Tours
7 -8 December 2024 / optional post-conference tours (Kakheti Region, Kartli Region, Imereti region)
The tours include: Visits in museums, historical sites; Wine degustation (where applicable) etc.
Transportation, guide service, light coffee – lunch breaks; dinner, accommodation (where applicable).
The post-conference optional programs require pre – registration + payment on site during the Conference registration.
Option 1: Tbilisi – Ujarma – Shuamta –Tsinandali (Kakheti region) – 7 December
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) – 7 December
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
Option 3: Tbilisi-Vani-Kutaisi-Tbilisi (Imereti Region) – December 7
Time: 07:00 am – 10:00 pm
Price: EUR 60
Note: This excursion will proceed only with a minimum of 14 participants. The fee is payable upon registration at the venue. Itinerary details may be subject to change, and participants will be informed accordingly.
Tour Itinerary:
07:00 am: Departure from Tbilisi to Vani (approx. 3 hours and 40 minutes drive)
10:00 am: Arrival in Vani. Guided tour of the Otar Lordkipanidze Vani Archaeological Museum led by Prof. Nino Lordkipanidze, author of the museum’s scientific concept and curator (TBC).
12:00 pm: Departure to Kutaisi (approx. 1-hour drive, lunch boxes provided)
01:00 pm: Guided visits to Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery (TBC), and, if time allows, Motsameta Monastery.
04:00 pm: Dinner at “Story” Restaurant, known for its welcoming ambiance and delicious Georgian cuisine with modern touches. Story Facebook Page
06:00 pm: Free time to explore Kutaisi at your leisure.
07:00 pm: Departure from Kutaisi to Tbilisi (approx. 3 hours and 15 minutes drive)
10:00 pm: Arrival back in Tbilisi.
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About Vani and Kutaisi: An Immersive Journey through Western Georgia’s Heritage
Vani – Otar Lordkipanidze Archaeological Museum The Otar Lordkipanidze Vani Archaeological Museum, part of the Georgian National Museum network, is a unique cultural landmark linked to the legendary city of Vani and the myth of the Golden Fleece. This museum, with its temple-like architecture, was extensively renovated and reopened in 2020, offering updated exhibitions that span eight centuries of the Colchian civilization’s political, cultural, and religious significance. Known as a major Hellenistic center, Vani played a pivotal role as a political and religious hub.
In recent years, the museum has gained significant recognition, winning the European Museum of the Year Silletto Prize in 2023 for its outstanding community engagement and the Projects of Influence Award from the Best in Heritage organization. The museum runs a variety of community programs, engaging local youth in eco-literacy, civic education, and cultural heritage preservation. Programs include educational workshops, summer schools for underprivileged children, and teacher workshops that use museum resources to discuss themes like war, environmental crises, and transculturalism.
In addition to its role as an educational center, the Vani Museum serves as a research hub and meeting place for regional and international scholars. As Western Georgia’s largest multifunctional public space, it fosters community involvement and international dialogue on cultural heritage preservation.
Kutaisi – The Heart of the Imereti Region Kutaisi, one of Georgia’s oldest cities and the administrative center of the Imereti region, is steeped in history dating back to the Kingdom of Colchis in the 3rd century BC. Often identified as the capital of ancient Colchis, the city played a key role throughout Georgian history. By the 10th century, Kutaisi had become the capital of the unified Georgian Kingdom under King David the Builder, who founded Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi. Gelati, along with Bagrati Cathedral, exemplifies Georgia’s medieval renaissance and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, Kutaisi remains a vibrant city blending historic significance with modern life. It offers visitors a variety of cultural and historical sites, including Gelati Monastery, Bagrati Cathedral, and Motsameta Monastery, as well as modern amenities, restaurants, and leisure spots. Its rich history, combined with a welcoming atmosphere, makes Kutaisi a destination where visitors can immerse themselves in both the ancient and contemporary Georgian experience.
Join us on this unforgettable journey through Western Georgia, where ancient mythology, rich history, and vibrant modern culture come together. This tour promises a unique perspective on Georgia’s heritage, offering an immersive experience into the legacy of the Colchian civilization and the heart of the Imereti region.
Photo-gallery (c) Georgian National Museum/Fernando Javier Urquijo and National Geographic Georgia/Tbel Abuseridze
