Georgia 2013 10 days

INCENTIVES & CONGRESSES

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Georgia
Despite limited size of its territory, Georgia is rich in natural diversity that matches every requirement of travelers looking for
specific type of leisure and entertainment. We offer our clients group and individual tours in order to introduce them to the
oldest pre- and Christian culture and history, the Black Sea coast or mountain resorts. While hiking tours to the Caucasus
Mountains will make you enjoy inviolable nature, winter resorts offer high standard skiing tracks and off track skiing. Georgia
and its wonderful people meet their guests with one of the most delicious cuisines of the world. Visitors have an opportunity
to attend wine-making ceremony and learn about oldest technologies used in the homeland of delicious beverage. They will
be offered a chance to taste several hundred types of wine and witness the oldest ethnographic traditions of Georgia.



Excursions and Day Trips:
Day 1
Tbilisi City Sightseeing Tour

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia. It was founded in the fifth
century AD and its name derives from the word “Tbilisi” which
means “warm” in Georgian. Tbilisi really justifies its name being
one of the rare cities to make an unforgettable impression on
its visitors. This is a location of historic Silk Road where Europe
and Asia meet each other and form a specific cultural blend
with Oriental markets, narrow streets, and marvelous samples
of European architecture, sulfur baths and Persian style
Caravanserai.
More important, in Tbilisi you will meet unique people who are
open, hospitable and love life. Tbilisi is a city where different
religions, confessions and nations coexist in a peaceful way for
many centuries.
For those looking for nightlife the city offers European style
clubs and discos, traditional Georgian restaurants and much
more.



Abanotubani (“district of baths”) is the oldest part of Tbilisi.
Baths built in the 17th-18th centuries have been preserved and
function nowadays. Their utmost merit is so-called “hot without
fire” sulfur springs. Baths have existed on this territory already in
the 27th-1st centuries BC. At different times the famous baths of
Tbilisi were visited by well-known European and Asian writers,
poets, and even Kings. Tbilisi baths represent an example of
Islamic architecture.

Narikala - the old citadel of the town, main fortress or Kala, has
been called Narikala since the end of the 18th century.

Metekhi - Many events of the history of Tbilisi are related to Metekhi
Plateau and the Virgin Mary Church on atop. A legend credits King
Vakhtang Gorgasali responsible for founding a church here. The
religious tradition, however, maintains that the first church was built here
in the 7th century after the body of Saint Shushaniki (a Christian martyr)
was brought from Tsurtavi and buried here.



Rustaveli Avenue: The first avenue in Tbilisi, the
construction of which started in the beginning of the 19th
century. Parliament, Opera House, Shota Rustaveli
Theater, First Gymnasium and Kashveti Church are
located here.
Sameba Cathedral – the biggest temple of Holly Trinity
that was built in 1996 – 2004

Optional:
•S. Janashia State Museum of history, golden fund that
performs collection of ancient masterpieces of jewelry
•Museum of Ethnography that performs nice collection of
traditional Georgian houses and dwellings from different
corners of the country



Day 2
Day Trip to Kakheti – Wine Region

Day trip to Kakheti – wine region
Georgia is considered the cradle of wine, which is
confirmed by numerous archaeological, ethnographic, and
linguistic materials. Ancient sorts of domestic grapevine
have been discovered during archaeological excavations,
dated 6th-5th millennium BC. Many ceramic vessels used
to wine-making and storing purposes have been unearthed
too. According to experts, the progenitor of domestic
grapevine – Usurvazi – grew in the wild on the territory of
Georgia. The Latin term for wine, “Vino”, is said to derive
from the Georgian word for wine, “Ghvino”. The Caucasus
had been the very place from which domestic grapevine
spread to Europe, first to Italy and then to France, North
Africa, and Spain.



Tsinandali
Tsinandali, the historical home of Alexandre Chavchavadze and
his family, is one of Georgia’s most important cultural sites. As a
museum and cultural center, it can offer an extraordinary
experience for the general
public, tourists, educators, students, and researchers. No better
place exists to tell the story of the powerful family that left a
lasting mark on Georgia’s history, to expose visitors to traditional
as well as contemporary Georgian arts and values, and to inspire
both Georgians and international visitors to consider the
possibilities for the future of their nations and world.

