Highlights of Georgia

Day 1 - Tbilisi

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Courtyard by Marriott Tbilisi Hotel (4-star)

Day 2 - Tbilisi

A city tour of Tbilisi reveals the secrets of Georgia’s captivating capital. Founded in the 4th century, Tbilisi’s strategic setting saw it become a key stop on ancient trading routes, welcoming merchants from Europe and Asia as they bartered for spices and silks. We’ll meander through the narrow streets of the old town on foot, stopping to admire centuries-old temples, churches and cathedrals, as well as traditional bathhouses where locals soak in mineral-rich sulphur baths. We’ll also have the chance to visit the National Museum to learn more about Georgia’s rich history and culture.

Courtyard by Marriott Tbilisi Hotel (4-star)

Day 3 - Gori - Stepantsminda

Heading west from Tbilisi, we’ll call in at Gori, a Bronze Age town watched over by a hilltop medieval fortress. It was the birthplace of Joseph Stalin - his childhood home has been turned into an interesting museum. As we make our way towards the Caucasus Mountains, we’ll pause to explore the stunning Ananuri castle complex, a collection of castles and churches perched on a hillside overlooking Zhinvali Lake. After hearing tales of dynasties, battles, feuds and revolts, we’ll continue on to cross the Greater Caucasus en route to Stepantsminda. The scenery along the way is spectacular, and we’ll be sure to stop for photos of this majestic mountain range.

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi (4-star)

Day 4 - Stepantsminda and surroundings

We’ll spend the day exploring the beautiful area surrounding Stepantsminda (also known as Kazbegi). The town itself is set in the shadow of volcanic Mount Kazbek, one of the tallest peaks in the Caucasus. A fleet of 4WD vehicles will take us up to Gergeti Sameba Church, which sits high on a hillside with 360-degree panoramas of the mountains (if you're looking for reasons to visit Georgia, these views alone should convince you!). After admiring the church and its spectacular backdrop, we’ll head back down to town. If you fancy stretching your legs, you can walk. The path is mostly downhill and takes around 40 minutes - perfect for working up an appetite for lunch, which we’ll enjoy with a local family. Welcoming us into their home, they’ll show us the knack for making the perfect khinkali (dumpling), which we’ll then get to tuck into alongside other home-cooked Georgian specialities. Back in our 4WDs, we’ll meander through gorges and valleys to reach the village of Juta, where you can soak up the scenery and perhaps follow one of the hiking trails, or head back to the hotel to relax.

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi (4-star)

Day 5 - Stepantsminda - Mtskheta - Tbilisi

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Stepantsminda - your tour manager can point you in the direction of some fantastic walking routes. We’ll break up the drive back to Tbilisi with a stop in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. The town’s collection of monuments is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and we’ll visit two of the most beautiful: the 6th-century Jvari Monastery and the 11th-century cathedral.

Courtyard by Marriott Tbilisi Hotel (4-star)

Day 6 - Kakheti Wine District - Telavi

The next two days are devoted to Georgia’s picturesque wine district, where the landscape is blanketed in vines and dotted with beautiful old churches. We’ll visit a 9th-century monastery, tour the mountain-view walled town of Sighnaghi, and enjoy a delicious lunch washed down with local wine. Later, we’ll explore the well-preserved royal citadel at Gremi, which dates back more than 500 years. We’ll spend the night in Telavi, a bustling town centred around a magnificent fortress - we’ll see it up close on a walking tour.

Holiday Inn Telavi (3-star)

Day 7 - Kakheti Wine District - Tbilisi

Our second day in Kakheti starts at the towering Alaverdi Cathedral, which sits in a river valley with views across to the mountains, followed by a visit to the grand estate of a 19th-century noble family. Lunch and wine tastings will be at one of the best wineries in Kakheti - Georgia was one of the first countries in the world to produce wine, so there’s a real sense of heritage to winemaking here. We’ll arrive back in Tbilisi early evening.

Courtyard by Marriott Tbilisi Hotel (4-star)

Day 8 - Tbilisi

Part two of our Tbilisi city tour takes us back to the old town, where we’ll admire the architecture along David Aghmashenebeli Avenue, browse the stalls at the flea market, and learn more about the city’s past at its ‘historic heart’, Orbeliani Square. A visit to the cathedral (Georgia’s largest church) concludes our tour - you’ll then have the afternoon free to relax or explore more of the city under your own steam. The National Gallery of Georgia and Georgian Museum of Fine Arts are both highly recommended. Or, If the weather’s good, take the funicular up Mtatsminda Mountain for spectacular views.

Courtyard by Marriott Tbilisi Hotel (4-star)

Day 9 - Tbilisi

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Tbilisi