Classic Georgia
Trip highlights
- Enjoy a walking tour of Tbilisi's old town
- Learn how to make traditional Georgian khinkali dumplings
- Visit the beautiful Alaverdi St. George Cathedral
- Spend some time reflecting at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- Pop into a studio and learn about the local art of felt work
- Discover traditional architecture in Telavi
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
- Days 1–3 Tbilisi
- Days 3–5 Kakheti Wine Region
- Days 5–7 Kazbegi National Park
- Days 7–8 Tbilisi
- Days 1–3 Tbilisi
- Days 3–5 Kakheti Wine Region
- Days 5–7 Kazbegi National Park
- Days 7–8 Tbilisi
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Impressive Tbilisi
Culture, history and excellent food combine to make Tbilisi a wonderful place to spend some time while you’re exploring Georgia and the Caucasus. Go wandering through the city and you’ll happen upon impressive churches, historic fortresses and a wide variety of architectural styles. A tour with your own private guide is the perfect way to discover the layers of history and influence that run through the city’s structures, from the Old City to Soviet structures and modern feats of engineering. A highlight is a visit to Nino Kipshidze’s House of Laces. Art historian Kipshidze played an important role in the development and preservation of some of the city’s museums. Visit artist David Sulakauri’s studio here and learn about his encaustic technique.
Where you could stay
Tbilisi
Highlights
- 62 uniquely elegant rooms
- Menus featuring Georgian classics
- Coffee beans roasted on site
- Repurposed and reclaimed furnishings
Overview
With nostalgic references to the roaring 1920s and glamorous 1930s, Stamba Hotel is set in a former Soviet structure in Tbilisi. The old printing house’s original features have been repurposed, with the publisher’s print-drying beam now supporting foliage in the five-story “jungle lobby” atrium. The design in the public areas and rooms highlights the industrial splendor of the Soviet era with modern touches giving it a contemporary edge. Large warehouse windows blur the boundaries between inside and out, while internal steel balconies line the hotel’s upper levels for great views onto the greenhouse-inspired atrium.
When it comes to dining, enjoy Georgian comfort food classics, Asian specialties and European favourites. Stamba Chocolaterie and Roastery serves a fantastic selection of coffee made from beans roasted on site. Treat yourself to handmade artisan chocolates made with cocoa beans imported from Venezuela, Madagascar, Peru, and Colombia.
→ Find out moreTbilisi
Highlights
- Sensitively restored historic building
- Central location
- Personalised concierge service
- Stylish boutique breakfast room
- No single-use plastic
Overview
A grand 19th-century building painstakingly restored over two years, Unfound Door is integral to the cultural heritage of Old Tbilisi. The stunning entrance hall sets the tone of this boutique hotel, with its grand roof lantern bathing its historic frescoes and marble floor in natural light. As you move through the space, it’s all polished marble, stripped-back herringbone floors and exposed brick walls. Light and shadow play a huge part in the relaxed aesthetic of the hotel’s numerous chilled out spaces (one of which doubles up as the breakfast room). The busy D.Agmashenebeli Avenue, well known for handsome 19th-century architecture and numerous places to eat and drink, could be a million miles away.
Rooms and suites have high ceilings and vintage lighting, and you can enjoy home comforts, like window seats, armchairs and rattan outdoor furniture on balconies. In the stylish bathrooms you can enjoy walk-in showers with water-efficient rainfall shower heads. The ground floor is home to the Unfound Door gastro-bar where Georgian-European cuisine is served using locally sourced produce, and vegetarian and vegan options are available. At the end of a long day, settle into a tall chair at the low-lit bar and enjoy a hand-mixed cocktail or glass of wine from the curated list.
→ Find out moreTbilisi
Highlights
- In the lively historic neighbourhood of Vera
- City vistas from fifth-floor rooms and suites
- Garden bar with mature trees and shrubs
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Vintage decor and bold contemporary art
- Farm-to-table seasonal menu
Overview
This cool hotel in Tbilisi’s historic Vera district belies the simplicity of its name, its public spaces thoughtfully crafted and decor lavish. High ceilings and huge industrial windows set the tone of this vast space, with nine categories of guest rooms and suites spread across its five floors. Guests staying on the top floor are treated to views across the city from their private terraces, but all rooms have the same nod to grandeur. Dark wood floors, vintage lights, marble washstands and claw-foot tubs are just some of the unique interior touches that mean Rooms is a class above.
