Off the Beaten Path

In the morning, we start our Tbilisi sightseeing tour to get acquainted with the city. Walking through the historical part of the city and enjoying the unique combination of cultures. Meandering through the narrow streets of the city we will come-across various religious buildings: Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, Wooden houses built in the 19th century with colourful balconies, sulphur baths, the Narikala fortress.

In addition to the main tourist attractions, there is another part of Tbilisi with ancient, colourful courtyards and buildings of the Soviet period. This is the part of the city that is hardly mentioned in tourist guides.

We move to Sololaki, which is a historic district and slightly away from the sights of the capital. A uniquely beautiful district, Sololaki has a versatile architectural look.

Tbilisian courtyards and coexistence of families of different ethnicities are very interesting. Most of these yards are cultural heritage sites and define the unique architectural look of the city.

Then we move to the no less interesting Aghmashenebeli Avenue. As a result of the reconstruction, the old look was restored and many European buildings were restored.

Historic and Art Nouveau Tbilisi may be a source of special inspiration for us.

On this day we can see Soviet Tbilisi. In the morning we take the subway, which is one of the standard examples of the Soviet subway.

Despite the reconstruction, Tbilisi metro still remains part of Soviet era. We will see the most interesting buildings of Soviet Tbilisi: control building of Soviet military, the library of one of the buildings of Tbilisi State University, which exterior is an interesting expression of Soviet architecture.

Then we will move to the Nutsubidze Plateau, where there is a whole series of buildings built during the Soviet era and we can sense well how the life of modern Georgia continues in the buildings of the Soviet period.

At the end of the alternative Tbilisi tour we will see the building of the Archaeological Museum, which is a perfect example of Soviet architecture in Georgia.

We leave for Kakheti in the afternoon. When we mention Kakheti, we deservedly think of wine for the first time. Apart from winemaking, Kakheti is distinguished by monuments of different periods and diverse nature.

We will visit one of the family cellars and learn much more about the famous Georgian wine. The Georgian traditional method of making wine has the status of an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site. We will taste natural wines in the family cellar.

After a busy day, we will stay in Dedoplistskaro.

After various days spent in the capital, it is time to share the natural beauty of Georgia.

Georgia is rich with nature reserves and national parks. Today we are visiting one of them, Vashlovani National Park. Vashlovani National Park includes Vashlovani State Reserve, Vashlovani National Park and several natural monuments.

In Vashlovani protected areas, under the influence of various natural factors, the small area has several different landscapes. Desert, semi-desert, steppe, deciduous, and sparse forest zones are found here.

After visiting the reserve we go to Kvareli.

This time we will visit Lagodekhi reserve. Lagodekhi Reserve is located on the southern slopes of the main mountain ridge of the Greater Caucasus Range.

In terms of biodiversity, Lagodekhi Protected Areas are one of the most important places in Georgia and in the entire Caucasus region. It is one of the world’s best-preserved, pristine, diverse parks with wild natural landscapes.

This park is distinguished by the diversity of landscape, flora, and fauna not only in the country but in the whole Caucasus.

We return pleasantly tired to Kvareli.

In the first half of the day, we will visit Nekresi Monastery. The monastery complex is the most important heritage of Orthodox Georgia. The 4th-century monastery is built on a mountain slope with a beautiful view. Our journey continues to Pankisi.

We turn off from the standard route and visit Pankisi. It is often referred to as the hidden pearl of the Caucasus because of its unknown places of interest and great tourist potential.

During our visit to Pankisi we will taste the unique Kist-Georgian national dishes and feel the different aspects of Georgian traditional cuisine.

Then we take the road to historical Telavi. We visit a family wine cellar and taste different types of natural wines.

Overnight in Telavi.

In the morning we drive to Stepantsminda, famous for the Great Caucasus. The military road is one of the most spectacular routes in Georgia.

On the way we will stop at the colorful Zhinvali Reservoir and visit the beautiful Ananuri complex.

After arriving in Stepantsminda we visit Gergeti Trinity Church. With its special location and centuries-old history, it really represents the face of Georgia.

The seventh day of the trip ends in the magnificent village of Juta.

Our morning starts at 2200 meters above sea level and is the beginning of even more intense impressions.

The rocky mountain of Chaukhebi stands on top of the village, which is one of the favourite places of Georgian alpinists.

Typically, a visitor to Juta will inevitably walk about three kilometers to the foot of the Chaukhebi and then return.

We will pass this route once again and make sure, that it was worth it, as well as the two nights spent in Juta. Today we dine with a local family and taste the interesting cuisine typical for the region.

It’s time to say goodbye to an amazing Juta and continue our journey to discover other interesting places in Georgia. We visit historical Mtskheta, which is the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia.

In Mtskheta we 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 visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which is the largest historical building in Georgia among the survivors and leaves a great impression on the visitor.

Then we visit the cave town, Uplistsikhe. Uplistsikhe was a waypoint on the Silk Road, which passed here.

The once glorious castle-town is now an open-air museum and deservedly considered one of the most important tourist monuments in the country.

In the evening we stay in Gori.

In the morning we continue our journey to  Kutaisi. The trip is mysterious because of the rich nature with narrow valleys and large cliffs, Soviet-era architecture, ropeways, mines, and historical monuments.

On the way, we see a religious monument with a special architecture – Katskhi pillar. The Katskhi pillar is often referred to as one of the most unique detached dwellings in the world.

In the afternoon we arrive in Kutaisi, which is one of the oldest cities in the world.

We visit Gelati Monastery. The centuries-old monastery with its beautiful paintings is deservedly included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

At the end of the day, we walk in the central streets of Kutaisi, where the charm of the old city is especially felt.

In the morning we leave for Guria, which still has preserved the lightness and joy of life typical for this region.

This side of Georgia, known as the birthplace of wine, does not betray either. Rare varieties of grapes are preserved in Guria and unique wines are made here. We will also taste the distinctive local species.

Especially warm, humorous, and eloquent Gurian people can be better known while having dinner with one of the local families. We will taste the specific Gurian cuisine and the wines that are best combined with it.

Then we move to Imereti region and visit the city of Tskaltubo. Tskaltubo is a small town hidden in the green, which has an inexplicable charm. This resort famous for its natural healing waters, which was popular in all Soviet countries.

We are returning from a mystical city to ancient Kutaisi.

Today we will visit Kolkheti Nature Reserve, which is located on the Black Sea coast, near Lake Paliastomi.

The park is designed to protect and preserve international wetland ecosystems of Kolkheti. It is characterised by high biodiversity of wild flora and fauna, abundance of endemic and relict species.

Kolkheti Reserve is part of two historical regions of Georgia – Samegrelo, and Guria. Especially interesting are Lake Paliastomi, the Black Sea, unique swamps, and the Colchis forest in the park.

We will take a boat tour on Lake Paliastomi, where unforgettable impressions await us. In the evening we return to Kutaisi.

Our journey in ancient Kutaisi ends here. By afternoon we will be in Tbilisi.

We can dedicate the second free half of the day to the old and at the same time modern Tbilisi.

Transfer to the airport and departure.