Cultural tour to christian Caucasus Countries: Georgia and Armenia
Day 1
Arrival at the Tbilisi airport, transfer and accommodation at the Hotel Georgian House. Dinner at restaurant Tamada with national cuisine, wine and Georgian live music.
Day 2
Sightseeing in Tbilisi and Mtskheta; a walk in multinational Abanotubani, Narikala Fortress (IV c.), Metekhi church and Karvasla Museum (Caravan-sarai), Saint Trinity Church, Sioni Cathedral, basilica Anchiskhati (IV c.), Treasury of Art Museum. Cultural excursion to the old capital of Georgia – Mtskheta: a view from historic and architectural complex of Jvari (VII - XI c.), Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XI c.), Samtavro Convent (IV - XI cc.). Stay overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 3
Departure to west Georgia: on the way visit to Uplistsikhe and Stalin's birth place and Museum in Gori. Arrival in Kutaisi: visit Bagrati Temple, historic and architectural complex of Gelati (XI c.). Stay overnight in Kutaisi.
Day 4
Departure to the balneological resort Borjomi, walk in the park and tasting Borjomi mineral spring water, drive to Armenia. On the way visit cave-city and monastery ensemble Vardzia 13-storey city cut out of solid rock (XII c.). Cross the Georgian - Armenian border and meeting with the local guide for Armenia. Stay overnight in Alaverdi.
Day 5
Start the program in Alaverdi and drive to Yerevan. Excursion to Matenadaran Institute of ancient manuscripts, fortress of Garni (I c. BC), Geghard monastery cut in the rock (XII - XIII cc.), Gehatavank monastery. Leisure afternoon in Yerevan: a walk in the city, shopping, stay overnight in Yerevan.
Day 6
Monastery of Echmiadzin (II c.), basilica of St. Gayane, church of St. Ripsime (XII c.), ruins of Zvartnots temple (VII c.), Khor-Virap, Noravanq Monastery Complex. Drive to Lake Sevan and stay overnight there.
Day 7
Drive to Georgia via Bolnisi Sioni and Dmanisi - centre of sensational excavations of the "birthplace of the first European human species”. Visit David Gareja Monastery complex. Stay overnight in Telavi.
Day 8
Visit Shuamta Monastery Complex (IV - VII c.), ancient Akademy of Ikalto, medieval citadel of Gremi, Alaverdi monastery (XI c.), Tsinandali wine-cellar, shashlik picnic with Georgian wines and drive to Tbilisi via fortified city of Sighnaghi. Stay overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 9
Leisure day in the capital: shopping in the city and a walk along the Rustaveli Avenue. Visit to sulphur baths, where "water is hot without the fire? as Ibn Haukal wrote in the X c. Transfer to the airport for departure.