The pocket-sized neighbourhood of Vera is a hub for young professionals and creatives. Here on the narrow hillside streets you’ll find cafes, boutiques and high-end dining, alongside museums, galleries and a concert hall. If you want to stay in, there’s a sleek contemporary restaurant on the hotel’s ground floor that boasts a farm-to-table menu with an unusual – and excellent – American-Georgian-Nordic fusion of flavours. Tbilisi comes to you in the no-reservations evening bar and lounge, where mixologists handcraft the drinks with herbs and botanicals from the garden.
→ Find out moreTbilisi
Highlights
- 90 comfortable rooms
- Garden restaurant
- Close to city highlights
Overview
Located not far from Freedom Square in Tbilisi, this hotel is a cosy and calm inner-city haven. The colour palette is clean and earthy, and the design modern with splashes of accent colour. Some of the rooms boast their own terraces or balconies.
The lobby restaurant, Iota Garden, offers Japanese and European-inspired cuisine. Vertical and horizontal gardens allow you to feel as though you are surrounded by nature while dining. Or take a table at Ghumeli where the warm welcome is a big part of the overall dining experience.
→ Find out moreMake it mine
Explore on foot
Ancient arts
Old Tbilisi
Explore the old town of Georgia’s colourful capital. This walking tour will include visits to some of the most well-known and iconic historic sites, like Metekhi Church, Bath House area, Narikala Castle and other hidden secrets.
National Museum of History
Visit Simon Janashia Museum of History, part of Georgia’s National Museum, for a look at some of the country’s most significant archaeological finds. The museum hosts the exhibition of Soviet Occupation dedicated to the victims of Soviet Regime as well as stunning exhibition of Pre-Historic Georgia where you can see 1.8-million-year-old Homo erectus skulls unearthed at Dmanisi, from 1991 to 2005.
Explore Kakheti
It goes without saying that the highlight of a visit to the Kakheti Wine Region is exploring the many old vineyards and wineries here and, of course, sipping on some of the finest vintages to be found in Georgia. But there’s a lot more to discover in this fertile part of the country. There are a wide variety of cultural and historical heritage sites to explore, one of the most notable being the charming village of Sighnaghi. Stroll down cobbled alleyways and spot examples of carefully-restored woodwork and pretty facades of 18th- and 19th-century buildings.
Where you could stay
Kakheti Wine Region
Highlights
- More than 200 years of wine-making history
- Part of Raddison’s Sustainable Stays programme
- Numerous on-site dining options
- Finnish sauna, steam room and swimming pools
- Exceptional service
Overview
Tsinandali Estate, A Radisson Collection Hotel, is a graceful green-and-glass complex on a landmark estate in the heart of Georgia’s wine country. Tsinandali is home to 18 hectares of landscaped gardens, a biodynamic vineyard and an historic oenotheque, where Prince Alexandre Chavchavadze’s extensive wine collection is preserved (there’s a bottle here that dates back to 1814). As a guest at the hotel, you have exclusive access to wine tours and tastings.
Enjoy a range of five-star facilities, including the fitness centre and spa, rooftop outdoor pool and a very special indoor pool with retractable transparent walls and roof. Take your pick from the on-site eateries, including French classics in the minimalist exposed brick bistro, or Georgian food in the leafy courtyard. If you’re keen to gain a deeper understanding of Georgian cuisine, take an on-site culinary masterclass and learn how to make khinkali, shoti bread, khachapuri and churchkhela. There are also several bars including Gaumarjos Wine Bar and a rooftop pool bar with superb views of the distant Caucasus Mountains.
When you are ready to retire to your room or suite, you can be confident of soothing decor and every amenity including rain showers and bathtubs – suites have comfortable additional living room areas perfect for families or those who just want a little more room to relax. Some rooms have private terraces, and all of them enjoy large picture windows that make the most of the lush green vineyard and mountain views.
→ Find out moreKakheti Wine Region
Highlights
- 21 rooms designed for comfort
- A restaurant plating Georgian and European dishes
- An inviting spa and wellness centre
- Stunning valley and mountain views
Overview
Situated in the historic centre of Sighnaghi, boutique Kabadoni Hotel offers you the perfect place to settle while exploring the region, with stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and the old town. The design here is a mixture of Art Nouveau, ancient Georgian and eastern motifs. The lobby is exquisitely adorned with eastern touches and paintings. Neutral walls are complemented by carefully-chosen artworks, minimalist furniture and Georgian rugs and carpets. The 21 rooms have been designed with comfort in mind.
