Tbilisi - Kakheti - Mtskheta

Day 1: Arrival in Tbilisi

Arrival in Tbilisi and transfer to the hotel. Evening city.

Day 2: Tbilisi city tour

Abanotubani - sulfur baths (persons interested can visit sulfuric baths) - quarter in the center of Tbilisi, known for the complex of baths standing on natural sulphurous sources. Constructed at different times - in XVII — XIX centuries, present baths form by themselves the certain quarter of the city which is the popular place for residents and for numerous tourists.

Holy Trinity Cathedral - the main cathedral of the Georgian orthodox church which is in Tbilisi, on St. Ilya's hill (the left coast of the river Kura). There are 13 thrones in cathedral; the lower temple is in honor of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Church of Metekhi - on the stony river bank Kura, on the small height, there is witness of the centuries-old history of Tbilisi – Metekhi Church. At first there was the palace of local kings, which presumably was built by Vakhtang Gorgasali - the founder of the city Tbilisi. Church itself, which remained today, was constructed in the 12th century.

Narikala fortress – (rise on the cableway) - a serf complex of various eras in old Tbilisi. The exact time of the basis of fortress in Tbilisi is unknown, but in IV a century it already existed and was called the "Invidious Fort". At David the builder the Arab fortress was strengthened and expanded. The modern name was given, as it is considered, by Mongols. Close to modern the Tbilisi citadel took a form in the 12-13th centuries, however the earthquake of 1827 caused it an irreplaceable loss. In the 1990th Attempts of restoration of a Narikala were made, in particular, the St. Nicholas church existing in the territory of fortress in XII a century was built up.

Lunch at restaurant in Tbilisi.

Return to hotel.

Day 3: Kakheti

Dzveli (old) Shuamta Monastery - an ancient monument near Telavi in the village of Shuamta. It represents ensemble from several ancient churches. The small church standing on the foreground is dated the 5th century, other two – big and small dome churches - by the 7th century. The big church is very similar to Jvari Church in Mtskheta. In churches paintings of the 12th century remained.

Alaverdi - the cathedral of the 11th century (Saint George's cathedral) and a monastic complex in Akhmeta municipality of Kakheti.

Height of cathedral is about 50 m; height of internal space is over 42 m. Before the construction of The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi the cathedral Alaverdi was the highest church construction of Georgia. In cathedral paintings of the 15th century remained. The cathedral Alaverdi is presented to the list the World heritage of UNESCO.

Ikalto - Ancient academy Ikalto is famous that here, according to the legend, the outstanding Georgian poet of the 12th century – Shota Rustaveli studied. The academy is included into a complex of the monastery of the Saint Zenon, located in 8 km from Telavi. Besides Ikalto the monastic ensemble based by the Reverend Zenon includes small churches of Sameba (Trinity, 6th century), Saviour’s Transfiguration (the VIII-IX centuries), Virgin Mary (9th century). All of them were restored in the 19th century. In one of churches Zenon from Ikalto relics are based. The Academy building – the latest (12th century). Nowadays, there are only fragments left from it. The building of Academy was not restored after destruction by hordes of the Shah Abbas I in 1616. In due time the Academy founded by David the Builder was one of the important cultural and educational centers of Georgia.

Lunch at restaurant in Kakheti.

Alexander Chavchavadze's house museum - is House museum of the famous Georgian poet and public figure Alexander Chavchavadze in Tsinandali, in his entail property. There are about 20 thousand exhibits, the materials reflecting his life and creativity, various editions of the 19th century (French, German, English, Polish, Armenian), manuscripts of the 18th century, models of painting and a lithograph and also the Georgian, Russian, French furniture of the 18-19th centuries, other household objects, ware (Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Georgian, Russian), musical instruments are collected. Separately it should be noted a garden in Tsinandali- for its construction Alexander Chavchavadze brought the European decorators to the manor. In a garden wild and ornamental plants are harmoniously combined.

Wine tasting in Tsinandali.

Return to Tbilisi.

Day 4: Mtskheta

Jvari Monastery - the monastery and the temple of VII century. It is located at mountain top at confluence of the Kura and Aragvi near Mtskheta — where, according to historical sources, Saint Nino erected a cross. Jhvari — one of architecture masterpieces on perfection of architectural forms and the Georgia's first monument of the world heritage.

Church Svetitskhoveli - the cathedral patriarchal temple of the Georgian orthodox church in Mtskheta, which throughout the millennium was the main cathedral of all Georgia. It is registered among monuments of the world heritage. Svetitskhoveli is one of the main spiritual centers of orthodox Georgia.

Lunch And Wine tasting in Mtskheta.

Uplistsikhe (God's Fortress) — the ancient cave city, one of the first cities in the territory of Georgia. Uplistsikhe is cut in the rock at the end of II — at the beginning of the I millennium BC. Is a multilayered archaeological object, one of the most important monuments of the Georgian culture. The uniqueness of a monument is that it, thanks to the construction, remains of the architectural and cult constructions created throughout several millennia. During Uplistsikhe's days of prosperity included more than 700 caves and cave constructions from which only 150 remained so far.

Return to Tbilisi.