Wine Tour in Armenia-Georgia

– Arrival and check in.
– Lunch.
– Walking tour in downtown Yerevan where we’ll visit the National Museum and the Yerevan Opera House on our way to the Matenadaran – one of the oldest and richest book depositories in the world.
– Overnight in Yerevan.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Khor Virap Monastery (4-17th c.) complex is the place where the founder of the Armenian church, St. Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned for being a Christian evangelist. He was freed when Armenia became Christian state in 301 A.D. Its location, near the closest point to Mt. Ararat within Armenian borders, offers a spectacular view of the mountain, the national symbol of Armenia.
– Drive to the Vayots Dzor, Armenia’s most storied wine growing region. It is here that Areni-1, the world’s oldest winery (6100 years old) was discovered in a local cave in 2007.
– Travel to Noravank Monastery. Built in the 13th-14th centuries and surrounded by dramatic red and grey limestone cliffs. The Noravank canyon area is famous for its numerous caves (Bird, Mageli, Archeri and Mozrov Caverns), its Flora (Wild Yellow Rose, pistachio, wild pear, herbs and berries) and fauna.
– Overnight in Yerevan.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Maran Winery is located near Etchmiadizin. The Winery was founded in 1991. Maran produces wines from local grapes, apricot and pomegranate. Here we will have opportunity to taste fruits wines and grape wines. Maran special is their Bagratouniand Bagratouni Reserve wines. These delicious white wines compete with the better chardonnays from California.
– Zvartnots Cathedral is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type Armenian cathedral built by the order of Catholicos Nerses the Builder from 643-652. Now in ruins, it is located at the edge of the city of Etchmiadzin in Armavir Province of Armenia.
– Visiting Etchmiadzin Cathedral which was constructed in 303 A.D. It continues to be the oldest church in Christianity. We’ll also visit other famous churches including the Church of St. Hripsime (618 A.D.) and The Church of St. Gayane (630 AD). Etchmiadzin is the residence of the Catholicos, the head of the Armenian apostolic Church.
– Return to Yerevan. Overnight in Yerevan.

– Breakfast in the hotel.
– Charents Ark. Charents was an Armenian poet and public activist. Higher up the gorge of the Azat river, there is a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture Geghard monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. The monastery is partly carved out of a mountain.
– Garni Temple was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates and it is dedicated to a heathen god, probably to Mithra, the god of the sun whose figure stood in the depth of the sanctuary.
– Return to Yerevan.
– “Noy” Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory. Here we will enter the distillation department, the cooperage department, the museum, the wine-cellar. Tasting wine of 1924 vintage and two cognac varieties of 10 and 20 years’ maturity.
– Famous Ararat Brandy Factory. Ararat Brandy Factory is the leading enterprise of Armenia for the production of alcoholic beverages. Its main brand name is Ararat. Walk around the ageing cellar and see how the brandy spirits are preserved, know who have nominal barrels and enjoy the delicate aroma of the cellar. Pass a pleasant and memorable time in the tasting hall enjoying the delicious “THREE STARS”, “AKHTAMAR”.
– In Vino is heaven for those having passion for wine. Here is the place you can find different types of wine from different part of world, from Armenia to Chile and New Zealand.
– Overnight in Yerevan.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Saghmosavank Monastery is a tiny, but astonishing cruciform church dating back to 7th century. Its unique red tiled roofing came down to us completely unharmed.
– Saghmosavank Monastery is situated on the edge of a deep gorge at the foot of Mt. Ara, with Mt. Ararat and Mt. Arargats rising majestically on the western and northern horizons. It’s an 11th century structure.
– Oshakan-St. Mashtots Church where the primordial alphabet-giver, St. Mesrop Mashtots, is buried, just under the altar of the church. It’s a hall-type church with frescoes. The church is surrounded by a garden with ornamented Armenian alphabet letter statues.
– Wine tasting and tour in Oshakan village ‘’Armenia wines ‘’ winery. Here you have another opportunity to get acquainted with the stories of the wine and cognac producing. Today, the company offers the assortment of high-quality “Armenia” wines to the most demanding local and foreign buyers. “Armenia Wine” is the largest Armenian winery.
– Overnight in Yerevan.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Drive to Alaverdy town and proceed to the Monastic complexes (10th c) of Haghpat and Sanahin – included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These magnificent samples of Armenian architecture represent a unique blending between Caucasian and the evolved Byzantine architectural styles.
– Bagratashen border pass. Changing the transport and guide.
– Sadakhlo – Tbilisi.
– Arrival in Tbilisi and check in.
– City tour in the evening Tbilisi. Visiting old district and following sights: Metekhi Church, erected on the cliff, overlooking the Mtkvari River; the colorful Darejani Palace, also situated on the cliff, like the nest of a swallow; The Famous Sulfur Baths, located in Old Tbilisi, in “abanotubani” where several hot springs of sulfur water is concentrated, on the other side of the river. Lift by cableway on city defensive Narikala fortress. Also called the mother fortress of Tbilisi, Narikala is an ancient symbol of Tbilisi’s defence. The fortress was established in the 4th century, around the period when the city itself was founded. At Leselidze Street, we come across the 13th century Armenian St. George Church and Jewish synagogue with an elegant facade. Here you discover Shardeni Street with its fashionable cozy cafes and art galleries.
– Overnight in Tbilisi.

