Armenia and Georgia - the crossroads of Europe and Asia

Day 1 - Tbilisi

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi (4-star)

Day 2 - Tbilisi - Dilijan - Tsaghkadzor

After driving to the border and crossing into Armenia, we’ll head to meet a group of Molokans, a Russian sect who settled in Armenia after being exiled from Russia several centuries ago. Their lifestyle hasn’t changed for 200 years - many are farmers, and all have strong community values. After a tea break at a typical Molokan house, we’ll continue to the ethnic area of Dilijan city to browse some small shops and watch a potter at work. Later, we visit the medieval Haghartsin Monastery. We’ll stay overnight in Tsaghkadzor.

Tsaghkadzor Marriott Hotel (3.5-star)

Day 3 - Tsaghkadzor - Yerevan

Our first stop is Lake Sevan and a visit to the medieval Sevanavank Monastery. We’ll then head to Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site hewn into rock, creating incredibly haunting acoustics. We’ll 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 lavash bread in a tonir (underground oven), learn the secrets of preparing a traditional Armenian barbecue, and enjoy some apricot or fig vodka in the cottage garden.

Grand Hotel Yerevan (4.5-star)

Day 4 - 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 Noah’s Ark - and the closed Turkey-Armenia border, 20km away. Then in Echmiadzin we’ll see the cathedral. Reputed to be the first official Christian church in the world, it’s the spiritual centre of the Armenian people. UNESCO-listed Zvartnots Cathedral is our last stop. These fascinating ruins showcase a unique architectural style in their grand setting.

Grand Hotel Yerevan (4.5-star)

Day 5 - Yerevan

A guided tour of Yerevan offers a glimpse of the Soviet past. We visit the Genocide Memorial and the museum dedicated to the victims. We take a look at Armenian culture at the Cafesjian Centre for the Arts, and Matenadaran. As one of the world’s oldest and richest book-depositories, it holds over 17,000 ancient manuscripts of culture and sciences. 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'll also visit Yeravan's History Museum today.

Grand Hotel Yerevan (4.5-star)

Day 6 - 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. 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.

Grand Hotel Yerevan (4.5-star)

Day 7 - Haghpat - Tbilisi

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.

Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi (4-star)

Day 8 - 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 walking tour includes the Old Town, Metekhi Temple, the Mosque and Narikala, the main fortress of Tbilisi.

Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi (4-star)

Day 9 - Kakheti Region

Kakheti, Georgia’s famous wine district is filled with acres of vineyards. We head to Sighnaghi for a walking tour of this pretty town perched on a hilltop. We’ll then head to a winery, where we’ll taste some Georgian wines. We’ll continue to the beautiful ancestral estate of Tsinandali, once owned by Garsevan Chavchavadze who participated in the annexation of Georgia to Russia.

Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi (4-star)

Day 10 - Mtskheta - Gori - Stepantsminda

We drive towards Kazbegi, stopping en route at Ananuri castle complex, the scene of many battles including peasant uprisings. We'll then visit Mtskheta which 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 Christ’s 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. After free time to explore we’ll visit the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe, and then take the Georgian Military Highway into the Caucasus Mountains.

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi (4-star)

Day 11 - Stepantsminda

Stepantsminda 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 a wonderfully photogenic mountaintop setting, then hike or take local transport back down to Stepantsminda. Lunch will be with a welcoming local family, who’ll also give us a cooking demonstration. There’ll be hiking opportunities this afternoon.

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi (4-star)

Day 12 - Kazbegi

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Kazbegi