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AUD 2678 / pp
Georgia
Dates:
May - October 2020/2021
Duration:
10 days
Tour:
Private
Georgia - a land of endless wonders, unspoiled by modern tourism and still retaining its authentic character. Once experienced, it will stay with you forever. Exploring Georgia is a constant pleasure. Experience the past coming to live and listen to history told by fortresses, monasteries and towns built-in into the rocks, see the country's fascinating natural sceneries ranging from magical valleys to gorgeous mountain ranges. The traditions of the East and West meet in Georgia to form a culture unlike any other in the World.
Day 1: Arrival at Tbilisi
Arrival at Tbilisi. Meet & greet at the airport, private transfer to your hotel and check-in (after 14:00). Rest of the day at leisure to explore the capital of Georgia, enigmatic and fascinating travel destination.
Day 2: Tbilsi - Akhasheni
After breakfast at the hotel, take a drive to ‘Khareba’ tunnel winery. Join the local bread baking masterclass and enjoy a full lunch. After lunch take a guided tour around the winery and enjoy tasting a few different local wines. Then drive to Akhasheni Wine Resort 4* for overnight (for both 3* and 4* packages). NOTE: The end of September is a great harvesting season and during September group tours you are invited to join the locals in producing the wines. Start with harvesting grapes (‘Rtveli’) and press them with their feet in the traditional ‘Satsnakheli.
Day 3: Telavi - Signaghi -Tbilisi
After breakfast at the hotel, take a ride to Gremi, architectural complex built in the 16th century. It used to be the royal residence and the capital of Kakheti Kingdom. Gloomy and monumental l, the Gremi castle is one of the most visited historical monuments in Georgia. Stop in the city of Telavi with a lovely fortress to have a short walk in the old Telavi and visit local bazaar with fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses and dry fruits. Take a delightful Georgian cuisine cooking class and after an hour of cooking enjoy your hand-made Khachapuri and Khinkali. Then we take a ride to Sighnaghi - an old castle town with magnificent views over Alazani Valley. Walk the city walls and enjoy the views. In the evening, arrive at Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
Day 4: Tbilisi
Breakfast. Take off for a guided sightseeing tour of Tbilisi, the city with a history dating back to at least the 5th century AD. Start at Metekhi Сhurch and the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take a cable car to visit Narikala Fortress to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Stroll down to the district of sulfur bathhouses and pass by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Walk through the Sharden area, full of narrow streets with cosy cafés, wine tasting bars, and souvenir shops, and breathe in the history of Old Tbilisi. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre’s clock tower, before crossing the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. In the evening join your fellow travellers for a Georgian cuisine dinner in one of the best local restaurants.The dinner will be accompanied by polyphonic singing and national dances. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.
Day 5: Mtskheta - Stepantsminda
After breakfast, we check out and head to the North of Georgia. The first stop will be at Jvari Monastery, a true architectural masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages, which is picturesquely perched above the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. Continue to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns in Georgia and the country’s cultural and religious centre. Proceed to the Ananuri Complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes, with its churches and towers dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries and beautifully overlooking Jinvali Reservoir. Drive towards the Cross Pass to make a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” mountain viewpoint, which overlooks a deep gorge of the Caucasus Mountains. In the evening, we reach Stepantsminda for an overnight stop at the hotel.
Day 6: Stepantsminda
After breakfast, switch to a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (located at an altitude of 2,170 m) and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kazbegi. After lunch, take a ride to the border with Russia through a scenic Darial Gorge. The evening is free at leisure to enjoy the greatest mountain views and a glass of wine at a cosy terrace of “Rooms Hotel” overlooking the top of Kazbek mountain. Overnight at the hotel in Stepantsminda.
Day 7: Gori - Uplistsikhe - Borjomi
After breakfast, drive to Stalin’s hometown of Gori. Visit the Stalin Museum, which includes more than 60,000 artefacts, the tiny house where Stalin was born, and an impressive bulletproof train that Stalin used to travel to Yalta and Potsdam. Drive to Borjomi. Overnight at the hotel in Borjomi.
Day 8: Borjomi - Rabati - Vardzia
After breakfast, take a ride to Rabati fortress in the town of Akhatsikhe. Its name comes from Arabic meaning “fortified place”. The old stone Rabati fortress is standing on the small hill on the very shores of the Potskhovi River. After lunch at a restaurant near the fortress, take a drive to Vardzia, a significant cave monastery. En route, short photo-stop at Khertvisi fortress (10-11th century). Vardzia is not just a set of random rooms cut in rocks. It is a multi-storied complex with streets, tunnels, and stairs leading to monasteries, temples, fortresses, baths, libraries dwelling houses and so forth. Take a guided tour and then drive back to Borjomi. The evening is free at leisure.