Two of the most important and most beautiful architectural
monuments of Kakheti are the Dzveli ("old")and Akhali ("new" )
Shuamta Monasteries. Both of them stand in a forest of
deciduous trees which makes them look even more fascinating.
Its consists of a 5th century basilica, one of the most curious
examples of Christian Georgian architecture;

Gremi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti in the 16th and
17th centuries. Founded by Levan of Kakheti, it functioned as a
lively trading town on the Silk Road and royal residence until
being razed to the ground by the armies of Shah Abbas I of
Persia in 1615. The town never regained its past prosperity and
the Kings of kakheti transferred their capital toTelavi in the mid-
17th century.



Visit to family winery in Gurjaani, where guests will
be engaged in different kind of activities, such as:

•Degustation of homemade Georgian wine
•Participation in chacha making (zavodoba)
•Participation in Georgian bread-making
•Participation in Georgian dishes culinary
(barbeque)

Back to Tbilisi



Sighnaghi
(110 km from Tbilisi)
The medieval city, which is declared the city-museum
currently, is located on the hill and looks over Alazani
Valley. The city is still surrounded by the wall that was
constructed in the end of the 18th century, during the reign
of the King Erekle II. 23 towers of the wall are named after
nearly located villages. Each of them was bearing the
fortification function. From Sighnaghi you can enjoy the
fascinating views of Alazani Valley and Dagestan
Mountains (North Caucasus).

After visiting Sighnaghi drive to wine factory „Khareba“ to visit the famous wine tunels, here wine is kept in the
7,7 km long tunel cut off in the stone mussif of Coucasian Mountain range. The massife includes granit surounded
by shale lyers. At any time of the year, the temperature is 10-11 C. Wine is being aged there in the oak barrels.

Wine degustation



Day 4

4WD tour to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi region – Great Caucasus) along
Georgian military highway via Jvari Pass (2395m above the sea level)
Ananuri
(Dusheti, 70 km from Tbilisi)
The Fortress on Georgian Military Highway was built in the 17th century
representing the residence of “Aragvis Eristavi” (Dukes, rulers of the region) then.
The complex unites two churches and observation tower. The western façade is
adorned with the remarkable carving. In the 80-ies of the 20th century the reservoir
has been constructed near the fortress, and it adds the beauty to the surrounding
landscape.
Gudauri – ski resort
The alpine skiing resort Gudauri is located at the altitude of 2000 meters above the
sea level, on the south slope of the central part of Great Caucasus, 84 km north
from Tbilisi. Due to its unique location, the 1.5-2 meter snow cover lies here from
December till April. The weather is mainly sunny and windless. There are 4 downhill
tracks, which are in a perfect condition and are quoted by the FIS. All four tracks
(2,000-3,000 meters above the sea level; total length – 16 km) are equipped with the
cable way.

Gergetis Sameba
(Stepantsminda, 157 km from Tbilisi)
Gergetis Sameba is the only cross-domed church in the region (Khevi); it was built
in the 14th century. The church is located on the elevation and opens the fascinating
view on Stepantsminda settlement and Mkinvari Peak in the sunny and cloudless
weather.



Lunch at a local family in Kazbegi
(Khincali cooking class)

Horse & Jeep riding up to the hill with the church

Gergetis Sameba
(Stepantsminda, 157 km from Tbilisi)
Gergetis Sameba is the only cross-domed church in the region
(Khevi); it was built in the 14th century. The church is located on
the elevation and opens the fascinating view on Stepantsminda
settlement and Mkinvari Peak in the sunny and cloudless
weather.



Day 5
Rafting
Rafting on the Aragvi River (White water) – Dusheti
region

Depart to Pasanauri for rafting (it takes about 4-4.5 h incl.
driving)

Lunch in the restaurant “Tevri”
https://www.facebook.com/people/Tevri-
Restorani/100000728952788?sk=photos



Day 6
Mtskheta – old Capital

Jvari
(9 km from Mtskheta)
Jvari monastery is located on a top of small hill opening
the fascinating view of the city Mtskheta – old capital of
Georgia. At this place, in the prehistoric epoch, the
vanity was located. After declaring Christianity the state
religion in Iberia (Kartli), the cross (in Georgian – “jvari”)
as the symbol of new religion had been erected there,
later, in V-VI AD, the Church was built. It is the first
cross-domed church in Georgia and is on the UNESCO
List of the World Cultural Heritage.
Svetitskhoveli
(Mtskheta, 24 km from Tbilisi)
Mtskheta – is one of the most sacred places in Georgia. The first wooden
church was built here immediately upon declaring Christianity the state
religion (337). Current impressive temple was built in 11th century and it is
one of the biggest churches built before 21st century in Georgia.
According to the legend, the temple was built at the place where the
shroud of Jesus Christ had been buried. During the centuries the temple
has been seriously damaged and restored several times. Currently it is on
the UNESCO List of the World Cultural Heritage.



