Telavi

Your tour starts in Tbilisi at 9:00AM, at which point you will depart for your first destination, Telavi. This city served as a capital of the Georgian kingdom Kakheti in the late middle ages. Here you will be able to explore its well-preserved palace called Batonis Tsikhe (“Fortress of Master”), which was built between the 17th-18th centuries and was used as a residential place for Kakhetian kings. You can also explore Alaverdi Cathedral, which is the second highest church in Georgia and represents a beautiful 11th century Georgian architecture. Following this, you will visit the Qvevri Wine Museum in Nafareuli. Georgia is widely considered as a cradle of wine. The wine culture was widespread in Georgia since the 6th millennium B.C., and since that time, wine has been produced by special methods. The most famous of these methods is using huge clay earthenware vessels called Qvevri, and in the Qvevri Museum, you will find out Georgian wine making methods in detail. Near the museum is the Twins Winery where you can taste three Georgian Qvevri wines made by Rkatsiteli, Kakhetian Green and Saperavi. Following this, you will visit Gremi, a 16th century architectural complex including the Royal Citadel and the Church of the Archangels. Here you will discover how Georgian (Kakhetian) kings lived, including their clothes, furniture and other items. Afterwards you will experience the Kindzmarauli Corporation, one of the largest wineries in Georgia where you will taste 4 different kinds of wines. Finally, you will visit the Tsinadali Museum, which is a historic winery that once belonged to the aristocratic Chavchavadze family. Your full-day tour will then end at 8:00PM, at which point you will be returned to Tbilisi.

After being picked up from your hotel at 8:00AM, your first stop will be the Ujarma fortress. It is believed that in the second half of the 5th century, the famous Vakhtang Gorgasali (founder of Tbilisi) erected numerous buildings in Ujarma and moved his residence there. In the 10th century, Ujarma was destroyed by the Arabian forces of Abul Kassim. Later on in the 13th century, the fortress was restored by King George III, where he arranged treasury. Moving on, your tour will continue through the Gombori Pass, which will see you drive to an altitude of 1,650 meters (5,414 feet). At the top you will discover an observation deck, the perfect place for a photo shoot. After a small stop, you will continue your journey through the magical forest, where you will be able to make a wish. The next stop will be to the Alaverdi Monastery. At a height of over 55 meters, the Alaverdi Cathedral is the second tallest religious building in Georgia. You will then visit the city of Telavi, the main city and administrative center of Georgia's eastern province of Kakheti. On the way to Kvareli, you will stop at the Gremi. Standing above the green valley of Alazan, Gremi attracts travelers whose road goes between Telavi and Kvareli. Gloomy and monumental, the castle is one of the most visited tourist points in Georgia. In Kvareli, you will have the opportunity to taste Georgian wines, finding out how they are made. Following your wine tasting, you should find yourself with a new strength. You will then go to the Bodbe Monastery, which is one of the most important religious sites in Georgia. Continuing your trip, you will venture toward Sighnaghi. Its charming cobblestone streets and alleys consist of restored original nouveau woodwork, and detailed facades give the town a romantic mystique. Billed the "City of Love", Sighnaghi is a popular wedding venue. The wedding chapel here was the first to operate around the clock, and put Sighnaghi on the map as a destination. Its marriage chapel now hosts ceremonies which take place at all hours of the day and night.

Your full-day tour begins with a morning drive to the Kakheti region, located 120 kilometers east of Tbilisi. This is the largest wine-producing region in Georgia. Pass through the picturesque Gombory before you arrive in the city of Telavi. Visit a farming family and taste wine directly from the qvevri (terracotta tank). Learn how local people live and about their traditional way of wine production. Taste 4 different types of homemade white and red wine and chacha (Georgian grappa). Next, you’ll drive further north into the Greater Caucasus mountain range. On the way you'll stop to visit the Gremi Fortress, dating from the 16th century. The picturesque location of the fortress with its tall bell tower and high walls always makes a deep impression on visitors. The tour continues to the small city of Kvareli and the wine tunnels dug under the Greater Caucasus mountain range. The 2 main tunnels stretch for over 800 meters and are used to store the wine. Take the elevator up to the restaurant above the tunnels to enjoy views of the lovely Alazani Valley. In the wine tunnels you’ll have the opportunity to taste 2 or more different types of Khareba wines. On the return trip to Tbilisi, you can choose either a visit to the 19th-century Prince Chavchavadze Palace with its stunning French park, or another wine-tasting stop at the spectacular Chateau Schuchmann in the village of Kisiskhevi. Finally you’ll stop at the Telavi market, where you’ll find a wide range fruits and vegetables, including apples and peaches, grapes and pomegranates, and tomatoes and cucumbers. After your market visit, you’ll be transferred back to Tbilisi.

