Cl<strong>as</strong>sicArmeniaTour durationHoliday typeSe<strong>as</strong>onality9 daysIndividual TourFully GuidedApr-Oct110Armenia is such a beautiful country withstunning, contr<strong>as</strong>ting landscapes. In theNorth, stone churches lie hidden in luxuriantverdant gorges, whilst in the South, themon<strong>as</strong>teries perch on red, craggy mountains.Picnic lunches can be taken overlooking theever-changing colours of Lake Sevan – oneof the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.Further south from the lake, near Noratus,there is a field of Khachkars (translated <strong>as</strong>cross-stone, carved memorial stones). Winet<strong>as</strong>tingat Areni Winery in Vayots Dzor andbrandy-t<strong>as</strong>ting at Yerevan’s Brandy Factoryare part of the many highlights of a visit toArmenia.This is the ideal itinerary for first time visitorsto Armenia and offers extensive sightseeingwith private guide and car.Day 1 Fly to YerevanFly to Yerevan, transfer to Hotel Aviatransfor 3 nights.Day 2 YerevanMorning sightseeing tour of Yerevan includingthe Genocide Memorial and Museum. Freeafternoon to explore at leisure. (B)Day 3 Etchmiadzin & ZvarnotsExcursion to Etchmiadzin, St. Hripsime andZvarnots. Starting in Etchmiadzin, the religiouscentre of Armenia, visit the cathedral and theadjacent museum, which houses all mannerof manuscripts, religious gifts and relics. Alsovisit the Church of the Holy Virgin Hripsime,built in the 7th century, with excellent views ofboth Mount Ararat and Mount Aragats. (B,L,D)Day 4 Yerevan to SisianDrive south-e<strong>as</strong>t to Sisian via Khor Virapand Noravank. The view of Khor Virap isspectacular set against the backdrop of MountArarat. Continue to Noravank, perchedprecariously in its dramatic gorge setting.A visit is also included to the mountain-topmon<strong>as</strong>tery of Tatev. Overnight stay in HotelLalamar. (B,L,D)Day 5 Sisian to Dilijan via Lake SevanMorning visit to Karahunge, considered to beArmenia’s Stonehenge. Drive to Lake Sevanthrough the mountainous are<strong>as</strong> of VayotsDzor province and via the Selim P<strong>as</strong>s - a p<strong>as</strong>sused since the days of the Silk Road. Here,explore the 14th-century Selim Caravanserai.You will also stop at Noraduz, ancientcemetery of Khachkars (stone crosses). Checkin to Hotel Dilijan for 2 nights. (B,L,D)Day 6 DilijanMorning tour of Dilijan before visiting theHaghartsin Mon<strong>as</strong>tery located to thenorthwest of the town. The mon<strong>as</strong>tery maybe described <strong>as</strong> a school of architecture - ittook about 300 years to build it with manygenerations of architects adding on newstructures <strong>as</strong> they went. Also visit GoshavankMon<strong>as</strong>tery where you will see one of thefinest examples of Armenian cross-stones.After lunch in a private house there will bean opportunity to visit a ceramics workshopand woodcarver’s studio. (B,L,D)Day 7 Lori ProvinceToday visit the Lori Province, an area of forestcoveredmountains, gorges and rivers. Here,visit Odzun church from the 6th century andcontinue to Sanahin and Hagphat (UNESCOHeritage sites). After lunch at a localrestaurant, where you will try the traditionalArmenian barbecue, transfer back to Yerevanfor 2 nights. (B,L)Day 8 Garni & GeghardExcursion to the Garni Pagan Temple andGeghard Mon<strong>as</strong>tery. Garni Temple, datingfrom the 1st century AD, w<strong>as</strong> once a buildingin a great complex of palaces and temples,serving <strong>as</strong> a summer residence for theArmenian Kings of the day. Enjoy a ple<strong>as</strong>antwalk to the Geghard Cave Mon<strong>as</strong>tery, cut intothe side of the cliff and surrounded by ancientgravestones. Afternoon visit the MatenadaranMuseum. (B,L)Day 9 Yerevan to UKMorning transfer to airport for flight to theUK. (B)Prices fromPer person twin-share2 persons travelling £17253 persons travelling £15304 persons travelling £1445Single room supplement £190Prices include• Return flights in economy cl<strong>as</strong>swith Austrian Airlines from LondonHeathrow via Vienna• All airport taxes and security charges• Accommodation in 3-star hotels andguesthouses with breakf<strong>as</strong>t• Meals <strong>as</strong> specified• All transfers and transportationthroughout• Sightseeing with English-speakingguide• Entrance fees on sightseeing toursPrices exclude• Armenian Visa (see page 148)Call 020 7666 1244 | www.regentholidays.co.uk | visit your local travel agent
