Tastes of Georgia: A Culinary Tour with Carla Capalbo
Group Tour
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9 Days From $4,165
Overview
Steeped in the legends of the Golden Fleece, Georgia has lain at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia for millennia. Its rich cultural traditions are infused with flavours and influences that have evolved and adapted since the days of the Iberian and Colchian civilisations. This long cultural history – including an 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition – has culminated in a reputation for exceptional cuisine and fine wine that is second to none.
Travelling ...
Steeped in the legends of the Golden Fleece, Georgia has lain at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia for millennia. Its rich cultural traditions are infused with flavours and influences that have evolved and adapted since the days of the Iberian and Colchian civilisations. This long cultural history – including an 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition – has culminated in a reputation for exceptional cuisine and fine wine that is second to none.
Travelling in the company of renowned food and wine expert, Carla Capalbo (the author of “Tasting Georgia: A food and wine journey in the Caucasus”), we’ll enjoy a culinary journey through a landscape that is home to both infectious hospitality and one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Sampling the native wines of Kakheti in family wineries and Georgia’s regional, vibrant cuisine, we’ll travel from the country’s historic capital Tbilisi to the high slopes of the famed Georgian Military Highway.
Filled with bustling markets, UNESCO world heritage sites and a stunning array of religious architecture that is amongst the finest anywhere in the world, we’ll enjoy an expertly guided adventure that will be a true feast for the senses in every way.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
8 x Breakfasts7 x Lunches6 x Dinners
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a minibus.
GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
A carbon-offsetting contribution to Eco Act for all bookings
EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
ACCOMMODATION
4 nights x Premium
4 nights x Superior
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On this particular trip we will be in comfortable hotels. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
FITNESS RATING
Low
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).
LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
VERY HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
DAY 1: TOUR STARTS IN TBILISI
DAY 1: TOUR STARTS IN TBILISI
Our journey begins in Tbilisi, Georgia’s historic capital. For anyone arriving earlier than the group flights (see the GETTING THERE section below), rooms will be available from early afternoon.
DAY 2: TBILISI
DAY 2: TBILISI
The pre-departure meeting will take place this morning at the hotel, after which we head out on a tour of some of Tbilisi’s highlights. A charming city, built along the twisting valley of the Mtkvari River, we’ll discover narrow streets filled with colourful houses and patterned balconies. Enjoying magnificent views across the old city we’ll visit the Metekhi Church and the imposing 4th century ruins of the Narikala Fortress, before enjoying dinner this evening at Vino Underground, a wine bar and restaurant famed for its wide variety of artisan Georgian wines.
DAY 3: TBILISI
DAY 3: TBILISI
A morning’s visit to the city’s expansive Ethnographic Museum will be followed by a tour of the spectacular Sameba Cathedral, one of the world’s largest religious buildings. Our last port of call then provides a chance to discover for ourselves why Georgia is truly the Land of the Golden Fleece, with a visit to the ‘Golden Fund’ of the National Museum. This evening we can look forward to a special dinner at the Azarpesha Restaurant, hosted by a traditional Georgian toastmaster and accompanied by local musicians.
DAY 4: TBILISI - IKALTO - SIGHNAGHI
DAY 4: TBILISI - IKALTO - SIGHNAGHI
The road takes us east today, into the famous wine-growing region of Kakheti. Renowned for its fine wines, welcoming hospitality and rich history, the region produces the excellent Rkatsiteli, considered by many to be the quintessential Georgian grape variety. We’ll get an opportunity to visit a pottery workshop where the clay jars called “Qvevri” are made: they’ve been used in Georgian winemaking for millennia. We will then visit Telavi market and Ikalto Monastery, before completing the journey at Sighnaghi, where we will enjoy a bread baking demonstration in a traditional clay "tone" oven before dinner.
