Right now I wish to deliver you my 6-day Georgia and Armenia itinerary. These underrated nations within the Caucasus sit on the border of Europe and Asia. They’re price a particular journey for his or her beautiful surroundings, wealthy historical past, deep-rooted winemaking traditions, and cultural highlights. I’m right here now and I can’t wait to indicate you round. Learn on for my information. There’s a map, too.
Georgia and Armenia Itinerary
Georgia and Armenia aren’t on most vacationers’ radar screens. They need to be, although. Together with Azerbaijan, they’re nestled between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and there’s lots to like about them.
Whether or not you’re considering studying in regards to the historical past of wine, seeing early Christian monasteries, taking in beautiful mountain surroundings, or exploring cities stuffed with heritage, you’ll discover lots to get enthusiastic about when you’re visiting the Caucasus.
I’ve needed to come back right here since I studied in regards to the nations in my college days and college years, and now that I’m within the area I’m excited to share what I uncover.
The place to Keep in Georgia and Armenia
My different half and I are spending 4 days in Georgia and a pair of in Armenia, and we’re basing ourselves of their respective capitals of Tbilisi and Yerevan whereas we go to the area. We’ve discovered nice lodges in each cities, and we’re excited for our stays.
In Tbilisi we’ve been supplied a complimentary keep on the ROOMS lodge. This hip quantity is centrally situated, and it has trendy visitor lodging with balconies.
On the bottom flooring there’s a cool bar and restaurant, to not point out a scrumptious breakfast every morning. If that appeals, you’ll be able to guide a room right here.
In Yerevan we’re staying on the Apricot Resort. This boutique quantity is in an awesome location within the coronary heart of town.
The expansive visitor rooms have heritage particulars, and the lodge gives Armenian hospitality at high-level requirements.
Better of all, the attractive prime flooring restaurant has sweeping views of town. It’s the right place to bask in a leisurely breakfast every morning. If that appeals, you’ll be able to guide a room right here.
6-Day Georgia and Armenia Itinerary
My different half and I arrive in Tbilisi early on a Sunday morning. After touchdown on the airport at 4:45am, we take a taxi into town and drop our baggage on the ROOMS lodge. We’re drained, however we’re excited to begin exploring.
Day 1: Tbilisi & Mtskheta
We begin our journey with breakfast and low. We head straight to a spot referred to as Day by day Grind Espresso & Extra, which is known for each.
This cool cafe is simply off Liberty Sq. within the coronary heart of Tbilisi, and we get pleasure from espresso drinks and scrumptious pastries as town wakes up round us.
Sightseeing in Tbilisi
After breakfast we embark on a giant day of sightseeing in Tbilisi. We stroll by way of Liberty Sq. with its column topped by a statue of Saint George. We then take a look at the outdated metropolis partitions earlier than heading up the well-known Shota Rustaveli Avenue.
There we cross landmarks just like the Georgian Nationwide Museum, Viceroy Palace, the Georgian Museum of High quality Arts, parliament, the Nationwide Gallery, and the Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi as we make our approach north.
Quickly we head again all the way down to discover Ioane Shavteli Avenue. This slender pedestrianized stretch has the whole lot from a patchwork clock tower to the Sixth-century Anchiskhati Basilica and many retailers and eating places.
After checking them out, we take a brief stroll to the Kura River, the place we cross the well-known Bridge of Peace. This steel-and-glass pedestrian quantity is among the modern highlights of Tbilisi.
On the opposite facet of the river, we wander by way of the Rike Park. We admire the views of the Mom of Georgia statue and the Narikala Fortress earlier than crossing the Metekhi Bridge to discover the outdated city and Meidan Bazaar.
The market is a tunnel-like house underground, and it’s stuffed with enjoyable finds. After strolling by way of it, we take a look at extra of the realm, see the sulfur bathhouse with its domed rooftops, and settle in on the higher flooring of a restaurant referred to as Terrace #21.
There we get our first style of well-known Georgian meals like khachapuri (boat-shaped cheese bread) and khinkali (dumplings).
Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta & Chronicles of Georgia
After lunch we head off on a half-day tour to the Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta, and the Chronicles of Georgia. It begins as our information picks us up at our lodge and takes us on a brief drive to the realm they’re in.
