Classic Georgia

Arrive in Tbilisi (time to be advised no early check in is included) and transfer to the hotel The rest of the day is at leisure with no guided activities. Your accommodation is situated right in the middle of the old town, great for access to the thriving restaurant scene in Tbilisi and for getting your bearings.

Overnight Hotel Graff or similar

This morning after breakfast, you will meet your local guide. Afterwards, embark on a guided walking tour around old Tbilisi, taking in the fascinating history of this long-overlooked region. You spend the day discovering sites such as the Narikala citadel, Metekhi Temple and Sioni Cathedral. Visit Sarajishvili Brandy Factory and take the opportunity to try some high-quality Georgian brandy. After the brandy tasting, visit Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square. Later this afternoon you can enjoy some leisure time to amble through the delightful streets of old Tbilisi. Alternatively, you may wish to take the funicular for panoramic views over the city. This evening is at your own leisure and your local guide will be able to make dinner recommendations. Overnight Hotel Graff or similar

Leaving the capital, we drive a short distance to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia and a site of immense historical and cultural significance. Mtskheta is packed full of historical monuments and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the 6th century Jvari Monastery. Continue West to Gori (journey around 3 hours) a town almost entirely known as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visit the museum where you can explore Stalin’s personal train carriage and also see the small house where he spent his early years. Gori train station is also worth a stop for its imposing waiting room. Then we drive a short distance to Uplistsikhe, a cave town dated to 7th Century BC, before returning to Tbilisi. Overnight Hotel KMM or similar (B)

After breakfast, depart Tbilisi and join the Georgian Military Highway and snake our way up into the Higher Caucasus range. En route we stop at the castle complex of Ananauri, situated on the Aragvi River, before continuing the climb through dramatic scenery and over the spectacular Jvari Pass where we can stop to imbibe the interesting contours of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Take the walk up to the iconic Gergeti Trinity church , with ts stunning location underneath the brooding presence of Mt. Kazbek. Continue to Kazbegi, now officially named Stepantsminda. Overnight Hotel Stancia or similar

Spend the morning in the glorious surrounds of the High Caucasus Mountains, exploring the Sno Valley and the tiny settlement of Juta. Depending on the conditions and how long you wish to walk for, there will be a number of beautiful walks open to you, ranging from an hour to 4 hours to give you an appreciation of the splendid isolation of this area. Return to Kazbegi / Stepantsminda for lunch (own account) and then the afternoon can be spent at your own leisure. If you wish to continue exploring you will be able to visit the gorge of Dariali Canyon situated close to the Georgia-Russia border, a spectacular 13-kilometre-long gash carved out by the Telek into the granite, filled with pounding waterfalls and plummeting to a depth of nearly 1,800m in places and said to be the site of Alexander the Great’s Iron Gates pass. Overnight Hotel Stancia, or similar

After a leisurely breakfast, you leave the high peaks in the rear-view mirror and once again cross the Jvari Pass. Continue to the fertile wine growing region of Kakheti. Arrive at your accommodation by mid to late afternoon where you will the option to tour the on-site winery if you wish or just relax after the journey. Overnight Chateau Kvareli, or similar

After breakfast we visit Nekresi Monastery, founded in the 4th Century and Gremi architectural complex dating from the 16th Century. This will be followed by a visit to a family run winery where we enjoy tasting with light snacks. Continue to spectacular Alaverdi Cathedral dating from the 11th Century located impressively in the shadow of the Greater Caucasus range. Also visit the Apiary located nearby to Alaverdi Monastery where you will be able to taste natural local honey. Later return to Tbilisi for your final night in Georgia and your local guide will ensure you have a good recommendation for a final feast of local Georgian fare. Your guide will leave you once back in Tbilisi. Overnight Hotel Graff or similar

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. End of services