Georgia & Armenia Adventure

With group members arriving throughout the afternoon, evening and night, today is a 'free' day for you to arrive, be transferred to the start hotel, and to shake off any travel fatigue and get your bearings. Your adventure starts in earnest, tomorrow, after breakfast - so please book flights / transportation that will get you to Tbilisi in time for Breakfast (on Day 2) at the latest!If you are able to arrive earlier in the day, please feel free to ask us for guidance on how to spend this free day, where to eat and what to visit (or to try to save for the tour). We are on hand to help!Overnight: Hotel Zeg 

Welcome to Georgia! After breakfast we will head out on a thorough tour of Tbilisi. Explore the winding narrow streets, admire colourful houses and patterned balconies, starting the tour from Metekhi Church built in the 13th century. We will continue our tour from the skies, on a cable car up to the ancient Narikala Fortress. On the way up, admire panoramic views of the city below. With its cobbled streets and colourful houses, it’s a pretty city. From the fortress we will descend to the historical domed sulphur bath region which boasts a number of thermal baths which can be enjoyed. We will enjoy dinner with our guide, getting a first taste of some the delicious cuisine to be enjoyed on this journey we are about to embark on. Overnight: Hotel Zeg 

Today, we travel to the Kakheti region famous for its winemaking as well as its distinct cultural history and beautiful natural landscapes, including the snowy peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. First, we will pay a visit to the tranquil, small fortified town of Sighnaghi where we can enjoy picturesque views of the Alazani valley and Great Caucasus mountains. Enjoy lunch with a local family and sample delicious homemade food. We will also participate in a cooking class where we learn how to make Churchkhela, a traditional dessert made with grape juice and walnuts as well as baking Georgian bread. Our gastronomic adventure continues as we visit a traditional Georgian wine cellar and meet a local winemaker who demonstrates the traditional way of wine-making using a Kvevri (clay vessel). Later we will drive to Telavi where dinner will be served at a family hotel.Overnight: Hillside Resort

From Telavi we head to visit the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia – Mtskheta, one of oldest cities in Georgia. Here we visit its historic Jvari Monastery built in the 6th century and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral built in the 11th century – both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lunch will be served by a local family with delicious homemade food. Later, we will return back to Tbilisi for a bit of down time. Overnight: Hotel Zeg 

After breakfast we will drive to the village of Vardzia. On the way, we will stop in Tsalka and visit Paravani Lake, a volcanic lake and the largest in Georgia in terms of area.We will also visit Phoka Monastery, connected to St. Nino, who preached Christianity in Georgia. We continue to Vardzia and visit the spectacular 12th-century cave town complex, which was built during the reign of Queen Tamara. The complex used to have 13 floors, carved in the mountain including a monastery, bakery and throne room. It is a truly iconic site and was built as a sanctuary during the Mongol takeover. After your visit, we will head to the local cottages in Vardzia which will be your home for the evening.  Overnight: Valodia’s Cottages

After breakfast, drive to the Georgian-Armenian border, at check point Bavra. Here we will meet our local Armenian guide who will begin your adventure in Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia. Being one of the most ancient settlements in Armenia with a history of 3000 years, Gyumri is a significant location to visit and admire. It is well-known for its particularly well-preserved old town. Enjoy a city tour including a visit to the Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life. The famous house was built by a rich trader, Petros Dzitoghtsyan in 1872 and here we can see well-preserved furniture, artwork, carpets and handicraft from Gyumri, all items typical for a rich Gyumri family of the late 19th century. We will also visit the Black Fortress, or `Sev Berd', which is one of the most famous historical buildings of Gyumri.Overnight: Hotel "Gyumri"

After breakfast, we will head to Echmiadzin, the fourth largest city in Armenia. It boasts the beautiful Etchmiadzin Cathedral, known as the centre of the Armenian Church and thought to be one of the world’s first Christian State churches. Legend has it that it was here that Jesus Christ descended from heaven to show where he wanted a church built. After our visit there we'll head to a local house to enjoy a masterclass of making ‘Dolmas’, delicious stuffed vine leaves before enjoying them for lunch. We will continue our adventure towards Armenia’s capital, Yerevan with a stop along the way at the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. Tonight we will stay in Yerevan where the remainder of the evening is free.Overnight: Hotel "Ani Central Inn"

Today we will explore the capital. We start our tour from Republic Square, the magnum opus of architect Alexander Tamanian. Continue to Cascade Complex, an open-air museum of modern art. The complex links the downtown with the residential area with massive stairways leading up to Victory Park providing wonderful views to the entire downtown. In the park you can find the monument to Mother Armenia carefully guarding the city from above. Next, we visit the Opera House, a remarkable example of urban architecture and a lively hub of the city. Stop by the famous Yerevan Brandy Factory founded in 1887. During the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900, the brandy received the GrandPrix and the legal right to be called `cognac`, not `brandy`. We will visit the museum and head to its dedicated bar and tasting room where visitors can try out some of the most exquisite cognacs in the world. We will continue to Yerevan’s fruit market where you can taste Armenian delights such as dried fruits, sujukh, basturma, aromatic herbs and fresh produce. We finish with an enjoyable dinner at a local restaurant where you will be able to listen to traditional folk music. Overnight: Hotel "Ani Central Inn"

For our final day, we will visit the village of Garni. The citadel and pagan temple of Garni is a picturesque monument of the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. Lunch will be served at a local house in Garni where you will be able to participate in making Armenian national bread known as `lavash`, using an underground stove `tonir`.After, we continue ascending higher up the gorge of the Azat river, where there is a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard Monastery inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list and partly carved out of a mountain. The meaning 'the Monastery of the Spear', originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus during his crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. We will continue to Lake Sevan, the emerald of Armenia and the second largest alpine lake in the world. Admire the picturesque views of one of the highest bodies of water in the world before returning to Yerevan. Our farewell dinner will be in a unique place, the house of the famous Armenian contemporary painter and ethnographer, Lusik Aguletsi. You will get to taste national dishes in her house which is also a museum and a cosy Art-cafe. Entering her house is like entering an ancient Armenian house. Overnight: Hotel "Ani Central Inn"

Today your Georgia and Armenia adventure comes to an end as you fly out from Yerevan. It's time to return home, rejuvenated!