The Path of the Holy Syrian Fathers

Georgia's main monuments of christianity

12 Days

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Over these 12 days, you will travel the path of the Holy Syrian Fathers. You will visit many architectural monuments in Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti, and Samtskhe-Javakheti, which trace the history of Georgian Christianity.
Early Georgian architects paid particular attention to how their constructions harmonised with the surrounding landscape and in fact their work was very often inspired by the natural beauty of Georgia's environment.
At the beginning of the 4th century AD, St. Nino of Capadoccia brought Christianity to Georgia. In the year 337, Christianity was proclaimed as the state religion of Georgia, although, it was not until some one hundred years later that it became firmly established.
The 13 Holy Syrian Fathers from Antioch were responsible for strengthening Christianity in Georgia. They founded several monastery complexes in Kartli and Kakheti, and turned these two regions of Georgia into centers of Christian culture. Later David Gareja, Shiomghvime, Zedazeni, Alaverdi, Nekresi, Samtavisi and other cathedrals were built on the site of former monasteries.

Our tour begins in Kartli. In Mtskheta, St. Nino erected the first Christian cross and the first churches were built here. The cross of St. Nino is held in the Sioni Cathedral. We will visit the monasteries of Shiomghvime and Zedazeni which were built on former pagan sites.
Places to visit:
Tbilisi: Anchiskhati (6-7th century), Sioni Cathedral (7th century), Mamadaviti monastery (6th-19th century), Kashveti church (6th-19th century), Betania monastery (12-13th century), Fine Arts Museum.
Mtskheta: Jvari monastery (6-7th century), Zedazeni monastery (6-8th century), Shiomghvime monastery (6th century), Svetitskhoveli cathedral (11th century), Tsilkani (4-17th century).
Then onwards to Imereti. Kutaisi, the former capital of western Georgia is the cultural centre of this area. It was from here that King David IV ('The Builder') began the unification of Georgia. He also founded the Gelati Academy, where he is buried. The Academy holds the only remaining portrait of the King.
Imereti: Gelati (10-11the century), Motsameta (8-10th century), Martvili (7-10th century), Nikortsminda (11th century).
From Imereti we drive to Southern Georgia - Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tori provinces, where we can explore Vardzia (12-13th century), the Vani caves (8-15th century), Khertvisi (2nd century BC - 11th century AD) and Sapara (10th century). Timotesubani (13th century).
Shida (Inner) Kartli:Samtavisi (11th century), Uplistsikhe (2nd century BC), Ateni Sioni (7th century), Kintsvisi (13th century), Urbnisi (5-6th century), Breti (6-9th century), Ulumba (6-19th century), Kvemo (Lower) Kartli: Tsugrugasheni (11th century), Dmanisi (6-7 century).
The Last province of our trip is Kakheti, where we visit:
Alaverdi (11th century), Ikalto Academy (11-12th century), Martkhopi (6-7th century) Khirsa (6th century), Nekresi (6-9th century), Gremi (16-17th centuries), Shuamta (6-16th century) and David Gareja monastery (6-11th century).
The monastery of David Gareja, built in the desert by the Saint father David, is the holiest place in Georgia. It is said that visiting the David Gareja monastery three times is equivalent to one visit to Jerusalem. In the past, a world famous school of fresco painting thrived within the monastery. Many of the frescos which survive today on the walls of the monastery date back to the 9th century.

Day 1: arrival in Tbilisi;
Day 2: Tbilisi sightseeing;
Day 3: Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Tbilisi;
Day 4: Tbilisi - Kutaisi;
Day 5: Kutaisi;
Day 6: Kutaisi - Vani - Kutaisi;
Day 7: Kutaisi - Nikortsminda - Borjomi;
Day 8: Borjomi - Vardzia - Borjomi ;
Day 9: Borjomi - Tbilisi;
Day 10: Tbilisi - Dmanisi - Tbilisi;
Day 11: Tbilisi - Telavi;
Day 12: Telavi;
Day 13: Telavi - Tbilisi;
Day 14: Tbilisi - Betania - Tbilisi;
Day 15: Departure

Note:

Prices include:
- Inland transportation by car in case of 2xpax / by minibus in case of 3xpax;
- Guide assistance at the airport (arrival, departure)
- Excursions & entrance fees
- Accommodation according to the program
- Meals / full board on days 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, / Breakfast & lunch on days 5, 7 / B&B on days 1, 8
- Visa support letter
- 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day

Prices Exclude:
- Flights
- Visas
-Travel insurance
- Single room supplement
- Alcohol drinks
Tour Logistic

General
The above mentioned itinerary is specially designed for Caucasus Travel guests. All upgrades, however, such as personal guide, single accommodation, private vehicle for optional tour, entertainment etc will be available on spot.

The logistics and the draft budget are based on number of participants in the group and English-speaking tour leader from Caucasus Travel Ltd. The tour provides package service, including FB in countryside and HB in Tbilisi, transportation and all entrance fees to the museums (as per the itinerary).

- Meantime, the program is flexible according to special demands or remarks.

Transportation
For airport transfers and inland transportation air-conditioned Car, 8-10 seats Minibus or Full size modern Bus will be provided - depending on a group size.

Staff / Cultural Tours Guide - is a person with fluent knowledge of English / Russian/ German / Italian / French / Japanese languages, history, culture and good management skills and rich experience. Guide together with Tour Operator will be in charge of Program's logistics and will be able to assisting Group members in their personal requests.

Accommodation

Tbilisi
Marriott Tbilisi****, Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel***** and Courtyard**** are the best hotels in capital of Georgia - Tbilisi. However there are various guesthouses, 3* and superior hotels in Tbilisi offering excellent services which can be considered as an alternative and used according to our guest choice.

Gudauri
Sport hotel Gudauri The international standard 4* hotel is located on the 2000-m mark in Gudauri resort - on the main Caucasus Massif, near the Georgian Military Road about 120-km north from Tbilisi or Cross Pass hotel is located at 2153 meters .as an optional/;

Bakuriani
Apoloni lodge, wooden lodge with 22 (single / double / twin) rooms or Hotel Vere Palace**** - 5 storied building with 42 double rooms as an optional;

Kutaisi and Telavi
Comfortable guesthouses.

Batumi
There are number of private hotels and guiesthouses, which may suite our guest's requirements. The most occupied is recently refurbished Intourist Hotel.

Season
The season for this program is not limited; however, the ideal conditions are in from April through summer and till middle of November.

Food
Breakfast is included in the rates of hotels in Tbilisi, as well as in Hotels and guesthouses in countryside, where dinner is also supplied.
Lunch 3 course meals, 1 bottle of mineral water, coffee or tea. Lunch menu has to be agreed additionally and adjusted to the customers' specific needs. In single cases lunch boxes will be provided for some parts where cafes and restaurants do not exist. Lunch-pack menu contains: two kinds of sandwiches, cucumber or tomato, cake and apple.
Dinner is served either at hotel restaurant / guesthouse or at one of the restaurants in Tbilisi with charming, traditional stile interior and outstanding cuisine. Dinner will include variety of Georgian dishes.

General Information

Insurance
All members of the Group have to have coverage by a current comprehensive travel insurance policy

Please NOTE that The local agent (Caucasus Travel) reserves the right to change the above itinerary if local conditions make this necessary.
The tour is not recommended for wheelchairs or those with serious walking difficulties.