Itinerary: Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Echmiadzin - Sevan - Dilijan - Aghpat - Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Sighnaghi - Bodbe - Kvareli

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Duration: 7 days

Arrival: Yerevan International Airport
Departure: Tbilisi International Airport

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Day one                                                               

Arrival to Yerevan International airport.
Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Overnight in Yerevan.  

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Day Two /  Yerevan & its surroundings 
Yerevan sightseeing tour: Republic square, Northern avenue, Opera house, Cascade complex, Park of victory, Tsitsernakaberd memorial, Erebuni fortress, Statue David of Sasun, Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator and many other places of interest. Visit to Ararat Brandy Factory. Conyak degustation (optional).
Visit to Geghard monastery - another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Though the monastery has been around since before the 4th century, the main cathedral was built in 1215. The specific character of this monument reflects, no doubt, the peculiarities of the austere and majestic scenery around it.
Departure to Garni temple - it is a first century Hellenic temple near Garni, Armenia. It is the only pagan temple in Armenia that survived the Christianization of the country in 301 AD. The structures of Garni combine elements of Hellenistic and national culture, which is an evidence of antique influences and the distinctive building traditions of the Armenian people. 
Here we will make a stop for rest and dinner in traditional local restaurant, which serves home made food & alcoholic home-made local drinks: armenian wine and chacha (home-made vodka). 
Back to Yerevan for overnight.

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Day Three / Echmiadzin - Sevan Lake - Dilijan resort - Aghpat - Tbilisi
Visit to Echmiadzin Cathedral - is the Mother Church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the main building of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin is the first church building in Armenia,  and considered the oldest cathedral in the world.  The original church is believed to have been built between 301 and 303 by Gregory the Illuminator, following Armenia's adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III.
Deaprture to Sevan Lake: this huge mountain lake which takes up 5% of Armenia's surface area and is about 2,000 meters above sea level. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often a deep turquoise color.
Sevanavank monastery. Monastery of Sevan, which stands on what was once an island of the same name, can be dated to the 9th-10th centuries. For several hundred years, as an important spiritual centre, housing many monks, it was visited by thousands of pilgrims from all parts of Armenia. 
Passing through Dilijan Resort: it is a delightful place surrounded with wild nature: velvet hills and mountains covered with miscellaneous herbs and broad-leaved woods with admixture of pines. The restored Old Dilijan with historical buildings furnished with attics, carved wooden balconies and fringing of windows and doors is also there.
Making stop for dinner in Aghpat. 
Arrival to Tbilisi on the late evening hours.   

 

Day Four / Tbilisi and Mtskheta
Sightseeing tour around the capital, which includes visits to the following sites:  Old & New Tbilisi streets, Narikala Fortress and Metekhi church with panoramic views on Old Tbilisi, ancient churches of Anchiskhati and Sioni, Sulphur Baths district “Abanotubani”, famous Chardin street name after a French Missioner, Piece Bridge, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Freedom Square, and many other places of interest...
Departure to Mtskheta city:  ancient town of extraordinary importance to the Georgian nation. It was the capital of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. Jvari Monastery (6th century ) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is one of the most sacred places in Georgia.
In the evening we invite you for the dinner at one of the traditional Georgian restaurant with folk and international songs and dances. (optional / paid on spot)
Transfer back to the hotel is done independently. Overnight in Tbilisi.

 

Day five / Tbilisi – Sighnaghi – Kvareli 
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Kakheti - the most wine region among all regions of Georgia. 
Arrival to Sighnaghi - the most romantic city of Georgia. Visit to the Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe.                                                                                                              
Moving to Kvareli. Visit to Shateau Kvareli Winery / Wine degustation / Dinner. Shatto Kvareli Winery belongs to Kindzmareuli corporation. Kindzmareuli's corporation owns ancient constructions which at the moment are historical monuments, vineyards, wine storages and wine shops. During the tour around the place you will have possibility to visit the museum in which ancient wine-making devices and tools are stored. The excursion smoothly turns into wine tasting: you won't just try several sorts of wines, but also will also listen to the story of the experienced guide-sommelier! Masterclass: You will try to bake bread and to make "churchkhela" with own hands. Dinner at the local restaurant. 
Coming back from Kvareli to Tbilisi through Gombori pass.  Arrival to Tbilisi in the late evening hours. Night in Tbilisi.

 

Day six / Free of the program day 
Gala dinner in the restaurant.

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Day seven / Departure
Check out from the hotel. 
Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport.

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***Note: as arrival and departure times are always different, the program changes relatively upon request

See you in Georgia