Georgia - PolHotRep

Georgia
CRADLE OF WINE
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Wine tour – 5 days,
Tbilisi + Kakheti
Ancient history..
People and hospitality..
Unique culture..
Dances and polyphonic songs..
Traditional feast “Suphra” and “Tamada”..
Georgian Cuisine..
Georgian Wine - part of UNESCO World Heritage..
Ancient churches and architecture..
Ongoing traditions..
Fascinating diverse Nature..
Georgian toasts..
Georgian Lifestyle..
WELCOME TO GEORGIA!
Georgia – Cradle of Wine
There has been wine in Georgia almost as long as there have been Georgians. Georgia
cannot be imagined without wine.
Georgia’s spirit is in the grape and her heart beats with a pride born from the awareness
that she is the oldest winemaking nation in the world. This belief is backed by archeological
findings, which include material evidence of 8,000-year-old grape stones inside many
antique clay vessels.
Georgia is the birthplace of wine according to a number of the world’s competent experts.
Even the unique Georgian alphabet is modeled after the shape of the vine’s curly offshoots.
Georgians have a special method of making wine in stone presses and than storing it in clay
vessels sunk in the ground. Even today many houses in the country have a wine cellar socalled “marani” with a wine press and underground clay vessels so-called “kvevri”.
2013 the “Kvevri” wine-making method, the most cherished cultural treasure
of Georgia, has been included in UNESCOs list celebrating the world's Intangible Cultural
Heritage (ICH). Georgians are very proud of that!
If you have been in Georgia, but never been as a guest on a Georgian feast
(supra), then start planning a trip! Supra - is the best way to learn the Georgian soul, its
generosity and wisdom. Join the toast-maker Tamada, enjoy the taste and aroma of wine
and food, and unleash yourself for some fun!
Kakheti is the most popular wine tour destination of Georgia. We offer places that have
special, outstanding features, that makes each place unique and valuable to visit!
September
30 PAX
Day 1
Arrival to Georgia, Mtskheta sightseeing
 Early Arrival in Tbilisi Airport, meeting with Polish/English speaking
guide. Guide will bring guests in the airport and provide necessary
travel information in the bus. Express check-in, rest.
 Option: Free time – will give guests more time to rest. We
recommend to visit famous Tbilisi Sulfur baths in Old Town. Visit
duration 1 hour. Max guests in one room 7-8 pax.
 13:00 -13:40 Transfer to Mukhrani village.
 13:40-15:40 Tour and wine degustation in “Chateau Mukhrani” with
premium 4 type wine degustation with sommelier.
 15:40 -16:00 Transfer to Mtskheta.
 16:00-18:00 Mtskheta sightseeing, visit to Jvari and Svetickhoveli
monasteries. After, guests will have about 30 min for visiting souvenir
stores.
 18:00-18:30 Transfer for dinner to Chardakhi Village.
 19:30 -22:00 Dinner in “Iago’s Winery”, unforgottable place for
every guest. We offer culinary master-classes in making Georgian
sweet churchkela , Khachapuri and khinkali.
 22:00 -22:30 Transfer back to Tbilisi.
Option: Vip Georgian meeting in the airport: Tamada in national
dress “chokha” will meet guests, say beautiful greeting toasts, offer
wine and Georgian snacks.
*** Schedule of the 1 day is done upon arriving time of LOT
Day 2
Tbilisi sightseeing
September
30 PAX
 09:00-10:00 Breakfast in the hotel.
 10:00-12:30 Tbilisi City tour with Polish/English Speaking guide,
including wine tasting in exclusive restaurant “Azarfesha”, our host
will be the owner of this famous restaurant.
 12:30-13:00 Cable car transfer to Mtatsminda Park, restaurant
Funicular for lunch.
 13:00-14:00 Tasty traditional lunch in the most famous Tbilisi
premium restaurant “Funicular”, 1 floor Georgian Tavern “Chela”.
