Armenia – Georgia wine tour

Arrival at the airport. Meeting at Zvartnots airport and transfer to the hotel. After a short rest, we will go on a tour of Yerevan, stopping at the National Historical Museum of Armenia. Lunch at the Salon Du Vin restaurant. Visit to the Yerevan wine and cognac factory “Noy”, where after a tour of the factory, we will taste wines and cognac of the famous brand. After this, we will go on a walking tour to the Cafesjian Center for Contemporary Arts on the Cascade, where we will visit both indoor and outdoor exhibitions, after which we will walk to the park. Saryan. Welcome dinner at a restaurant with Armenian cuisine, where we will not only taste Armenian homemade wine and the national dish “khashlama”, but also listen to live Armenian folk songs and watch Armenian dances. Walk to Republic Square, where we will take part in the singing fountain show.

Not far from Yerevan, in the underground cellar of the Maran winery, we will try seven types of wine, four of which are grape wines: white dry “Bagratuni”, red dry “Noravank”, red semi-sweet “Areni Yeghegnadzor”, semi-sweet dessert, red or rose wine "Avagini." The company also produces fruit wines, of which we will try the semi-sweet pomegranate wine “Paradjanov” and the semi-sweet apricot wine “Tsiran Marani”. After this, we will visit the Zvartnots Temple, which is considered a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lunch in the apricot garden of the “Van” restaurant in Etchmiadzin, where we will also try the Armenian national kebab “khorovats”. Visit to the treasury-museum of Holy Etchmiadzin, where numerous valuable items related to the history of the Armenian Apostolic Church, including holy relics, are exhibited. Visit to the Map cognac and wine factory near the village of Lenuga. In the company's gardens with a total area of 140 hectares, numerous fruits and berries grow, from which alcoholic drinks are then produced. Tour of the company's extensive cellar and cognac tasting. Return to Yerevan. *Free evening.

Check out from the hotel with luggage and begin your journey to the southern wine-growing region of Armenia – Vayots Dzor region. The first stop is at the Khor Virap monastery, which offers an indescribable view of the biblical Mount Ararat. Here we remember the legend of Noah, who saved all living things and after the flood planted grapes in these parts and made the first wine. Next stop is Bird Cave, where archaeologists recently discovered the world's oldest shoe and a 6,000-year-old winery. Despite the ongoing archaeological excavations, we will have the opportunity to see for ourselves what is happening inside the cave. Visit to the 13th-14th century monastery complex of Noravank, which is located among the picturesque red rocks. It is here, in the Areni wine region, that the famous Areni wine is produced - from the indigenous variety of the same name. Don't worry, we will definitely try this wine at one of the local wineries or at the home of a local winemaker. Lunch at the Lchak restaurant. Visit to the legendary Zora Karas winery in the village of Rind. By the way, Zorah Karasi Areni Noir wine was included in the 10 best wines according to the authoritative magazine Bloomberg Businessweek. The magazine selected wines from more than 4,000 varieties and based its selection on the unique aroma and delicate taste of the drink. Dinner and overnight stop at the family winery and guest house “Stary Most”.

Early in the morning we will leave Areni. On our way we will make a stop at the Selim Caravanserai, which in the Middle Ages was an important link on the Great Silk Road. Visit to Noratus - the largest khachkar cemetery on the territory of modern Armenia. Lunch at the coastal restaurant “Tsovatsots”, where we will try a dish of Sevan whitefish and famous crayfish kebabs - with cold local beer. Tour of Lake Sevan, which is considered the largest lake in the Caucasus. In the northeast of Sevan we will also visit the Sevanavank monastery complex. Rest and dinner in the beautiful guest house “Tsakhkunk”, where the chef of the establishment will conduct a master class on cooking lamb in a tandoor (for groups 10+). Travel to Dilijan and check-in at the beautiful guest house “Tun Armeni”.

