Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Georgia - Tbilisi - Telavi - Borjomi - Kutaisi - Mestia - Batumi
100% customisable for you
Wake up bright and early, Georgia’s lush landscapes and enchanting monasteries are calling. Head to the airport, breeze through security and unwind in the lounge before boarding your five-and-a-half-hour flight to Tbilisi.
When you land, you’ll be privately transferred to your new home away from home, near the city centre. Take the rest of the day to relax, settle in and unpack. Or, if you have time, why not stretch your legs on a walk around the city? Accompanied by a local guide, discover their favourite spots, take in the must-see landmarks and let your interests lead the way.
Grab a bite to eat at the hotel restaurant this evening, where you can sample traditional Georgian cuisine, paired with a refreshing cocktail – just what you need after a busy travel day. Toast to your trip and enjoy an early night before the real adventure begins tomorrow.
Today is your first full day in Tbilisi, so there’s no time to waste. You’ll be met by your private guide for a sightseeing tour of the capital, beginning with a visit to the 13th-century Metekhi Church. Once a royal residence and briefly a theatre during the Soviet era, the church is currently a place of worship and boasts sweeping panoramas of the old town.
Then it’s on to the Narikala Fortress, which has overlooked the river since the fourth century. Soak up the views of the city below, before visiting the Abanotubani district, one of Tbilisi’s oldest. Aptly translating to ‘Bath District’, the centuries-old tradition of sulfur baths lives on here.
Worked up an appetite after all that exploring? You’re in luck. Next on the agenda is lunch with a local family, who’ll welcome you into their home and teach you how to prepare khachapuri – Georgian bread stuffed with cheese. This beloved comfort food tastes even better when you’ve made it yourself.
Step into the vibrant streets of Chugureti today, a former suburban town north of Tbilisi, where many Russians and Germans once settled.
Now a lively neighbourhood, it’s made for exploring on foot. Wander its winding streets, dotted with old houses and historic buildings, dipping in and out of cute cafes and inviting galleries along the way. And it’s never too early to start souvenir shopping, so why not browse the nearby bazaar? You’ll find ceramics, vases and other vintage treasures offering an insight into Georgia’s past.
This evening, do as the locals do and head to Fabrika. A former Soviet sewing factory, it’s now a buzzing cultural and festival venue, with bars, workshops and artist studios surrounding its courtyard. Grab a refreshing cocktail and take in the atmosphere.
Wave goodbye to the capital today as you’re privately transferred to Telavi. Why not tune in to our destination-specific playlist for the two-hour journey, as you watch muscular mountains rise into view?
When you arrive, check in for two nights at your centrally located hotel, then unpack and relax.
Once you’ve settled into your new surroundings, it’s time to set off on a private tour of the Pankisi Valley. Nestled in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains in eastern Georgia, the valley is home to around 15 villages where the Kists settled, a small ethnic group whose ancestors migrated from Chechnya to the region in the 19th century.
During your visit, you’ll be invited to share lunch with a local family accompanied by your guide; a wonderful chance to meet the people who call this valley home.
Today you’ll set off on a tour of Kakheti, Georgia’s iconic wine region, accompanied by your driver and guide.
First stop? The Telavi Food Market. Wander past stalls piled high with fresh fruit, vegetables and Georgian cheeses, sample smoky dambalkhacho and savour draft qvevri wine. Next up is the Tsinandali Estate, the former home of 19th-century Georgian poet Alexander Chavchavadze, who developed the estate’s winemaking.
Then head to the Nekresi Monastery, perched on the slopes above the Alazani River, where you’ll discover a mix of early and Medieval Georgian architecture.
Ready for a well-deserved break? It's time for lunch with a welcoming Georgian family before continuing to the 16th-century Gremi Church of the Archangel, built during the reign of King Levan of Kakheti.
Then head to the city of Sighnaghi, dubbed the ‘City of Love’, where you’ll fall for its cobbled streets and fairytale balconies. Keep an eye out for the Wedding House here, where ceremonies take place 24 hours a day.
Calling all history buffs, today you’re delving into the past as you explore Georgia’s historic sites.
First, head to Mtskheta, Georgia’s designated Holy City, accompanied by your guide. Home to three UNESCO-listed churches, the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is a must-visit. Nearby, discover the sixth-century Shio-Mghvime Monastery, founded by St. Shio, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who travelled to Georgia as Christian missionaries.