Kabadoni Restaurant offers you a feast of Georgian and European dishes, which you can enjoy on the outdoor terrace as you drink in unobstructed views of the Alazani Valley and Caucasus Mountains.
The hotel also has an indoor pool, gym, spa and wellness centre and beauty salon to add to your comfort during your stay.
→ Find out moreKakheti Wine Region
Highlights
- Organic marani (winery) and fruit garden
- Family-owned and operated
- Staff from the local village
- Outdoor swimming pool with mountain vista
Overview
About an hour-and-a-half from Tbilisi airport, in the burgeoning Kakheti Wine Region, David Turkestanishvili and his wife Olga have created a rural retreat with traditional Georgian hospitality at its heart. Named for David’s grandfather, Elizbar, who was born in 1918 and first farmed this land, the hotel is on the edge of Kisiskhevi village and close to several churches and monasteries.
The wine grown and harvested here is organic – from endemic Georgian vine strains like Saperavi (red) and Rkatyceli, Mcvane, Kisi and Khikhvi (white) – and David is always delighted to give you a private tour and tastings. The exceptional cooking is by Aunt Lali and family recipes are prepared to order using vegetables from neighbours’ gardens
There are just six rooms, and naturally, they are named after Georgian grape varieties. Traditionally furnished with opulent rugs and wall hangings, all beds are king-sized and you have a garden or mountain view. Breakfast is a lavish, unhurried affair, and you are very welcome to spend the day lounging on the roof terrace or beside the pool.
→ Find out more
Kakheti Wine Region
Highlights
- 12 individually-designed rooms
- An authentic local eatery
- A comfortable roof-top orangerie
Overview
You’ll find Communal Telavi, with its stunning views of Caucasus, in the heart of the wine making region. Set in the oldest part of town, surrounded by beautiful courtyards and balconies, the hotel is perfectly located to allow you easy access to some of the city’s best landmarks, boutiques and cafes. It’s also not very far from a collection of ancient monasteries and vineyards, allowing you to drink in the local culture and flavours.
The rooms here are uniquely designed with Moorish influences, cozy nooks and comfy furnishings. Vibrant colours, hand-woven carpets and tiled floors boast bold geometric and floral patterns and complement natural materials and carefully-chosen artworks.
Enjoy wholesome breakfasts at a communal table. For your other meals, take a table at the ground floor Doli, an authentic local eatery which plates tasty Kakhetian fare and pairs them with a selection of finest local wines. End the day on a plush sofa with stunning views of the Caucasus mountains from the rooftop orangerie.
The Communal Telavi also features a sun-drenched serene pool, and the pool-side bar offers delicious cocktails and made-to-order specialties all day long.
→ Find out moreMake it mine
Mountain monasteries
Cobblestone streets
Craft brewery
Craft brewery
David Gareji monastery and semi-desert
On the scenic drive to Kakheti, take a detour via the industrial town Rustavi to the semi-desert. David Gareji encompasses a collection of over 19 monasteries, where the rocky slopes of Mount Gareja are adorned with hundreds of cells, churches, refectories, and living quarters. Visit the 6th century Lavra Monastery, founded by Saint David, one of the 12 Assyrian Monk and explore the 9th-century Church of Transfiguration.
Sighnaghi town
A small 18th century town is nestled on the top of the hill overlooking Alazavi Valley and Great Caucasus Mountains. Walk in the charming town of Sighnaghi characterised with its twisty cobblestone streets and beautiful wooden balconies. Visit local museums which house interesting collections of archaeologic finds. One of the highlights are canvases by artist Niko Pirosmani.
Lost Ridge Inn Brewery and Horse Ranch
Nestled in the heart of Sighnaghi, Lost Ridge Inn is a unique fusion of a horse ranch, a craft brewery and an inviting inn. Surrounded by the lush green hills of Qedeli Village, Lost Ridge embodies Georgia’s rustic charm. The brewery takes pride in crafting small-batch classic and signature ales reflective of Georgia’s bounty of nature, experimenting with herbs, spices, and fruits cultivated in their orchard, the highlands and seasonal ingredients. Beyond the brewery, you’re invited to explore the picturesque surroundings on horseback.
