Tbilisoba Wine Fest & Highlights of the Caucasus Eat. Drink. Explore.

Day 3: Baku – Shamakhi – Lahich – Sheki

After breakfast, we depart towards Sheki. We will explore Shamakhi, an amazing place with extraordinary nature, architecture, ancient culture, rich history and interesting customs. The city of Shamakhi is the ancient capital of the Shirvanshah dynasty (9th-15th centuries). The first stop on the way to Shamakhi will be at the Diri Baba mausoleum, this is a two-story building of the 15th century in the village of Maraza. The peculiarity of the design is that it is built into the rock and it seems as if it is floating in the air. The site is considered sacred. Legend has it that a saint named Diri Baba (Living Grandfather) was buried here and his body remained imperishable for over 300 years.

Day 3: Baku – Shamakhi – Lahich – Sheki

Azerbaijan has several wine zones, one of which is the Shirvan Valley and the Greater Caucasus Zone. Here are wineries where you can try Matras, Merlot, Muscat, Saperavi, Sauvignon blanc and other varieties of local wines. We will visit one of the most beautiful wineries in the region - Meisari and taste some of the best local wines. Then take a scenic drive through Girdimanchay River Canyon to Lahich, an ancient village famous for its medieval water supply and sewage systems, traditional jewellery, copperware, carpets, pottery, daggers, and iron tools. Continue to the town of Sheki to arrive in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Sheki, Azerbaijan - Kvareli, Georgia

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have some time to visit the colourful Sheki Bazaar. Dive into thousands of smells and aromas, learn to bargain and communicate with the locals! Continue to the Palace of Sheki Khans, which is surrounded by medieval fortress walls, and then visit handicrafts workshops. After exploring Sheki, head towards the border with Georgia (115 km, ~2 h). Crossing the border, we enter Eastern Georgia famous for its winemaking traditions. Our first stop in Georgia will be in ‘Khareba’ tonnel winery. Tour of the winery and tasting of local wines. Dinner with 2 glasses of wine included in the price. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Kvareli - Gremi - Telavi - Tsinandale - Akhasheni

After breakfast at the hotel, a trip to Gremi, an architectural complex built in the 16th century. It used to be the royal residence and capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti. Stop in Telavi with its beautiful fortress to take a short walk through old Telavi and visit the local bazaar with fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses and dried fruits. Then at the family manor in Tsinandale we will get acquainted with the romantic love story of Princess Chavchavadze and taste the old wines preserved in the winery of the manor. Accommodation in Akhasheni. Optional dinner for an additional charge. Rest overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Akhasheni - Signagi - Manavi

Breakfast. We will travel to Signagi, an ancient fortress city with a magnificent view of the Alazan Valley. Walk along the city walls and enjoy the views. Excursion to the "city of eternal love" Signagi, which is located on top of a mountain range overlooking the Alazan Valley. Then you will learn the history of the Manavian Fortress (11th century) and the Manavian Temple (18th century). The church was built in 1794 by the abbot of the monastery of St. John the Baptist of the Monastery of David Gareji Ephraim. In the XVII century there were royal vineyards and the manor house of Heraclius the Second.

Day 6: Akhasheni - Signagi - Manavi

Stopover at the pearl of Kakheti - the private estate "Chateau Fort de Manavi". The program is: tasting of wine and chacha, produced according to traditional ancient Georgian technology directly from the kvevri in the "marani" (wine cellar) "Chateau Fort de Manavi", that is made from grapes grown in the estate's own vineyards. The highlight of the tasting will be the "Manavi Green," a wine made from a special grape variety that only grows in Manavi region in Georgia. Master-class on cooking dishes of Georgian traditional cuisine: "churchkhela", baking "dedas puri". If the weather is good, you can take part in harvesting grapes and making young wine. In the evening: dinner with unlimited wine included in the price in the traditional Georgian style. The menu includes only Georgian cuisine made of organic products grown in the "Château Fort de Manavi". Overnight in Manavi.

Day 7: Annanuri - Jinvali Reservoir - Gudauri- Stepantsminda

After breakfast we check out and go to the north of Georgia. First stop is at the Ananuri complex, the former residence of the princes of Argvet, with its churches and towers built in the 16th and 17th centuries, and a beautiful view of the Zhinvali Reservoir. We continue on to Krestovy Pass to make a short stop at the Soviet Friendship of Peoples observation deck, which overlooks a deep gorge in the Caucasus Mountains. By early dinner we reach Stepantsminda. Check-in at hotel. Dinner with real highlanders - try famous khinkali. Overnight at Sno hotel.

Day 8: Kazbegi

Breakfast. Jeep tour to Gergeti. Get to Gergeti Church of the Holy Trinity (located at an altitude of 2170 m) and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Kazbegi mountain. Rest and picnic with wine. Free evening time. Relax and enjoy the magnificent view of the mountains with a glass of wine on a cozy terrace "RoomsHotel" overlooking the top of the mountain Kazbegi. Overnight stay at Sno hotel.

Day 9: Kazbegi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Tbilisi

After breakfast, drive to the border with Russia in the picturesque Daryal Gorge. Then drive to Tbilisi through the ancient capital of Georgia - Mtskheta. Excursion to Mtskheta - museum city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029), at the base of which the Holy Robe (Robe of the Lord), one of the main relics of Christianity is buried. The cathedral is also the burial place of many kings of Georgia. There is also a part of the life-giving pillar. Dinner in the famous Salobio with two glasses of wine included in the price. Tasting lobio in a pot with corn tortillas. Visit to the ancient temple-monastery Jvari (VI century) - the real architectural masterpiece of the early Middle Ages, which rises picturesquely above the confluence of the rivers Aragvi and Kura.

