Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi

Arrive in Tbilisi and transfer to a hotel.

Day 2: Tbilisi

We have walking tour of Tbilisi visiting the highlights of the Old Town with beautiful Orthodox Christian Churches, Mosque, Synagogue, famous and refreshing Sulphur Baths, narrow cobbled streets with hanging wooden carved multi-colored balconies and the 19^th century houses following the architectural styles of the 19^th century Europe, Narikala Fortress, the glass Bridge of Peace. If it’s Sunday, we can attend the Orthodox Christian Mass for a while and listen to world famous Georgian polyphonic monastic music.

In the afternoon visit the golden treasure of the National Art Museum exhibiting ancient crosses and icons of Georgia.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 3: Tbilisi/Mtskheta/Atskuri/Akhaltsikhe

Travel to the holiest town of Georgia – Mtskheta. This is an ancient capital of Georgia where St. Nino started preaching Christianity. She together with mystic signs from God convinced King Mirian to accept Christianity and make Georgia officially Christian in 337 AD. St. Nino lived in a blackberry bush in Mtskheta for 6 years and later left for Bodbe. This blackberry bush is still alive and is located in the garden of Samtavro Nunnery that houses the tombs of King Mirian and spouse – Queen Nana. We visit Samtavro Nunnery as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery. Svetitskhoveli is the place where Georgians believe that the Robe of Christ is buried. Transfer to Akhaltsikhe via Atskuri village that was mentioned on the route of St. Andrew the First called.

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

Day 4: Akhaltsikhe/Vardzia/Zarzma/Akhaltsikhe

Visit the magnificent cave town of Vardzia. This is the biggest existing cave town of Georgia and is related to Georgia’s most beloved queen of the 12^th century – Tamar, now St. Tamar. Return to Akhaltsikhe and visit Zarzma Monastery. Return to Akhaltsikhe and visit Rabath Castle.

Overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

Day 5: Akhaltsikhe/Poka/Tbilisi

Travel across Javakheti province to Tbilisi and stop at Poka Nunnery that was brought to new life couple of years ago. The nuns there started making cheese according to the recipes of the 16^th century monks who travelled to these areas in those days and left this heritage to Georgia. Arrive in Tbilisi.

Mass at Catholic Church in Tbilisi.

Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 6: Tbilisi/David Gareja/Sighnaghi

This morning we drive to semi-dessert area of David Gareja. Monk David was among those 16 Assyrian monks who came to Georgia in the 6^th century to preach Christianity. He used to live in Tbilisi but then left and together with his disciples started the monastery that later consisted of 50 different monasteries. Nowadays some of them are destroyed and some are in Azerbaijan. We visit Lavra part and then walk up on a steep uphill to the ridge separating Georgia from Azerbaijan. Here we see the caves where monks used to live and enjoy the beautiful views and murals. Return to our vehicle and drive to Sighnaghi.

Overnight in Sighnaghi.

Day 7: Sighnaghi/Kvelatsminda/Ikalto/Alaverdi/Gremi/Nekresi/Sighnaghi

Travel around Kakheti province that is home to many important monasteries and churches of Georgia.

Visit Gurjaani Kvelatsminda – the only 2 dome church of Georgia. Continue to Ikalto and Alaverdi Monasteries – both established by Assyrian monks. Alaverdi was the highest church of Georgia for many centuries and has a picturesque setting. Here we try traditional Georgian wines made by monks. Continue to Gremi Museum/Monastery and see the wonderful murals. In Nekresi we’ll see the oldest surviving church of Georgia from the 4^th century. In the afternoon return to Sighnaghi.

Overnight in Sighnaghi.

Day 8: Sighnaghi/Bodbe/Tbilisi

This morning we visit tiny nunnery of Bodbe keeping the tomb of St. Nino. She lived here for the rest of her life after she’d left Mtskheta. Transfer to Tbilisi and time free for exploring more on our own.

Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 9: Departure

Transfer to the airport and departure.