100% customisable travel idea
Armenia and Georgia Capitals, vineyards and monasteries of the central Caucasus
Armenia - Yerevan - Dilijan - Georgia - Tbilisi - Stepantsminda - Telavi
100% customisable travel idea
Armenia - Yerevan - Dilijan - Georgia - Tbilisi - Stepantsminda - Telavi
100% customisable for you
Private transfer and stay for three nights in the city centre. Your home is in a beautiful 19th-century stone house. Inside, this stone adds plenty of (Caucasian) character to the common areas and the rooms. These are well-equipped and comfortable, with polished wood and Armenian carpets adding an elegant touch to the stone. Sideboards and bookshelves create a distinctly family home feel. Breakfast is served at the property.
To start with, not far from here, you can venture into Kond, one of Yerevan’s oldest neighbourhoods. The winding, narrow streets and blue-grey stone houses with peeling plaster have an olden days feel. Locals play cards in the sun or drink coffee while gossiping animatedly. It’s quite something.
On your schedule - Yerevan walking tour, with a private guide. The Armenian capital will surprise you with its modern feel. An ambitious urban planning project launched in the 1920s was completed sixty years later with the Cascade. This monumental complex featuring gardens and terraces still bears a Soviet influence. It was intended as a post-socialist meeting place before its conversion into a contemporary art centre. The original driving force behind this long-term project was Alexandre Tamanian (1878-1936), the architect whose new Armenian architecture has deeply shaped the city. Republic Square, around which your walk is centred was part of the master plan. Sketched out in 1930, it took 40 years to build. To the southwest, Shahumyan Park is home to 2,750 fountains in five large pools lined with numerous cafés. The Blue Mosque offers an 18th-century counterpoint to these 20th-century masterpieces.
On your schedule - Tour of Etchmiadzin, where the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians resides, about 20 km (12 miles) west of Yerevan. The oldest churches in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin date from the 4th, 5th and 6th centuries. Saint Hripsime Church (named after a virgin martyr from the 4th century) is a jewel of 7th century Armenian architecture. At Garni, in the Khosrov Forest Reserve, you visit the stunning cliffs of basalt columns and a temple dedicated to the sun god Mithra, built by King Tiridates I of Armenia in the 1st century. A little to the east, Geghard Monastery was built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier rock-cut monastery and famous scriptorium. A private guide and a driver will be with you for the day.
Optional extra - Jazz evening at the Mezzo Club.
Private transfer to Dilijan, north of Lake Sevan. On the way, you visit Sevanavank and Haghartsin monasteries. Sevanavank Monastery is set on a peninsula, at the northern tip of the lake. Founded by the Bagratid royal family in the 9th century, only two churches now remain. Both are perfect models of simplicity. Haghartsin Monastery in a forest setting, just north of Dilijan, has three churches from the 12th and 13th centuries, dedicated to Saint Gregory, Saint Stephen and the Virgin Mary. Both monasteries are in Dilijan National Park with its rugged terrain, deciduous trees, rhododendrons, deer, squirrels and bearded vultures. Religion and nature go hand in hand here. Your hotel, just on the outskirts of Dilijan, has a lovely view of the town from its spacious covered terrace. The stone house has a classic design, with sky-blue window frames. Its rooms are bright, simple and comfortable. The Armenian breakfast is generous and prepared with care. On a sunny morning the first joy of the day is taking it in the garden.
Private transfer to the Georgian border on a winding road surrounded by green forests. The Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin stand on opposite sides of a ravine. They both date from the 10th and 13th centuries. The first provided refuge for the great Armenian poet Sayat-Nova (1712-1795) who had been driven from the court of the Georgian monarch King Erekle II. In the second, the khachkars (cross-stones) and the lovely matenadaran or library merit your attention. Then it’s time to cross the border. From here you take the road to Tbilisi.
Stay in the city centre, on the left bank of the Kura. The hotel stands right on the rocky bank of the river. The riverside rooms take full advantage of the beautiful setting. Wherever they are, all the rooms are modern and comfortable. Facilities are all as you would expect in an international hotel. The dominant colours are orange, royal blue and white. This colour palette adds a vibrant touch to the design. Breakfast is served at the property. Other meals are easily enjoyed nearby.
