🇬🇪 Day 1: Welcome & Historic Old Tbilisi
Focuses on the ancient, winding streets and classic landmarks of the historic center.
- 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Arrival & Check-In: Land at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), clear customs, take a taxi to the city center (~30 mins), drop your bags at your hotel, and freshen up.
- 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM | Ancient Old Town Exploration: Start at Metekhi Church for a great view of the river, walk across the Bridge of Peace, and explore the beautiful Abanotubani Sulfur Baths district with its brick domes.
- 01:00 PM – 02:30 PM | Traditional Georgian Lunch: Stop at a local tavern to try fresh Khachapuri (cheese bread) and Khinkali (savory soup dumplings).
- 02:30 PM – 04:30 PM | Fortress Views & Waterfall: Take the cable car from Rike Park up to Narikala Fortress for a sweeping view of the city. Walk down the back paths past the Mother of Georgia statue into the hidden Fig Tree Canyon to see the Leghvtakhevi Waterfall.
- 05:00 PM – 07:00 PM | Rustaveli Avenue Stroll: Walk along Tbilisi’s grand main boulevard to see the Parliament Building and the Opera House.
- 08:00 PM | Dinner: Enjoy dinner on Shardeni Street or Erekle II Street.
🚐 Day 2: The Sunken City & Old Capital Tour
A highly scenic day trip north of Tbilisi hitting 5 beautiful locations, centered around the flooded history of the reservoir with Private Van. Note this is included in the trip if there are at least 6 participants.
- 09:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Place 1: Jvari Monastery Perched high on a cliff, this 6th-century monastery offers a legendary panoramic view of the exact point where the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers merge.
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Place 2: Mtskheta (The Old Capital) Head down the mountain into Georgia’s ancient capital. Walk the cobblestone streets to visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site built over the burial site of Christ’s robe.
- 12:45 PM – 01:15 PM | Place 3: Zhinvali Water Reservoir Stop at the main panoramic viewpoint overlooking the vast turquoise waters. Here, your guide can show you where the original 12th-century city of Jinvali was submerged by the Soviets.
- 01:30 PM – 02:45 PM | Place 4: Ananuri Fortress Complex Located right on the banks of the reservoir, this breathtaking medieval castle complex survived numerous dynamic battles and offers fantastic lake photo angles from its stone watchtowers.
- 03:15 PM – 04:45 PM | Place 5: Pasanauri (The River Merge & Lunch) Drive slightly further north to witness a bizarre natural phenomenon: the literal blending point of the Black and White Aragvi Rivers, running side by side without mixing. Enjoy a late lunch here, as Pasanauri is famously known as the birthplace of the best Khinkali in Georgia.
- 06:00 PM | Return to Tbilisi: Arrive back at your hotel with the evening free to relax.
🏙️ Day 3: Modern Culture, Shopping & Late Flight Exit
A mix of local culture, unique architecture, and food shopping before your flight back to Israel.
- 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Chronicle of Georgia: Take a short ride to the northern edge of the city to see this breathtaking, massive stone monument often called the “Stonehenge of Tbilisi,” overlooking the Tbilisi Sea.
- 12:00 PM – 02:00 PM | Flea Market & Dry Bridge: Hunt for unique vintage goods, Soviet memorabilia, handmade jewelry, and local art at this famous open-air market.
- 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM | Lunch & Fabrika: Eat lunch at Fabrika, a trendy Soviet sewing factory converted into an urban courtyard full of cafes and indie shops.
- 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM | Souvenir & Wine Shopping: Head back to Meidan Square to buy Churchkhela (traditional candle-shaped walnut candy) and famous Georgian wine to pack in your luggage.
- 06:30 PM – 07:30 PM | Farewell Dinner: Grab one last hearty dinner near your hotel.
- 07:30 PM: Retrieve your luggage from your hotel front desk and head to the airport for your late-night flight back to Israel.