Day 1 (Wednesday): Tbilisi
On this day we will dedicate ourselves to getting acquainted with Tbilisi. We will walk to the historical part of the city and enjoy the unique combination of cultures.
Walking through the narrow streets of the city you will see various religious buildings: churches, synagogues, mosques, wooden houses built in the 19th century with colorful balconies, sulfur baths, Narikala Fortress.
First of all, we will visit the plateau of the Metekhi Church on the banks of the Mtkvari River, which offers the best view of Old Tbilisi. We will pass to the Sioni Cathedral, where the Georgian relic is kept – emissisive of Christianity in Georgia, St. Nino Vine Cross.
Then, we will see the oldest temple in the city, Anchiskhati, built in the 4th century.
After the walking tour of Old Tbilisi, we will visit the Golden Fund of the Georgian National Museum, where a variety of samples of contemporary Georgian fleece goldsmithing are exhibited.
At the end of the day, different Georgian cuisine is waiting for us in Tbilisi restaurant.
Day 2 (Thursday): Tbilisi
On Holy Thursday, Christian people celebrate several important events. Among them is the ritual of pedelavium (foot-washing), which has a symbolic meaning.
We will attend this ritual at Trinity Cathedral. From almost every elevated part of Tbilisi there is a view of the Trinity Cathedral, which will fascinate anyone with its beauty and glory.
At the end of the morning service, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia will kneel before the twelve bishops and wash their feet as Jesus bathed his twelve disciples as a sign of humility.
After completing the religious ritual, we will move to the Narikala Fortress.
After visiting the old fortress and enjoying the beautiful views of Tbilisi, we will walk to Abanotubani. Abanotubani is a district of thermal waters and sulfur baths, which is associated with the history of the capital.
Today we will also visit the Enamel Gallery, where we will learn about the old techniques of working with cloisonne enamel and attend the process of creating works of art.
Day 3 (Friday): Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Tbilisi
Good Friday is considered the day of the crucifixion, conversion, and burial of Jesus Christ. For believers, this is the hardest day of the year. Appropriate worship services are held in all functioning temples, symbolic conversion, burial ceremonies are completed.
Good Friday also symbolically marks the red colouring of Easter eggs.
To take part in this symbolic ritual, we will visit a local family and paint eggs with the hosts.
In the afternoon, we will leave for the historic city of Mtskheta. Mtskheta is the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia.
In Mtskheta we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Jvari Monastery built in the 6th century and the beautiful Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
The Jvari Monastery offers an amazing panoramic view of the city at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.
Later we will visit the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which is the largest historical building in Georgia among the survivors and leaves a great impression on the visitor.
It is in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral that we will attend an impressive conversion ceremony.
At the end of the day, we will return to Tbilisi, where we will have free time to get to know the capital better.
Day 4 (Saturday): Tbilisi - Gori - Uplistsikhe - Ananuri - Tbilisi
In the morning we will follow the route of the old Silk Road, which will take us to the historical region of Georgia – Shida Kartli.
We will visit the Stalin Museum in Gori. The museum complex includes a memorial house where Stalin was born and spent his childhood, an exhibition building, and a private carriage.
In the afternoon we will visit the cave town Uplistsikhe. Uplistsikhe was connected with the Silk Road, which passed here.
After Uplistsikhe, through the historical military road, we will visit the 17th-century Ananuri Fortress complex, which amazes visitors with its beautiful reliefs and excellent location on the Zhinvali Reservoir.
We will return to Tbilisi in the evening. At midnight we will participate in the Easter liturgy with the local parishioners at the Trinity Cathedral.
Day 5 (Sunday): Tbilisi - Sighnaghi - Tbilisi
In the morning we take the road to the Kakheti region. This side of Georgia is considered the homeland of wine. However, apart from winemaking, Kakheti is distinguished by monuments of different periods and diverse nature.
Here we will visit the fortified town Sighnaghi, which leaves a special impression with its beautiful streets and distinctive natural location. We will walk along the cobbled streets with colourful houses and balconies, enjoy the amazing view of the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains and the vast valley of Alazani.
A visit to Kakheti is unbelievable without a local family lunch. The tradition of generously hosting a guest on the Easter holiday is especially felt here.
Georgian families celebrate Easter with red eggs and Easter baked goods in the morning. Congratulating each other on Easter with a symbolic red egg is especially joyful for children.
The kindness of the hosts, the immediacy, the taste of homemade dishes and wine create special emotions around the table.
We return to Tbilisi full of festive mood and faith.
An impression of this tour
