Koken in Georgië
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Gourmand and wine tour in Georgia
Day 1: Departure for Tbilisi
Day 2: Tbilisi
Arrive in Tbilisi early in the morning and transfer to a hotel.
After late breakfast we will have Tbilisi Sightseeing tour. During the tour we will take you to the places that will show you old city. You will be able to take a glance to the history of the city from early centuries to nowadays by walking in narrow streets of the city and exploring the religious and secular architecture. Here you will find different religious buildings – churches, synagogues, mosques, as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden multi-coloured balconies. You will visit the sulfur bath which made an unforgettable impression on Pushkin, Lermontov, Duma. During the tour you will be able to enjoy the superb panoramic view of the Old city. This marks the end of the Old Town.
Afterwards we will have lunch in the traditional Georgian restaurant with delicious Georgian food. After lunch we will visit the stunning treasury of the Georgian National Art Museum, before taking a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi.
In the late afternoon we will have a lecture about Georgian wine, which will be continued with a wine tasting.
Diner in the traditional Georgian restaurant with delicious Georgian dishes and wine.
Overnight in Tbilisi in a hotel
Day 3: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kutaisi
We will visit the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia – Mtskheta (3000 years old) and see its historical places: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
You will get surprised with the savoury and elaborately cooked dishes just characteristic of this region. We will have lunch in one of the most popular restaurants for Georgians. This is just the place for tasting the most delicious Georgian dishes ‘Lobio’ (boiled beans in clay bowls) and Kabab.
After lunch travel to Imereti region (West Georgia), which is one of the biggest and one of the most beautiful regions in the West Georgia. Wines here are very different from Kakhetian wines (information about Kakheti region please see below). The climate is hotter in Kakheti, so grapes ripe earlier and are sweet. That’s why Kakhetian wines are very strong, while the wine in Imereti contains less alcohol and is a bit sour.
En route we will visit the village where the local pottery is made and are used everywhere in Georgia for cooking and keeping wine. You will have a chance to take a part in the process of pottery making.
Diner and overnight in Kutaisi at a family guesthouse (shared facilities).
Day 4: Kutaisi – Samegrelo – Kutaisi
Today we will travel to one of the ancient regions of Georgia which is famous for its delicious dishes and completely different style of cooking. Georgians like their meals hot and spicy. Most dishes here are cooked with walnut, garlic and lots of herbs. Here we will try one of the most typical dishes ‘Elarji’ with the most delicious cheese ‘Sulguni’, and try Megrelian ‘Khachapuri’. You will have a chance to cook yourself which will be undoubtedly enjoyable experience. Afterwards drive back to Kutaisi.
Diner and overnight in Kutaisi
Day 5: Kutaisi – Zugdidi – Mestia
Today we will travel to the most interesting part of Georgia – Svaneti, which is different from all other part of country. Beautiful nature, ancient traditions, medieval towers and excellent cuisine awaits us in Svaneti.
We will taste local food ‘Kubdari’ and ‘Chvishtari’.
Diner and overnight in Mestia at a family guesthouse (shared facilities).
Day 6: Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia
A three-hour drive will takes us to the highest permanent village in Europe – Ushguli (2200m). Ushguli and generally the whole Upper Svaneti region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is most famous for its abundance of watchtowers and this is where you get the view of the highest mountain in Georgia – Mt. Shkhara (5068m). In Ushguli we visit Lamaria Church (12th century) and after enjoying beautiful nature drive back to Mestia.
Diner and overnight in Mestia.
Day 7: Mestia – Kutaisi
In the morning transfer to Kutaisi. En rout visit Lenjeri church.
In Kutaisi visit historical places: Gelati Cathedral (12th century) – one of the earliest academies in Europe, and the splendid Bagrati Cathedral (11th century). Both Gelati and Bagrati Cathedral are UNESCO World heritage sites.
Diner and overnight in Kutaisi at a family guesthouse (shared facilities).
