The Crossroads of Europe & Asia

Fly to Tbilisi via Istanbul. Transfer to the 4-star Mercure Tbilisi Old Town for two nights.

Time at leisure before an afternoon walking tour of the Old Town, visiting the Soviet Occupation Museum and Simon Janashia Georgian Museum, Metekhi Church and the Sioni Cathedral.
(B)

 In the country’s ancient capital, Mtskheta, visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the cupola-crowned Svetiskhoveli Cathedral and 6th century Jvari Monastery, revered as Georgia’s most sacred place. Travel to Kazbegi to view the dormant volcano, Mount Kazbec; go by 4-wheel drive vehicle to Gergeti Trinity Church; and watch as khinkali (meaty dumplings) are made for you to taste. Overnight in Kazbegi at the 4-star Suatis Resort.
(B, D)

Visit the cave town of Uplistsikhe (‘fortress of God’). Hewn from the rocks about 2,000 years ago, the huge Pagan complex had theatres, altars and passages, and a population of 20,000; but the ‘city’ was destroyed by Genghis Khan and lost beneath the sands. It is now a carefully excavated UNESCO site. Continue to Stalin’s Museum in Gori, next to the house where he was born. Largely overlooking his murderous politics, it is a very Soviet-era shrine, with exhibits including a flattering statue of the man, his death-mask (in a darkened room), and his last packet of cigarettes. Return to the Mercure Tbilisi Old Town Hotel for two nights.
(B) 

Begin with a visit to Bodbe Monastery, break for lunch at a local village home and learn how churchkhela (a walnut & sweet grape snack) is made, and continue to hilltop Sighnaghi for a walking tour and wine tasting in Georgia’s prettiest town, where multi-coloured wooden balconies hang over narrow cobbled streets.
(B, L)

Cross the border to Armenia today, where our first visit is to the 10th century monastery of Haghpat. After meeting the Molokan community for a cup of tea and homemade sweets, continue to the spa town of Dilijian for a walk through the Old Town, and travel to Tsaghkadzor for two nights at the Tsaghkadzor Marriott Hotel.
(B, D)

Travel to Lake Sevan, the largest body of water in the Caucasus, covering 5% of landlocked Armenia with pristine beauty. Enjoy a cruise on the lake, before returning to Tsaghkadzor to take the chairlift up Mount Teghenis for magnificent views of the lake and mountains.
(B, D)

Visit the Noraduz cemetery, known for its 900 ‘khachkars’, ornately carved memorials typical of medieval Christian Armenian art; drive over the Selim Pass to one of the best-preserved caravanserais on the Silk Road; continue to the 13th century Noravank Monastery, isolated in a red-rock gorge; before enjoying a wine tasting at a local winery and finishing with a visit to Khor-Virap Monastery, a place of pilgrimage shrouded in spiritual legends and gazing out from its rocky perch to views of Mount Ararat. Travel to Yerevan for three nights at the 4-star Tufenkian Historic Hotel.
(B)

Visit Matenadaran, a repository of ancient manuscripts, continue to the medieval Geghard Monastery, leaning against the cliffs and partly carved out of the mountain, for a performance of Armenian choral music in the religious and cultural complex; continue to the Greco-Roman Garni Temple, the only classical structure still standing in Armenia; see how the local Lavash flatbread is made; and return to Yerevan for a walking tour of  the Republic Square area.
(B, L)

Travel to Echmiatsin to visit the cathedral – built in 301-303 AD and recognised as the world’s oldest cathedral and earliest domed church. Return to Yerevan to visit the Genocide Museum and Memorial, and round-off the day with Armenian brandy tasting.
(B)

Transfer to Tbilisi (5 hrs) for overnight at the 4-star Mercure Tbilisi Old Town.
(B)

Transfer to the airport for your return flight via Istanbul.
(B)