A Taste of Georgia in Tbilisi & Kazbegi

Best discovered on foot, your morning will include strolling and soaking up the atmosphere with visits to the Metechi church and the old parts of the city, including the sulfur bathhouses and Sioni Cathedral. Your afternoon can be tailored to your interests; discuss with your guide what you want to focus on, whether it be the fantastic National Museum or one of the numerous art galleries on Rustavelli Avenue.

This pretty sixth century Jvari monastery sits on top of a hill with sweeping views of the valley all around. Next stop is Lago's winery where you will learn about (and taste!) wine produced using qvevri (clay vessels buried underground). Enjoy a delicious lunch paired with his local organic tipples before driving north-east up the old Russian military highway towards Kazbegi, stopping at the Ananuri church complex to admire views of the deep blue lake below. The road continues to twist and wind up and up through a small ski resort before reaching the heavens that is the little town of Kazbegi, your base for the next four nights.

While you wander, make sure you turn your heads to the beautiful surrounding mountains, in particular to catch a glimpse of the silhouette of the Gergeti Holy Trinity Church that sits on top of Mount Kazbeg overlooking the town. If you want to get a little more active, we suggest walking from your hotel down to the little town and up the other side to hike up to Gergeti church. The hike should take around three hours and you'll be rewarded with spectacular views; it's the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch so ensure your guide has a bottle of local red to enjoy. In the afternoon, drive towards the Russian border and enjoying the stunning views of the dramatic Dariali Gorge on one side of the valley. Once you're done exploring, head back to your hotel to enjoy relax, take a swim and perhaps book in for a massage before dinner.

On one day, start with a drive along the wonderful, wide Sno Valley to arrive at the remote village of Juta, the highest in the region at over 7,200ft above sea level, where you can enjoy fantastic views (weather permitting) of Mount Chaukhebi - a mountain renowned for challenging even the most experienced climbers. On your second day exploring the area, you will hike along the Tergi River through the Truso Gorge, spotting ancient watchtowers and grazing cattle and sheep en route. Both days you will finish hiking in good time to be driven back to your hotel to enjoy this beautiful peaceful spot in the heavens.

You'll stop in at the wonderful Chateau Mukhrani winery for lunch and a wine tasting tour before heading back to Tbilisi for your last night in the capital. The chateau has been beautifully restored to its former glory and is a perfect spot for lunch and there are stables should you wish to go riding afterwards. Wine has been produced here since the 19th century when a royal family representative returned from France with the chateau winemaking concept; today the chateau stores some 60,000 barrels of wine.

After a fun, wine-filled day, you'll make the journey back to Tbilisi to check into your city centre hotel. Enjoy your last night in this beautiful town - we can recommend any number of restaurants and bars for you to choose from.