celebration of mid-Autumn abundance. Frescoes, churches, enamels and mosaics all have grapevine motifs, and there are a number of ancient songs dedicated to the vine and its fruits.
After breakfast and checking out from the hotel in Telavi, we will move to a wine cellar, where you will be participants of Georgian Rtveli – picking ripe grapes and crushing them with your own feet in a special Satsnakheli. Then the juice is vinified in a clay vessel called qvevri, which is buried under the ground until the wine is sufficiently aged. After that, we will come back to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.


Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 5: Free day. On this day, you can have an optional tour, which will be extra cost.

Stop At: Uplistsiche Cave Town, Kvakhvreli 15 km Eastwards to Town Gori, Gori Georgia
Tbilisi – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi optional
In the morning, after breakfast you will visit a magnificent town Gori, where Joseph Stalin was born and grew up. You will visit the house museum of Stalin, which is on the way to Uplistsikhe – a rock –hewn city of ancient time, where Alexander the Great walked and left his ruler. The city is a museum under the open sky with lots of caves and a tunnel. The ancient Silk Road crossed the city. The city had everything what life needs. Uplistsikhe is a magical journey back in time. After Uplistsikhe, we will leave for Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 6: Tbilisi – Stepantsminda-Tbilisi

Stop At: Gergeti Trinity Church, Stepantsminda Georgia
After breakfast, we will move to the north part of Georgia - Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). On the way, we will visit Zhinvali water reservoir, which is an extremely amazing green lake with water branches around hills full of trees. Next destination is a spectacular Ananuri architectural complex, a former summer residence of Aragvi Dukes, unique with its towers, dating back to the 16-17th centuries. From the highest tower of the fortress opens a superb view of Zhinvali reservoir and the fortress itself. After Ananuri, we proceed our way on the Georgian Military Road leading to Vladikavkaz, Russia and stop near White and Black Aragvi river brunches, which is a wonderful sight for everyone. Here, in Pasanauri, you can taste the best Georgian national food – Khinkali (it will be extra 20$). Gudauri is the next destination – a ski resort in Georgia from where opens a magnificent panoramic view of snow-capped mountains, which is truly astonishing. Next, you can taste Georgian mineral spring water that flows on a mountain slope and leaves stalagmitic rock – travertine. Our last stop is Kazbegi, a small town near Russian border, where you will see a stunning Mkinvartsveri – the seventh highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. Reaching Gergeti Trinity Church located at an altitude of 2170 m. by a 4WD vehicle (it will be extra 20$) never leaves you insensitive. In case you are lucky in terms of weather conditions, you will have a perception of ‘walking above clouds. (You can also visit a magnificent Gveleti waterfall and walk on a road through high cliffs. It is one of the biggest waterfalls in Georgia descending from one of the glorious cliffs in the rocky area full of different plants and wild flowers. Please note: if you add Gveleti waterfall to the tour, it will be extra 5$). Overnight in Tbilisi.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 7: Free day. On this day, you can take an optional tour, which will be an extra cost.

Stop At: Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Borjomi Georgia
Optional Tbilisi – Borjomi - Rabati – Tbilisi
After breakfast, we will leave for Borjomi – an extraordinarily remarkable place with its nature and pure mineral waters known all over the world. You can taste a glass of mineral water here and take it at home as well. Borjomi is a place with an aura of timelessness. After this fabulous town, we will continue driving to the Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe – a fortress rebuilt in the 9th century, with picturesque views over the city and fortress itself. It is located on the western suburbs and can be seen practically from anywhere in the city. The day will surely make your trip the most memorable ever. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 8: Transfer to the airport.

Stop At: Tbilisi International Airport, Tbilisi, Georgia
Transfer to the airport.
Duration: 5 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.