Georgia's Highlights

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Sample itinerary - suggested minimum if coming from the UK or Ireland would be six days, but this can be extended or shortened to meet your needs and interests. Someone could easily spend a month and feel they've only scratched the surface. 

Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi in the morning, with transport direct to your hotel or guesthouse. Time to relax, soak the place in and get your bearings, with the guide available to answer any questions.

During the cooler times of year, you may want to try the city's amazing Sulfur baths.

Day 2: Travel by minibus towards Stepantsminda and the legendary mount Kazbek (5047 m, pictured above), where the demigod Amirani was chained as punishment for stealing fire from the gods. From here was can hike or drive up to the Gergeti church. If you're feeling a little more active, it isn't so far to hike to the foot of the Glacier and the alpine hut.

Day 3: Drive to the beautiful mountain village of Juta, sitting at the foot of the awesome Chaukhi massif - known as the 'Dolomites of Georgia'. Stay in a family guesthouse and enjoy the warmth of Georgian village hospitality. 

Day 4: We venture by minibus over a beautiful mountain pass towards the Kakheti region - the cradle of Georgian wine. Based in the small town of Kvareli at the foot of the Caucasus, we will use this chance to explore the best of Georgia's largest wine region. 

Day 5: Visit several small independent wineries, some very traditional, some innovative, and some doing a bit of both. In between visit the Alaverdi Cathedral, one of the four Great Cathedrals in Georgian Orthodox Christianity and also a working winery. In each winery you can buy directly from the producer. Return to hotel/guesthouse in Kvareli.

Day 6: Transport to Tbilisi via the beautiful town of Sighnaghi and the David Gareja cave monasteries (gallery, below).

Day 7 and 8: Two days to explore Tbiisi, including a professionally guided walking tour form a local expert, along with recommendations for bars, restaurants, cultural sights and places to relax.

Day 9: A short drive to Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient and historic capital, with the totemic Svetiskhoveli Cathedral, the spiritual home of Georgian Orthodox Christianity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here we will go on to Gori, famously the birthplace of Ioseb Bessarionovich Djugashvili - better known as Joseph Stalin. Spend the evening in the hidden valley of Didi Ateni, home to some unique and delicous wines, as well as a huge and monumental church. 

Day 10: Return to Tbilisi to catch your return flight early the following morning. 

Here are some ideas, for other things you could do, but there are hundreds of other things that can be fit into, or added to this trip. 

• Wine: during September and Early October, it is possible to participate in Rtveli, the grape harvest. Pick as much as you like, and drink in the same manner. 
• Hike: close to Kazbegi is the Truso valley, largely abadoned, i features epic landscape, ruined castles and impressive carbonated springs.
  Also close to Kazbegi is the chance for a two day hike across the epic Chaukhi mountain pass, into the neighbouring region.
• Culture: visit the (formerly) wild Khevsureti region, also close to Kazbegi. Historically very isolated and independent, the scenery is as impressive as the welcome.