Do you like delicious food and unique wines? How about new discoveries in culinary art? Then you got lucky - welcome to the magical world of Georgian cuisine. Taste of Georgia. This tour is the dream of many food and wine lovers. The culture of food and wine is an integral part of Georgian heritage. Because Georgia is located at a strategic crossroads between East and West, its cuisine reflects close ties to cuisines from neighboring countries. The corresponding flora, fauna and climatic conditions in different regions of the country, determined the diversity of our national cuisine, which you will immediately notice when traveling through Georgia. The "Taste of Georgia" tour offers a unique and unforgettable experience - lots of tastings, pairing different types of food with matching. Let yourself enjoy the tastes, aromas and stories of "Her Majesty Georgian cuisine", which has fascinated many people for centuries and to this day.

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Itinerary

Day 1: (D.) Arrival in Tbilisi.

Meeting at Tbilisi International Airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free time, without any guided activities. Pre-tour briefing at 18:00 at the hotel. After the briefing, welcome dinner. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 2. (B.L.D.)

Drive to Kakheti region, the most visited, beautiful , hospitable and premier wine-producing region of Georgia. The first stop is in Sighnaghi. A beautiful example of the city architecture of the 18th century, one of the smallest towns in Georgia. From Sighnaghi there is beautiful view on the riv. Alazani valley. After lunch, drive to visit "Khareba winery". The wine tunnels dug under the mountains of Great Caucasus. Total length of the construction is 7.7 kilometers. The tunnel preserves a natural temperature of 12-14° Celcius with a humidity rate of 70%. The ideal conditions for wine preservation. Excursion and wine tasting in winery. Then, our path goes to village Gremi, visit Gremi fortress. In 16-17 th centuries, Gremi was a capital of Kakhetian kingdom. Then, drive to Telavi (the main city and administrative center of region of Kakheti). Accommodation at the hotel in Telavi or nearby. Dinner.

Day 3. (B.L.D.)

Visit Tsinandali palace - decorative garden and historic winery 19th c. Wine Tasting. Our next stop - Alaverdi Monastery - symbol of the blossoming of the Kakhetian culture. The monastery, also, is famous for wine, made with Georgian traditional technology, known as Alaverdi Monastery Cellar.

(If you wish, we can to organize monastery wine tasting, by adding the appropriate amount).

You will have the opportunity to visit the monastery beekeeping farm. Try and compare honey of different seasons, and at the end try honey-vodka prepared by beekeepers.

After lunch we will visit Ikalto Academy. The academy of Ikalto had functioned for a long time, playing an important role in the history of Georgian enlightenment. Then visit to “Wine Trails" cellar. You will get acquainted with the traditional Georgian wine making technology , take part in preparation of national dishes and taste different wines. Dinner. Return at the hotel.

Day 4. (B.L.D.)

Drive to the north-eastern region of Georgia, towards the Caucasus Mountains, in Stepantsminda (1,740 meters asl). The most notable mountain of the region, Mount Kazbek (5054 m) lies immediately to the west of town.  The first stop is in Ananuri Architectural complex (17th c) - a former residence of Aragvi Dukes. Complex featuring churches. Next stop in this day is the Cross Pass (2395 m). Then our path goes to Stepantsminda.  Light lunch on the way. Before arriving at the hotel, drive through Dariali Gorge (The Dariali Gorge is a river gorge on the border between Russia and Georgia. The steep granite walls of the gorge can be as much as 1,800 meters tall in some places). Hotel accommodation. Free time. Dinner.

Please, note: the visit to Gergeti Trinity, planned for the 5th day, may take place on the 4th day, depending on weather conditions.

Day 5. (B.L.)

In case of good weather, the tour will continue as planned.

Early morning visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (14th c), under Mount Kazbegi. Its isolated location on top of a steep mountain (2170 asl) surrounded by the vastness of nature has made it a symbol for Georgia. The church is now an active. Is a popular viewpoint. From Gergeti we will go to Dzalisi museum, revealed the remains of a Roman town, dating to the 1st-4th centuries AD. One of the most impressive discoveries so far is a color mosaic, depicting Dionysus, the god of the grape harvest, wine-making and wine, and his wife Ariadne, the daughter of the legendary Minos and Pasiphaë. Drive to the Château Mukhrani. Estate with vineyards, cellars, stables and an extensive park, which was completed in 1885. Wine tasting and lunch with traditional Georgian dishes. After culinary journey return to Tbilisi. Hotel accommodation. Free time.

Day 6. (B.L.D)

After breakfast, we will go to Mtskheta (UNESCO) - one of the oldest cities of Georgia - was founded in the 5th century BC. At the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi river. Visiting the “Jvari” monastery (VI century), at the entrance to Mtskheta. From the slopes of the hill on which the Jvari monastery is built, a wonderful view opens up to the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Lunch in Mtskheta. Then we visit Uplistsikhe (BC VI-IV, UNESKO), is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. Uplistsikhe ("fortress of God"), is a very interesting complex of rock-cut halls, caves, altars, passages and streets, and includes the most ancient theatre in Georgia. Uplistsikhe still amazes the visitors by its dimensions, extraordinary position, refined forms and the beauty of landscape and unequivocally is a popular tourist destination. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 7. (B.CC.D)

Today, after breakfast, we explore the historical part of Tbilisi, with its narrow streets, colorful houses, carved balconies, ancient temples and fortresses, sulfur baths and magnificent atmosphere. This enchanting place illustrates a great mix of Orient and Occident. In the afternoon we discover the stunning treasury of the Georgian historical museum (closed on Mondays). At the end of the day - cooking class and Dinner, with wine testing. During the master class the guest will prepare several national Georgian dishes himself and shear it to everyone. Return at the hotel.

Day 8 . (B.)

Preparation for departure. Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.

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Tour inclusions/exclusions:

Included :

• • • • Accommodation (3* hotels);
      • Tbilisi 4 nihts;
      • Telavi (or nearby) - 2 nights;
      • Stepantsminda 1 night;

*Note (Hotel room rates are based on TWIN or DOUBLE occupancy. Single occupancy will require additional paymen);

• • • • All transfers;
      • Transport on tour (comfortable minibus);
      • Services of English speaking guide;
      • Entry tickets;
      • Wine tastings (as in the tour program);
      • Monastery honey tasting;
      • Monastery honey - vodka tasting;
      • Dinner in the cellar of "Wine Trails";

Food:

• • • • All breakfasts at the hotel;
      • Dinners 6 (as in the tour program);
      • Lunches 5 (as in the tour program);
      • Cooking class;
      • Water - 1lt, per person per day;
      • One bottle of wine from the “Wine Trails” collection is also offered as a gift.

Not included:

• • • • International flights;
      • Travel and medical insurance;
      • Early check-in or late check-out at hotels;
      • Drinks (also alcoholic);
      • Tips (discretionary);
      • Items of a personal nature;
      • Any services not included in the itinerary above.

This offer cannot be considered as confirmation of a tour booking.

We are ready (for a group or individual trip), to make changes and plan a route based on your requirements. A detailed tour program and prices are available upon request.

So, please, contact us for the relevant information.

General information...