Armenia and Georgia: Cultures of the Caucasus

Armenia stands at one of history’s crossroads, midway between the Black and Caspian seas. The first nation to officially adopt Christianity, it bridges past and present as well as east and west with a mix of stunning churches and monasteries, renowned wines and brandies, hearty cuisine, friendly people and some of Eastern Europe’s most glorious mountain scenery.

Get to know Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. View the distinctly Armenian architecture of the tuff-stone buildings in Republic Square. Visit the Matenadaran Museum of Ancient Manuscripts and the Yerevan Cascade architectural complex, viewing the artworks in its Cafesjian Center for the Arts.

View beautiful Khor Virap, a monastery dramatically backdropped by the biblical Mount Ararat. Continue to Vagharshapat to visit the Etchmiadzin Cathedral and the Treasury Museum, home to a collection of venerated Christian relics relating to Jesus’ crucifixion and Noah’s Ark. After lunch at the Machanents Cultural Centre, visit Zvartnots Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the house-museum of renowned filmmaker Sergei Parajanov for a private tour and reception featuring a harp performance.

Attend a special choral performance of medieval Armenian spiritual chants in the acoustic cave chamber of ancient Geghard Monastery. Then visit the pagan Garni Temple. Built about AD 77, it is the region’s only Greco-Roman colonnaded structure. Take part in an Armenian tradition with a hands-on lavash (flatbread) baking ceremony. The dough is kneaded, rolled and baked in a wood-fired oven, then served for lunch with barbecued meats and vegetables. In Azat Gorge, behold the Symphony of Stones — natural basalt columns formed millions of years ago.

Visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum, situated in the hills of Tsitsernakaberd, to learn about one of the most tragic pages of Armenia’s history, and the nation’s revival. Then travel to the shores of Lake Sevan, the largest freshwater lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region, for a lakeside lunch featuring Amermian trout.

A land of rugged beauty and welcoming locals — who call it Sakartvelo — Georgia is considered the cradle of winemaking. It is a still-being-discovered destination offering travellers diverse cuisine, amazing scenery and a rich, varied history. Stop at the Haghpat Monastery in Armenia to admire its Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture before crossing into Georgia. After lunch, continue to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia and a vibrant melting pot of nightclubs and cafés. Marvel at the city’s Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate Art Nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all is Kartlis Deda, the 66-foot-tall “Mother of Georgia” statue.

Walk the cobbled streets of Tbilisi’s atmospheric old town, visiting a 12th-century Metekhi Church and a 19th-century Jewish synagogue. Take in the old Georgian houses with their distinctive curved balconies and the Sioni Cathedral. See the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi before getting a bird’s-eye view of the city from the Narikala Fortress. Marvel at the extraordinary gold filigree work at the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia. Stop at the Akhvlediani House Museum, studio of renowned Georgian female artist Elene Akhvlediani. Peruse her works over drinks and a private piano recital. You may also opt (at an additional cost) for a dip in the warm Tbilisi Sulfur Baths.

Explore Georgia’s Kakheti region, in the Great Caucasus range, considered the birthplace of viticulture and winemaking. Stop at the ninth-century Bodbe Monastery before arriving at the fortified town of Sighnaghi. Take part in a fun cooking class and wine tasting at a local family-run winery. Stop at one more winery for a tasting before returning to Tbilisi for the evening.

Take in the UNESCO-heritage listed Mtskheta, Georgia’s cultural and religious center; visit the Jvari Church, one of the few early medieval Georgian churches still standing; and view Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a Middle Ages masterpiece. Settle into your hotel in the sleepy valley town of Kazbegi.

Ramble by 4x4 up a steep hill to the 14th-century Gergeti Holy Trinity Church to take in vistas of the surrounding mountains. Roll along the scenic Georgian Military Highway toward the stunning Dariali Gorge, gazing out over rugged cliffs and a rushing river. Your afternoon is free for relaxing at your hotel or exploring the surrounding area.

Take in the Ananuri Architectural complex, viewing churches and towers from the 16th and 17th centuries. Indulge in a lunch of delicious Georgian dishes paired with locally made wines. Proceed to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin, where you visit the controversial museum that traces his life. Back in Tbilisi, eat some of Georgia’s finest cuisine at a traditional restaurant, accompanied by a private polyphonic ensemble performance.

After breakfast, take your private transfer to the airport for your departing flight.