Along The Traces of Argonauts

Breakfast in hotel. Sightseeing tour of Tbilisi, capital since 5th century; explore old town, visit the most important historical and cultural sites; explore the treasuries of Georgia at the National Museum, visit the National Center of Manuscripts containing the huge collection of Georgian, East, Greek, European scripts, funds and historical documents. Visit open air ethnographic museum, located in outskirt of Tbilisi, remarkable with variety of houses describing medieval Georgian culture and tradition. Welcome dinner at traditional restaurant with wine and folk performance. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Mtskheta, the town significant for its cultural heritage dated back from 3rd century BC the UNESCO site. Visit 6th century Jvari monastery, 11th century Svetitskhoveli cathedral and Samtavro nunnery. Continue to the north along the Georgian military highway to 16th-17th centuries Ananuri architectural complex, well-preserved castle and victim of numerous historic battles. Today attracts visitors with its unique architecture and strategic location. Arrival in Tbilisi visit traditional workshops of silk and felt production. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast drive to one of the land marks of the Argonauts Kutaisi, the second largest city and the center of Colchis Kingdom referred to Aea in past. Excursion to Uplistsikhe an ancient cave city dated back from 1st millennium BC – identified as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Even the ancient pharmacy store proves the existence of developed med-culture of this epoch. The word medicine derives from name Medea, the key character from legend Argonauts.

*Optional visit at J. Stalin’s museum and house of birth in Gori. Passing Rikoti tunnel and brief stop at “Shrosha” clay market. The clay production is also mentioned in the legend by numerous ways. Arrive in Kutaisi, visit 12th century Gelati monastery and the former academy related to the Georgian golden age period.

During the dinner a small lecture about Georgian golden period and reading some fragments from Georgian poetry. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast in hotel. After a brief visit of Kutaisi food market head to the Prince Dadiani’s palace and explore the treasures and artifacts excavated from Nokalakevi archaeological site from 19th century. Continue road to Svaneti – the main destination point related to gold extracting technic described in legend. Drive along Enguri River arriving at Becho village. Traditional Svanetian dinner. Overnight at guesthouse(s).

Breakfast in guesthouse(s). Explore the amazing scenery opening from village Becho. 2-3 hours walk towards glacier until the bottom of Mt. Ushba 4710 m. Afternoon short class about Georgian language, script and discussion of legend and artifacts referring to the Argonauts legend. Dinner and overnight at guesthouse(s) in Becho.

Breakfast at guesthouse(s). Depart to Mestia, the center of Svaneti region. The area is famous with its medieval towers used for defense purposes and museums keeping ancient treasures. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Breakfast in hotel. Drive by 4WD vehicles to village Ushguli, the highest inhabited village in Europe 2200 m. recognized by UNSCO as the world heritage site. Visit 12th century Lamaria church, walk in the village, taste local “Sulguni” cheese at one of the families. Enjoy the stunning view of giant mountains; return to Mestia for dinner and overnight at hotel.

Drive back to Tbilisi 9-10 hr. Late Evening arrival. Overnight at hotel.

Transfer to the airport

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