DAY 5: SIGHNAGHI - TSNORI – SIGHNAGHI
DAY 5: SIGHNAGHI - TSNORI – SIGHNAGHI
Today we will visit the sprawling Bodbiskhevi Market, Eastern Georgia’s largest market, which attracts people from all around the area as well as from neighbouring Azerbaijan. We will pay a visit to the Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe, one of the country’s most popular pilgrimage sites. This afternoon we will taste some of the local wines with Carla and one of our local hosts.
DAY 6: SIGHNAGHI - MTSKHETA – STEPANTSMINDA
DAY 6: SIGHNAGHI - MTSKHETA – STEPANTSMINDA
This morning we will drive to visit the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia. One of the oldest cities in the country, Mtskheta is blessed with such a wealth of cultural treasures that its historical monuments were collectively inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1994. We’ll visit the Jvari Monastery and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, some of the most significant examples of Georgian Christian architecture in the country. Continuing along the steep Georgian Military Highway we complete the journey high in the Caucasus mountains at Stepantsminda, where we will spend the next two nights. The evening will be free, allowing you to choose where to dine at your own leisure.
DAY 7: STEPANTSMINDA
DAY 7: STEPANTSMINDA
This morning we will take a walk up through the beautiful valley woodlands to the Gergeti Trinity Church, a historic 14th century church nestled beneath Mt. Kazbegi, one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus. After enjoying a picnic lunch, we’ll walk back into town where we can enjoy some downtime before dinner with a local family, which provides us with a chance to try our hand at cooking traditional Khinkali (meat dumplings). The walk is approximately 2hrs up and 2hrs down but for those who prefer, taxis can be hired locally.
DAY 8: STEPANTSMINDA – TBILISI
DAY 8: STEPANTSMINDA – TBILISI
Driving back to the capital today, we’ll stop off en route to visit the castle complex of Ananuri, located on the Aragvi River, and if access is permitted, also to the country’s impressive Wine Institute. Arriving back in Tbilisi later there will be time to freshen up before we head out for our final traditional Georgian dinner.
DAY 9: TOUR ENDS IN TBILISI
DAY 9: TOUR ENDS IN TBILISI
The tour will end at the hotel after breakfast.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Citrus Hotel, Tbilisi
Located in Old Tbilisi, Citrus Hotel is within walking distance of Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue. The restaurant and bar are located on the ground floor, where you can taste international and Georgian traditional dishes whilst enjoying a range of wines. The rooms are simply decorated but feature modern amenities and a fresh atmosphere due to the large windows, many with fantastic city views. Some rooms have the addition of a terrace, where you can enjoy a romantic meal as the sunsets.
Kabadoni, Sighnaghi
The stylish boutique Kabadoni is set in the historical centre of Sighanghi, nestled between vineyards of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus. The interior is a mixture of art nouveau and Georgian styling in a minimalist design. The 21 spacious rooms are decorated to the highest standard with luxury private bathrooms and views over the town or valley. The restaurant, lounge and the wine bar all have access to the terrace, from where you can take in the views and watch the sunset across the mountains, whilst swimming in the infinity pool. There is also a spa, gym, Finnish sauna and indoor pool, for the ultimate in relaxation and tranquillity.
Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Stepantsminda
Surrounding scenery alone would make this beautiful mountain hideaway an unavoidable choice of stay. Sat on the slope of a steep, green mountain high in the Caucasus, adorned by forests of conifers and overlooking the valley below, the Rooms Hotel is a must for any lover of nature and the great outdoors. The use of natural wood and floor to ceiling windows gives the hotel plenty of light and an alpine feel. The 156 rooms are large with mountain or forest views, modern furnishings and Wi-Fi. The large lobby is open plan and leads to the library, lounge, bar and restaurant, all of which open on to the terrace. The gym, swimming pool and sauna are a favourite amongst guests, as well as the hire bikes for exploring the local area. Please note: the spa and gym are open from seven in the morning to midnight.
