Armenia and Georgia – the crossroads of Europe and Asia

Overview

Day 2 – Yerevan

A guided tour of Yerevan offers a glimpse of the Soviet past. We take a look at Armenian culture at the Cafesjian Centre for the Arts and Matenadaran. As one of the worlds oldest and richest book-depositories, it holds over 17,000 ancient manuscripts of culture and sciences. We also visit the Genocide Memorial and the museum dedicated to the victims. We continue to the Megerian Carpet Factory to learn about years-old traditions of Armenian carpet making and enjoy an Armenian lunch with a special culinary masterclass. We then visit the Sergei Parajanov Museum.

Excursions & visits:

Yerevan city tour with cooking masterclass (all day)

Grand Hotel Yerevan (4.5-star)

Day 3 – Yerevan

Khor Virap Monastery was constructed over the dungeon that imprisoned patron saint Gregory the Illuminator. From here, you can admire Mount Ararat – its snow-capped peak is said to be the resting place of Noahs Ark – and the closed Turkey-Armenia border, 20km away. Then in Echmiadzin well see the cathedral. Reputed to be the first official Christian church in the world, its the spiritual centre of the Armenian people. It also includes the Cross of Armenian Unity and the chance to participate in carpet weaving or make Armenian dishes. UNESCO-listed Zvartnots Cathedral is our last stop. These fascinating ruins showcase a unique architectural style in their grand setting.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Khor Virap Monastery, Echmiadzin Treasury Museum and Zvartnots Cathedral (all day)

Grand Hotel Yerevan (4.5-star)

Day 4 – Yerevan

Visit the ruined 7th-century fortress of Amberd. This fortress in the clouds is in a spectacular, rural location on the slope of Mount Aragats. Next is the Perch Proshyan House-Museum, birthplace of the Armenian writer and teacher. In the Ararat valley grows a unique variety of grapes used to make much-loved Ararat brandy, a brand favoured by the court of His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II and Sir Winston Churchill. Before we taste this national spirit, we take a tour of the factory. Cellars here are full of barrels dating back to the 19th century, and the Peace Barrel, filled with the brandy spirit of 1994, the year when the ceasefire agreement was signed. We’ll also visit Yeravan’s History Museum today.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Amberd fortress and Perch Proshyan House-Museum (all day)

Grand Hotel Yerevan (4.5-star)

Day 5 – Yerevan – Dilijan

Geghard Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site hewn into rock, creating incredibly haunting acoustics. Well hear this during a short recital exclusive to Titan. The pagan Temple of Garni is next, with Roman bath mosaics. Lunch is in a family home, where we participate in making Armenian bread, before our host shows us around the village – a great opportunity to learn about life here. Later, we visit the medieval Sevanavank Monastery, before heading to Dilijan.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Geghard, the Temple of Garni and Sevanavank monasteries (all day)

Tsaghkadzor Marriott Hotel (3.5-star)

Day 6 – Dilijan – Tbilisi

We begin today at a pottery, then the medieval Haghartsin Monastery. Well meet Molokans, a Russian sect who settled in Armenia after being exiled from Russia several centuries ago. Their lifestyle hasnt changed for 200 years – many are farmers, and all have strong community values. Later, we visit UNESCO-protected Haghpat Monastery, a masterpiece of religious architecture and a major centre of learning in the Middle Ages. We then cross the border into Georgia, where we stay in Tbilisi.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Haghartsin and Haghpat monasteries and a Molokan village (all day)

Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi (4-star)

Day 7 – Tbilisi

Founded in the 4th century on the site of warm mineral springs, Tbilisi developed into the main city of the Caucasus. By the 12th century it was one of the most important political, economic and cultural centres of Eurasia. It stood as a key stop on the Silk Road – right on the border between Europe and Asia, creating a harmonious mix of cultures. Our city tour includes the Old Town, Metekhi Temple, the Mosque and Narikala, the main fortress of Tbilisi.

Excursions & visits:

City tour of Tbilisi (all day)

Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi (4-star)

Day 8 – Mtskheta – Gori – Kazbegi

Mtskheta was the capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia between 500 BC – AD 500. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is built on the spot where a piece of Christs Robe is thought to be buried. Many Georgian monarchs are also entombed here. We also visit Gori, a town known for its huge fortress and as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. We visit the dictators family home, and then take the Georgian Military Highway into the Caucasus Mountains.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Mtskheta and Stalins childhood home, Gori (morning)

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi (4-star)

Day 9 – Kazbegi

Kazbegi is a picturesque settlement overlooked by the biggest peak of the Caucasus – Mount Kazbek. In Greek mythology, Prometheus taught man how to make fire. Various versions say his punishment was to be chained to Mount Kazbek for eternity, and have his liver pecked out every day by an eagle. After many years, Hercules killed the bird and broke the chains to free Prometheus. We ascend to Gergeti Sameba Church in an wonderfully photogenic mountaintop setting. The rest of the day is at leisure, with an optional excursion available to beautiful Sno Valley and the village of Juta.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Gergeti Sameba Church (morning)

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi (4-star)

Day 10 – Ananuri – Tbilisi

Visit Ananuri castle complex, the scene of many battles including peasant uprisings.

Excursions & visits:

Ananuri castle complex (morning)

Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi (4-star)