Black Sea Odyssey: Exploring Georgia’s Rich Tapestry

Arrive in Tbilisi, Georgia

Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) at any time today. A group transfer from the airport to the hotel will be provided when most guests arrive (exact time to be determined). Private transfers at other times are available for purchase.

Dinner will be on your own tonight.

Explore the charming old town of Tbilisi, and visit the fairytale-like Gabriadze Clock tower, the Anchiskhati Basilica, and the historic Abanotubani District with its iconic Sulfur Baths. Ride a cable car to Narikala Fortress, enjoy the views from the Statue of Kartlis Deda, see the famous stairs of Betlemi Street, and visit the 13th century Metekhi Church, “The Great Synagogue” and the Sioni Cathedral.

After lunch on your own, discover the exquisite handcrafted items at Gallery 27, showcasing handmade goods and artwork crafted by Georgian artists. The graceful Bridge of Peace, links the Old Town to Rike Park. Explore the Dry Bridge Market with everything from jewelry to tableware and tools.

Enjoy a festive welcome dinner and connect with your fellow travelers over a traditional Georgian meal. Share stories and discover the unique reasons each woman in your group is excited to explore Georgia. During dinner, enjoy a performance of Georgian polyphonic singing, an acapella choral tradition recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. This art form is deeply embedded in Georgian cultural traditions.

Tbilisi

Step into history when you visit the Tbilisi State Academy of Art, one of Georgia’s oldest universities. Located in Central Tbilisi near the renowned opera house on Rustaveli Avenue, this heritage site boasts an intriguing blend of European sensibilities with decor of the Orient.

The main thoroughfare of Tbilisi, Rustaveli Avenue was named for Shota Rustaveli, a medieval Georgian poet. The Parliament and many of the city’s museums and cultural centers are located along the street.

Following a delightful lunch as a group at a nearby restaurant, engage in casual conversations with Georgian women. Next, visit Kebzari Jewelry studio and meet with local jewelers who craft exquisite, high-end pieces that seamlessly blend traditional aesthetics with contemporary influences. Conclude the day by descending into a local cool cellar for a unique wine tasting experience, savoring natural wines sourced from various regions across Georgia.

Dinner will be on your own tonight.

Tbilisi – Meskheta – Kazbegi

Mtskheta was the capital of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC until the 5th century AD. Georgia’s conversion to Christianity took place here in 337 AD, and the Orthodox churches built during this period are considered among the finest in the country. Mtskheta is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Samtavro Convent of St. Nino was built in honor of the rulers whom St. Nino converted to Christianity, King Mirian and Queen Nana. A tiny 4th century chapel is where St. Nino is said to have prayed, and the main church houses the tombs of the king and queen.

Enjoy lunch as a group at a winery located outside Mtskheta and dedicated to crafting traditional flavors reminiscent of beloved dishes, infused with modern elements in their culinary creations.

Explore the hidden treasures along the Georgian Military Highway which was completed by Czar Alexander I in 1817. Travel from Tbilisi through rolling green hills and steep arid mountains, encountering herds of sheep and fortress-like churches. From the feudal stronghold of Ananuri fortress, admire the blue expanse of Zhinvali Reservoir, making this one of Georgia’s most beautiful places.

Enjoy dinner with your group at the hotel restaurant.

Perched on a hill above Kazbegi are the 14th-century church of Tsminda Sameba (Holy Trinity) is located at about 7,120 ft ( 2,170 m) and is one of Georgia’s most iconic sites. For those who are interested, a guide will be available for an early morning hike up and back (plan for approximately 2.5 hours).

Drive through the granite cliffs of Dariali Gorge, north of Kazbegi on the Georgian Military Highway. The stunning seven-mile drive along the Terek River leads to one of only two border crossings into Russia. In some places the mountains loom 3,000 feet (900 meters) above the road. For those interested, a hiking is also an option.

Visit a local family in the tiny village of Tsdo, where you’ll participate in a master class in the art of making khinkali. Khinkali are savory Georgian dumplings filled with a mixture of minced mutton, beef or pork and boiled or steamed. Feast on your creations at lunch together with the family.

Enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

Vazisubani (Kakheti Region)

Explore a fantastic winery close to Telavi, where you can indulge in a delightful wine tasting experience paired with lunch. This winery follows traditional Georgian winemaking techniques, highlighting the importance of full skin contact and fermenting the wine in qvevris. The vineyard proudly features the exclusive Ikaltos Tsiteli grape variety, highly coveted by enthusiasts of Georgian wine.

Visit the Alaverdi Monastery and Cathedral, one of the tallest churches in Georgia and, in its simplicity, one of the most striking. The village of Alvani is a gateway to the spectacular mountainous province of Tusheti, known for its carpets and hand-woven stockings.

Enjoy dinner on your own tonight.

Vazisubani – Telavi – Signagi

Browse the local farmer’s market, with its large variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, local spices, and local spices. Step back in time as you weave through winding alleys of carved Kakhetian balconies. Stop in at the workshop of a ceramicist who makes qvevri, the 200 to 900-gallon earthenware vessels used for fermenting and storing Georgian wines. Lunch will be on your own today.

Drive East to Signagi, perhaps Georgia’s most charming city. Check in at your centrally located hotel and walk a few blocks to dine as a group at one of the country’s most renowned restaurants, Pheasant’s Tears Restaurant.

Signagi and the Villages of Magaro and Qedeli

Visit Magaro Village for a visit and a meal with a local woman who raises silkworms, rabbits, sheep, and chickens, as well as tends a wonderful garden. Our host is happy to share her encyclopedic knowledge of wild and cultivated medicinal and edible herbs, old recipes and a lot more!

Enjoy tasting Georgian craft beers at Lost Ridge Brewing, Georgia’s first village craft brewery. Lost Ridge specializes in bottle-conditioned farmhouse ales including styles such as Saison and Tripel. Brewed on-site and aged in the beer cave, the brewery pairs classic Belgian (and other) styles with local Kakhetian fruits and spices in some of their recipes. Partake in a Georgian bread baking class at the Lost Ridge Fire Kitchen, and enjoy lunch as a group with Kakhetian dishes prepared using natural, locally sourced ingredients.

In the 18th century, King Erekle II constructed a defensive wall around the hill-town of Signagi. The town’s location in an agricultural region helped it to grow quickly, and it became an important agricultural center for the Soviet Union. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Signagi suffered an economic crisis and has since undergone an extensive reconstruction project. Dinner will be on your own tonight: there are many dining options with fantastic views available in this lovely hilltop town setting.

Enjoy a farewell dinner with your new AdventureWomen friends in one of Tbilisi’s best Georgian restaurants. Reminisce on all the memories you have made and celebrate the end of an amazing journey through this truly spectacular country.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tbilisi Airport (TBS). You can depart at any time today. The transfer to the airport will be provided when most guests depart (exact time to be determined). Private transfers at other times are available for purchase.