Superior
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places
Premium
Excellent standards without the big price tag
Premium
Excellent standards without the big price tag
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
REVIEWS OF THIS TRIP
Lucy Oliver Taste of Georgia Review
Put yourself in the hands of the charismatic and generous Carla Capalbo as she shows you the food, wine, history and…
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
Responsible travel and sustainable tourism are fundamental ideas that Wild Frontiers has been committed to since our birth. It is our strong belief that these words should not be simply ‘tagged on’ to itineraries and websites but should be at the very core of each trip, and our adventures are therefore designed with the local people, culture and eco-system in mind. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our clients, but that it also benefits the peoples whose lands we are privileged to visit. For more information, please see our responsible travel page.
Supplementary Information
Carla Capalbo
Carla Capalbo is an award-winning food, wine and travel writer and photographer. She has written 14 books, mostly about the culture of producing food and wine. Her latest book, TASTING GEORGIA A food and wine journey in the Caucasus has won and been shortlisted for several prestigious awards in the UK and US. Carla was based in Italy for many years and has written extensively about Italian food and wine. She has been a contributor to Decanter magazine for over 15 years. Carla was born in New York to a theatrical family and brought up in Paris and London. After obtaining a degree in history of art she became a sculptor and photo stylist before devoting herself to writing and cooking. A keen traveller, Carla went to Georgia to find out more about its ancient winemaking traditions. She quickly fell in love with the country and spent three years researching and writing TASTING GEORGIA. Since then she’s become an unofficial ambassador for Georgian gastronomy and culture. Carla is an active member of Slow Food, the Guild of Food Writers, the Circle of Wine Writers and the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals). You can see more about her work on www.carlacapalbo.com and www.tastinggeorgia.com.
Georgian Food & Wine
Georgia’s food and wine culture is one of the most ancient in the world. Indeed the unique method of making wine in qvevri – large terracotta pots buried in the ground – has been used in Georgia for at least 8,000 years. Today many family wineries continue this tradition with wonderful results. A small number of potters still make the magnificent vessels by hand and they and this original winemaking technique are on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. The food marries perfectly with these ‘natural’ wines. At table, the Georgians love to compose their meals from many diverse dishes and flavours. These range from fresh vegetables dressed with aromatic walnut pastes to stewed and grilled meats, juicy khinkali dumplings and a variety of filled breads. The most famous of these – khachapuri – is stuffed with the cheeses many women make daily from their own cows’ milk. The deliciousness of Georgian food lies in featuring subtly spiced seasonal ingredients made vibrant through the abundant use of fresh herbs. The markets reflect the scope of these ingredients, and include fermented blossoms, foraged mushrooms and berries, hand-made cheeses, exotic spices and a colourful array of fruits and vegetables.Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Georgia.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Or alternatively you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries.
Below is just a small sample of what you could do. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your individual requirements.
Svaneti
If you enjoy mountain walking, you could visit the north-west of Georgia to experience one of the most stunning parts of the Caucasus region. Allow 7-10 days pre-tour.
Armenia
Head across the border to Armenia and we would be happy to tailor-make any itinerary for you in this fascinating country.
Azerbaijan
Take a trip east to see Georgia’s very different neighbour. The Silk Road crossroads town of Sheki and the bizarre capital of Baku are just some of the highlights that await. Allow 4-6 days.
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
The Greater Caucasus range moderates local climate by serving as a barrier against cold air from the north. The relatively small territory covers different climatic zones, which are determined by the distance from the Black Sea and by altitude. The climatic zones are ranging from humid subtropical to snow and glaciers. In the spring and autumn the weather can be very changeable ranging from 10C-23C - often in one day. In the summer, you can expect temperatures to be 30C plus. Please prepare for all eventualities, including rain.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the walks are optional.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. If you choose to purchase the Wild Frontiers bespoke policy through Travel & General (currently available to UK residents only) then please note for this trip the minimum required level of cover will be the Standard policy. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A £200 (or equivalent) deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 4406 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.