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Cheese andWine Tourof GeorgiaTour durationHoliday typeSeasonality9 daysIndividual TourFully GuidedApr-OctAccording to Georgian legend, when Godwas distributing land among the peoples ofthe world, the Georgians were so busy eatingand drinking that they lost their place in thequeue and there was 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 taste a vast 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 tasting before continuingto Telavi to indulge in a wine tasting at GWSvinery. In the evening at a local guesthousetaste 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 tasting 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 eastern 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 tasting 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 tasting.Continue to Batumi on the Black Sea coastand 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 Monastery Complex whichcomprises two basilicas, 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 classwith 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-tasting as specified• Sightseeing with English-speakingguides• All entrance fees on sightseeing toursDrive along the “Wine Route” passing 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 basilica. 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, as well as an ancient Marani - a special a local guesthouse, taste 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