HARVEST TOUR ITINERARY / HIGHLIGHTS
October is “Gvinobistve” – the month of wine
9.24.15 - 10.5.15
9.24 TBILISI - Georgia’s cosmopolitan capital since the 6th century
overnight: Old Tbilisi
After greeted arrival, guests can rest at the hotel or join in a walking tour. We begin in Old Tbilisi, with its ornate balconies and twisty streets, where, within a few remarkable blocks, you’ll find an Ortho
dox Georgian cathedral, an Armenian church, two synogogues, a mosque and a Zorastrian temple. Experience the ancient sulphur baths before a welcome supra (dinner party) in a private home to enjoy Georgian hospitality, with a tamada (host), music and dancing.
9.25 MTSKHETA-MTIANETI - The ancient capital and spiritual heart of Georgia
overnight: Old Tbilisi
We explore greater Tbilisi by walking tour, including Mtatsminda park, Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue. Then we’ll visit Mtskheta, royal capital of the ancient kingdom of Iberia. A UNESCO World Heritage site and among Georgia’s most sacred places, the world’s second Christian church was established here in 337. Lunch will be at Salobie, famous for its lobio (Georgian style bean soup). Dinner - Armazis Tskharo in Mtskheta, an outdoor restaurant featuring live music.
9.26 SIGHNAGHI – KAKHETI REGION - The Jerusalem of wine
Overnight: Sighnaghi
Our arrival in Sighnaghi brings us to eastern Georgia and Kakheti, the country’s largest and most famous wine region. We spend the day tasting and learning about Georgia’s deep, intertwined history of wine culture and qvevri, clay vessels used for centuries to store and ferment grapes. Lunch - Pheasant’s Tears, the celebrated winery of American artist John Wurdeman. Dinner will include a tour of one of the world’s longest wine tunnels, carved in the rock of the Caucasus Mountains.
9.27 KVARELI + TELAVI - Join in the wine harvest! Overnight: Sighnaghi
We are in the heart of the wine country for Rtveli (wine harvest), when Georgian families gather to participate in the harvest. We’ll get a crash course in winemaking, family village-style. We’ll help with picking grapes, wine- and churchkhela- making, and set the table in traditional style. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn about Kakhetian humor, folk culture and Georgian farm life. Dinner will be held in a vineyard overlooking the spectacular Alazani valley.
9.28 ALAVERDI - Highlight of the harvest festival
Overnight: Tbilisi
We are in the thick of the gathering for Alaverdoba, Georgia’s 3-week harvest festival culminating with the feast day of St. Joseph of Alaverdi, patron saint of the monastery where we’ll be tasting wines. Lunch and dinner will be at the festival. We will also experience the uniquely Georgian practice of taking the waters near Bodbe monastery. Ritual holds that entering the sacred cave and drinking from (or dipping into) its cold holy waters will lead to a long and healthy life.
9.29 KAZBEGI
Overnight: Tbilisi
Entering northern Georgia, we drive along the winding road -- with jaw-dropping views -- to Kazbegi. More than just beautiful, Mt. Kazbeg is associated with sacred relics of the Bible and in Georgian folklore with the legend of Amirani, Georgia’s Prometheus. For lunch, learn how to master the trick of making khinkali (meat dumplings) and challenge each other in the Georgian tradition to see how many you can eat in one sitting! Dinner will be at a family restaurant as we make our way back to Tbilisi.
9.30 GORI and BORJOMI
Overnight: Borjomi
We head to Gori, home of Georgia’s most infamous famous son, Josef Dzugashvili (Joseph Stalin), and the Stalin museum that serves to underline the region’s complicated relationship to its past. The rest of the day will be in the Borjomi region, which includes Likani, once the summer residence of the Russian royal family. Like the Romanov’s, we’ll take the waters and relax in a spa setting. Lunch will be at a local family winery. Dinner in Borjomi.
10.1 VARDZIA
Overnight: Borjomi
Vardzia is a haunting monument to a remarkable leader. In the 12th century, Georgia was ruled by young Queen Tamar, who saved her people from attack by ordering the excavation of a massive cave sanctuary. Over 1600 feet and 13 tiers within solid rock, the caves were built to include 6000 apartments, a church and a large throne room. The caves survived, only to be exposed centuries later by earthquakes and destroyed by invaders. Today, some 250 apartments and halls remain. Lunch will be at a riverside restaurant operated by local monks. Dinner in historic Rabati Fortress and Museum.
10.2 KUTAISI
Overnight: Kutaisi
Georgian hospitality and comedy live in Kutaisi, the nation’s capital until the 6th century and now the center of western Georgia. We’ll visit the national Parliament and explore UNESCO World Heritage site Gelati Monastery. Expanding our experience of Georgian food and wine, we’ll sample wines from the Imereti region over lunch. Dinner will be a village supra with a Georgian winemaking family, celebrating the western Georgian harvest.
10.3 BATUMI – BLACK SEA REGION
Overnight: Batumi
Sultry Batumi is one of Georgia’s oldest cities, influenced by Roman, Greek and Ottoman, Turkish, and Russian cultures. We’ll explore it by walking tour and visit the Botanical gardens, a 19th century wonder with views across the Black Sea. For lunch we’ll learn to make “Acharuli khachapuri,” a mouth-watering, celebrated version of Georgia’s favorite dish. Dinner in Batumi will be devoted to regional Acharian dishes, dancing and music. We may also taste Chkhaveri wine, local wine from a rare grape that grows in only a few areas of western Georgia.
10.4 BATUMI
Overnight train to Tbilisi
Our time in western Georgia ends with a day trip to the Adjara Mountains, part of the Lesser Caucasus, and one of the wettest regions in the northern hemisphere. Its lush, subtropical climate and distinct folk culture feel like going back in time. We’ll spend the day with a local family where we can participate in the local harvest one last time, and enjoy an extended late lunch before boarding an overnight train with first class sleeping cars to Tbilisi. In a single evening, we’ll traverse from one end of the country back to the capital.