Day 9: Kazbegi - Mtskheta - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Tbilisi

Then drive to Stalin's hometown of Gori. Visit the Stalin Museum with over 60,000 artifacts, the tiny house where Stalin was born, and the impressive armored train on which Stalin rode to Yalta and Potsdam. Visit to the ancient cave town Uplistsikhe (I millennium BC), which has been сompleting over the centuries and included more than 700 caves and structures, including wine cellars, bakeries, an ancient theater, the reception hall of Queen Tamara, preserved to this day. Lunch, included in price. Departure to Tbilisi, accommodation, rest.

Day 10: Tbilisi

Breakfast. Take off for a guided sightseeing tour of Tbilisi, the city with a history dating back to at least the 5th century AD. Start at Metekhi Сhurch and the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take a cable car to visit Narikala Fortress to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Stroll down to the district of sulfur bathhouses and pass by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Walk through the Sharden area, full of narrow streets with cosy cafés, wine tasting bars, and souvenir shops, and breathe in the history of Old Tbilisi. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre’s clock tower, before crossing the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. In the evening join your fellow travellers for a Georgian cuisine dinner in one of the best local restaurants. The dinner will be accompanied by polyphonic singing and national dances. Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi. Optional dinner for an additional charge. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Tbilisi. TBILISOBA!

The day is free to enjoy the colorful celebration of Tbilisoba. Stroll through the colorful markets and enjoy the abundance of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, fresh churchella and pelamushi, fragrant hinkali, fried meat, bread and, of course, wine. Fantastic compositions of autumn fruits, many beautiful craft masterpieces, theatrical performances, scenes from Georgian history, folk music and dance numbers, a gala concert and open-air fireworks. That's what makes this Tbilisi festival so special. On these days, the entire center of the city becomes a festival site, traffic in the city is blocked off, and only hiking is available. Festive dinner in a national Georgian restaurant with folklore program with two glasses of wine - Georgian national dances and songs, included in the price Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12: Tbilisi, Georgia - Yerevan, Armenia

Heading from Tbilisi to the border with Armenia. Drive through Dilijan, the most famous tourist spot where you will visit Haghartsin monastery and stop for a fish lunch. After lunch continue along Lake Sevan – “The Jewel of Armenia” and one of the largest high-mountain freshwater lakes in the world. The coastline of Lake Sevan is rich with thick woods, white bare steep rocks, mountain steppes, and Alpine Meadows. Stop at Sevanavank to visit the remnants of the monastery that include two temples standing among numerous carved cross-stones. Arrival to Yerevan in the evening. Check-in at the hotel and rest.

Day 13: Yerevan, Armenia

Breakfast. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world, pink city Yerevan which was founded in 782 BC. It is an incredibly beautiful city built of rose tuff, which calls visitors with its humble yet splendid landscapes. Take a city tour with a visit to the Cascade Monument, the main symbol of the city's 2780th anniversary with an equivalent number of steps. The mega-scale staircase is 500 meters high and 50 meters wide. A panoramic view from the monument opens up breathtaking city view with Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, which you will also walk by during the tour. In the evening enjoy tasting the famous Armenian cognacs at Armenian Cognac Factory. Optional dinner for an additional charge. Overnight at the hotel

Day 14: Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Etchmiadzin -Yerevan

Breakfast. Depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, one of the major villages in Armenia famous for its fortress. The fortress is the only pagan sacred place from the 1st century that survived the aggressive introduction of Christianity in the 4th century. Next stop is at the Geghard (“a spear” in Armenian) monastery, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Medieval buildings are set into a stunning landscape of Azat Valley with its towering cliffs. The Geghard complex is an exceptionally complete medieval monastery in such a remote area of great natural beauty. And what is the most remarkable, there has been no changes here since the entire monastery was completed many centuries ago. Continue to the Holy See of Armenia, Etchmiadzin. Visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral which is believed to be the oldest cathedral in the world, and Zvartnots, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Echmiatsin is also the residence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Catholicos of All Armenians. We return to Yerevan in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Goris

After breakfast, head to Khor Virap Monastery. Here you will find the best views of Mount Ararat, the main symbol of Armenia and a sacred mountain for Armenians. Continue to Areni, a city known for producing famous Armenian wine from pomegranate and apricot. Here we will taste various fruits and berry wines and oghi, Armenian traditional spirit. Reach Goris for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Tatev - Noravank - Yerevan

Breakfast. Drive to Tatev Monastery (built in 9-13th centuries). Reach the jewel of medieval Armenian architecture by cableway called "Wings of Tatev". It is the longest reversible aerial tramway built in only one section and holds the record for Longest non-stop double track cable car. Enjoy the stunning views before returning to Yerevan. On the way back to Yerevan, a midstop to visit the famous Noravank Monastery (12th century), beautifully set on the edge of a deep winding gorge of the Arpa River. In the evening you’re welcomed for a farewell dinner with 2 glasses of wine in one of the best restaurants in the Armenian capital.

Day 17: Departure from Yerevan, Armenia

Breakfast, hotel check-out. Transfer to the airport.