Departure from Dilijan to the village of Haghpat, where the wonderful monastery complex of Haghpatavank is located - one of the most beautiful architectural buildings of medieval Armenia, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. From here we will go to Georgia. Arrival in Tbilisi, where our guests will be met by our team and taken to a hotel in the center of colorful Tbilisi. After a few hours of rest, we will meet again and go to explore the city. Visit to the old city and the most significant historical attractions, such as Metekhi Church, the sulfur baths area, Narikala Castle, etc. A walk through the narrow streets: getting to know the local architecture, culture and life of the city. Lunch accompanied by delicious Georgian wine at the “Vino Underground” bar. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner, which will take place in a special place - the Azarpesha wine restaurant. We will enjoy delicious, varied fusion cuisine with unique wines from various regions of Georgia. During dinner we will also listen to the polyphonic singing of Georgian singers. After this we will go to an overnight stay at a hotel in Tbilisi.

In the morning, after breakfast, we will go to the central region of Georgia – Kartli. The first stop will be at the ancient Uplistsikhe cave, where people lived back in the 1st millennium BC. It is here that the famous “Fortress of God” is located, which was mentioned already in the first century BC. Here we will find huge spaces carved into the rock, in which echoes are miraculously reflected, long corridors-streets, temples for pagan worship, a water supply system, secret tunnels, markets and the ruins of the oldest theater in Georgia with a stage, auditorium and orchestra pit. Lunch will be served at the small winery Lago Bitarishvili in the village of Chardakhi. But first we will walk through the cellar, taste the Chinuri wine, and after that we will taste a delicious lunch prepared by the family members who run the winery. Visit to the Chateau Mukhrani winery, wine tasting in the picturesque tasting room. Next we will go towards Mtskheta - the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Kartli. The city was founded about 2,600 years ago. Here we will visit the Jvari Monastery, built on the top of a hill, dating back to the 6-7th century, which offers a picturesque view of the city of Mtskheta itself and the nearby rivers and mountains. The last destination of the day will be the beautiful 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which is an example of early Renaissance architecture. Return to Tbilisi, where we will visit the wine bar “Vino Underground” for wine tasting. Overnight stay in Tbilisi.

After breakfast we will go to eastern Georgia – to the Kakheti region. In addition to its historical heritage, Kakheti is famous as one of the country's wine regions. Here we will visit winemaker Niki Antadze in the village of Marani. By noon we will arrive in the small cozy town of Sighnaghi. This settlement, founded in the 18th century, is located on a hill offering colorful views of the Alazani Valley and the Great Caucasus Mountains. Lunch at a special wine restaurant “Tears of Pheasant”, where in addition to delicious food we will have the opportunity to walk through the wine cellar, art gallery and carpet workshop. After lunch, we will walk through the intricate streets of Sighnaghi and discover the local unique architecture. After this we will go to the central part of Kakheti. Along the way we will visit the family cellar of the Gulashvili Brothers, where we will visit the wine cellar and taste their wine. In the evening we will stop at Chateau Eniseli, where we will enjoy delicious wine and dinner. The overnight stay will take place at a local hotel.

In the morning we will walk through the streets of Telavi - the largest city in the Kakheti region, visit the local farmer's market, and go to the Alaverdi Monastery - a beautiful 11th century temple, where ancient monastic traditions are still honored. Our next stop is the village of Kisiskhveli, where we will visit the Schuchmann winery, after which we will visit the family cellar of Gogi and Temo Dakishvili, who continue the traditions of their winemaking ancestors and use Georgian qvevri amphorae to store wine. Lunch will be served in the beautiful Marleta cafeteria, where we will taste delicious homemade food and seasonal dishes prepared by the owners of the establishment. Return to Tbilisi, where we will check into a hotel and have some rest. In the evening we will meet for a farewell dinner at the G.Vino restaurant, where there is a cozy atmosphere, delicious local dishes and live polyphonic singing. Overnight stay in Tbilisi.

After breakfast we will go to Tbilisi International Airport.