 14:30-17:00 Transfer to Kakheti Region.
 17:30-18:30 Visit to Nafareuli village, “Twins cellars” - unique
Georgian wine museum.
 Exclusive application: “Your bottle wine”
- we offer you
nominative wine pouring, in front of the tourists will occur the
process of wine pouring from Qvevri into a bottle, then covering a
bottle with cork, it will have a cap and a label with the name of
guest on it.
Remark: To deliver above mentioned service we must be informed
about the name of a guest within 7 days prior.
 18:30 -18:40 Transfer to the hotel “Lopota Resort” ( 10 min
drive from Nafareuli)
 Check –in in the hotel, rest
 Dinner in the hotel “Lopota Resort “
 End of the program.
Day 3
Kakheti sightseeing
September
30 PAX
 09:00-10:00 Breakfast in the hotel.
 10:00-10:30 Transfer to Tsinandali villlage. (30 min drive )
 10:30-11:30 Visit to Aleksandre Chavchavadze family
museum in Tsinandali.
 11:30-12:30
Visit to “Shumi Winery”
(5 min from
Tsinandali), the winery is equipped with a high accuracy
laboratory and has a unique block for aging wine.
 Transfer to Kisiskhevi village. (5 min drive )
 13:00-16:00 Lunch in Shuchman winery “Vinotterra” in
Kisiskhevi village: participation in harvest, wine pressing in old
style wooden press “satsnakheli”, cellar and wine factory tour
with guide, wine degustation with sommelier during the lunch
on open terrace.
16:30-17:00 Visit to Alaverdi Monastery ( 30 min drive from
Kisiskhevi village)
17:30-18:00 Transfer to the hotel Lopota resort, rest ( 30 min
drive from Alaverdi)
 Dinner in the hotel “ Lopota Resort”.
 End of the program
Day 4
Kakheti sightseeing
September
30 PAX
 08:00-09:00 Breakfast in the hotel.
 09:00 -09:30 Transfer to Vachnadziani village.
 09:30-10:30 “Khareba” Winery property tour and wine
degustation in wine tunnel .
 10:30-11:10 Transfer to Sighnaghi. ( 40 min drive )
 11:30-13:00 Sighnaghi walking tour, including visiting
ancient wall-fortress and Sighnaghi museum.
 13:00–15:30 Visit to wine cellar “Pheasant Tears” in
Sighnaghi. Degustation of unique cellar organic wines with
some Georgian snacks.
 Option Culinary master-classes in “Pheasant Tears”, making
Kakhetian mtsvadi and baking Georgian bread “Shoti “.
 16:30-18:00 Transfer to the hotel Lopota resort, rest
 Dinner in the hotel “ Lopota Resort”
 End of the program
Day 5
Departure
September
30 PAX
 10:00-11:00 Breakfast in the hotel.
 12:00 Check-out from the hotel.
 12:00-14:00 Transfer to Tbilisi ( 2 hours drive from Lopota)
 14:00-15:00 Traditional georgian lunch in the restaurant
“Shadow of Metekhi”.
 Check-in in the hotel. Rest
 Option:
Visit to famous dry bridge
 Option: Wine tasting in “Vino Underground”, before
farewell dinner, only limited organic wines from Georgian
villages .
 20:00 -22:30 Farewell dinner in the restaurant “Faeton”,
Tbilisi, where guests can enjoy excellent Georgian cuisine and
fairy national dances and songs.
 22:30-23:00 Transfer from the restaurant to the hotel, rest
 03:00 Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
 05:50 Departure
 End of the program
The sulphur baths are intimately connected with Tbilisi.
It is said that the hot springs are why the city was built
here.
High in sulphurs and other minerals, with a constant
temperature of 38C to 40C, the waters have long been
used as a therapeutic aid for a range of ailments including
skin
conditions
and
arthritis.
Naturally fed public sulphur baths have been essential
part of life in Tbilisi for centuries.
Citizens would spend their leisure time relaxing here,
even giving formal dinner-parties in the baths.
