30 November 2024 / optional post-conference tours

The special tours include: Visits in museums, historical sites; Wine degustation, ethnographic events etc.
Transportation, guide service, light coffee – lunch breaks; dinner.

The post-conference optional programs require pre – registration + payment (communicated later).

Option 1: Tbilisi – Ujarma – Shuamta –Tsinandali (Kakheti region)

Discover the historic and scenic beauty of East Georgia with a tour through the Kakheti region. This journey explores the medieval Ujarma Fortress, the ancient religious sites of Old and New Shuamta monasteries, and the elegant Tsinandali Estate, home to the renowned Georgian poet Alexander Chavchavadze. Known for its vineyards and rich history, Kakheti offers a unique blend of cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and delightful Georgian cuisine.

Kakheti – the most beautiful region of Georgia, is popular among travelers from all over the world. Numerous vineyards and, accordingly, excellent Georgian wines, natural and historical and architectural sites, many shrines – these are the main reasons why you should pay attention to Kakheti, a region with a rich history and, of course, delicious Georgian cuisine.
Visit to the Fortress of Ujarma – historical fortified city and one of the most important monuments of medieval architecture in Georgia, due to its location and historical significance.
Visiting the monasteries Dzveli-Shuamta and Akhali Shuamta (Old Shuamta and New Shuamta). There are two monasteries in the village of Shuamta, which at one time were important religious centers of Christian Georgia.
Tsinandali Estate – Visit to the house-museum of A. Chavchavadze in Tsinandali, largely symbolic place. The current Tsinandali Palace was built in the early 1800s by the famous Georgian poet and thinker Alexander Chavchavadze. Now the estate houses a museum with well-preserved interiors and artifacts from a bygone era. Around the elegant mansion was laid out a regular park in the English style with various rare plants.
Wine tour and degustation
Dinner

Option 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi (Kartli Region)

Take a journey through Kartli, where ancient history and spiritual heritage converge. This tour explores the historic sites of Mtskheta, the ancient capital and spiritual center of Georgia, home to the 7th-century Jvari Monastery and the iconic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Discover the intriguing cave city of Uplistsikhe, a marvel of ancient architecture carved into the rocky landscape, offering a glimpse into Georgia’s storied past. From the ancient Kingdom of Iberia to the early Christian heritage, Kartli’s historical landmarks provide a captivating experience.

Kartli – the largest and most populated province of Eastern Georgia. In the 3rd century BC the ancient Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Kartli, also known as Iberia, was established here. Its king declared Christianity as the official religion of Kartli in 337 AD.
Mtskheta – The oldest city-reserve, whose age is about 4000 years, is considered the Second Jerusalem, a museum of Christian culture. In a small area between small streets, it keeps a lot of saints and places of worship. Mtskheta is actually the heart of Georgian civilization, the capital of Georgia before the founding of Tbilisi.
Visit to the Jvari monastery – Georgian monastery and temple of the 7th century, one of the masterpieces of architecture for the perfection of architectural forms and the first World Heritage Site in Georgia.
Visit of Svetitskhoveli – The temple, with some changes that has survived to this day, was built at the beginning of the 11th century. It is one of the greatest cathedrals. The ancient shrine and spiritual center of Georgia was built on the site of previous churches, the walls of which were not completely destroyed and were preserved as architectural elements.
Uplistsikhe – Even from afar, this quaint rock city fascinates with its unusual view. Cave grottoes gape like giant pores on the rocks, inside of which life once boiled. There were once huge majestic halls, temples, dwellings, interconnected by winding corridors. It is hard to believe that this grandiose titanic work to create a whole city from the stone firmament is the creation of human hands. Once on the territory of Uplistsikhe there were about 700 caves and similar structures, and today there are about 150 of them.
Dinner