Next, head to the ancient city of Uplistsikhe, where cave dwellings tell the story of a settlement that dates back to the early Iron Age. Then it’s on to Gori, infamous as the birthplace of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
After your journey into the past, you’ll be privately transferred to Borjomi. In need of some R&R? Indulge in the hotel’s spa treatments, grab a refreshing drink at the bar or tuck into an early dinner at the Georgian restaurant.
Lace up your walking shoes – today is all about exploring castles and caves.
After a delicious breakfast, head to the Akhaltsikhe Castle Complex, also known as Rabati Castle. This ninth-century fortress combines layers of the country’s history and houses a mosque, church, synagogue and museum for you to explore.
Next, head to Vardzia, a cave monastery carved into the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain. Wander through its network of caves and tunnels to the 12th-century Church of the Dormition, adorned with ancient frescoes. At its peak, Vardzia was home to around 3,000 monks across 6,000 rooms.
Castles and caves well and truly ticked off, it’s time to make your way to Kutaisi, about a three-hour drive away, where you’ll spend the night in a charming hotel. And there’s no better way to round off the day than with a taste of Megrelian and Imeretian cuisine.
Architecture enthusiasts are in for a treat today as you set off to explore historic cathedrals and mountain monasteries. Begin at the 11th-century Bagrati Cathedral for a glimpse into Georgia’s rich Medieval architecture. Nearby, the Gelati Monastery and Academy, founded by King David the Builder in 1106, is home to remarkable murals and mosaics, tucked amid lush greenery.
Then it’s on to the cliffside Motsameta Monastery, which overlooks the snaking Tskhaltsitela River. Translating to 'Place of the Martyrs,’ the site’s name stems from the eighth-century noble brothers David and Constantine of Argveti, who resisted Arab invaders and were later martyred.
History lesson complete, you’ll be privately transferred to Mestia, which is around four hours and 45 minutes away. Settle into the journey with a good book or simply keep your eyes on the scenic views unfolding outside your window.
When you arrive at your hotel, check in for two nights, then kick back and relax.
Reconnect with nature as you venture into the mountains of Upper Svaneti today.
En route, you’ll spot the stone tower houses of the Svan people, which are a defining feature of the landscape. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the towers formed an important part of the region’s UNESCO World Heritage status, and many can be found in Mestia itself.
Your driver will take you through the vast mountain scenery, weaving past forests of spruce, fir, beech and hornbeam, with snow-dusted peaks rising above. Then it’s on to the villages of Ushguli, standing at around 7,200ft it’s one of the highest permanent settlements in Europe and sits near the foot of Shkhara mountain.
The dramatic landscape has long been a source of inspiration for artists, such as Georgian-born filmmaker Mikhail Kalatozov’s documentary Salt for Svanetia, which captured the region’s remoteness.
Rise and shine, today you’ll be privately transferred to coastal Batumi, Georgia’s second-largest city, where you’ll be staying for two nights. The journey is around five and a half hours, so settle in and enjoy the scenery. When you arrive, stretch your legs with a stroll through the Batumi Botanical Garden, established in 1912 by the Russian botanist Andrei Krasnov. Created to introduce and cultivate plants from around the world, the garden is home to a variety of flora and overlooks the Black Sea. Leafy views and salty sea air await...
Dive into Batumi, the lively capital of Adjara. Thanks to its Black Sea setting, it's been drawing in visitors for centuries, dating back to the ancient Greeks.
Today, that seaside tradition is alive and well. Head out to explore the city’s top sights at your own pace, starting in the historic centre where the mid-19th-century Batumi Mosque awaits. Then make your way to the fish market on the outskirts of the city, where you can handpick the catch of the day and take it to a nearby restaurant, where it will be grilled to perfection.
When the sun starts to set, Batumi comes to life. The city’s modern architecture glows under neon lights, while the waterfront buzzes with vibrant bars. Why not ask our clued-up Concierge for their top restaurant recommendations? Local favourites like Adjaruli khachapuri (the famous boat-shaped cheese bread) and khinkali (Georgian dumplings) will likely be on the menu.
Sadly, it’s the last day of your monastery-hopping tour in Georgia and time to head to the airport.
Pack your bags and breathe in Batumi’s salty sea breeze before being privately transferred to the airport this morning for your return flight home, which takes seven and a half hours with a stopover. Settle into the journey, with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a camera roll of memories to show for your adventure.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