The clifftop Orthodox monastery dates again to the Sixth century. It has wealthy historic particulars and superb views of town of Mtskheta and the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers under.
After touring the monastery we drive Mtskheta. It’s not solely one of many oldest cities in Georgia, but additionally one of many oldest repeatedly inhabited cities on the earth. It’s the birthplace of Christianity in Georgia, too.
We’re right here to see the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, an Eleventh-century Orthodox church that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Website. We tour the historic inside as our information tells us in regards to the historical past of the cathedral and factors out the 4th-century baptismal font.
The final cease on our tour is the Chronicles of Georgia. This unfinished monument atop Keeni Hill is comprised of 16 tall pillars with metallic sculptural reliefs.
It was began in 1985 by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli. He created it to commemorate the three,000-year anniversary of Georgian statehood and the two,000-year anniversary of Christianity in Georgia.
Night in Tbilisi
After the tour we verify into our lodge room and head to a spot referred to as Fabrika for drinks. This former manufacturing unit has been remodeled right into a multi-functional cultural middle full of cafes, bars, artist studios, retailers, and extra. There’s even a hostel.
We get drinks from one of many bars and settle in at an outside desk within the large inside courtyard. There are folks all over the place, and it’s a enjoyable place for a pre-dinner cocktail.
Afterwards we stroll to dinner at Shavi Lomi. This cool restaurant is tucked away in a former home on a residential road. Inside we discover a collection of rooms with cool decor.
We’re seated within the largest of them and we tuck right into a dinner of conventional Georgian meals and wine. It’s an effective way to finish the primary day of our journey.
Day 2: Tbilisi & Wine Tour
The following morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we get up early to do a bit extra sightseeing earlier than heading off on a giant wine tour.
Tbilisi Funicular
Our first cease is the Tbilisi Funicular. We’ve heard there are superb views from Mtatsminda Park on the prime, and we’re not disillusioned.
We will see the entire metropolis from right here, together with landmarks just like the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. It’s the most important practical church in Georgia and the third largest Orthodox cathedral on the earth.
Wine Tour
At 10:45 we’re picked up by our information from Eat This! Excursions, an area firm with an awesome status that’s supplied us a complimentary tour. He whisks us and two others off on a day-long journey from Tbilisi.
Eat This! Excursions gives a variety of 1-day and multi-day excursions, and we’re occurring the primary leg of their 2-day Kakheti Meals & Wine Tour. You may see it and extra on their web site. Use the code lady5 for a 5% low cost.
The tour begins with an hour’s drive to the primary vineyard of the day. We take a tour of the fashionable facility, studying in regards to the 8,000-year-old winemaking custom in Georgia. We additionally get to see how they make wine in giant clay vessels referred to as qvevri.
After the tour we get pleasure from a scrumptious multi-course lunch and wine pairing within the tasting room. It’s an effective way to strive Georgian specialties and see how the native wines style with them. Our favourite is a pink wine constituted of the saperavi grape.
From the vineyard we drive to the mountain village of Sighnaghi. This historic place is stuffed with cobbled streets and retailers.
It’s additionally dwelling to metropolis partitions that make up the longest fortification in Europe. We stroll alongside them, taking within the views over the Alazani Valley and Causasus Mountains.
Afterwards we head to an area family-run vineyard within the village. We’re right here for a brief tour and tasting. We see the qvevri buried within the floor, then settle in at a desk by a fire and sip a variety of Georgian wines.
From Sighnaghi our wine tour continues with a visit to a winery. We’re not right here in the course of the harvest, however there are a number of grapes clinging to the vines.
We do a fast choose, then drive to an area household’s dwelling to tread the grapes with our ft in a giant wood trough. I’ve all the time needed to do that, and it’s as enjoyable as I imagined.
After the crush, we head all the way down to the cellar to find out about our host’s wine. He explains his course of, offers us a style, then leads us up into the eating room for a conventional Georgian supra (feast).
He’s the tamada, or toastmaster, and as we get pleasure from our meals we be taught in regards to the significance of giving toasts in Georgian tradition.
The dinner is as scrumptious because the toasts are entertaining, and afterwards we drive again to Tbilisi for a superb night time’s sleep.