– Drive from Tbilisi to Kakheti region in the east part of the country and the cradle of Georgian wine. First we will visit Sighanghi, “city of love”. Wine degustation at local wine cellar “Pheasant’s Tears” with Georgian cheese and bread.
– Drive to Velistsikhe and stop at Nunu’s small wine cellar, who will meet you with pleasure. Here you’ll have master classes in preparing famous Georgian dishes: “Churchkhela”-with grape juice and nuts, “Mtsvadi”- like BBQ, “Shoti” – Georgian bread and taste wine just from the Georgian wine vessel “kvevri” in local cellar.
– Kvareli. Here we’ll visit “Gvirabi” – tunnel. This unique wine cave represents the tunnel that is cut off in eth stone massif of Caucasian mountain range, where yearlong natural temperature is 10-12ºC. The length of this construction is 7,7 Km. Excursion thereinformation about wine factory “Winery Khareba” and the wine technology. Transfer to the hotel.
– Overnight in Kvareli.

– Breakfast at the hotel.
– Drive to Alaverdi. Visit Alaverdi Cathedral (11th century), the monastery was founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph (Yoseb, Amba) Alaverdeli, who came from Antioch and settled in Alaverdi, in a small village at the beginning of the 11th century also visit old Enotheque (17-18th cc.).
– Travel to Tsinandali and visit house museum of Prince Aleksandre Chavchavadze with beautiful garden and wine cellar, where we will taste 5 types of wine. Prince Chavchavadze frequently entertained foreign guests with music, wit, and – most especially – the fine vintages made at his estate winery (marani). Familiar with European ways, Chavchavadze built Georgia’s oldest and largest winery where he combined European and centuries-long Georgian winemaking traditions. The highly regarded dry white Tsinandali is still produced there.
– Telavi, excursion in the city. First archaeological findings from Telavi date back to Bronze Age. Telavi wasan important and large political and administrative center in the 8th century AD. Visit one of the most famous wine factories in Georgia “Teliany valley”. Tour and tasting of 2 types of wine, Georgian bread and Imeretian cheese.
– Return to Tbilisi and overnight in the capital.

– Drive to visit Chateau Mukhrani in the morning. Here you will discover history of Georgian royal family, explore legends, smell of old and delicious wines. We will visit castle of Prince Ivane Mukhranbatoni, beautiful garden and old cellars, discover the art of castle winemaking, walk in vineyard and visit wine factory. Taste delicious Georgian wine, cheese and snacks, also taste famous „chacha”.
– Chardakhi and visit Iago’s wine cellar. Taste unique sorts of wine, discover wine making history and tradition from the host. Also taste famous Georgian „khinkali”. Then visit Mtskheta (UNESCO Heritage Site), the ancient capital of Georgia – early kingdom of Iberia. Inhabited since before 1000 BC it was religious centre of the country, where St. Nino converted the country to Christianity in around 337 AD. Excursion in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a life-giving pillar – Cathedral of 11th century –Magnificent, both inside and outside, the Cathedral is an important piece of Christian history, as it is a place where Christ’s robe was buried. We can taste Georgian traditional dishes in the restaurant with nice overview.
– Overnight in Tbilisi.

– Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport.
– Departure.