Caucasus: Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan

Upon arrival, transfer to the Grand Hotel Yerevanfor
overnight.Accommodation: Grand Hotel Yerevan

The capital of Armenia, Yerevan has been continuously occupied since 6,000
BC. After an orientation tour of the city center, continue to the 1st-century
Temple of Garni, the only pagan temple to survive in Armenia. The remains
include an ancient fortress, palace, and baths. After lunch at a local home,
visit the medieval Geghard Monastery; set at the head of the Azat Valley,
many of its numerous churches and tombs are cut into the surrounding cliffs.
This evening, gather at the hotel for a welcome cocktails reception and
dinner.  The next day, visit the 4th-century Echmiadzin Cathedral,
Armenia’s first and oldest cathedral. Continue to the ruins of Zvartnots
Temple, a splendid example of 7th-century architecture. Enjoy fantastic views
of Mt. Ararat and the surrounding pastures and vineyards from Khor Virap
Monastery. Return to Yerevan for a tasting at the Ararat Brandy Factory.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Yerevan

En route to Georgia, make a stop at stunning Lake Sevan, one of three “seas
of Armenia.” Continue to the Monastery of Haghpat, built between the 10th
and 14th centuries. The monastery’s beautiful location, set on a verdant
promontory above the Debed River, creates an atmospheric backdrop for its
important St. Astvatsatsin Church. Arrive in Tbilisi, and check in to your
Club Deluxe room at The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi. This evening, enjoy a
Georgian folk show and dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: The
Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi

Today, tour Georgia’s capital city, once an important stop on the Silk
Road. Despite a number of wars and fires, the old part of the city still
retains much of its original layout. Its spider’s web of winding streets
and narrow back lanes leads you to the Abanotubani, or “bath district,”
the 13th-century Metekhi Temple, the 5th-century Sioni Cathedral, and the
6th-century Anchiskhati Basilica. Walk along central Rustaveli Avenue to
Freedom Square, then browse the treasures housed in the National Museum of
Georgia.  Accommodation: Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi

This morning, visit Mtskheta, the capital of Georgia from 500 BC - 500 AD.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a treasure-trove of ancient monuments.
Nearby, Gori was founded in the 7th century AD, and is the birthplace of
Joseph Stalin. Visit the small house where he lived as well as the huge,
palace-like Stalin Museum. Continue on to the famous cave city of
Uplistsikhe; carved into a rocky plateau, it dates from the 6th century BC.
Explore the huge echoing halls, meandering corridor-streets, theater, and
9th-century church. Then take a drive into the Caucasus Mountains along the
historic Georgian Military Highway, enjoying dramatic views of the Aragvi
River and Jvari Pass. Arrive in Kazbegi and check in to your Front View room
at the Hotel Kazbegi for dinner and overnight.Accommodation: Hotel Kazbegi

After breakfast, take a hike up to Gergeti Trinity Church, located on an
isolated hilltop with gorgeous views of the valley and Mount Kazbek. After
lunch with a local family, take 4x4 vehicles through the beautiful Sno Valley
to the tiny village of Juta. A short hike reveals stunning vistas of the
Chaukhi Mountains. Return to Kazbegi with the afternoon at
leisure.Accommodation: Hotel Kazbegi

Today, return to Tbilisi, with a stop en route at the spectacular Ananuri
Fortress. Continue to the historic estate of a Georgian prince, Chateau
Mukhrani. Take a tour of the castle and wine cellar before joining our chef
for a demonstration of how to prepare several Georgian delicacies. Enjoy your
lunch accompanied by Georgian wines that are produced on site. Upon arrival
in Tblisi, ride the funicular to the stunning Mtatsminda Plateau overlooking
the city. Enjoy dinner at the Restaurant Funicular before checking in to The
Bitlmore Hotel Tbilisi for overnight. Accommodation: Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi

After breakfast, set out to discover some of the splendid churches set in the
lush vineyards just outside of Tbilisi. First, visit the St. Nina Monastery,
then continue to Sighnaghi, a beautiful hill-town with panoramic views of the
Alazani Valley and Eastern Caucasus Mountains. Enjoy a delicious lunch in
town, before heading to a wine cellar to sample local vintages. Then take a
tour of Alaverdi Cathedral and embark on a short walking tour of the tiny
town of Telavi. Check in to your view room at the Radisson Collection Hotel
Tsinandali Estate Georgiafor dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Radisson
Collection Hotel Tsinandali Estate Georgia

This morning, depart overland for the Azerbaijan border. Make a stop en route
at the Gremi architectural complex, a church and castle dating from the 16th
century. Cross the border and enjoy your first meal in Azerbaijan. Arrive in
Sheki, an important stop on the Silk Road and a center for silk production.
Visit the 18th-century summer palace of the Sheki Khans, the Museum of
History, and a local handicrafts workshop, ending at a panoramic viewpoint
overlooking the town. Check in to the Marxal Hotel & Resort for dinner and
overnight. Accommodation: Marxal Hotel & Resort

Today’s drive takes you over the Muganly Pass where you will make several
photo stops for stunning mountain vistas. Visit the Diri Baba mausoleum,
historic Juma mosque, and Yeddi Gumbez, or Mausoleum of Seven Domes. Arrive
in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, this evening and check in to your Deluxe
Caspian room at the Four Seasons Hotelfor dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel

Baku lies on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. Visit the fortress of
Icheri-Shekher and the 90-foot tower of Kyz-Kalasy, dating from the 12th
century. Stroll the old town’s maze of narrow alleys to view the
11th-century Palace of the Shirvan-Shahs, now a museum. Other notable
historic architecture includes the Law Court (Divan-Khan), the Dzhuma-Mechet
Minaret, and the mausoleum of the astronomer Seida Bakuvi. Close to Baku is
the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, where 4,000 rock drawings of people
and animals were found. In the afternoon, take a cruise on the Caspian Sea,
with free time to explore Baku on your own. The next day, visit the Apsheron
Peninsula, including the Temple of the Fire Worshippers—Ateshgah. Continue
to the Yanardag Mud Volcaonos and Gala Village. Return to Baku with time at
leisure before a farewell cocktail party and dinner. Accommodation: Four
Seasons Hotel

Transfer to the airport this morning for your independent flight, arriving
home the same day.