Tamaroba – Memorial Day of Queen Tamara (8 days, 7 nights)
11.05 – 18.05.2015
For a full view – left click of the mouse on the map!
Day 1 (11.05.2015): Tbilisi
Arrival to Tbilsi. Meeting with the representatives of the agency. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 2 (12.05.2015): Tbilisi
Breakfast. Excursion in Tbilisi.The capital of Georgia is unique.It stands on the several mountain hills, on which "creep" the old blocks. Tbilisi – is a beautiful river Kura with its picturesque rocky shores, that flows across the whole city.
"Old Town" – is the historic center of Tbilisi, that is located at the root of Mtatsminda (Holy Mount) mountain. Almost all of the buildings of the Old Town are historical and cultural sites, this part of the city is round – the – clock full of life, here walk alone or in groups tourists, meet lovers near the Clock Tower. This amuzing Tower appeared here recently, built by the Puppet Theatre director Rezo Gabriadze. Here artists exhibit their paintings, artisans offer numerous souvenirs. Basically there are 2-3-storey houses, built of brick and stone, and of particular Tbilisi architecture, distinguished by narrow streets, galleries and carved wooden balconies.
Tbilisi is one of the rare places where can peacefully exist in the Old Town an orthodox church, Catholic cathedral, synagogue and mosque. During the excursion, visit of: Metekhi Church ( V c.), Narikala fortress ( IV c.), Sioni Cathedral ( VI-VII c.), Anchiskhati Basilica of St. Mary, the oldest surviving church, Synaxis of Saint Truinity of the temple complex of Tsminda Sameba – the main Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church. Stroll along the Shota Rustaveli Avenue. An evening landscape – "the city of light". Dinner. Overnight.
Day 3 (13.05.2015): Tbilisi – Akhaltsikhe – Vardzia – Borjomi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Arrival to recently reconstructed Akhaltsikhe fortress, the motherland of Charles Aznavur, the ancient center of Catholicism in Georgia. In the complex, together with Orthodox Church of St. Marina, are placed mosque, catholic church and monastery of Benedictine Sisters, synagogue and Armenian church. Visit of Vardzia cave monastery complex (XII- XIII c.) – 19 stepped rock town. For 900 m along the left bank of Kura river, in the plumb wall of the mountain, around 600 buildings are cut out – churches, chapels, parrocks, pantries, baths, libraries. There preserved secret passages, remains of plumbing, and irrigation system. Vardzia- is the site of the era of Golden Age. More than thousands of monks lived there, and when being attacked, to 20 thousand of people could shelter there. Arrival to Borjomi. Tasting of the worldknown mineral water Borjomi from the spring. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 4 (14.05.2015): Tbilisi – Mtskheta
14 May: Tamaroba – Memorial Day of Queen Tamara
"Lion, serving Queen Tamara, holds the sword and the shield. Revels in the nectar, the one who witnesses the sun." – for ages in his poem Shota Rustaveli sung about the one, who became the first queen of Georgia and in her gentle hands brought it a present power and prosperity. Georgian queen Tamara was from the ancient Georgian Bagration dynasty, and was the first woman in the history of Georgia, which came from 1184 (after the death of her father George III) to the throne and became the sole ruler. The reign of this outstanding woman is known to history as the Golden age of Georgia. Georgian church canonized Queen Tamar to the saints and made 14 May a Memorial Day of Queen Tamara.
Breakfast. Travel to Didube – one of the outlying districts of Tbilisi, where almost nothing is historical. Once upon a time there was a sort of village Didube in which George III built a temple of the Mother of God for the birth of her daughter (Queen Tamar). Later in this temple Tamara was married to David Soslan. Then, excursion in the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta – the town-museum, included to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. Visit of the ancient temple – monastery Jvari (VI c.). On the top of the mountain where the temple is placed, opens a fantastic view on the place of junction of two rivers – Kura and Aragvi. There also opens a beautiful view on the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta. Visit of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (1010-1029), at the bottom of which is buried one of the major Christian relics Lords chiton, one of the most important sacred artifacts of the New Testament that after the crucifixion of Christ was brought to Mtskheta by Elioz – one of the witnesses of his death on the cross, and it is also the burial place of many of the Georgian kings. Here is also the part of life-giving pillar. Visit of Samtavro monastery, where year round grow, flower and fruit blackberry bush, near of which in the IV century lived and preached St. Nino- enlightener, the first preacher of Christianity in Georgia. The official adoption of Christianity in Georgia in 324 is associated with the name of St. Nino, with the assistance and participation of the King St. Miriam and Queen St. Nana. It was St. Nino who persuaded the king Miriam and queen Nana to adopt Christianity in Georgia.Woderworking icon of Iberian Mother of God, woderworking icon of St. Nino, grave of St. Tsar Merian and Tsarina Nani, hallows of St. Abibos Nekresky, St. Shio Mhvimskoho are inside. Return to Tbilisi. Festive dinner. Overnight.
Day 5 (15.05.2015): Tbilisi – Ananuri fortress – Gudauri – Kazbegi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. In the morning, departure from Tbilisi in the direction of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi).On the way to it, we overlook the picturesqueAnanuri fortress (XVI c.), located above Aragvi river, and also the amazing beauty of Zhinvali reservoir. In passing the ski resort Gudauri(2200 m), the stunning trip along Tergi river, through Cross Pass (2400 m), will bring us to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). Excursion in Kazbegi: church of the Most Holy Gergeti Triunity (2170 m above the sea level). When the weather is fair, the stunning view on the mountain Kazbeg(5147 m), one of the highest tops of Georgia, opens. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 6 (16.05.2015): Tbilisi – Gori – Upliscyche – Kutaisi
Breakfast. Arrival to Gori. Excursion in Uplistsikhe ( I millenium BC) – the ancient cave town, that was under the reconstruction stage for centuries and consists of more than 700 caves and buildings, including wine cellars, bakeries, antique theater, hall of receptions of Queen Tamara, preserved to this day.Visit of Stalin museum. Museum consists of three blocks – museum, house and railway carriage. Excursion to the ancient Goristsikhe fortress, placed on the hill in the city center. Excursion to the ancient Goristsikhe fortress, located in the city center. Drive to Kutaisi. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 7 (17.05.2015): Kutaisi – Tbilisi
Breakfast. Excursion in the ancient city Kutaisi, that is more than 3 thousand years old. Visit of Gelati monastery and academy, established by the great Georgian tsar David IV the Builder, that is included to UNESCO World Heritage Site List. Overlook of the Bagrati Cathedral and "monastery of accomplishment of desires" Metsameta. Excursion to the cave of Prometheus, where we recall the legend of Prometheus. According to the legend, Prometheus gave the fire to people, and because of that he was enchained to the rock. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 8 (18.05.2015): Tbilisi
Breakfast. Free time. Farewell with guests, transfer to the airport.
Prices for children accommodation in Tbilisi hotels.
Price includes:
- Accommodation in 3-4* hotels with breakfast: 6 nights in Tbilisi, 1 night in Kutaisi;
- H/B: 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners, including festive dinner;
- Excursion with guide according to the program;
- Transportation according to the program;
- Jeep-tour in Kazbegi;
- Entrance tickets;
- 1 free of charge (for tour leader);
