Day 1 – To Yerevan: Fly from London
Heathrow to Yerevan with Ukraine International
Airlines. Arrive and transfer to the Metropol
Hotel for 3 nights. (N)
Day 2 – Yerevan: Take a full-day tour of
Yerevan with visits including the Matenadaran,
the repository of ancient Armenian
manuscripts and the Erebuni Fortress, where
special talks have been arranged. Continue
to Tsitsernakaberd, a memorial and museum
dedicated to the Armenian genocide of 1915,
with its picturesque views over the city. Finish
at the National Art Gallery, which contains
some excellent examples of medieval frescoes
and Armenian and European art. (B, L, D)
Day 3 – Yerevan: Drive south to visit the
Unesco world heritage site of Echmiadzin, the
spiritual centre of the Armenian-Gregorian
church. Observe fine examples of Armenian
architecture at the St Hripsime Temple and
the Churches St Gayane before visiting the
oldest state-built cathedral in the world,dating back to the early fourth century. Inside
the cathedral is the reputed Holy Lance that
pierced Christ’s side during his crucifixion.
After lunch, visit the historic Khor Virap
Monastery, a pilgrimage site close to Ararat
and the Turkish border, before returning
to Yerevan via the seventh century ruins of
Zvartnots Cathedral. (B, L, D)
Day 4 – To Tbilisi: Drive to Georgia,
visiting the 10th century Unesco-protected
monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin,
unique for their blend of Byzantine and
Caucasian architectural style, en route. After
lunch, continue to the lesser known Akhtala
monastery, a fortified complex whose Holy
Mother of God church houses some fine
medieval murals. Proceed to Tbilisi and stay 3
nights at the Marriott Courtyard. (B, L, D)
Day 5 – Tbilisi: Full-day tour of Tbilisi,
including the fourth-century Narikala Fortress,
which occupies a scenic spot overlooking the
city, before visiting the State Museum, home
to hundreds of Caucasian icons and metalwork
from the bronze age to the 20th century.
Spend the afternoon at the Georgia Museum
of Art, where a private guided visit by a senior
curator has been arranged, before finishing the
day at the fifth-century Metekhi Church, an
unusually styled cross-cupola church, which
became an infamous prison during the Soviet
era. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – Stepantsiminda: Drive north along
the historic Georgian Military Road into the
Greater Caucasus mountains. Pass through
spectacular alpine scenery to the quaint town
of Stepantsiminda. After lunch, choose either
a short walk or drive to the Gergeti Trinity
Church. Situated on the banks of the Chkheri
river, in the shadow of Mount Kazbegi, this
iconic 14th-century church was used as a
hiding place for important religious artifacts
during times of danger and is one of the most
visited destinations in Georgia today. Late
afternoon drive back to Tbilisi. (B, L, D)
Day 7 – To Batumi: This morning, drive to
Gori, birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visit the
intriguing Stalin Museum, which features
numerous personal artifacts, including Stalin’s
notorious armour plated railway carriage. After
lunch, continue westwards to Batumi, often
referred to as Georgia’s second capital. Set on
the east coast of the Black Sea, this subtropical
port-city is the legendary point where Jason
and his Argonauts supposedly sailed to steal
the Golden Fleece and has a history rich in
Greco-Roman and Ottoman influence. Spend
2 nights at the Era Palace. (B, L, D)
Day 8 – Batumi: Begin today with a walking
tour of Batumi, passing along its attractive
seaside boulevards before entering the historic
old town with its statues to the ancient
kingdom of Colchis. After lunch, drive south to the Roman fortress at Gonio, formerly the
strategic centre of the eastern Roman frontier
and the unverified home of the grave of St
Matthew. Finish today’s visit at the Batumi
Botanical Gardens. With nine sections, it is
one of the largest of its kind in the former
Soviet Union. (B, L, D)
Day 9 – To Kutaisi: Travel eastwards to the
Gelati monastery complex, built by the former
king of Georgia, David the Builder. This
Unesco world heritage site features a number
of 12th- and 13th-century churches and houses
numerous murals, mosaics and manuscripts.
Head back towards Kutaisi via the Motsameta
Monastery, with its wonderful views of the
Tskhastsitela river before a final visit to the
Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi, itself occupying a
prominent position over the city. Stay overnight at the Bagrati 1003 Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 10 – To Tbilisi: Drive back to Tbilisi,
stopping at the Unesco world heritage site
of Mtskheta. Lying at the confluence of the
Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, the city was the place
where Christianity was proclaimed as the official
religion of Georgia in 337BC. Visit the Jvari
and the Samtavro Church and the Cathedral
of Svetitskhoveli, built on the grave of Sidonia,
who died clutching Christ’s robe. Continue
to Tbilisi and stay overnight at the Marriott Courtyard. Evening farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 11 – To London: Early morning transfer to
Tbilisi airport for a flight to London Heathrow
via Baku with Ukraine International
Airlines. (B)
Accessibility: Please note this tour involves some
long drives and walking over uneven terrain.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