Cheese andWine Tourof GeorgiaTour durationHoliday typeSe<strong>as</strong>onality9 daysIndividual TourFully GuidedApr-OctAccording to Georgian legend, when Godw<strong>as</strong> distributing land among the peoples ofthe world, the Georgians were so busy eatingand drinking that they lost their place in thequeue and there w<strong>as</strong> no land left. Howeverwhen they invited God to join the party, heenjoyed himself so immensely that he gavethem all the prime plots of land he had beensaving for himself.On this tour you will not only see some of themain sights but t<strong>as</strong>te a v<strong>as</strong>t number of deliciousfoods in restaurants, private homes and alfresco picnics. Our favourite dishes are pkhali(young spinach leaves, pounded together withspices), satsivi (a delicious rich walnut sauceflavoured with herbs and garlic) and khachapuri(waist-expanding layers of flat bread alternatedwith melted cheese). There will also be plentyof opportunities to sample local wines. Thereare between 500 and 1,000 grape varieties inGeorgia and almost every village produces itsown wine. Gaumarjos! (Cheers!).Day 1 Fly to TbilisiOvernight flight to Tbilisi.Day 2 TbilisiArrive in Tbilisi and transfer to hotel forovernight stay. After a brief rest, start with atour of Georgia’s capital, including NarikalaFortress, Church of the Virgin, the sulphurbaths and a bakery. (B,L,D)Day 3 Tbilisi - Telaviwine pitchers buried under the ground. Enjoylunch and a wine t<strong>as</strong>ting before continuingto Telavi to indulge in a wine t<strong>as</strong>ting at GWSvinery. In the evening at a local guesthouset<strong>as</strong>te cheese from the Tusheti region. Dinnerand overnight at a local guesthouse. (B,L,D)Day 4 Telavi - TbilisiDiscover the wine history of Telavi, visitingvineyards, wine cellars and Nadkora – acemetery of wine pitchers from the prehistoricperiod. Visit the Tsinandali family estate andenjoy a wine t<strong>as</strong>ting before returning to Tbilisi.On arrival, check in for overnight. (B,L)Day 5 Tbilisi - AspindzaThe first stop of the day is sacred Mtskheta,the ancient capital of e<strong>as</strong>tern Georgia at thesouthern end of the Georgian Military highway.Georgia’s conversion to Christianity occurredhere in 337 AD and it is considered one ofGeorgia’s most important religious centres.Visit the UNESCO sites of Church of Jvariperched on a cliff overlooking the city andSveti-Tskhoveli Cathedral. Near Gori, visitUplistsikhe a cave town dating back to the 1stmillennium BC. Among the dwelling complexes,theatres, pagan temples and other ruins ofpublic buildings, discover the ancient winepresses cut in stone. In the evening arrive in theSamtskhe-Javakheti region. Wine originatedfrom here, but because of climate change onlya few vineyards are left. Here at a family house,enjoy t<strong>as</strong>ting local Meskh cheese. Dinner andovernight at a local family guesthouse. (B,L,D)Day 7 Kutaisi - BatumiVisit Gelati academy complex, a UNESCO site,before driving to Samegrelo region known forits cheese “Sulguni”. At a local family house seehow this cheese is made and enjoy a t<strong>as</strong>ting.Continue to Batumi on the Black Sea co<strong>as</strong>tand enjoy a short walking tour of the Old Townin the evening, before dinner with traditionalAjara dishes. Overnight in Batumi. (B,L,D)Day 8 Batumi - TbilisiDrive to Tbilisi via Sachkhere. En routevisit Mgvimevi Mon<strong>as</strong>tery Complex whichcomprises two b<strong>as</strong>ilic<strong>as</strong>, a hall church cut intothe rock and a bell tower. In the village ofKoreti, be a guest of the Sharvadzeebi familyand visit their wine cellars. On arrival in Tbilisi,check in for overnight. (B,L,D)Day 9 Tbilisi to UKTransfer to airport for flight to the UK. (B,L)Prices fromPer person twin-share £2030Single room supplement £245Prices include• Return flights in economy cl<strong>as</strong>swith British Airways from LondonHeathrow• All airport taxes and security charges• All transfers and transportation• Accommodation in 3-star hotels andguesthouses• Full board except for 2 dinners in Tbilisi• Wine-t<strong>as</strong>ting <strong>as</strong> specified• Sightseeing with English-speakingguides• All entrance fees on sightseeing toursDrive along the “Wine Route” p<strong>as</strong>sing through Day 6 Aspinsza – Kutaisivineyards and wine-producing villages inKakheti region, which is synonymous with Drive to Varzia cave town. En route make aGeorgian wine. First, explore Signagi Royal short stop to visit Tsunda b<strong>as</strong>ilica. Around theTown, a stop on the Silk Road surrounded by church the ancient terraces for vineyards candefensive walls with 23 towers. Proceed to still seen. Then proceed to Kutaisi and enjoyGurjaani to visit a small, local family-owned wine an evening walking tour of the Old Town. Atcellar, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> an ancient Marani - a special a local guesthouse, t<strong>as</strong>te Imereti cheese, a Prices exclude111house for storing wine. In this cellar, wine is specialty of the region. Dinner and overnight • 2 mealsmade according to Georgian traditions in huge at a local guesthouse. (B,L,D)Call 020 7666 1244 | www.regentholidays.co.uk | visit your local travel agent