Download as PDF 26.5MB - Western & Oriental

From theCaspian tothe Black SeaGroup TourTour durationHoliday type16 daysGroup TourFully GuidedDeparture 8-23 Sep 2013108This fascinating tour travels from Baku on theCaspian Sea, through Northern Azerbaijan, tobalmy Batumi on the Black Sea.The group size is limited to 14 participants andwill be escorted by a local English-speakingtour leader.Day 1 Fly To BakuFly to Baku, transfer to Empire Hotel for 3 nights.Day 2 BakuMorning walking tour of the highlights ofBaku’s Old Town. In the afternoon drive tothe Absheron Peninsula to visit the AsteshgahZoroastrian Fire Temple, Mardakan Fortressand the mosque at Amirjan. Visit the stunningYanardagh Fire Mountain en route to Baku. (B,L)Day 3 GobustanDrive to Gobustan, a national historicallandmark, which aims to preserve the ancientcarvings, relics, mud volcanoes and gas-stonesin the region. Visit Gobustan Museum beforereturning to Baku for afternoon at leisure. (B,L)Day 4 Baku to ShekiDrive northwest to Sheki via Shamahkiand Lahij, then visit Gabala, the old capitalof ancient Caucasian Albania. Check in toOlympic Hotel for 2 nights. (B,L,D)Day 5 ShekiFull day exploring Sheki including a visit to theOriental Bazaar and a local bakery and stopat the village of Kish. (B,L,D)Day 6 Sheki to TelaviDepart for the Georgian border at Lagodekhi.Afternoon visit to the Royal Town of Signagi,Bodbe Nunnery, Gremi ArchitecturalComplex and Necresi Monastery. Continueto Telavi and check in to Hotel Rcheuli Maranifor overnight stay. (B,L,D)Day 7 Telavi to TbilisiVisit the 11th century Alaverdi Cathedral andThe Tsinandali Family Estate, known for itsproduction of fine wines. Continue to Tbilisi andcheck in to Hotel Sharden for 2 nights. (B,L,D)Day 8 TbilisiMorning sightseeing tour of Tbilisi includingthe Sioni Cathedral, Rustaveli Avenue.Afternoon free in Tbilisi to explore at leisure. (B)Day 9 Tbilisi to KutaisiDrive west to Georgia’s second capital,Kutaisi, stopping at The Stalin Museum inGori, (birthplace of Stalin). Visit the cave townof Uplitsikhe before continuing on to Kutaisifor overnight stay in guesthouse. (B,L,D)Day 10 Kutaisi to MestiaVisit the pride of Kutaisi – the ruined church ofKing Bagrat and the Gelati Monastery. Driveto Zugdidi, near the de facto Abkhazian border,before ascending the Enguri Gorge to theremote Svaneti region. Arrive in Mestia andcheck in to Hotel Svaneti for 3 nights. (B,L,D)Day 11 MestiaMorning tour of Mestia including the MestiaEthnographical Museum, a Svan dwellingtower and Lagami Church. Free afternoonto explore at leisure. (B,L,D)Day 12 UshguliDrive further up the valley to Ushguli, whichdates back more than 2,000 years and islocated at the feet of Shkhara, one of thehighest Caucasian summits. Enjoy a picniclunch in this medieval pristine landscape. (B,L,D)Day 13 Mestia to BatumiDrive down to the Black Sea and the coastalresort of Batumi and check in to Hotel VillaRcheuli for 2 nights before a late afternoonwalking tour of the Old Town. (B,L,D)Day 14 BatumiHalf day tour of Batumi including BatumiAgricultural Market, Gonio Fortress and TheBotanical Garden. Free afternoon in Batumito explore at leisure. (B,L,D)Day 15 Batumi to TbilisiDrive back to Tbilisi via Mtskheta, the 4thcenturycapital, which is dominated by Georgia’sfirst Christian cathedral – Svetitskhoveli,reputedly built on a grave containing a pieceof Christ’s robe. Visit Jvari Monastery forspectacular views. On arrival in Tbilisi checkin to Hotel Shardan for overnight stay. (B,L,D)Day 16 Tbilisi to UKMorning transfer to airport for flight backto the UK. (B)Prices fromDeparture Per person Single roomdates twin-share supplement8-23 Sep £2450 £399Prices include• Return flights in economy class withBritish Airways direct from Heathrow• All airport taxes and surcharges• Accommodation in 3-star hotels withbreakfast• Meals as specified• All transfers and transportationthroughout• Sightseeing with English-speakingguides• Entrance fees on sightseeing toursPrices exclude• Azeri Visa (see page 148)Call 020 7666 1244 | www.regentholidays.co.uk | visit your local travel agent