Is it Sunday? Step inside the churches to hear the polyphonic singing during services. This ancient musical tradition is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Whatever day it is, a walk through the popular Chugureti district is a must.
On your schedule - Tbilisi like a local. For half a day, in the company of a Georgian, explore the city at the pace of its residents. Nothing is planned in advance, you just share your wish list and interests when you meet. Together, you sketch out the walk, which is also a great way to pick up plenty of useful tips for later. The city, meanwhile, is the perfect place to wander. Wooden balconies in weathered colours jut out over the streets. Synagogues, churches, mosques and trendy cafes jostle for space in the old, flower-filled neighbourhoods. It goes without saying it's all very cosmopolitan. Step inside the Orthodox Sioni Cathedral, dating from the 12th century, which houses the Cross of St. Nino, Georgia's holiest relic. Climb up to the fortress, which has overlooked the Kura River since the 4th century, even though its current ramparts date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Wander through the Armenian quarter or stroll along the iconic Rustaveli Avenue.
Meet up with your private driver and drive to Stepantsminda. Overnight stay with views of Mount Kazbek (in the Upper Caucasus). The hotel, restored by the architects Nata Janberidze and Keti Toloraia, has real style. The beautifully designed building and its mountain setting are instantly captivating. Inside, it’s a warm blend of leather and wood. Faun and beige tones have been used throughout. This colour palette creates a soothing, calming ambiance. The rooms in the same peaceful colours have excellent amenities and balconies overlooking the stunning landscapes. In the restaurant the talented chef serves Georgian food and more. The overhead lamps add a chic industrial touch to the dining room. The large terrace takes rustic charm to a whole new dimension. As for the pool with it's spectacular mountain view, there’s quite nothing like it.
Optional extra - The historical monuments of Mtskheta.
Drive to Telavi, in the Kakheti region. Along the Georgian Military Road, you pass Ananuri Fortress, dating from the 17th century, on the shores of the Jinvali Reservoir. Part of the fortress was built in the style typical of Pshavi and the Khevsureti region. For the warring dukes of this region its position was strategically important.
Stay for two nights among the vineyards. With cellar tours, wine tastings and vinotherapy, both the hotel and the spa are keen to educate guests about the benefits of winemaking. The buildings are modern and the rooms ample in size. In your own room, the design is simple and solid, and reassuringly comfortable. The restaurant, of course, is in very much in tune with the surroundings and pairs regional dishes with wine from the estate. To perfect your relaxation skills, take your pick from the indoor and outdoor pools, or the wooden hot tub.
Telavi is renowned for its ancient winemaking traditions. Wine is still often made as it was hundreds of years ago, in large clay vessels known as qvevri. This method has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Georgia is home to more than five hundred grape varieties, including the famous saperavi, which produces robust and aromatic red wines, and the white varieties mtsvane and rkatsiteli. Of course, this is a wonderful opportunity to taste these qvevri wines, which so intrigue wine lovers. Try them here in Telavi, a city also known for its rich heritage. In Sighnaghi, explore the 18th-century ramparts and the Museum of History and Ethnography, as well as the old town with its balconies that are a hallmark of the way of life here. In Tsinandali, discover the impressive figure of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze a military commander, poet and the founder of Georgian Romanticism.
Optional extra - Walk in Kakheti.
Private transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight stay in a beautifully restored old house. The wooden galleries overlooking the courtyard are carved with great skill. Inside, the walls come alive with the paintings of Musya Qeburia. The atmosphere evokes travelling in days gone by. A heightened awareness of design is evident almost everywhere. Your room is well equipped and comfortable. You can relax and enjoy the old-fashioned atmospherethere. The restaurant updates traditional Georgian food with great skill. The result is delicious and sets the culinary bar high in Tbilisi. At the bar, they know how to make a good cocktail. When the weather is good, guests can sit outside in the courtyard.
Optional extra - Sulphur baths.
Private transfer to the airport. Return flight.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
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