Tours

7-8 December 2024 / Optional Post-Conference Tours (Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti)

The tours include: Visits to museums, historical sites, wine degustation (where applicable), etc. Transportation, guide service, light coffee/lunch breaks, dinner, and accommodation (where applicable) are all covered.

Note: Post-conference optional programs require pre-registration + payment on-site during the conference registration.

Option 1: Tbilisi – Tsinandali – Telavi – Alaverdi – Giuani Winery (Kakheti region) – 7 December

Experience the beauty and heritage of Kakheti, Georgia’s renowned wine region.

  • Tsinandali Estate: Visit the historic home of poet Alexander Chavchavadze, including the museum and English-style gardens.
  • Telavi History Museum and King Erekle II Complex: Explore the legacy of King Erekle II and the cultural history of Telavi.
  • Alaverdi Monastery: Discover this 6th-century spiritual site, famous for its architecture and ancient winemaking traditions.
  • Giuani Winery: Enjoy a wine tour and tasting of Kakheti’s finest wines, followed by a traditional Georgian dinner.

Option 2: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi (Kartli Region) – 7 December

Take a journey through Kartli, where ancient history and spiritual heritage converge. This tour explores the historic sites of Mtskheta, the ancient capital and spiritual center of Georgia, home to the 7th-century Jvari Monastery and the iconic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

Discover the intriguing cave city of Uplistsikhe, a marvel of ancient architecture carved into the rocky landscape. Once home to about 700 caves (with 150 remaining today), it offers a glimpse into the ancient Kingdom of Iberia.

Option 3: Tbilisi – Vani – Kutaisi – Tbilisi (Imereti Region) – 7 December

Time: 07:00 am – 10:00 pm | Price: EUR 65

Note: This excursion requires a minimum of 14 participants.

  • 07:00 am: Departure from Tbilisi.
  • 10:00 am: Guided tour of the Otar Lordkipanidze Vani Archaeological Museum.
  • 01:00 pm: Guided visits to Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery, and Motsameta Monastery.
  • 04:00 pm: Dinner at "Story" Restaurant in Kutaisi.
  • 10:00 pm: Arrival back in Tbilisi.

Option 4: Two-Day Excursion – Tbilisi-Vani-Kutaisi-Tbilisi (Imereti region) – December 7-8

Departure: 09:00 am, Dec 7 | Return: ~08:00 pm, Dec 8

Prices: Single room: EUR 155 | Double room: EUR 135 per person

December 7
  • 09:00 am: Depart to Vani.
  • 12:00 pm: Guided tour of Vani Archaeological Museum.
  • 03:00 pm: Check-in at Hotel Solomon, Kutaisi. Free time to explore.
  • 06:00 pm: Dinner at Restaurant Story.
December 8
  • 09:00 am: Breakfast at Hotel Solomon.
  • 10:00 am: Guided visits to historical landmarks: Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery (TBC), and Motsameta Monastery.
  • 05:00 pm: Depart from Kutaisi to Tbilisi (approx. 3 hours 15 minutes). If time permits, a brief stop at Geguti Ruins (8th century).
  • 08:00 pm: Arrival back in Tbilisi.

About Vani and Kutaisi: An Immersive Journey through Western Georgia’s Heritage

Vani – Otar Lordkipanidze Archaeological Museum

The Otar Lordkipanidze Vani Archaeological Museum, part of the Georgian National Museum network, is a unique cultural landmark linked to the legendary city of Vani and the myth of the Golden Fleece. Reopened in 2020 after extensive renovation, it showcases eight centuries of Colchian civilization. In 2023, the museum won the European Museum of the Year Silletto Prize for its outstanding community engagement.

Kutaisi – The Heart of the Imereti Region

Kutaisi, one of Georgia’s oldest cities, dates back to the Kingdom of Colchis (3rd century BC). As the former capital of the unified Georgian Kingdom under King David the Builder, it is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral. Today, Kutaisi is a vibrant blend of historical significance and modern Georgian life.

Join us on this unforgettable journey through Western Georgia, where ancient mythology, rich history, and vibrant modern culture come together.

Photo-gallery (c) Georgian National Museum/Fernando Javier Urquijo and National Geographic Georgia/Tbel Abuseridze