10 Day Food Adventure in Georgia

Places, you will see on this tour:

Day 1 / Arrival and Check-in

Arrival in Tbilisi and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 / Tbilisi

We will start the day by visiting the historical center of Tbilisi. Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, and exploring the capital is a must for every traveler. This is where one truly feels the heartbeat of the country. During our walking tour, you will see the places from where Tbilisi began to exist as a city. We will start the tour from Metekhi Church (13th c.) and the Avlabari district, which in the Middle Ages was a royal residence. This is an ideal place to enjoy stunning views of the old city and take photos. Then, by cable car, we will reach Narikala Fortress (6th c.), one of the first structures in the city. After that, we will walk through the district of sulfur baths and see a unique mosque where Shia and Sunni Muslims pray together, gradually continuing along Shardeni Street. On the way, we will see Sioni Cathedral (11th c.), Anchiskhati Basilica (6th c.), the Gabriadze Puppet Theatre, and more.

At midday, we will visit the Georgian National Museum named after Simon Janashia to see its main treasures. Here you will find the Colchis Gold collection, as well as diverse numismatic and archaeological exhibitions.

After a rich and busy day, we will visit a local family where the hostess will teach us how to cook traditional dishes, including khachapuri. Khachapuri is one of the most famous Georgian dishes, with its own version in almost every region. Bake your own “Georgian pizza,” taste it, and enjoy the hospitality of the family.

Day 3 / Tbilisi – Alaverdi – Vardisubani – Kvareli – Gremi – Telavi

Kakheti, one of the most distinctive regions of Georgia, is known not only for winemaking but also for its cuisine, and it is impossible not to visit it within our gastronomic tour. Early in the morning, we will depart to eastern Georgia, where we will first visit the Alaverdi Monastery Complex built in the 11th century. Alaverdi is also known for its vineyards and long-standing traditions of producing various types of wine. After visiting the complex, we will go to a family in Vardisubani, where we will learn about the long tradition of making qvevri (clay wine vessels). Here we will also taste local chacha and wine made using traditional Kakhetian methods.

After Vardisubani, in Kvareli, we will visit a local family where we will cook traditional dishes together with the host. Baking Georgian tone bread, making churchkhela, and preparing local barbecue roasted on vine branches will be an interesting culinary experience. The Kakhetian table is simple but very rich, characterized by meat and vegetables that pair perfectly with wine.

After lunch, we will visit the Gremi complex, which includes many architectural structures. Visitors can easily feel the greatness and strength of old Gremi.

In the evening, filled with unforgettable impressions, we will stay overnight in Telavi.

Day 4 / Telavi – Gurjaani – Sighnaghi – Bodbe – Tbilisi

Today we will start by visiting the Telavi Historical Museum. Telavi is the administrative center of the Kakheti region and one of the oldest cities in Georgia. After a short walk in the old town, we will visit the residence of King Erekle II, recently restored and turned into a museum. Here you can see numismatic materials, late medieval armor, copper items from the 17th–19th centuries, weapons, and more.

For lunch, we will visit a local family in Gurjaani. Here we will experience heartfelt hospitality and a perfect example of a traditional Georgian supra, with homemade food and house wine. Of course, a warm family welcome will be a big part of this visit. After lunch, we will move to Sighnaghi — the City of Love. Everyone knows that its nickname comes from the wedding house that operates 24 hours a day. We will walk through the small town streets, discover the longest defensive wall in Georgia, and enjoy unforgettable views of the Alazani Valley. The next stop is Bodbe Monastery, the burial place of St. Nino, the enlightener of Georgia, which is very popular among pilgrims.

In the evening, we will return to Tbilisi.

Day 5 / Tbilisi – Jvari – Svetitskhoveli – Mtskheta – Gudauri

In the morning, we will visit a Tbilisi market, where we will see carefully displayed products on tables and shelves: seasonal ripe fruits, fresh vegetables, colorful spices, different types of cheese, fresh meat, nuts, and walnuts. Today our host will be a young Georgian hostess, and together we will choose products at the market. Back at home, we will prepare different types of pkhali (vegetable dishes made with eggplant, spinach, and beetroot mixed with ground walnuts).