Uplistsikhe (that is situated nearby town of Gori – birthplace of Josef Stalin)
(Gori, 86 km from Tbilisi)
The ancient city carven in the rock located 20 km east to Gori. It was spread on the historic Silk Road. At the edge of II and
I millenniums BC, one of the tribes living on the territory used and arranged the natural caves existing there. In the VI-V
centuries BC it was one of the most important cultural-political centers of Shida Kartli, and from II century BC it became the
typical Hellenistic town. Uplistsikhe was the important trading centre till the 12th century AD. The remainders of the town
built on the bank of the Mtkvari River still retaining the signs of Hellenistic epoch, make the unforgettable impression on the
visitors.



Day 7
Borjomi Spa town

Borjomi is very popular with natural springs of mineral water
that has curative features, though there is also the biggest
Borjomi-Kharagauli national Park there with very interesting
touristic routs of different duration.

Lunch in restaurant

Overnight in bakauriani



Day
Akhaltsikhe Region

Zarzma Monastery of transfiguration

It is a medieval Orthodox Cristian monastery located at the
village of Zarzma in samtskhe-javakheti
region, southwest Georgia.
The earliest church on the site was probably built in the 8th
century, by the monk Serapion whose life is related in
the hariografic novel by Basil of Zarzma. According to his
source, the great nobleman Giorgi Chorchaneli made significant
donation – including villages and estates – to the monastery. The
extant edifice dates from the early years of the 14th century

Sapara monasgtery
It has existed from at least the 9th century, and has numbered
among its monks many important figures in Georgian
ecclesiastical history. At the end of the 13th century Sapara
became a possession of the Jakeli family,



Day 8
Khertvisi Fortress
Khertvisi Fortress is one of the oldest forts in Georgia . It is
located in the southern part of the country, north of Khertvisi .
The Khertvisi Fortress stands on a rocky promontory, high above
the river Mtkvari, guarding the path connecting the towns
Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe. The ruins preserved until these
days belong to a fort built in the 10th century. However, there had
been once a fortified stronghold from the 2nd century BC at this
place. Two underground tunnels lead down from Khertvisi
Fortress to the river. One tunnel was used for water supply, while
the other served as an entrance to the fort.

Vardzia
One of the most famous ancient monuments of Georgia is
located in Vardzia near the Armenian border. Built in the twelfth
century, during the Golden Age of Georgia, by Giorgi III, this city
of caves was originally intended as a military fortress.
However, his niece Queen Tamara (the first female ruler, and
beloved by her people) later converted it into a religious
complex, where she herself lived for many years. Since that time
it has been used as a monastery for most of its history. Vardzia is
remarkable cave city, which in its heyday housed 50,000
people, was actually carved into the side of the rocky cliffs. The
entire cave complex is situated high up in the mountains to keep
it safe from invading hordes. Vardzia is a very special
place, considered a cultural symbol and a source of pride to
Georgians, and a must-see for tourists who travel to Georgia.



Day 9
KUTAISI_Imereti
One of the most beautiful cities of Georgia – Kutaisi, is located in
Imereti - also rarely beautiful region. The city, as a settled place
was born (founded) near the mouth where the River Rioni’s
narrow and deep gorge outfalls to the plain. Kutaisi is considered
as one of the oldest cities in the world. The old Greek history and
mythology dates the city by the
In 1089 Davit the Builder became the king of Georgia. In
1122, he freed Tbilisi from Arabs and moved the capital. That is
the time when the Kutaisi History, as a capital of Georgia is
finished. During the period of David the Builder, the unique
architectural monument – “Gelati” Monastery and higher
Ecclesiastic Academy was build near Kutaisi. Despite of loosing
the status of capital, Kutaisi has never lost its place in History of
Georgia. Kutaisis is still a cultural, educational and tourist center
of the country.



