Arrival at Tbilisi international airport, 17 km south-east of the capital. Welcome and
guided transfer to hotel, overnight in hotel in Tbilisi.

Today we visit Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, built in the V
e
century. We begin

our day with the medieval church of Metekhi (13th century).

century), then we'll take the cable car up
to the Narikala fortress, majestically overlooking the city's old quarter. We
Let's continue our tour of the old town of Tbilisi: the sulphurous baths district (17th century), the old town of Tbilisi (18th century) and the old town of Tbilisi (18th century).

century); the
The capital's name was inspired by these hot sulphur springs: "Tbili" means hot in English.
Georgian. We then visit Sioni Cathedral (16th century) and Anchiskhati (5th century).

century), the most
the town's former church. Stroll along Avenue Roustaveli - the town's main avenue. More
later, we visit the national museum (closed on Mondays), which has some of the most beautiful treasures in the world.
the country's archaeological and historical heritage, including a rich collection of Georgian goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares dating back to the Middle Ages.
from the 3rd millennium BC, which highlights Georgia's link with the legend of the Golden Fleece,
is on display. Dinner at the restaurant. Night at the hotel in Tbilisi.

After breakfast, we set off for Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia,
located at the crossroads of the Military Road and the Silk Road. Here we visit the two monuments
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Djvari Monastery (6th century)

century) with its splendid view over

the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers and Svetitskhoveli cathedral (11th century)

century), considered
as one of the most sacred places in Georgia, as it is here that the tunic that is said to have
belonged to Christ. Heading towards Koutaïssi via Sachkhere, this is the Imérethie region in
top. Here we stop at a family home for a traditional wine tasting and lunch.
local. Photo stop for the Katskhi peak - a natural monolith of limestone, some forty metres high.
metres, in the village of Katskhi. In the evening, we arrive at Koutaïssi, the 3500-year-old ancient
capital of the Kingdom of Colchis, the oldest city in Georgia. Dinner in a restaurant and overnight in
the hotel.

After breakfast we drive a few kilometres from Koutaïssi to visit the cellar of
Prométhée, a fairytale grotto in the footsteps of the myth of Prométhée and the Argonauts, is a very special place.
with its magnificent shapes of colourful stalactites and stalagmites. We then
we head for the monastic complex of Guelati, located 12 km from the city centre, dating from the
12th
The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will have lunch near the monastery in a
A 200-year-old wooden Oda where grandmothers welcome us. Attend a khachapuri master class
and taste some of Imeretia's famous dishes. Stop off at the Motsameta church, perched on a rocky outcrop.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Koutaïssi.

After visiting the local market in Koutaïssi, we head for the Racha region, located in the heart of the city.
the upper valley of the River Rioni - the mountainous western part - on the edge of the Greater Caucasus.

Famous for its unique Khvanchkara wine, whose grape varieties are produced exclusively in the
this micro zone. At the home of a local family we visit the old traditional wine cellar and taste
wine directly from a jar buried in the earth. In the same family we attend a master
class of Rachouli Lobiani (the bean cake) with the local ham and lunch to savour by
traditional dishes from the region. Visit to Barakoni Cathedral (18th century).

s). Overnight in Ambrolauri.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the village of Nikortsminda, we visit the church of St Nicholas, built in the 11th century.
century, and is of exceptional interest because of the abundance and excellent condition of the
conservation of the sculptures that adorn its façades. For lunch, we stop off in a small village and meet the extended family, where three generations still live together.

Then off to Bordjomi, famous for its mineral water.
Walk through the park and taste the famous Bordjomi water. Continue on to
Akhaltsikhé, a central town in the Samtskhe - Djavakheti region, the south-western part of the country.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Akhaltsikhé.

In the morning, we discover Vardzia, Georgia's richest troglodyte site (12th century).
With its Church of the Assumption, tunnels and subways, Vardia is a sight to behold.
one of the highlights of a visit to the country. Stop en route to take photos at the fortress
of Khertvissi (10th

century). Lunch is always at a local restaurant, and we also attend

a few master klass, and you can even join in milking the cows by hand. Late afternoon
lunchtime visit to the Rabath Fortress. Its name comes from the Arabic for "fortified place". Visit

defensive walls and towers, churches and a mosque, gardens and parks make up the ensemble that
reflects its role in the impressive unity of various traditions. Dinner and overnight in Akhaltsikhé.

After breakfast, we set off for Gori, Stalin's birthplace and home of the
museum (photo stop).

Not far from Gori, we visit the ancient troglodyte town.
Uplistsikhé dating from the 1st millennium BC.

Here we discover an ancient town with a theatre, pharmacy, wine cellars and more. Lunch in Ateni and tasting of the local wine. Following the military road, we head for Gudauri (2,200m), a ski resort in a picturesque part of the Great Caucasus.

En route stop for the fortified complex of Ananuri (17th century).

century), one
of the country's major sites next to the blue lake of Jinvali. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Gudauri.

Passing over the Col de la Croix (2,395 metres above sea level), we reach the village of Stepantsminda.
- located at the foot of the impressive Mount Kazbek (5,047 metres above sea level), which marks the border with Russia.

We visit the 14th-century monastery of the Trinity of Guergueti.

Perched at an altitude of 2,170m on a promontory, it is the most spectacular sight in the Greater Caucasus.

Today we stop off at a local felt workshop to watch a Klass masterclass and enjoy some local tea with homemade jam. On the way to Tbilisi we stop off at the little village of

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A visit to the authentic town of Sno, which will round off our day with meetings with the locals. Dinner at
restaurant. Night in Tbilisi.

The day is devoted to discovering the Kakhetia wine region, situated in the east of the country and renowned for its hospitality, but above all for its world-renowned wines. In the morning, we set off for Sighnaghi, perched high on a hill.

This rare example of an 18th-century historic town is surrounded by a long defensive wall with a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. gnifique sur la
Alazani Valley and the Great Caucasus.

Stop at a local family for a tasting of typical wine and lunch to sample the region's delicious dishes. Later we visit the
monastery of Nekressi and the fortress of Gremi, former capital of the kingdom of Kakhetia (1466-1616).

We also attend a small concert of traditional folk singing. Dinner and overnight at
Telavi.

Today we'll be exploring the Pankissi valley, home to an ethnic group - the Kists - with Chechen roots.

In a country that asserts a strong Orthodox Christian identity, women
kistines are trying to survive and preserve their customs. The small village of Jokolo offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

You can't help but be fascinated by the welcome you receive
the warmth of the local people and the uniqueness of their culture, based on ancestral traditions that are still very much alive in the valley. After lunch, drive to Tbilisi. Visit to the
Alaverdi monastery (11th century)

century). At 55 metres, it is the second highest religious building in the world.
of Georgia, and the surrounding vineyards are tended by local monks who produce their own wine.
own wine. Over the Col de Gombori, we arrive in the capital. Farewell dinner at the restaurant.
Overnight in Tbilisi.

Transfer to Tbilisi airport. Departure.