Day 3: Rainbow Mountains, Natlismtsemeli Monastery & David Gareji
The following morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we embark on a day journey to the Rainbow Mountains, the Natlismtsemeli Monastery, and the Davit Gareja monastery (and some different locations alongside the way in which).
Rainbow Mountains
After assembly our tour group within the metropolis middle, we make a fast breakfast cease at a scrumptious pastry stand within the neighboring metropolis of Rustavi.
From there our tour will get underway with an off-road drive previous flocks of sheep and into the countryside. Quickly we pull as much as the Mravaltskaro Reservoir, a lovely lake surrounded by mountains, and begin on a hike.
The two.5-mile (4-kilometer) route takes us up above the water and to the Rainbow Mountains. These distinctive hills are striped with pure colours, and so they’re lovely to see up shut.
After the hike we proceed our tour with a drive to the Natlismtsemeli Monastery. Devoted to Saint John the Baptist, this Sixth-century cave monastery is steeped in historical past. The views from the highest of the tower exterior are breathtaking, too.
From there we proceed our day journey with a drive to the David Gareji monastery advanced on the slopes of Mount Gareja. This historical Georgian Orthodox web site additionally has a cave monastery, and it’s fascinating to absorb the historical past right here.
After visiting the monasteries we head to an area restaurant within the village of Udabno for lunch. Afterwards we cease for a fast vineyard tour and tasting at an area household’s dwelling.
Night in Tbilisi
Again in Tbilisi, we head to dinner at a restaurant referred to as Barbarestan. It’s distinctive in that it serves conventional Georgian delicacies from recipes present in a historic cookbook.
The environment is cozy, the service attentive, and the meals (and Georgian wine) scrumptious. It’s an effective way to finish our day, and we will’t assist recommending it to everybody else we meet on our journey.
Day 4: Kazbegi
The following morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we set off on a day journey to Kazbegi. We’ve been supplied a complimentary tour with Gamarjoba Georgia Excursions, an organization that runs excursions all through Georgia.
Kazbegi
After assembly on the firm’s workplace in Tbilisi, we board a mini-bus and head off to the Zhinvali Reservoir. This lake is situated on the Aragvi River, and there are lovely views of it from the place we cease. There are additionally plenty of memento stands the place we browse for presents.
From the reservoir our tour continues with a cease on the Ananuri Fortress Complicated. Courting again to the seventeenth century, it overlooks the Zhinvali Reservoir. It’s a traditional instance of conventional Georgian structure.
We discover the historic church, then climb to the highest of the tower for views over the lake. They’re breathtaking.
After a fast cease for lunch at an area restaurant, we drive deep into the Caucasus Mountains. The surroundings is beautiful, and we will’t take our eyes off the views.
Ultimately we attain Stepantsminda (additionally referred to as Kazbegi), a city close to Mount Kazbek. There we board vans that drive us up a winding hill to get to the Gergeti Trinity Church. This sacred place was constructed within the 14th century, and it’s the highest-elevation church in Georgia.
After touring the church and seeing the historic interiors, we cease on the ROOMS Resort Kazbegi for warm chocolate. This modern lodge has beautiful views of the mountains, and it’s the right place to sip cocoa with a view.
Leaving the lodge, we begin our drive again to Tbilisi. On the way in which we make a last cease on the Panorama Gudauri, a Georgian-Russian friendship monument from the Soviet period. There are beautiful views from it.
We choose up some khachapuri at one of many meals stalls subsequent to it, then settle in for the lengthy drive again to the capital.
Late Dinner in Tbilisi
We arrive again on the ROOMS lodge in Tbilisi round 9pm and settle in for a lightweight dinner on the bar. It’s buzzing with a hip crowd, and we absorb the scene as we get pleasure from cocktails and lightweight bites after a giant day of sightseeing.
Day 5: Armenia
The following morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we set off to spend the following 2 days in Armenia. We’ve booked a personal tour, and we’re excited to see what Armenia has in retailer for us.
Armenia
We take a look at of our lodge at 8am and depart Tbilisi earlier than visitors hits. We attain the border crossing in an hour, and it’s a fast course of to get our passports checked and stamped.
Armenia Tour
Again on the street, we make our first cease on the Haghpat Monastery. This UNESCO World Heritage Website within the city of Alaverdi was constructed between the tenth and thirteenth centuries.