Day 9: Borjomi - Tbilisi.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and take a ride to Tbilisi. The evening is free at leisure. NOTE: for September/October tours: This weekend Tbilisi celebrates its birthday called “Tbilisoba”. The harvest time is almost over, the weather is still warm, and the beautiful colors of nature are out - that’s all you need to be in a festive mood!
Day 10: Departure from Tbilisi
Breakfast, hotel check-out. Transfer to the airport.
Georgia
No visa to Georgia needed for the citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, USA and all European countries.
Accommodation
Centrally located hand-picked hotels 3* or 4* (twin sharing)
On day 2 only 4* hotel is available
Our 4* package means best of the best 4-star hotels including award-winning "Rooms Hotel" in Stepantsminda
Meals
Breakfasts daily at the hotels (except the day of arrival)
Dinner on day 4
Lunches on days 2, 3
Winemaking and local bread baking master classes on Day 2
Wine tasting in Khareba Winery on day 2
Cooking class in Telavi on day 3
Guided tours
Tbilisi city tour
All sightseeing as per program with English-speaking guides and all entrance fees included
Transportation
Transfers from/to the airport by a comfort class private car
Group transportation by comfortable comfort class coach
Support
Group tour is fully escorted by an English-speaking tour leader
24/7 phone/WhatsApp support line
English-speaking guides
Meet & greet at the airport
Entrance tickets
All attractions visited during sightseeing tours as per program
Borjomi cable car return tickets (to use during your leisure time)
Georgian polyphonic singing and traditional dance show
Not Included
International flights
Meals not mentioned
Optional tours and activities
Personal expenses
Adore historical monuments older than Istanbul and Rome
Taste unique & opulent Caucasian cuisine & take a cooking master class
Learn about World's oldest winemaking culture, tour the wineries, enjoy wine and cognac tasting.
Caucasian folk show & polyphonic singing: unbelievable cultural experience
Learn how to bake the traditional Georgian bread
Immerse yourself into the stunning scenery of the Caucasus Mountains
Alison Danesh
Iran / USA
We just returned from the World Cup in Russia where we followed Team Iran. This involved travel to three different stadiums many miles apart. Thank goodness we booked through World of Discoveries (Discovery Russia branch)! They arranged our lodging and transport. They even set us up with local English speaking guides to take us to see the interesting and historical sights of this beautiful land. We had a blast. We met new friends, ate great food, drank great vodka and cheered our team on. It was a trip of a lifetime.
Stacey Filrose
Australia
Me and my family just returned from an Easter break to Moscow. I found the tour very good value for money and the company's assistance with the visa application was also helpful. Reservations, payment, visa letter, and pre-departure correspondence prior to trip (via email) was prompt and well explained with no problems. Final arrangements information were detailed. We knew exactly what to expect, who will be waiting for us, time and venue to meet even with any guides with us. Transport transfers and driver were punctual.
Coco Bermudez
Australia
I was extremely satisfied with my trip. Everyone at the agency have been courteous and helpful from the very beginning, trying to organize our 17 day World Cup experience. The guides and drivers are very professional and friendly, and the accommodations were simply superb. I highly recommend World of Discoveries as I know they will turn your trip into an unforgettable experience.
Chris Balogh
Australia
These guys has made my World Cup dream a reality and also provided a spectecular tour of Kazan, Samara & Sochi along the way! The team who made it happen were fantastic, organised, attentive and even fulfilled requests like having window seats on all 3 of my domestic flights not to mention the smooth transportations to and from airports. If you ever want to visit FIFA World Cup, “World of Dsicoveries” is the best way to go!!!!
Michael Morcos
Australia
The team at World of Discoveries were awesome. Didn’t put a foot wrong at all, the tours great, the people even better. Alex who followed us around everywhere was fantastic and the organisation by Varya was exceptional. Everything was made easy and extremely helpful 24/7, I don’t think they slept the whole time. Thank you, my dad and myself loved it
Andrew Weifler
Australia
I decided to use the Tour Service of the World Cup after some extensive research into the tour alternatives. These guys seemed to differentiate its tour Service by providing a more culturally based service with a healthy dose of Football and Fun. My experience was that it as well run ie they delivered on their promises. They have a health mix of local staff and Australian staff. The Russian staff had a great empathy for the challenges for us Aussies traveling in a country where you had no language skills they bridged that gap with there wonderful help. I know there are many alternative tours but this one certainly lived up to its name. I felt I discovered part of Russia but there’s plenty more to go!’ Overall just a great experience
TIDS: 96013886
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ABN: 39616347150
TIDS: 96013886
Armenia
Russia