Alexander Puskin was just one of many famous people to
have taken the waters, and he certainly enjoyed the
experience “I have never encountered anything more
luxurious
than
this
Tbilisi
bath
“
Located on Abano (bath) Street the underground public
bath houses in use today are characterized from the
outside by their rows of low cupola.
Mtskheta is one of oldest cities of Georgia (in Kartli province
of Eastern Georgia), near Tbilisi.
Mtskheta was a capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia
during the 3rd century BC - 5thcentury AD. Here Georgians
accepted Christianity in 317 and Mtskheta still remains the
headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic
Church.
Jvari Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery of the 6th
century near Mtskheta (World Heritage site), MtskhetaMtianeti region, eastern Georgia. The name is translated as
the Monastery of the Cross. For another, Jerusalem-located
Georgian monastery with the same name.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th century. Though
the site itself is even older dating back to the early 4th
century and is surrounded by a number of legends associated
primarily with the early Christian traditions. Svetitskhoveli,
known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the
principal Georgian church and remains one of the most
venerated places of worship to this day. The church is in
UNESCO world heritage sites.
Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage
Sites.
Chateau Mukhrani-In 1873, designed by French
architects, Ivane Mukhranbatoni began construction of
the castle that took 12 years to complete. The
surrounding gardens were designed by a Versailles
gardener. Both castle and grounds captured visitors’
attentions. The huge venue was a cultural centre for
the Georgian elite. Ivane Mukhranbatoni hosted many
guests including famous Georgian public figures
counting writers and poets such as Ilia Chavchavadze
and Akaki Tsereteli, along with the Russian Imperator
of the time.
Underground cellars comprised 20 compartments. The
main tunnel connected the winery and the castle. To
compliment the modern winery the chateau cellar was
restored to its original historical design. Today the
cellar stores 60,000 barrels of wine at a constant
fifteen degrees Celsius.
Iago is a winery owner and winemaker. He produces only
qvevri wines. Iago is passionate about producing quality
wines using qvevri. Iago's Wine is a small boutique winery
producing qvevri wines using grapes from Iago’s organic
vineyards. He also produces Chacha. Iago’s winery is a
pleasant, family winery to visit.
Currently he produces 2,500 bottles. Some of his qvevri
are 300 years old. Iago follows in the tradition of
generations of family winemakers. Iago became a
commercial winery in 2003.
Iago has two hectares of certified organic vineyards planted
with Chinuri. He was the first winery in Georgia to receive
a bio-certificate for the vineyard and winemaking.
Iago exports his wines to Italy, France, the United Kingdom
and the United States.
One of the oldest capitals in the world. City with a
unique and unforgettable combination of European and
Oriental charm.
Perhaps one of the most distinctive pleasures of walking
through the Old City, with its old-style balconies, ancient
churches, winding streets, and charming shops.
Be prepared to see a number of eclectic sights, from the
abandoned streetcar near Erekle Street to the art
galleries of Chardeni Street to the stunning modern art
lining Sioni Street. Sub-neighborhoods include Sololaki,
with its elegant restaurants and art nouveau
architecture, Old Tbilisi proper - with sites ranging from
churches to mosques to sulfur baths, Betlemi - housing
two of the city's oldest churches and the stunning vistas
of the Narikala Fortress, and Mtsatsminda, just up the
mountain from Rustaveli Avenues, a more sedate,
"livable" district filled with charming old houses and a
number of families
The open air art market near the Dry Bridge in Tbilisi is the
city’s unofficial art bazaar. Here you can find paintings,
sculpture, beautiful carvings, exquisite icons, pottery and
fabrics.