Day 1: Tbilisi - David Gareji - Village Badiauri - Bodbe - Signagi - Telavi (driving distance: 300 kilometers) Start with a pick-up at 09:30 from the hotel of your stay in Tbilisi. Departure from Tbilisi early in the morning, to the direction of David Gareji cave monastery (driving distance 100 kilometers). Davit-Gareji is a rock-hewn Georgian orthodox monastery complex, that was established in the 6th-century by holy father David, one of the thirteen Assyrian monks, who arrived to Georgia and preached the name of Christ. Next destination is village Badiauri where you can see how Georgian bread is baked with great aroma and crispy edges. From Badiauri, continue your way to Bodbe Monastery. Visit one of the most famous monasteries and holy places for Georgian people where St. Nino is buried, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the beginning of 4th-century.  Afterwards, guests will have an opportunity to visit Signagi. Buildings in the city built in the style of southern Italian Classicism with Georgian elements. The city is surrounded with high defending walls, 4 kilometers in length. A few years ago, Signagi was restored and constructed. Since then, many tourists have visited the city to enjoy the stunning panorama, which opens onto Alazani Valley. The town’s architecture is unique with old and the modern components. Today, Signagi has additional status as the 'City of Love.' The last destination of the day is Telavi, the main city of Georgia’s eastern part - Kakheti. Overnight in Telavi. Either in a family type GH or 3-star Hotel “Old Telavi.” Day 2: Alaverdi Cathedral - Napareuli wine cellar - Factory of Eniseli - Gremi Fortress - Kvareli Wine Tunnels - Tsinandali - Schuchman Wine  Cellar - through Gombori Pass to Tbilisi (Driving distance 250 kilometers) In the morning, you first destination will be Alaverdi Cathedral (11th-century) one of the most important orthodox monuments in Georgia. (In the tentative list of UNESCO from 2007). Next, drive to village Napareuli and visit Twins Wine Cellar and Wine Museum, where you can taste 3 different sort of wines. From Napareuli, tour continues to Gremi Fortress that was the main city of the Kakheti region till 16th-century. Nowadays, Gremi is impressive with its wonderful location and surrounding views. On the way to Kvareli, guests can visit the factory of Eniseli and taste local wine there. Afterwards, the trip goes to the small city of Kvareli to Wine Tunnels under the mountains of the Great Caucasus. Total length of the tunnels is 8 kilometers. On the way back to Tbilisi, the guests can choose between either visiting Prince Chavchavadze Palace (19th-century) with a wonderful French park or one more wine tasting with a stop in the beautiful Chateau of Schuchman in the village of Kisiskhevi. At the end of the tour through Gombori Pass, arrive back to Tbilisi and be dropped off at your accommodation in Tbilisi.

Take a trip to the birthplace of wine, Kakheti. Be driven from Tbilisi through the Gombori pass, which overlooks stunning landscapes of high mountains. After about two hours of driving, arrive at one of the highest cathedrals of Georgia, Alaverdi, which was built in the 11th century. Continue towards the Napareuli village, known as one of the most distinguished winery microzones in the world, to taste several types of Georgian wine in one of the old wine cellars of the village. Afterward, head to a lovely small city in Kvareli for lunch.  After tasting some of the delicious dishes of Georgian cuisine, continue to another old winery, Khareba Tunnel, with a unique rare wine cellar located in the Alazani Valley. Carved inside the Caucasus mountains and opened in 1962, the cellar is 7.7 kilometers long. After tasting some delicious Georgian wine, head to Tsinandali, another village in the Kakheti region. Visit the beautiful House Museum of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, which has its own ancient wine cellar or Marani where wine was produced and bottled according to the European method of winemaking, for the first time in the history of Georgia. Learn the old Georgian method of winemaking in special earthenware vessels Qvevri or amphorae, which give a special rich flavor to the wine. Georgian wine making method in Qvevri is in the UNESCO list of intangible world heritage monuments. To finish a wonderful day enjoy dinner and taste the delicious and exotic dishes of rich Georgian cuisine.