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Historic Telavi
Qvevri making
Monastery visit
Monastery visit
Telavi and Farmers’ Market
The first settlement here appeared in the Late Bronze Age, developed in the Hellenistic period, and in the late Antique period a city-type settlement eventually emerged. In the Middle Ages it was one of the most important cities in Georgia with developed trade and crafts. Telavi is best known for its historic neighbourhoods rich with traditional architecture.
Visit the studio of Qvevri maker
Qvevri wine-making is practised throughout Georgia. The Qvevri is an egg-shaped earthenware vessel used for making, ageing and storing the wine. Knowledge and experience of Qvevri manufacture and wine-making are passed down by families. During Soviet rule the art of making Qvevri was almost lost. Luckily a few artisans managed to keep the knowledge. You will meet one of them and learn all about this tradition.
Alaverdi Monastery
Alaverdi St. George Cathedral was built in the first half of the 11th century. The present day Cathedral is part of an 11th century Georgian Orthodox monastery. Kakhetian King Kvirike the Great built a cathedral in the place of a small church of St. George.
It sits in the scenic Alazani Valley with Mountains of Great Caucasus as a background.
Astounding Kazbegi
The meandering hiking trails through the breathtakingly beautiful Kazbegi National Park lead you through lush valleys, flower strewn meadows, past crumbling stone ruins and beneath imposing, snow-dusted peaks. Time spent here is all about being outdoors and enjoying the spectacular nature this park has to offer. The scenery in Kazbegi National Park is astounding, making for a truly memorable private tour through this part of Georgia.
Where you could stay
Kazbegi National Park
Highlights
- 156 modern and comfortable rooms
- Luxurious lobby bar
- Celebration of Georgian cuisine
Overview
At Rooms Hotel Kazbegi you’re treated to exceptional views of the impressive, snow-capped Kazbegi, from the broad terrace that runs the length of the complex. Inside, you’ll discover natural materials and warm tones through the public areas and 156 rooms. The interior design, with worn brick, leather and reclaimed wood, makes it feel like a traditional mountain hideaway.
One of the highlights of a stay in Kazbegi National Park is the phenomenal star-gazing, so Rooms Hotel is perfectly positioned. Head out into the yard with a blanket and something warm to sip on and enjoy exploring the star-strewn skies.
At Kazbegi Kitchen you can sit down to meals that celebrate classic Georgian cuisine and local, seasonal produce. There’s also an extensive drinks menu with features excellent Georgian wines. Make sure to try the Qvervi wine, which is named after the ancient clay vessels the wine is fermented and stored in. Unwind at the end the day in the cozy Lobby Bar, or head out onto the terrace to make the most of the fresh air and stunning views.
→ Find out moreMake it mine
Charming monastery
Make dumplings
Get crafty
Get crafty
Gergeti Trinity church and Dariali Gorge
This charming 14th century monastery is nestled on the top of a mountain offering beautiful views. Head the Dariali Gorge in Khevi province. Since ancient times, Khevi has been of great strategic and military importance due chiefly to its proximity to the Darial Pass, which connects North Caucasus with Transcaucasia. Visit Village Tsdo and enjoy the panoramic views from the area.
Enjoy lunch with a local family
Jimsher Tsiklauri is one of the very few residents of a small village Tsdo. Enjoy delightful meal of traditional food with a local family. You’ll learn how traditional meat dumplings, khinkali, are made.
Felt workshop
Visit a studio where the local art of felt is kept alive using a traditional approach to create modern items. You’ll be able to participate in the process followed by a herbal tea tasting and delicious home- made preserves created using foraged goods.
Overnight in Tbilisi
Round off your exploration of Georgia with one final night in Tbilisi as you reflect on the wealth of experiences and memories you’ll be taking home with you. Take one last moment to enjoy all the city and its surrounds have to offer, and perhaps start dreaming about your return to this stunning country.
