Highlights of Armenia & Georgia

Fly London to Kiev

Fly Kiev to Yerevan

Yerevan is the capital city of Armenia. Both the cultural and administrative centre of the country, it is a city overlooked by the commanding Mount Ararat just across the border in neighbouring Turkey. At the city's heart is the attractive and colourful Republic Square, home to some of the capital's most beautiful architecture, and invigorated by its famous illuminated dancing fountains.

You will be staying at Historic Yerevan Hotel, Bed & Breakfast

Day to explore Garni and Geghard
An hour’s drive along a winding road through the green hills above Yerevan, is the superb Roman temple at Garni. Dating from the 2nd century BC it was once a pagan Temple of the Sun and also part of a palace complex for the Armenian Kings. It is spectacularly situated on a cliff top above a deep and craggy gorge.
Twenty minutes further on is the monastery of Geghard, a unique architectural construction partially carved out of the adjacent mountain and surrounded by cliffs. A World Heritage site, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator. Geghard means ’the Holy Lance’ and the lance in question is said to be that used to pierce Jesus’s side as he hung on the cross and is now housed at Echmiadzin.

You will be staying at Tufenkian Avan Dzoraget Hotel, Bed & Breakfast

Travel overland from Armenia to Georgia with Sightseeing

Today depart Dzoraget and travel overland to the border with Georgia.

Before leaving Armenia visit the cities of Gyumri, Vanadzor and Spitak. Gyumri is the second city of Armenia and has a distinct look, style & dialect.

Upon arrival at the border meet with your Georgian guide and change transportation to continue your trip to Georgia.

Note: Each traveller will need to individually clear immigration with Georgian officials. No visa is required for the EU passport holders.

Once across the border drive to Vardzia, a thirteen story cave town built between 1186-9 by Georgia's famous Queen Tamar. It stands as a unique example of the Georgian renaissance in an area of many medieval sites. En-route to Vardzia take a photo-stop at Khertvisi Fortress.

You will be staying at Vardzia Resort Hotel, Bed & Breakfast

Drive from Borjomi to Kazbegi (Road Journey)

Today travel overland to Kazbegi via the town of Gori. Famous as the birthplace of J. Stalin, visit Stalin's Museum before proceeding to the 17th Century Aten Sioni church.

After lunch travel north on the Georgian Military Highway towards Kazbegi driving over the Jvari (Cross) Pass (2395m) and down into Kazbegi (1700m).

You will be staying at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Bed & Breakfast

Travel Overland from Kazbegi to Tbilisi with Sightseeing

Today depart forTbilisi visiting various sites en route. Ananuri Fortress (16th - 17th cc) was the one time home of the tyrannical Aragvi dynasty and occupies a wonderful location overlooking the Aragvi Valley and Zhinvali Reservoir. Following the dramatic Aragvi River Valley we continue on towards Mtskheta, the capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia between 500 BC and 500 AD. The town lies in a lush valley at the confluence of two rivers, the Aragvi and the Mtkvari. Mtskheta was founded 2,000 BC. Georgians adopted Christianity in the 4th c. and thereafter Georgians, Byzantines, Persians, Arabs and Mongols traded control of the territory until the Russian annexation in the 19th century. It is overlooked by the marvellously simple church of Jvari (6th c.), a perfect example of early Georgian Christian architecture.Also visit Svetitsikhoveli Cathedral (11th c.), Georgia's largest remaining Cathedral and burial place of the Georgian Kings, notably members of the Bagrationi family. It has an extraordinary interior combining paintings, frescoes and a domed chapel used for the Christmas service. They are both UNESCO sites.

The largest city in Georgia by a considerable distance, Tbilisi can justifiably claim to be the heart of the country. Squeezed between mountain ranges, the city fills the Mtkvari river valley. Having been the capital of Georgia for more than 1,500 years, in some form or another, Tbilisi is rich in history. However, as a city that hints at a new-found wealth, Tbilisi is undoubtedly changing. New building projects have added a touch of glamour to this historic city and contrast with the narrow streets, unchanged religious buildings and caravanserais of the old town.

You will be staying at Sharden Hotel, Bed & Breakfast

Full Day to Gareji, Kakheti and Signagi
Travel to the semi desert and the rock cut monasteries at David Gareji (founded in the 6th century). There is a walk up to the top of the hill above the rock cut monasteries to Adabno Monastery from where there are stunning views in all directions, in addition to some fine 8 - 13th century frescoes and cave architecture.

From here continue to the heart of Georgia's wine growing region, Kakheti. En route to the royal fortified hill town of Signagi visit Bodbe Monastery, originally built in the 9th century, but now used as a convent and is a major pilgrimage site for Georgians. From Signagi there are views of the Kakheti region and the eastern Caucasus mountains.

The old sector of this very pretty town has cobbled streets and typical houses with wooden balconies and shutters. Sample some Georgian wine at a local winery "Pheasant's Tears". Picnic lunch. Return to Tbilisi.

You will be staying at Sharden Hotel, Bed & Breakfast