Our information takes us on a tour, explaining the whole lot from the historical past to the structure as we stand in awe of it.
From there we proceed our tour with a fast lunch cease at a giant roadside meals courtroom and a visit to Lake Sevan. It’s not solely the most important physique of water within the Caucasus, but additionally one of many largest freshwater alpine lakes in Eurasia.
Whereas right here we take within the views and pop into the Sevanavank Monastery, which is located on what was an island within the lake.
The following cease on our tour is the Monastery of Geghard. It’s situated on the entrance to the Azat Valley close to Yerevan.
A UNESCO World Heritage Website, the monastery was based within the 4th century. It was an necessary ecclesiastical and cultural middle in medieval Armenia, and it’s distinctive in that it was partially carved out of the mountain it sits on.
We head into the caves to see the historic web site, awed by the historical past, the columns, and the carvings inside.
From there we make a brief drive to the Garni Temple. It’s a reconstruction of a classical constructing within the village of Garni that dates again to the first century.
The very best-known construction from pre-Christian Armenia, it’s considered a pagan temple constructed by King Tiridates I as a tribute to the solar god Mihr (Mithra). No matter it’s, it’s beautiful to see with the solar setting behind it.
Night in Yerevan
After admiring the temple, we head into Yerevan. Our driver drops us off on the Apricot Resort, the place we verify into our room and prepare for an evening out.
Our first cease is a cool cocktail bar referred to as Simona. We order their wonderful signature drinks and chat with the bartender. He tells us about the whole lot from Armenian brandy to his favourite locations in Yerevan.
Afterwards we stroll to dinner at Renommee. This fantastic eating restaurant in Yerevan is understood for its tasting menus, theatrical presentation, and nice wines.
We settle in for a night of culinary delight as our server takes us on a journey by way of fashionable Armenian delicacies. From eggplant to trout and a scrumptious apricot dessert, it’s our favourite meal of the journey.
Day 6: Armenia
The following morning our Georgia and Armenia itinerary continues as we take a look at of our lodge after breakfast and head off for an additional day of sightseeing in Armenia.
Yerevan Tour
We begin in Yerevan. Our information takes us to cultural highlights just like the Cascade Complicated and Cafesjian Heart for the Arts earlier than driving us to a brandy tasting at an area manufacturing unit.
We tour the manufacturing unit, the spotlight of which is a visit underground. We stroll by way of rows of monumental barrels and into centuries-old caves, all whereas studying that the wall subsequent to us dates again to the Sixth century. We additionally get to style fortified wine from 1944.
Leaving the manufacturing unit, we proceed our tour with a cease on the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial advanced. It’s is devoted to the reminiscence of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished within the genocide within the early the twentieth century. It’s a transferring tribute.
After touring the museum and visiting the memorial exterior, we drive to our final cease in Yerevan: the Victory Park. This place has the whole lot from outdated army airplanes to a monumental statue of Mom Armenia and views over town.
Dilijan
After waving goodbye to Yerevan, we hop within the automotive to begin the drive again to Tbilisi. We make a lunch cease on the identical place we went to the day earlier than, then pop into the historic resort village of Dilijan.
It’s located within the coronary heart of Dilijan Nationwide Park, and it’s identified for its historic buildings, charming environment, and small handicraft retailers.
We stroll round with our information, taking within the environment and seeing the Greek-style amphitheater on the town.
From there we drive again to Georgia. We arrive in time for a late dinner at an off-the-cuff restaurant referred to as Mussels Place. We just like the cool inside, and we love that the menu options a variety of seafood. It’s an awesome restaurant for the final meal of our journey.
Georgia and Armenia Itinerary
The following morning we’re up eye-wateringly early for our journey again to London. We’re touring by way of Austria, the place we’re stopping to spend a day in Vienna. However that’s the topic of one other weblog put up.
I hope you’ve loved this 6-day Georgia and Armenia itinerary and that it’s given you good concepts for issues to do within the Caucasus. There’s lots to like about this underrated area, and it’s ripe for exploring.
Georgia and Armenia Map
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all of the spots we visited on our journey to Georgia and Armenia. You may see it right here. I hope it helps you comply with in our footsteps and have a enjoyable time within the Caucasus.
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