Day 8: Kutaisi – Sachkhere – Tbilisi
Today we visit a local village located on mountain slope and see century-old wine-cellar. We will see how local dishes are cooked. Here people use clay pans ‘Ketsi’ where they make ‘Khachapuri’, ‘Mchadi’ and roast chicken. Guests also see how to prepare the Georgian delicacy pig roasted in a bakery. Of course tourists can attend the process of making all these dishes. We will have a traditional Georgian feast in a wine-cellar with local wine. It will be an unforgettable experience!
In the evening arrive in Tbilisi and have dinner in the restaurant.
Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.
Day 9: Tbilisi – Gudani – Gudauri
Today we will travel in another mountain region – Khevsureti and taste ‘Khavitsi’ which is prepared only in this part of Georgia. In the evening arrive in another mountain region – Khevi.
Diner and overnight at a hotel in Gudauri.
Day 10: Gudauri – Kazbegi – Gudauri
In the morning a stunning drive from Gudauri along the Tergi River will bring us to Kazbegi – the main town in the region. From Kazbegi a leisurely 1.5 hour walk up through beautiful valleys and woodland leads us to Gergeti Trinity Church located at 2170m. Weather permitting you may catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi (5047m).
This mountainous region is famous for the Georgians favorite dish – ‘Khinkali’ which is inseparable from the local beer. You will see how the locals prepare it, get the recipes and even try cooking for yourself. Lunch will be served in one of the local’s family.
In the evening return back to Gudauri.
Diner and overnight at a hotel in Gudauri.
Day 11: Gudauri – Sighnaghi – Telavi
Next three days we will travel to the most popular wine growing region in Georgia – Kakheti, where we can learn everything connected with viticulture and wine-making. Georgians have a special method of making wine in wooden presses and then storing it in clay vessels sunk in the ground. Even today many houses in the country have a wine cellar – the so-called ‘marani’ with a wine-press and underground clay jars – ‘kvevri’.
We will visit the fortified town of Signaghi lying on the slopes of the mountains. Taking a stroll in the streets of the town and enjoy the views of the Caucasus Mountains and Alazani valley. After lunch continue the way to Telavi and en rout visit a unique 300-year old wine-cellar in a farmer’s house where people still keep wine the same way as their ancestors did centuries. We will drink red and white Kakhetian wines.
Dinner with traditional home made Georgian dishes and wine. Staying in private house in Telavi would be a great experience for us as we learn local traditions and customs. Dinner is served on the veranda for us to admire superb views of the Great Caucasus Mountains. According to the Georgian tradition ‘tamada’ will lead our feast and propose toasts.
In the evening arrive in Telavi and overnight in a guesthouse (shared facilities).
Day 12: Kakheti region
In the morning we will visit a food market where stalls are loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, spices and drinks.
Today we will visit Kindzmarauli wine factory for wine tasting. Afterwards travel to a local village and get to know the way people live here. We visit the vineyard and participate in grape harvest (if it’s September or October). Here we get a chance to see how different Georgian dishes are prepared and even cook them ourselves. At lunch alongside with other dishes we will have a Georgian delicacy ‘mtsvadi’ – meat barbequed on fire of vine branches. You also see how Georgian bread is baked. At lunch we enjoy delicious home-made food and Kakhetian red and white wines.
We also visit some historical place: Alaverdi Cathedral (11th century) and Gremi complex (16th century).
Diner and overnight in Telavi
Day 13: Telavi – Tbilisi
According to the Georgian tradition in the morning we will have famous Georgian vodka – ‘chacha’ which is much more stronger than ordinary vodka and definitely is the Georgians’ one of the favorite drinks.
Then transfer to Tbilisi and free time.
In the evening dinner in the restaurant.
Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.
Day 14: Departure
Early in the morning transfer to the airport and departure.
Deze reis is vanaf twee personen het gehele jaar te boeken.
Een bijpassende vlucht kunnen wij voor u regelen.
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