Georgia Highlights4 Days | Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Ikalto, Alaverdi, Napareuli, Tsinandali, Jvari, Ananuri, Kazbegi

Arrival in Tbilisi. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. Check-in at noon.
You will start your journey in Georgia with visiting Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious centre of Georgia. Mtskheta was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. Visit Svetitskhoveli сathedral known as the burial site of Christ's robe and the second largest church building in the country. The cathedral has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. Return to Tbilisi for city tour. Visit Metekhi church and monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take a cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulfur bath houses passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, souvenir shops, and breathe in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast depart towards the Kakheti region, the cradle of Georgian wine. Beautiful road lies through Gombori pass. Our first stop will be at the ancient Ikalto academy, alma mater of prominent Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli. Continue to Alaverdi сathedral (11th century), the second tallest cathedral in Georgia and an outstanding example of medieval Georgian architecture. Next stop will be at the private winery «Twins Wine Cellar» in Napareuli village. The premises of the winery include vast vineyard, museum of traditional Georgian winemaking in qvevri, and facilities for various workshops. Try yourself at baking Georgian bread puri, cooking national dessert churchkhela, harvesting and squeezing grapes for wine (subject to seasonality). An excellent round-up of winery visit will be treating yourself to five different wines of Twins Winery made in qvevri as per Georgian traditional winemaking methodology. Drive to Tsinandali, the residence of dukes of Georgia with beautiful English garden, a museum, and the wine cellar, which belonged to prince Chavchavadze, 19th century public figure and poet. Return to Tbilisi. Drop off at the hotel.

At 08:30, our driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tbilisi. The tour begins with a visit to Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period built on a hilltop. You will enjoy the views of the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Continue driving to Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. Drive further to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for keeping different colors even after they merge. Then, drive over the Cross Pass and a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” mountain view point overlooking a deep gorge in the Caucasus mountain range. In Kazbegi, we will change our vehicle to a four-wheel drive car to reach Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located at an altitude of 2170 m and enjoy breathtaking views of the Mount Kazbegi. Drive back to Tbilisi for overnight.

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. End of the tour.