Gelati is a monastic complex
near Kutaisi, Imereti, western Georgia. It contains the Church of the
Virgin founded by the King of Georgia David the Builder in 1106, and
the 13th-century churches of St George and St Nicholas.

The Gelati Monastery for a long time was one of the main cultural
and intellectual centers in Georgia. It had an Academy which
employed some of the most celebrated
Due to the extensive work carried out by the Gelati Academy, people
of the time called it "a new Hellas" and "a second Athos".

The Gelati Monastery has preserved a great number of murals
and manuscriptsdating back to the 12th-17th centuries.
In 1994, Gelati Monastery was recognized by UNESCO as a World
Heritage Site.

Motsameta
It is a small and very beautiful monastery with round turrets crowned with
peaked tent-shaped domes. The monastery is standing above the rough Rioni
river and is buried in coastal vegetation. According to the legend the
monastery was constructed on the place where Muslim aggressors executed
David and Konstantin Mkheidze, Georgian princes, who refused to accept
Islam.
In a small monastery hall on an eminence there is a big rectangular ark with
the hallows of the pious princes canonized by Georgian Church .
Motsameta attracts crowds of tourists with an ancient superstition: if one
crawls three times under the ark and makes a wish while touching the
hallows, the princes David and Konstantin will grant it.
The Tsar Bagrat III reconstructed the church in the 10 th century. The building
was reconstructed again in the 19 th century.


Sataplia State Reserve

Sataplia State Reserve is a most multifarious and very rare
monument. It is of complex character and contains
geologic, paleontological, speleological and botanical
monuments.

The Sataplia Mountain is famous by its rarest and the most
beautiful caves. This cave was firstly noticed by Kutaisi museum
employee, pedagogues P. Chabukiani who was able to make
organization of this valuable monument protection by the local
government, and in 1933, there was found a dinosaur trace.

Promete Cave

Prometheus” cave is one of the richest caves of
Europe. It is characterized by the variety of
underground rivers and beautiful landscapes.
Golden Fleece cave meets all needs of
international tourism level. Walking route for
tourists is 1060 m. Also tourist will sail by boats
in underground lake (280m) In nearby territories
where there are other caves speleological tours
can be organized. The total length of these
caves is 15 555 m.



Day 10
Svaneti
Svaneti, one of the most timeless and lovely provinces of
Georgia, is situated at the mouth of the Enguri River, among
awe-inspiring mountains, and is the most populated highland
region. The village of Ushguli, is the highest populated place in
Europe (at 2,200 meters above sea level). It is also the most
difficult to access, as it is the most isolated region of Georgia.

Ushguli

The Ushguli villages contain buildings
that are part of the UNESCO heritage
siteof Upper Svaneti.[
Altitude claims vary from 2,086 to 2,200
metres.
It is located at the foot of Shkhara,one of
the highest Caucasian summits. About 70
families (about 200 people) live in the
area, enough to support a small school.
The area is snow-covered for 6 months of
the year, and often the road to Mestiai s
impassable.


Acomodation:

Holiday Inn www.hi-tbilisi.com



Courtyard by Marriott www.courtyardtbilisi.com



Radisson Blu Iveria www.radissonblu.com/hotel-tbilisi



Marriott Tbilisi www.tbilisimarriott.com



Hotel Rooms in Khazbegi
https://www.facebook.com/RoomsHotelKazbegi



Kvareli Lake Resort http://www.kvarelilakeresort.ge/



Lopota Resort http://www.lopota.ge/



Tskaltubo Spa resort https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tskaltubo-Spa-
Resort/227376860606574



Restaurants in Tbilisi :
Bread House – www.breadhouse.mgroup.ge
Kalakuri – www.info-tbilisi.com/kalakuri
In the Shadow of Metekhi – www.shadowofmetekhi.mgroup.ge
Meidani http://www.meidangroup.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=188&lang=eng
Phaetoni http://www.phaetoni.ge/



Restaurants in Kakheti :
Cateau mere http://www.winiveria.ge/chateau_mere/id/1/chateau-mere.html



Winery “Khareba” www.winerykhareba.ge



Sparkling wine factory “Bagrationi 1882” www.bagrationi.ge



Contacts:

www.liberti-internationa.org/georgia

info@libertygeorgia.ge
george@libertugeorgia.ge – General Director
tamuna@libertygeorgia.ge – Event Manager



Welcome to
Georgia!


Georgia 2013 10 days

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