This extraordinary flea market will keep you entertained for
hours. There is a mesmerizing assortment of antiques,
jewelry and bric-a-brac on sale. In the tough days of
Perestroika and the early years of independence, the Dry
bridge is where hard-up citizens of Tbilisi would come to sell
their possessions in order to make a little cash. For some
people that is still the case today, though for others this is
their main business. Everything is laid out on the ground,
often carefully arranged on sheets of material, other times it
is a haphazard collection. One person might be trying to sell
you twenty-year-old batteries or an old toothbrush, while
their neighbor will be touting antique amber and silver
jewelry. If you want to buy anything remember to haggle.
Prices may be inflated, especially for tourists.
Open daily if the weather is good, from 10:00 - 17:00. At
weekends there are usually more sellers, but more tourists
too.
Wine Cellar in Tbilisi’s oldest district Sololaki.
Here you can taste only organic and bio wine,
made by private wine-makers in controlled
appellations of different regions of Georgia.
This wines are all in limited quantities.
You can taste and compare east and west
Georgia’s wine making traditions.
By degustation with wine you will be served with
bio/organic cheese, bread, ham and oil.
“Twines Wine Cellar” is located in the Village of Napareuli,
Telavi.
Wine making in the company is based on Kakhetian method
of wine production and follows family traditions of ancient
kakhetian wine making.
At the moment the cellar operates 107 qvevris, most of them
having 3.5 – 4.5 tones capacity.
The Company is committed to promote Qvevri wine and
strengthen the idea, that this type of wine is superior to other
types of wines as it is rich in aroma and tannins (that
decreases cholesterol level) and does not require chemical
preservatives to ensure wine long life and superior taste.
Visitors of the Cellar have an unique opportunity to see open
qvevris and watch exclusively process of wine fermentation
and wine-making during twelve months of the year.
Kakhetian Wine museum offers unique opportunity to see and
understand whole wine making process. It reflects all old
traditions and technologies of wine making process.
We recommend very much to visit this magic place and get in
close touch with authentic Kakhetian village.
Alexander Chavchavadze House Museum is a family palace
with a lovely garden in Tsinandali. He belonged to the famous
Georgian poet and public figure Alexander Chavchavadze,
father of Nino Chavchavadze , spouses of A. Griboyedov.
Aleksandre Chavchavadze devoted
developing Georgian culture. He
founder of Georgian romantic
translated European and Russian
Voltaire and Pushkin.
his life to promoting and
is considered to be the
Poetry. In addition, he
authors such as Aesop,
Chavchavadze was also the first Georgian noble to produce
and bottle Georgian wine according to European methods. His
vineyard is still cultivated to this day.
Visitors can see a bottle of Saperavi wine from 1839, the first
harvest at Tsinandali. There are also 16,500 bottles of other
sorts of wines.
Since 1 August 1947, the Aleksandre Chavchavadze HouseMuseum at Tsinandali has welcomed visitors interested in his
family and palace.
Wine Companay “SHUMI” is one of the leaders among
producers of high quality Georgian wines.
2005 Shumi introduced first time in Georgia a method of
“green harevsting” i.e. increasing the quality of grapes
trough artificial reduction of productivity of it’s vineyards.
The company founded a wine and vine museum “Vazioni”,
also the first in Georgia. “Shumi” experts have collected
more than 294 unique, Georgian indigenous kinds of
grapes there.
Efforts to find a rare kind of grape are kept on.
Shumi owns vineyards in unique micro-zones, famous for
their geographical locations, climate conditions and
history of wine-making and viticulture.
The winery is equipped with a high accuracy laboratory
and has a unique block for aging wine.
Bernhard Schuchmann is passionate wine-maker who is
in love with Georgia, it’s wine making traditions and
people. All his love he put into his wines and winery in
Kisiskhevi.
The Schuchmann Wines Château in Kisiskhevi is part of a
larger complex of buildings, nestled within a dreamlike
environment with a view of the mostly snow-covered
Caucasus mountains.
Hotel chef is looking forward to treating you to culinary
delights from the local region in their new restaurant.
In Kakhetian wine cellar you will find the perfect wine to
accompany your meal and you are welcome to try
Schuchmann’s wines in a private wine-tasting session.
