Georgia CRADLE OF WINE 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 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. 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. 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 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 Grata LLC Sairme st 40 Tbilisi 0160 Georgia Email info@grata.ge Tel +995574040000
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