Charm of Christian Georgia in Easter Period

At arrival local representative of the company will meet you and deliver to the hotel on the company’s car.

You will explore Old Tbilisi with its old narrow streets, houses with overhanging balconies painted in different colors and decorated with incredible ornaments. You will visit Christian churches, synagogue, mosque located side by side and sense the spirit of old town. You will view Narikala Fortress being the outpost and main citadel of the city for many centuries and panoramic view of Old Tbilisi will leave indeed deep impression. After descending from the fortress you will find yourself in Abanitubani, at the bathes with natural geodesic sulfur waters that delighted the travellers from all over the world for many centuries. You will visit the National Museum, to see the exhibits dated back starting from antiquity and epoch of Colchis creating deep impression about brilliance of Georgia. You will have a walk along Rustaveli Avenue.

After the breakfast in the morning you will travel to 4^th century Davit Gareji, one of the outstanding religious-cultural centers of Georgia of feudal period, as well as the monastic cave complex. Even today it impresses the viewers with high creative value of construction art and painting. In Davit Gareji you will visit the ancient monuments of the complex – Lavra and Udabno monasteries. You will view the rock-hewn churches, cells of the hermits, refectory and premises; as well as rainwater collection system artificially cut in the rocks, with its inlet ditches and water reservoirs. You will view the main structures of the complex, Transfiguration and Godmother churches, where you will find the beautiful original paintings of 10^th century. In Davit Gareji the “Stone of Thank” brought by Holy Father Davit of Gareji from Jerusalem is regarded as sacred object there, it is placed on  the grave of Davit of Gareji and it is well-known for its miraculous nature.

From Davit Gareji you will head to Sighnaghi and on your way there you will visit the farmer’s family, where you will taste the kvevri wine made based on 8000-year traditions and enjoy delicious family dinner.

Night stay in Sighnaghi.

You will visit Nekresi Monastery Complex which includes several monuments of Georgian architecture, of which small basilica of 2^nd half of 4^th century is one of the oldest churches in Georgia. Nekresi is one of the favorite places of prayer for the Georgians.

Further you will visit the medieval residence of Kakheti kings (1466-1614), fortified city of Gremi, the political, economic and educational center in the past.

Further you will visit Alaverdi Cathedral, a beautiful sample of medieval Georgian architecture, with the roof made of blue tiles, located on green Alazani valley. Complex surrounded with the wall includes various structures. Of them, the centuries-old wine cellar deserves special attention. There you will taste the delicious wine made by the monks in kvevri.

Later you will visit Ikalto Monastery, established by Zenon, one of thirteen Assyrian Fathers in 6^th century, his remains are laid in the same Monastery. The complex includes three churches, ruins of old wine cellar and refectory, as well as of the academy.

Further you will visit and view Shuamta Monastery, one of the significant samples of Georgian Christian architecture.

Return to Tbilisi and stay for night.

After the breakfast you will visit Mtskheta, ancient capital city of Georgia (UNESCO monument IVc BC – VI), the city is associated with formation of Georgia statehood, with the history of Christianity. Mtskheta is the place of burial of the great treasure of Old Testament – Elijah the Tishbite’s robe and greatest Christian relic – Christ’s mantle. You will view Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11^th century), the most important among medieval Christian monuments in Georgia. It is surrounded with two-level wall with the towers. Further you will view Jvari Monastery of 6^th century, also UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the top of the mountain, facing Mtskheta, it looks over the ancient capital city of Georgia at the confluence of two rivers, with magnificent Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the middle.

Further you will visit Shiomghvime Monastery of 6^th century, one of the most important in Georgia. Its founding is associated with the missionary activities of St. Shio, the disciple of one of thirteen Assyrian Fathers – John of Zedazeni. Here is the grave of St. Shio as well.

Further, we shall visit Ananuri complex located on the background of green slopes and blue Zhinvali Water Reservoir. It was the residence of Aragvi Dukes and consisted of the upper and lower fortresses, with 5-floor pyramidal towers between walls.

From Ananuri we shall visit the farmer’s family, observe dying of the paschal eggs and later return to Tbilisi.

Supper and stay at night in Tbilisi.

In the morning we shall set off to Kutaisi, a city with 3-millennia long history. After arrival you will visit Gelati Godmother Monastic Complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will view the most important education center of medieval Georgia – Gelati Academy.

Further you will visit Motsameta Monastery of 8^th century, one of significant monuments of ancient Georgian culture. It is built at the beautiful rocky and forested place. Here are the incorruptible remains of canonized Davit and Constantine.

Night stay in Kutaisi.

Sin the morning, after the breakfast, you will visit Bagrati Cathedral, the brilliant sample of 10^th – 11^th century church architecture (the Cathedral is on the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites), where Georgian monarchs were crowned for many centuries.

In the morning, after the breakfast, you will travel to the city of Gori, the heart of Kartli Province. Here you will visit Uplistsikhe, rock-hewn antique city-monument (1^st -2^nd millennia BC), walk in its streets, squares, living halls hollowed in the rock and 41-meter-long secret tunnel, view the wine cellars, bread bakeries, drugstore and drainage system of the city. Further you will return to Tbilisi.

Transportation from the hotel to airport.