Where you could stay
Tbilisi
Highlights
- In the lively historic neighbourhood of Vera
- City vistas from fifth-floor rooms and suites
- Garden bar with mature trees and shrubs
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Vintage decor and bold contemporary art
- Farm-to-table seasonal menu
Overview
This cool hotel in Tbilisi’s historic Vera district belies the simplicity of its name, its public spaces thoughtfully crafted and decor lavish. High ceilings and huge industrial windows set the tone of this vast space, with nine categories of guest rooms and suites spread across its five floors. Guests staying on the top floor are treated to views across the city from their private terraces, but all rooms have the same nod to grandeur. Dark wood floors, vintage lights, marble washstands and claw-foot tubs are just some of the unique interior touches that mean Rooms is a class above.
The pocket-sized neighbourhood of Vera is a hub for young professionals and creatives. Here on the narrow hillside streets you’ll find cafes, boutiques and high-end dining, alongside museums, galleries and a concert hall. If you want to stay in, there’s a sleek contemporary restaurant on the hotel’s ground floor that boasts a farm-to-table menu with an unusual – and excellent – American-Georgian-Nordic fusion of flavours. Tbilisi comes to you in the no-reservations evening bar and lounge, where mixologists handcraft the drinks with herbs and botanicals from the garden.
→ Find out moreTbilisi
Highlights
- 90 comfortable rooms
- Garden restaurant
- Close to city highlights
Overview
Located not far from Freedom Square in Tbilisi, this hotel is a cosy and calm inner-city haven. The colour palette is clean and earthy, and the design modern with splashes of accent colour. Some of the rooms boast their own terraces or balconies.
The lobby restaurant, Iota Garden, offers Japanese and European-inspired cuisine. Vertical and horizontal gardens allow you to feel as though you are surrounded by nature while dining. Or take a table at Ghumeli where the warm welcome is a big part of the overall dining experience.
→ Find out moreTbilisi
Highlights
- 62 uniquely elegant rooms
- Menus featuring Georgian classics
- Coffee beans roasted on site
- Repurposed and reclaimed furnishings
Overview
With nostalgic references to the roaring 1920s and glamorous 1930s, Stamba Hotel is set in a former Soviet structure in Tbilisi. The old printing house’s original features have been repurposed, with the publisher’s print-drying beam now supporting foliage in the five-story “jungle lobby” atrium. The design in the public areas and rooms highlights the industrial splendor of the Soviet era with modern touches giving it a contemporary edge. Large warehouse windows blur the boundaries between inside and out, while internal steel balconies line the hotel’s upper levels for great views onto the greenhouse-inspired atrium.
When it comes to dining, enjoy Georgian comfort food classics, Asian specialties and European favourites. Stamba Chocolaterie and Roastery serves a fantastic selection of coffee made from beans roasted on site. Treat yourself to handmade artisan chocolates made with cocoa beans imported from Venezuela, Madagascar, Peru, and Colombia.
→ Find out moreTbilisi
Highlights
- Sensitively restored historic building
- Central location
- Personalised concierge service
- Stylish boutique breakfast room
- No single-use plastic
Overview
A grand 19th-century building painstakingly restored over two years, Unfound Door is integral to the cultural heritage of Old Tbilisi. The stunning entrance hall sets the tone of this boutique hotel, with its grand roof lantern bathing its historic frescoes and marble floor in natural light. As you move through the space, it’s all polished marble, stripped-back herringbone floors and exposed brick walls. Light and shadow play a huge part in the relaxed aesthetic of the hotel’s numerous chilled out spaces (one of which doubles up as the breakfast room). The busy D.Agmashenebeli Avenue, well known for handsome 19th-century architecture and numerous places to eat and drink, could be a million miles away.
Rooms and suites have high ceilings and vintage lighting, and you can enjoy home comforts, like window seats, armchairs and rattan outdoor furniture on balconies. In the stylish bathrooms you can enjoy walk-in showers with water-efficient rainfall shower heads. The ground floor is home to the Unfound Door gastro-bar where Georgian-European cuisine is served using locally sourced produce, and vegetarian and vegan options are available. At the end of a long day, settle into a tall chair at the low-lit bar and enjoy a hand-mixed cocktail or glass of wine from the curated list.
→ Find out moreVisit Mtskheta and Jvari Monastery
Mtskheta was the ancient capital of Kartli, the East Georgian Kingdom from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, and was also the location where Christianity was proclaimed as the official religion of Georgia in 337. To date, it still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. Visit Jvari Monastery. Located at the top of the mountain, the monastery offers beautiful views of the two converging rivers of Mtkvari and Aragvi. The cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, built in the first half of 11th century, it represents architecture of the early Georgian Renaissance.