RTVELI - THE GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL

Day 1. Tour of Tbilisi

Arrival in Tbilisi. Transfer to the hotel. Walking tour of Tbilisi. You can't see all the beauties of this ancient city in one day, but we'll visit the main places. We'll visit the Metekhi plateau, take a cable car up to the Narikala fortress, and descend into the secret Fig Gorge. We'll see the sulfur baths that Pushkin admired so much. Maidan, the Sharden quarter, Sioni, the Peace Bridge, the Anchiskhati Basilica, the Gabriadze Tower, Freedom Square - each of these places has a history, legends and stories. Overnight stay in Tbilisi.

Day 2. Georgian Military Road - Ananuri fortress - Arch of Friendship - St. Trinity Church - Mount Kazbek

In the morning, we'll drive along the Georgian Military Highway into the Caucasus Mountains. On the way, we'll stop near the Ananuri fortress, enjoy the view of the mountains from the observation deck over the cliff and cross the Cross Pass to descend into the Terek River Gorge. In the village of Stepantsminda, we'll climb up to the Holy Trinity Church. It is located at the foot of Mount Kazbek and seems to hover above the clouds. On the way back, you'll try real mountain khinkali, which must be washed down with chacha. Overnight stay in Tbilisi.

Day 3. Mtskheta - Jvari - Chateau Mukhrani - Rabat fortress - Borjomi

We are leaving the city and heading to Mtskheta - the ancient capital of Georgia. Jvari Monastery (muse of Lermontov), Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) - these are the places that defined the history of Georgia and are full of ancient myths and legends. From Mtskheta, we are going to Shato Mukhrani - the palace and winery of the Bagrationi-Mukhranski princes. Tasting their wines is enjoyable for everyone, as they produce wines that are only available from them. Our journey then continues through the Borjomi Gorge to the Rabati Fortress. This is a completely restored huge complex with complex fortifications, beautiful hanging gardens, and trading pavilions. From there, we go to Borjomi, famous for its mineral waters, and we will have the opportunity to try it directly from the source, located in a beautiful old park. Overnight in Borjomi.

Day 4. Stalin museum - cave city of Uplistcikhe

We set off towards Tbilisi. We will stop in Gori, the city where Stalin was born, and visit his museum. We will see the house where he was born and visit the armored train carriage in which he traveled around the country. Nearby is the cave city of Uplistsikhe, which dates back to the first millennium BC, and we will stroll through its streets. We will also stop at a wine cellar in a nearby village and try the wine of a local winemaker. We will return to Tbilisi for the night.

Day 5. Kakheti - St.Nino monastery - Sighnaghi - 16th century wine cellar

We are going to Kakheti. We will stop at Bodbe, a women's monastery where the holy apostle St. Nino, the baptizer of Georgia, is buried. From there, it's not far to Sighnaghi, the town of love. This ancient town overlooks the Alazani Valley and the view of the Caucasus Mountains is impressive. We will descend into the valley and stop for a rest in a 16th century ancient princely wine cellar. After a small wine tasting, we will continue on and arrive at Khareba, a wine tunnel carved right into the ridge of the Caucasus Mountains. Of course, we will also taste their wines. And only after that, tired and full of impressions, we will head to the hotel. Overnight in Telavi.

Day 6. Tsinandali - Gremi - Rtveli

Today is the grape harvest festival, Rtveli. But before that, we will stop by at Tsinandali, the estate and huge park of the Chavchavadze princes. We will try their famous wine and visit the old wine cellar where bottles of wine from the 19th century are stored. Further down the road, we will visit the royal castle of Gremi and then we will go to a local winery, where we will witness the whole process of wine making - from picking grapes to squeezing them. But that's not all. There, in the old wine cellar, you will taste their natural homemade wines, then have a masterclass with the hostess on how to make khinkali, khachapuri and churchkhela, and finally, as a reward for a hard day's work, Georgian feast with a tamada, toasts, traditional dishes and, of course, wine. Overnight in Telavi.

Day 7. Gombori pass - Tbilisi

In the morning we leave Kakheti and return to Tbilisi via the beautiful Gombori Pass. Free day. Transfer to the airport.

The cost of the tour is available upon request.