History of Alaverdi Monastery takes start from the 6th century.
It is located at the foot of the greatest Caucasus Mountain, on
the west bank of Alazani River in Kakheti. The valleys are well
known by its fertility.
Archeologists discovered remains of the VII century old cellar in
the Alaverdi Monastery yard. The cellar contained different sized
Kvevris. In the XI-th century the King Kvirike the Great built an
outstanding cellar compatible to the royal monastery together
with the St. George Cathedral.
Since 2006 archeological studies of this ancient cellar has taken
place, which revealed up to 50 qvevris with 60 tons of wine
capacity. Sophisticated shapes of qvevris are distinguished with
its unique method of placement in the ground.
Making wine in qvevri is the oldest Georgian tradition. For
centuries it has been passed through generations. By keeping
historical tradition and technology, the Kakhetian wine producing
in qvevri was restored and revived within the Alaverdi
Monastery.
This wine embraces the climate, air and earthen flavor of this
place that gives our wine a special aroma, velvety taste, high
anti-oxidant and other healing properties.
“Gvirabi” (tunnel) of Khareba Winery is a very interesting
place with a unique wine cellar-tunnel dug in one of the
mountains of Caucasus.
His length is approx. 7 km and there are 13 different
intersecting tunnels stretching for miles.
During World War II tunnel served as a repository of
weapons.
Now the tunnel serves as a warehouse of Kakhetian wines
of winery "Khareba.“
This property offers a wide variety of wine tourism
leisure: win degustation, culinary master-classes and
other.
Winery “Khareba” is known as one of the best Georgian
wine producing companies.
Due to its special and unique architecture and natural
location Sighnaghi is one of the most beautiful towns in
Georgia.
It was built 790 meters above the sea level on one of the
slopes of Tsiv-Gombori Range in the middle of Kiziki called
the land of no master.
It overlooks the most beautiful landscape of Alazani Valley
and Caucasus Mountains.
It takes about 1,5 hour drive from Lopota resort to
Sighnaghi.
We offer walking tour trough the whole town, visiting most
famous site. Tour duration 2 hours
*** Upon request, tour can include visit of Sighnaghi
ethnographical museum with unique collection of Niko
Pirosmani.
Natural Wine, is wine made with nothing added, nothing taken
away, it is wine, were the terroir, of the vineyard shines through
due to as little intervention as possible, in the vineyard and cellar.
These wines often include bio-dynamic, organic wines, and
sustainable wine, but growers of natural wine are less focused, on
certification, and more on a living philosophy of farming the land
and raising wine with integrity, and doing it naturally.
These wines have more of nature and less of man in them. The
qvevri method embodies the spirit of the natural wine movement,
coveting the earth’s energy and temperature, in a time-tested
method.
“Pheasant’s Tears” bottles a wide range of different Georgian
varieties, they have vineyards in Kartli, and multiple regions of
Kakheti, they source grapes from natural growers in Imerti as well
so you can taste the following varietals: Chinuri, Mtsvane, Kisi,
Tsolikauri, Rkatsiteli, Shavkapito, Tavkveri, Saperavi, and our
brandy, Georgian chacha.
Visit “Phesant Tears” in Sighnaghi, little beautiful ancient town on
Alazani Valley and touch ancient mystery and history of kakhetian
traditional wine making in hospitable “Pheasant Tears”.
Comfortable Bus Travego for 45 PAX
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Radisson Blu Iveria offers guests a unique location in the center of Tbilisi and just a stroll from the
metro.
The hotel rising above the picturesque Mtkvari River and old and new Tbilisi.
249 spacious rooms and suites, including 62 connecting rooms and 10 rooms equipped for disabled
guests.
9 meeting rooms and the ballroom - divides into three smaller spaces.
The hotel is offering to taste innovative Italian cuisine at restaurant Filini. Oxygen bar at 18 floor and
Surface Bar are serving varied international and traditional Georgian dishes. Iveria Terrace with an
stunning overview on the old city, stylish outdoor spot is open for lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or snacks.
