Car rental in Tbilisi

      Cultural Tours in Georgia                                

Arrival in Tbilisi
Your vacation begins. Tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to the former capital of western part of Georgia - Kutaisi.
Overnight in Kutaisi hotel.

Kutaisi
Today you will have the chance to discover the old capital of Georgia and the legendary town of Colchis. Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis. Archeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of the kingdom of Colchis as early as the second millennium BC. In 975-1122 Kutaisi was the capital of the united Kingdom of Georgia, and in the 15th century-the capital of the Imeretian Kingdom.
At first visit the UNESCO Heritage site - Bagrati Cathedral (11thc.)- marvelous example of the domed-church architecture of the high Medieval period. Ruins of ancient cathedral proudly look down Kutaisi city from Ukimerioni Hill. Bagrati Cathedral is hard to miss from the city center. Unfortunately cathedral was partly destroyed by the by the Turks in 1691, but it ruins remain as the reminder of the great past.
Overnight in Kutaisi guesthouse.

Vani
Depart from Kutaisi to an ancient temple city, Vani (6th-1st cc. B.C.). in the Colchis Lowlands located on the western bank of the Sulori River. It is best known for the extensive archaeological excavations that have taken place there during the past 100 years. Colchian pottery, exquisite golden jewelry unique to Colchis, imported Greek luxury items, graceful bronze sculptures and a vast array of funerary pieces. Today, archaeological excavations continue with the hope of understanding more of Georgian history and the influences of Ancient Greek colonization of the Black Sea area.. On the way back to Kutaisi we will see the summer resident of Georgian kings-Geguti ruins. It was the favorite place of prominent kings of Georgia David the Builder; George III; Queen Tamar. 3 p.m. Lunch time.
After lunch we depart to the Gelati Monastery-a cultural and enlightening center in old Georgia. It was built in the 12th Century by King David the Builder who also founded the adjacent Gelati Academy, an important school of philosophy, where you can still see the stone benches of the students and the Master's seat. King David consolidated Eastern and Western Georgia and his grave is here at the entry gate. Due to the extensive work carried out by Gelati academy it is used to call second “Athens’’. Enchanting beauty of Gelati monastery attracts a lot of visitors. Thousands of people visit it annually. In the afternoon drive to the Motsameta monastery (8th-11th cc.). Georgian word “Motsameta” means in English “Place of Believers”. Here you will have the chance your dreams come true since there is the small tunnel inside the monastery, and while crossing it you can make a wish.
Overnight in Kutaisi.

Sataplia
Depart from Kutaisi to Sataplia, which is a small cave, famous for fine speleothems and the dinosaur footprints nearby. The tour enters the through-cave on one hillside, crosses the hill underground and then goes back on the surface past the dinosaur footprints. The 300m long, 10m high and 12m wide cave abounds in stalactites and stalagmites The cave is named after Mt. Sataplia (494m), an extinct volcano, which is now a Nature Preserve. The settlement of the primitive man, together with the footprints of a dinosaur, was discovered there. The preserve was intended to protect the five karst caves of the area and the dinosaur footprints as well. At the moment there are 200 footprints known, found in two different layers of the Cretaceous lime stones. Then leave for Balneological resort of Western Georgia – Tskaltubo. If there is some real and fantastic spring of immortality- then it is in Tskaltubo, coming from the heart of the earth, so you will have the unique chance to get one hour procedure at springs of warm mildly radioactive mineral water in Stalin's private pool. 4 p.m. After lunch depart to the former capital of Georgia - Mtskheta. En route to Mtskheta visit UNESCO Heritage Center – Samtavisi Cathedral (11th c.). Arrive in Mtskheta at night.
Overnight in Mtskheta guesthouse.

Visit historic Jvari Monastery (6th c.) It is outstanding example of medieval religious architecture in the Caucasus and night Mtskheta city tour as well. Mtskheta was a capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC - 5th century AD. Here Georgians accepted Christianity in 317. Mtskheta still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.
Then depart to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th c.) -known as the "the Living Pillar Cathedral." Both Cathedrals show the high artistic and cultural level attained by this ancient kingdom. Explore Samtavro monastery - The former residence of the lords of Mtskheta. Explore Mtskheta town. Free time.
Overnight in Tbilisi.

Leave for Tbilisi - modern capital city of Georgia. Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Kartli (Iberia). It was made into a capital in the 6th century. Nowadays Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social, and cultural center of Georgia.
That’s the last day of the tour - truly a must see place of the country. Tour starts from one of the highest points of Tbilisi-Mamadaviti church surroundings. Here is the fascinating panorama of whole Tbilisi city. In the 6th century David Garejeli, one of the Assyrian Fathers dug out a cell on a mountain side now called Mt. Mamadaviti and founded a Christian place of worship. During the centuries that followed, couple of churches was built here. The present one is built in 1871.
Leave for Narikala fortress the city’s main citadel, which dates from the 4th century AD. Have a look again at Tbilisi view but from different angle. Tour continues with exploring Metekhi church (13th c.) which is a central domed building with four free-standing pillars, and three protruding apses. These architectural features make its plan very unusual for the day.
After lunch you will see Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary which is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, Georgia. It dates from the sixth century and has largely preserved its original architecture. Then have a look at Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition is a Georgian Orthodox Cathedral in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Located in the old part of the city, current church is based on a 13th-century version with some changes from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
The next stop will be the Sameba (Holy Trinity) church. Its construction began in late 90c. and in the beginning of early millennium. Sameba is the tallest religious building in Georgia (85meters in height).
After getting unforgettable impressions during a day, getting thermal water procedure in Sulfur Baths is going to be very relaxing part of the tour. Sulfur Baths are located in the old part of Tbilisi. Since Georgia is famous for its hospitality and delicious cuisine, after exploring three significant capitals of Georgia we leave for the local restaurant to taste exotic and unique food of Georgia and have fun all day long accompanied by Georgian songs and national dances.
Transfer to the Airport of Tbilisi for departure.