Georgia & Armenia

Meet at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport and fly to Yerevan.

On arrival at Yerevan airport your local guide welcomes you. On the way to the hotel you get a first look at the beautifully lit capital: Republic Square, the heart of the city, with its imposing government buildings and the History Museum of Armenia, the State University and the Opera, and the modern, cosmopolitan side of Yerevan, a city known for its lovely cafés and friendly people. Transfer to the hotel and overnight.

After a rich breakfast, an extensive city tour. We visit the History Museum of Armenia, whose rich ancient collections include the oldest shoe and wine in the world, as well as Bronze Age objects.

For centuries Yerevan has been known as the "pink city" because of the colour of the volcanic tuff used in its buildings. Founded in 782 BC, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and its streets are full of history, culture and life. On our tour we see some of its most iconic landmarks:

Republic Square – the heart of Yerevan, surrounded by government buildings and the History Museum. In the evening it comes alive with its famous dancing fountains.

Mashtots Avenue – named after Mesrop Mashtots, creator of the Armenian alphabet, this central avenue is lined with shops, cafés and cultural institutions.

Aram Khachaturian Opera and Ballet Theatre – named after the famous Armenian composer, this imposing building is the city's centre for opera, ballet and concerts.

Cascade Complex – a huge stairway linking the city centre with the Monument district, with impressive views of the city and Mount Ararat. It also houses the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, with contemporary sculpture and art exhibitions.

Mother Armenia – an imposing statue symbolising peace and strength, with a panoramic view of Yerevan. It stands in Victory Park as a reminder of Armenia's resilience.

Along the way we also explore local markets and parks and enjoy the city's lively culture. Yerevan blends old and new, offering a unique glimpse of Armenia's rich past and vibrant present. We then visit the Gum market, one of the best-known traditional markets in the city, with fresh fruit, nuts, spices and many traditional sweets, the perfect place to taste Armenian flavours and buy souvenirs and gifts.

Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast we visit Ejmiatsin Cathedral, the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the first Christian cathedral in the world, built in 303 AD. It is hugely important not only for Armenia but for Christianity worldwide, as the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Next we see the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, one of the finest examples of 7th-century Armenian architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was destroyed by an earthquake, yet its ruins still impress with their elegance.

After the tour we have lunch at a traditional Armenian country house, where we cook and taste traditional Armenian dishes in a welcoming setting.

We then visit the Armenian Alphabet Monument, a unique cultural landmark dedicated to Saint Mesrop Mashtots, who created the Armenian alphabet more than 1,600 years ago. His alphabet is still in use today, and the monument, with its striking letters, stands as a symbol of the country's linguistic heritage and the spiritual strength that language gives Armenian culture.

Back in Yerevan we stroll through the Vernissage open-air art and craft market, with handmade jewellery, woodcarvings, paintings and other works, ideal for discovering Armenian art and finding unique souvenirs.

Overnight in Yerevan.

After breakfast we visit the Temple of Garni, the only surviving pagan temple in Armenia, dating from the 1st century AD. Dedicated to the sun god Mithra, it combines Greek and Roman architectural elements. Its setting on a natural platform above the Azat River gorge offers stunning views and is one of the most popular photo spots. Nearby is the Symphony of Stones, a natural formation of basalt columns that looks like a church organ, created by cooling lava and one of Armenia's most impressive natural monuments.

Next is Geghard Monastery, a masterpiece of Armenian architecture partly carved into the rock, founded in the 4th century. Geghard means "Monastery of the Spear", after the spear that pierced Christ on the cross. Its unique architecture and mystical atmosphere make it one of Armenia's most important religious centres.

We then join a traditional lavash-making class, the Armenian flatbread that is a cornerstone of Armenian cuisine and cultural heritage, followed by a meal with freshly baked lavash and local specialities.

Return to Yerevan and overnight.

After breakfast we drive to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world, often called "the Pearl of Armenia". At about 1,900 metres above sea level, its brilliant blue waters reflect the surrounding mountains, a perfect spot for relaxing and taking photos. We visit Sevanavank Monastery on the Sevan peninsula, which was once an island until the lake level dropped. We continue to Dilijan, where Sharambeyan Street is lined with museums, souvenir stalls and small shops, and two traditional wooden houses with tiled roofs and finely carved balconies typical of the town. We have lunch with a local family and take part in a dolma-making class. Then we visit Haghartsin Monastery, one of the most impressive buildings of medieval Armenian architecture, in a beautiful, secluded setting surrounded by dense forest. Dating from the 10th century, it is an outstanding example of the religious architecture of its time, and its peaceful setting invites reflection.

