Internationale groepsreis Highlights of Georgia & Armenia

Our trip begins in the hotel in Yerevan. Ani Plaza Hotel or similar

We spend the first half of the day at leisure. This afternoon we embark on a city tour of Yerevan and then visit the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial and Museum, dedicated to the massacre of 1.5 million victims in 1915. The visit will help us understand how the huge Armenian diaspora community has developed across the world. There will be an option to visit to Megerian Carpet Factory.Ani Plaza Hotel or similar

A short drive through the city takes us to the impressive 7th-century ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, the churches of Hripsime and Gayane and then Echmiadzin. This was the capital of Armenia from 180 to 340 AD (when Christianity was first adopted by the Armenian people). The main cathedral (we can view the Cathedral from the outside only due to reconstruction works inside the building) sits amongst hedges and lawns, where bearded clergy in dark robes sit in theological debate. In the gardens, there are many fine khachkars (carved cross stones) and bell towers. In the afternoon we drive to Geghard Monastery (a UNESCO site) where on the hillside you can still see caves that housed monastic cells. A short drive takes us to the village of Garni where we explore the only pagan temple left in Armenia, and outside we're likely to meet friendly locals selling homemade honey and sweets. After lunch, we return to the city and visit Vernissage handicraft market then have free time to sample the thriving café culture of Yerevan.Ani Plaza Hotel or similar

Today is a long but fascinating day. Leaving the capital, we drive to the monastery of Khor Virap, one of the holiest sites in the country, with stunning views of Mount Ararat. Our second stop is in Areni village where the finest Armenian wine is produced. Here we visit a vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting. The next stop is Noravank, where, after lunch we visit the monastery (a masterpiece of the 13th century architect Momik) dramatically located in the canyon. Then, we head via one of the world's longest cable cars to Tatev Monastery, perched on the edge of the Vorotan Canyon. Afterwards, we travel for approx. 3 hours to the small town of Goris where we stay the night.Diana Hotel or similar

This morning we will drive along part of the ancient Silk Road, with a destination of the well-preserved 14th century Selim caravanserai. After a visit, we continue to the top of the pass where the landscape changes, before descending to the blue water of Lake Sevan. We make a stop at Noraduz Cemetery to see the 'forest' of khachkars (cross-stones which incorporate both Pagan and Christian symbols) before continuing to our hotel on the shores of the lake, the largest in the Caucasus and known as Armenia's 'seaside'. The lake is volcanic and lies at an altitude of 1,950m reflecting the sky like a mirror and changing colour throughout the day.Harsnaqar Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we visit Sevanavank, a famous monastery with commanding views of Lake Sevan. Our group then heads north to Lori, the lush alpine region of northern Armenia. After a short stop in Dilijan, a small town known for its arts and crafts, we visit the 12th-century Haghartsin Monastery, nestled in a forested valley. This beautiful site, whose name means ‘Dance of the Eagles’, was built by two brothers, princes of the Bagratuni kingdom. On the way to Haghpat, our final stop of the day, we stop for lunch in the Molokan village of Fioletovo. Molokans (milk drinkers) are a sect of Russian Old Believers who broke away from the Russian Orthodox Church in the 16th century. On arrival in Haghpat, the evening is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.Qefo Hotel or similar

Our final morning in Armenia includes visits to the impressive UNESCO sites of Haghpat and Sanahin. After lunch in Haghpat we will continue on to cross the border. Here we say goodbye to our Armenian leader and driver and walk approximately 10 minutes across the border into Georgia, where we will be met by our new guide, and travel on to the capital Tbilisi. Our hotel is a short walk from the wonderfully restored historical centre with its relaxing pavement cafés and bars.Tbilisi Inn or similar

Much of Tbilisi can be visited on foot and in the morning we will explore the old town. Here we see the ancient sulphur baths, Sioni Cathedral and the beautifully decorated synagogue, built at the beginning of the 20th century. We will also visit Rustaveli Avenue, the main artery of the city and the Treasury of the State Museum, with its fantastic collection of pre-Christian gold artefacts and jewellery. The rest of the afternoon will be free, with time to explore the art galleries, handicraft and painting markets and the enormous new Holy Trinity Cathedral, all within a reasonable distance of our hotel. Or you may choose to relax with a coffee in one of the many cafés that line the streets of the old town. This evening we will enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant and a Georgian folk show.Tbilisi Inn or similar

After breakfast, we will take a long drive up the Georgian Military Highway, through the great Caucasus Mountains via Ananuri Church. Our goal for the day is the town of Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) where, after lunch, we walk up through the village of Gergeti to the landmark Holy Trinity church. The walk will take us 2-3 hours in total. For those who don't want to walk, local jeeps can usually be rented for a reasonable cost. If the weather is clear, we will have spectacular views of Mount Kazbek, the third highest of the Georgian Caucasus Mountains, soaring to 5,047m. We will drive back to the ski resort of Gudauri, where we will have dinner and spend the night in a cosy, alpine-hut-style hotel.Hotel Alpina or similar

Today is our longest day. We drive three hours to Uplistsikhe which was once an enormous rock-hewn town dating from the pre-Christian era. Uplistsikhe is located on the left bank of Mtkvari River and is notable for its unique rock-cut style and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Ancient temples and theatres can still be identified and we walk up sandstone steps for a winding view across the river and plains. We take a short drive to the town of Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visiting Stalin Square where a huge statue of him used to stand we take a guided tour of the fascinating museum of his life and the role he played in the Soviet Union. Stalin's bulletproof train carriage, which he used to travel to the Potsdam Conference in 1945, lies in the grounds of the museum. It is worth a visit for its simple but elegant interior. The small wooden house where he was born is also here in a temple-like structure – there are still people in Georgia who greatly admire Stalin. We then continue to Kutaisi where we spend the night.Kutaisi guesthouse

After breakfast drive to Sataplia Nature Reserve (about 12 km – 20-25 minutes to the west), where the footprints of herbivorous and raptor dinosaurs of different epochs are found. Easy walkways take us to the conservation building of dinosaur footprints, an exhibition hall, unique karst caves, Colchic Forest and the wild bee habitat area. There are also beautiful views of the Imereti region to be enjoyed. After that, take the road back to Kutaisi and continue on to Gelati Academy and Monastery.Founded by King David IV in the 12th century, Gelati was inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1994. It is no surprise that the King chose yet another superb location for this monastery, whose monks were members of the royal court. After the visit, we drive to the lovely mineral town of Borjomi. Old Borjomi Hotel / Borjomi Palace or similar

After breakfast visit the lovely Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and take a guided walk (1-2 hours). Afterwards travel back to Tbilisi, stopping at Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia, where we will see the 11th-century Sveti-Tskhoveli Cathedral, the largest functioning cathedral in Georgia. However, the main reason people visit Mtskheta is to see Jvari Church, perched on a hill overlooking the valley and built in the 6th century on the spot where St. Nino set up her cross in the 4th century, which converted the town from paganism to Christianity. Continuing on to Tbilisi we will have some free time to enjoy this historic capital.Tbilisi Inn or similar

After breakfast we leave Tbilisi, driving east to the wine region of Kakheti, where we visit the recently renovated royal town of Sighnaghi.  We will then have lunch with a local family who will prepare some specialities paired with wine, and we continue with a visit to Tsinandali Family Estate and its wine cellar, which once belonged to the 19th century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze. The residence consists of a summer home, garden and winery, featuring several vintages of white wine. We make our way back to Tbilisi for our final night in Georgia.Tbilisi Inn or similar

Our tour ends after breakfast.