Itinerary
- Old Town Tbilisi: You will take a glance to the history of the city from early centuries to nowadays by walking in narrow streets of the city and will explore the religious and secular architecture. Here you will find churches, synagogues, mosque as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden balconies. Visit also the sulphur baths and enjoy the superb panoramic views of the Old city from the Narikala.
- Mtskheta Church of the Holy Cross: Mtskheta was the ancient capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom from the Third Century BCE to Fifth Century CE. It was also the location where Christianity was proclaimed as the kingdom’s official religion and continues to function as the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The city is very small and is just a 20 minute drive from the capital of Tbilisi. You will not find any fancy, high-end hotels here, nor will you find posh lounges to dress up for and hit for cocktails. It may not the best place to wine and dine someone, but what you will find is a ticket to the 5th century BCE and travel all the way through to mid-antiquity.
- Svetitskhoveli Cathedral: Arguably the most well known cathedral in Georgia, Svetitskhoveli is also one of the biggest in the country. Harsh conditions throughout Georgia’s history couldn’t stop the 10-century old building from retaining its beauty. The temple is on another UNESCO World Heritage listing because of its glorious architecture.
- Shio-Mgvime Monastery: About 13 kilometers from the city of Mtskheta is a limestone canyon in which you will find a beautiful medieval monastic complex. In the 6th Century, it was a vibrant religious community, populated by around 2,000 monks. St. John the Baptist’s Monastery was the first to be built with the rest of the Shio Mgvime complex built over time.
However, the most intriguing part of this monastery is the various unmistakable caves around the mountain. It is in one of these caves that Shio, the missionary and founder of Shio Mgvime, one of the original 13 Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia to spread Christianity lived. It is because of Shio that the monastery gets its name: “The Cave of Shio.”
Includes
- Bottled water
- CHURCHKHELA- GEORGIA NATIONAL SNACK
Details
Visit the unique sights of Tbilisi – an ancient historical part of the city and the modern city. Walking tour across old Tbilisi: Metekhi plateau and the rise by a ropeway on citadel Narikala. The sulfuric baths are well known around the world – a favorite place of visit of A. Pushkin
The rise on a narrow-gage railway on holy mountain – Mtatsminda. There is St. David’s church constructed by one of the Assyrian fathers – the father David.
.Departure for the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta.
The cross monastery – Jvari (VI c) stands on the rocky mountaintop at the confluence of the Mtkvari (Kura) and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is the main architecture (1010-1029) where Jesus mantle is buried.
Lunch for an additional fee in the tavern ”Salobie” where you can taste the Lobio (The beans) prepared in small bean pots of clay with mchadi (a flat cake from cornmeal), all sorts of a pickles, khachapuri, shish kebab, khinkali.
Return to Tbilisi.
The rise on a narrow-gage railway on holy mountain – Mtatsminda. There is St. David’s church constructed by one of the Assyrian fathers – the father David.
.Departure for the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta.
The cross monastery – Jvari (VI c) stands on the rocky mountaintop at the confluence of the Mtkvari (Kura) and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is the main architecture (1010-1029) where Jesus mantle is buried.
Lunch for an additional fee in the tavern ”Salobie” where you can taste the Lobio (The beans) prepared in small bean pots of clay with mchadi (a flat cake from cornmeal), all sorts of a pickles, khachapuri, shish kebab, khinkali.
Return to Tbilisi.
Know Before You Go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