At midday, we will visit the ancient city of Mtskheta, the old capital of Georgia, also called the “Second Jerusalem” due to its many Christian relics, including the Robe of Christ. The first stop will be Jvari Monastery (6th c.), proudly standing on a hill overlooking the city and its surroundings. The confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers is best seen from here. Another stop will be Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th c.), which holds great significance. According to tradition, the Robe of Christ is buried beneath the cathedral. Svetitskhoveli has been a burial site for Georgian kings since ancient times and also houses the relics of St. Andrew. Both monuments are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

In the evening, we will head toward Gudauri via the Georgian Military Highway.

Day 6 / Stepantsminda – Gergeti Trinity – Tsdo – Ananuri – Zhinvali – Tbilisi

In the morning, we will travel to Stepantsminda, known for its breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains.

In the first half of the day, we will visit Gergeti Trinity Church. It is the religious center for the local people and the most important shrine of the region. With its unique location and seven-century history, it truly represents the image of Georgia.

At midday, we will move to the village of Tsdo, located very close to the Russia–Georgia border, with only a few residents. Here we will visit a local family and observe daily life in the harsh mountain climate. Together with the hostess, we will prepare a traditional mountain dish — khinkali.

After dinner, we will drive back to Tbilisi, stopping on the way at the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and visiting Ananuri Fortress.

Day 7 / Tbilisi – Uplistsikhe – Gori – Kutaisi

On this day, we will move westward to taste western Georgian cuisine, which is completely different in flavors and dishes. On the way, we will visit several interesting sights in the Kartli region, one of the oldest regions of Georgia, connected with both pre-Christian and modern history.

Our first stop will be the famous cave town of Uplistsikhe (16th century BC), where you can see and feel history. Next, we will visit Gori, the administrative center of the region and the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. In the museum, you will learn many unknown facts about his life and see the house where he was born, as well as his personal railway carriage.

After the museum visit, we will continue to the historic city of Kutaisi, one of the oldest cities in the world.

In the evening, we will be in Kutaisi, where we will taste Imeretian satsivi at a local family dinner.

Day 8 / Kutaisi – Gelati – Martvili – Bagrati – Kutaisi

In the morning, we will visit the Kutaisi market. Visiting the market is an interesting experience to better understand local people and discover regional culinary features.

Then we will visit the Gelati Monastery Complex (12th c.), a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was an educational center during Georgia’s Golden Age, a burial place of Georgian kings, and is famous for its unique mosaics. The only surviving depiction of King David the Builder is preserved here.

Our gastronomic journey continues in western Georgia. In Martvili, we will visit a local family and taste Megrelian cuisine, known for its rich flavors and unique combinations of ingredients. Together with the hosts, we will prepare a masterpiece of Megrelian cuisine — elarji.

After a day full of pleasant emotions, we will return to Kutaisi. At the end of the day, we will visit Bagrati Cathedral, an important cultural and religious site built in the 10th century in honor of the unification of Georgia.

Day 9 / Kutaisi – Katskhi Pillar – Chiatura – Tbilisi

In the morning, we return to Tbilisi. On the way, we will see the Katskhi Pillar. No one knows exactly how it got its current shape, but one thing is certain — it has always fascinated people. It has always been perceived as something heavenly and otherworldly. At the top of the 40-meter pillar stands a small monastery inhabited by a single monk.

After visiting the monastery, we will stop at a local family. Imeretian cuisine is considered one of the best in Georgia, and we will experience it during lunch. Dishes cooked on clay pans are an essential part of this region. Here we will share the emotions and impressions gathered during our journey through Georgia.

In the evening, we return to Tbilisi. Georgian flavors will stay in our memories for a long time.

Our culinary adventure ends with a gala dinner, where we will once again enjoy traditional Georgian cuisine paired with premium wines in Tbilisi.

Inclusions