Spa center covering over 1,600 square mettres on the hotel's top two floors. This stunning Tbilisi spa
offers nine private treatment rooms; thermal suites; Klafs© solariums; a relaxation area; fitness centre;
infinity lounge pool.
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This resort hotel is located on the private lakeside, 26 km from Telavi town, Kakhetia region. It offers
tennis courts, golf place, outdoor swimming pools and air-conditioned rooms with a fridge.
All spacious rooms at Lopota 4 Hotel blocks come with beige décor and a furnished terrace
overlooking the mountains and Lopota lake. Bathrooms are fitted with towels, bathrobe, sleepers and
other necessary accessories.
Georgian dishes cooked from local organic products are served in 2 Lopota’s restaurants.
Local wines can be enjoyed in a wine tasting terraceand old style cellar, while looking at the lake and
mountains. Guests of Lopota can take a wide range of active sports facilities is offered on site,
including horse riding, football and quad bike tours.
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Azarphesha, is a natural wine restaurant, serving
creative Georgian food, with a focus on seasonal and
local ingredients.
Wine friendly menu draws inspiration from the countries,
Georgia traditionally had relationships with Byzantium
and Persia, while retaining a rich array of indigenous
Georgian traditions.
Name “Azapesha” is derived from a silver ladle used by
the nobles for drinking wine.
Host and owner Luarsab Togonidze (see picture with
Azarpesha in his hands) speaks perfect English, sings
wonderful polyphonic Georgian songs with his friends
and family and says beautiful toasts.
Our guests will have a very nice evening in a cozy old
Tbilisi style atmosphere, with hospitable young staff.
High above Tbilisi you’ll find the city’s most stylish centre for
fine food and drink: the Funicular Restaurant Complex.
Located in a much loved and carefully restored historic city
landmark, the Complex enjoys stunning views across the city.
Equally dazzling is the range of five separate wining and dining
options on offer.
Lounge Bar offers sophisticated cocktails in perhaps Tbilisi’s
most sophisticated setting, with frescoes inside and an amazing
view from the terrace.
For the day lunch we offer 1 floor, traditional folk tavern “Chela”
(see pictures below).
Our guests will see how to prepare famous Adjarian khachapuri
(see in the picture), and enjoy it afterwards with famous home
made “Laghidze” lemonade in different sorts: chocolate,
tarragon, cream, lime and peer.
As dessert we offer famous Funicular sweet ponchiks with
vanilla cream inside!
Excellent Georgian premium restaurant with Georgian
and international kitchen.
Open terrace offers wonderful views on old city.
In restaurant is a great show program with Georgian
and popular songs and brilliant national dances.
.
Restaurant "Faeton" is a popular place for as residents of Tbilisi
and visiting guests thanks to the excellent national cuisine and a
wonderful courtyard.
Country Idyll, stylized in the yard of this colorful restaurant
creates a wonderful atmosphere and allows guests to relax after
working days.
The restaurant is located on the outskirts of Tbilisi, on the banks
of the Kura River.
Bright national and popular music program perfectly complement
the evening in restaurant "Faeton“.
950 EUR Per
PAX
Program with accommodation per Pax in Twin/Dbl
occupancy. Single occupancy supplement 210 EUR
Hotel Radisson 5*
2 nights at fabulous Radisson Tbilisi with BB
Lopota Resort 4*
Lopota Resort 3 nights with HB
PROGRAM
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
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Transportation by comfortable bus Travego VIP for 45 PAX according to itinerary
Wine degustation according to itinerary
All lunches and dinners
Guide service for whole tour
Mineral water in the bus
Entrance fee to all sightseeing destinations
Hotel Accommodation
Insurance
 Flight tickets
 Option services
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Grata LLC
Sairme st 40 Tbilisi 0160 Georgia
Email info@grata.ge
Tel +995574040000
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