We continue to the Armenian-Georgian border. After formalities we cross into Georgia, where we are met and taken to our hotel in Tbilisi for the night.

After breakfast we start with an escape just outside Tbilisi, where history takes shape at the mystical Chronicles of Georgia.

Perched on a hill above the Tbilisi Sea, this monument stands like an epic in stone: huge figures of metal and stone rise from the ground, telling the country's turbulent history with silence and grandeur. Created by the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, it looks like a history book written on giant slabs, each figure and relief a page from the past. The contrast between the calm landscape and the heavy, almost mystical energy of the place is captivating. Stop for photos and a moment of silence, because some places cannot be described, only felt.

Back in Tbilisi we begin our city tour. Colourful, multicultural Tbilisi spreads along the banks of the Mtkvari River and charms visitors with its contrasts: ancient monuments and modern architecture, quiet lanes and lively avenues, tradition and renewal.

We start with a walk through Old Tbilisi: traditional wooden houses with carved balconies, narrow cobbled lanes, hidden courtyards and little shops with crafts and local products.

Along the way we visit:

• Anchiskhati Basilica (6th century), the oldest church in the city.
• Sioni Cathedral, with the sacred relic of Saint Nino.
• The famous sulphur baths (Abanotubani), with their distinctive domes and Eastern style.
• Narikala Fortress, which we reach by cable car for a unique view over Tbilisi. Next to it stands Mother Georgia (Kartlis Deda), who greets friends with wine and enemies with a sword.

We stop at the Bridge of Peace, an iconic modern structure of glass and steel linking history with the present.

Then we stroll through Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue, lined with imposing buildings, museums, theatres and elegant cafés.

To end the day in style, we suggest dinner at one of Tbilisi's best restaurants, with a panoramic view of the illuminated city, including:

• A tasting of fine Georgian wines
• Live music and traditional dances that capture the spirit of Georgian hospitality
• Dishes that showcase the country's food culture, blending old and new

Return to the hotel and overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast we take a scenic drive over the Gombori pass, with wonderful views of the Alazani valley, the heart of Georgian winemaking. Short stop in Telavi, the regional capital, for a walk.
We then visit Tsinandali, the family estate of the famous Georgian prince Alexander Chavchavadze. The house-museum is surrounded by a beautiful park with a chapel, and its cellars hold 16,000 bottles of wine from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We walk in the park, tour the winery and taste wine in the cellars.
Next we visit a traditional Georgian winery to taste Georgian wines and join a cooking class to make the traditional khinkali, bake dedis puri bread and prepare the churchkhela dessert, followed by a home-cooked meal from fresh local ingredients in a traditional setting.
After lunch we continue to Bodbe monastery, where we see the tomb of Saint Nino, and then to Sighnaghi, the "City of Love", surrounded by 18th-century walls. With its red-tiled roofs it resembles towns of southern and central Europe, but its traditional two-storey houses and decorated balconies remind us that we are in authentic Georgia!

In the evening we return to Tbilisi. Overnight.

After breakfast we leave for Mtskheta, the old capital of Georgia, a place that seems to have stepped out of the pages of history. We visit the impressive Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We then go up the hill crowned by Jvari monastery, with a stunning view of the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.
In the afternoon we visit the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe, one of the most important cultural and religious centres of ancient Georgia, dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. We explore its rock-cut buildings, including temples, houses and even an ancient theatre. The view from the top of the rock takes in the river and valleys below.

Return to Tbilisi. Overnight.

After breakfast the day is free for a stroll through magical Tbilisi and a taste of local street food.

Alternatively, we suggest an excursion to Kazbegi along the famous Georgian Military Road, one of the most spectacular routes in the Caucasus, full of history and natural beauty. Our first stop is Ananuri fortress, a 16th-17th-century architectural gem on the UNESCO tentative list, standing proudly on the banks of the Aragvi with a unique view and a taste of the region's medieval past.

We continue towards the majestic peaks of the Greater Caucasus, stopping at the Zhinvali reservoir to see where the White Aragvi and Black Aragvi rivers meet, their contrasting waters creating a magical setting for relaxing and taking photos.

Lunch at a local restaurant with authentic Georgian food. Afterwards we head to Gudauri, the famous mountain resort at 2,000 metres, known for its charming atmosphere and views of the snowy Caucasus peaks, where we have time to breathe the clean mountain air.

The day ends in Kazbegi, a region of breathtaking natural beauty. In the shadow of mighty Mount Kazbek we enjoy the calm of the landscape and the feeling of being in one of Georgia's most magical places. Return to Tbilisi to rest.

Shortly after midnight we leave for the airport for the return flight.

Home again with wonderful experiences and memories.