Day Trips and Excursions from Tbilisi
Walking tour of Tbilisi
Tbilisi sightseeing tour. You will visit the area of sulfur baths, Narikala fortress, Bridge of Peace, Anchiskhati Basilica (one of the oldest churches in Georgia), Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater, Sioni Cathedral. You will learn about the history of Tbilisi creation, pass through the ancient streets, which still preserves its charm and see how modernity comfortably rhymes with antiquity. (Tour duration: 3-3.5 hours)
Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Tbilisi (100 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the ancient capital of Georgia, the city of Mtskheta. Nowadays, it is a city-museum and is included in the UNESCO Heritage Site. In this city, in Svetitskhoveli cathedral (XI century), which also is included in UNESCO Heritage Site, saint relic of all Christians - the robe of Christ is being kept. Walk around the city. Visit to the Jvari Church (VI-VII century). Here, the great Russian writer M. Lermontov wrote his famous work Mtsyri. Lunch and Wine tasting in "Chateu Mukhrani" or Lunch and Wine tasting in “Iago’s Winery”. Here is produced Chinuri wine in the traditional way in clay jugs - kvevri. For the first time in 20 years, London’s Ritz-Carlton hotel has changed the wine list in order to add this wine. Return to Tbilisi. (Tour duration: 6-6.5 hours)
Tbilisi - Kakheti (305 km)
Trip to one of the largest regions of Georgia – Kakheti, the true cradle of winemaking. Excursion to house-museum of Alexander Chavchavadze, the famous Georgian commander and nobleman. You will learn history of Chavchavadze family and hear love story of Alexander Chavchavadze daughter Nino and famous Russian writer and poet Alexander Griboedov. Here you will see how nobles of the XIX century lived in Georgia. The landscape garden of this estate is the first European-type recreation zone in Georgia. Excursion to Bodbe monastery – a place where Georgia's enlightener Saint Nino is buried. In the 4th century, Christianity became the official state religion thanks to St. Nino Equal to the Apostles. Visit to the city of love – Signagi, which is located at an altitude 850 meters above sea level. It was founded in the 17th century. Signagi affords spectacular views of the Alazani Valley. The city is surrounded by fence, which is the second longest wall in the world after The Great Wall of China. Walk around the city with a visit to towers. Lunch and Wine degustation in the wine cellar “Okro’s Wine”. Transfer to Tbilisi. Free time. (Tour duration: 9 hours)
Sighnagi City Of Love (230 km)
Trip to one of the largest regions of Georgia – Kakheti, the true cradle of winemaking. Excursion to Bodbe monastery – a place where Georgia's enlightener Saint Nino is buried. In the 4th century, Christianity became the official state religion thanks to St. Nino Equal to the Apostles. Visit to the city of love – Signagi, which is located at an altitude 850 meters above sea level. It was founded in the 17th century. Signagi affords spectacular views of the Alazani Valley. The city is surrounded by fence, which is the second longest wall in the world after The Great Wall of China. Walk around the city with a visit to towers. Lunch and Wine degustation in the wine cellar “Okro’s Wine”. Transfer to Tbilisi. Free time. (Tour duration: 7 hours)
Tour at Sarajishvili House (wine brandy factory).
Breakfast in hotel. After breakfast release of numbers. Transfer on the cognac plant Saradzhishvili. The products of this plant in the 19th century were delivered to the yard of imperial family of Romanov. The plant interesting tours are conducted. Guests are acquainted with different brands of cognac, show unique spirit tanks and process of production of cognac. It is a fine opportunity to know the history of production of Georgian wine and cognac better.
Excursions on the plant and tasting of cognacs. XO round - tasting of 4 cognacs (the 5th summer endurance (5 *), VS (the 7th summer endurance), VSOP (the 10th summer endurance) and XO (the 20th summer endurance)) transfer in hotel.
Tbilisi – Ananuri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi (360 km)
At 09:00, our driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tbilisi. Transfer to Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. On the way there, guests will visit Ananuri castle, the largest reservoir of eastern Georgia - Jinvali, pass along the Georgian Military Highway through the Gudauri ski resort. Trip to Stepantsminda Trinity Church in Gergeti, which is located at an altitude 2200 meters above sea level and affords spectacular view of Kazbegi Mountain. The temple is also considered one of the 10 most beautiful temples in the world. 14:30-15:00 Lunch in the restaurant at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi. 17:00 Transfer to Tbilisi. 20:00 Free time. Drive back to Tbilisi. Drop-off at your hotel.
David Gareja, Lavra cave monastery, Ubadno settlement
The tour starts from Tbilisi. Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel. Drive to semi-desert area near Gareja. On the way stop at a local supermarket to take some snacks. Arrive in David Gareja Monastery and start walking up to explore the Lavra Cave Monastery, founded in the 6th century. The Lavra Monastery is an inhabited complex of caves with a courtyard, church and other buildings. Continue walking up to Udabno where you can have some rest and enjoy the view of Azerbaijan from Georgian side. Udabno is famous for its wall-paintings dating from the end of the 12th century. The thousand-year-old frescos at Udabno depict such scenes from the Bible like “The Last Supper” and “The Exaltation of the Cross”. After some rest, walk down along another path. Drive back to Tbilisi.
Walking round trip to Udabno monastery complex: 1.5 – 2 hours.
Take to trip: appropriate footwear, water, raincoat, torch, suntan lotion & hat. Please note that in May snakes become more active and make their reappearance in the semi-desert.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours