Location highlights from this tour
The full sweep of Georgia, coast to Caucasus, in nine days. This private tour runs from Tbilisi west and south through the country's best — old capitals, cave cities, a cliff monastery — and out to Batumi on the Black Sea before looping back.
You start with two nights in Tbilisi, then head west through the UNESCO churches of Mtskheta, the cave town of Uplistsikhe and Gori to Kutaisi, with its great monastery and the Prometheus Cave. From there it's south to Vardzia and the castle at Akhaltsikhe, then over to the coast at Batumi for two nights, and the long drive back to the capital.
It's the grand tour — the one that strings the country's headline sights into a single loop. Vardzia alone is a whole monastery carved into a cliff under Queen Tamar in the 12th century; Batumi, at the other end, is all sea air, palm-lined boulevard and glass towers.
A couple of the driving days are long, but that's the trade for seeing this much of the country in one trip — and because it's private, the pace and the stops bend around you.
The tour starts at Holy Trinity Cathedral — Sameba — one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, rising above the city. From there you'll visit the clifftop Metekhi church, perched above the river, then ride the cable car up to the Narikala fortress for the view over the whole of Tbilisi. Walking down from the fortress, you'll pass through Abanotubani, the district of brick-domed sulfur bathhouses the city was built on and named after, then wander the Old Town lanes to the leaning clock tower of the Rezo Gabriadze theatre. Free evening in Tbilisi.
West today, through Georgia's spiritual and ancient heart. You'll start in Mtskheta, the old capital and a UNESCO site, for the hilltop Jvari monastery and the great Svetitskhoveli cathedral below. Then Uplistsikhe, a town carved straight into the rock thousands of years ago, and Gori, with its Stalin Museum in the town where he was born. You reach Kutaisi, one of Georgia's oldest cities, in the evening.
A fuller day in and around Kutaisi. You'll start at Gelati, a monastery founded in 1106 by King David the Builder and still on the UNESCO list, its churches lined inside with medieval mosaics and frescoes. Then you head underground at the Prometheus Cave, a long run of lit chambers, stalactites and underground rivers. Back in the city, a short tour takes in the old streets and the lively Green Bazaar, where locals shop for produce, cheese and spices.
South today, to Vardzia — a monastery cut into the side of the Erusheti mountain in the 12th century, under Queen Tamar. What's left is a honeycomb of rooms, tunnels and chapels running across the cliff face, with a frescoed church still in use at its centre. Afterwards you'll drive on to Akhaltsikhe for the night.
You start right in Akhaltsikhe at the Rabati Fortress, a big restored complex where Georgian, Ottoman and European styles all show up inside one set of walls. Then a stop in Borjomi, the spa town famous for its mineral water, where you can walk in its Central Park, before the long, scenic drive to the coast. You reach Batumi, Georgia's Black Sea city, in the evening — sea air and a very different feel after the mountains.
A relaxed day on the coast. You'll start north of the city at the Batumi Botanical Garden, a hillside of plants from all over the world spread across a green headland above the sea. Back in town, you'll take in Europe Square and the Italianate Piazza, then head down to the water for the moving Ali and Nino statue, two steel figures that slide through each other by the shore, and the Alphabetic Tower nearby, its tall helix wrapped in the letters of the Georgian alphabet. From there it's a stroll along the seafront Batumi Boulevard and a ride up on the Argo cable car for the view over the city and the coast. The evening is free.
A last morning by the sea, then the long drive back east to Tbilisi. It's a full day on the road, with stops along the way to stretch your legs, so take it easy — you'll reach the capital in the evening, where the trip began, for your final night.
A design-forward boutique hotel housed in a converted Soviet-era publishing house on the banks of the Mtkvari River. Rooms Hotel Tbilisi is a cultural landmark in its own right, blending industrial-chic aesthetics with warm Georgian hospitality, a vibrant lobby bar, and a celebrated restaurant.
A colorful and contemporary hotel right on Tbilisi's main Rustaveli Avenue. Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center offers reliable international-standard comfort with a playful design, complimentary breakfast, and an unbeatable central location for exploring the capital.
A cheerful budget-friendly hotel tucked into the winding streets of Tbilisi's Old Town. Ginger Hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms with a warm atmosphere and friendly staff, making it a great-value base for travelers who want to be in the heart of the action.
A stylish and modern hotel in the center of Kutaisi, Georgia's second-largest city. Newport Hotel offers spacious rooms with contemporary interiors, an excellent restaurant, and a prime location for exploring the region's UNESCO World Heritage sites and natural wonders.
A charming boutique hotel in central Kutaisi named after the legendary Argonauts who sailed to ancient Colchis. Boutique Hotel Argo offers comfortable rooms, warm service, and a great location for discovering Kutaisi's rich history and the stunning natural attractions of Imereti.
A welcoming hotel in the heart of Kutaisi featuring lush gardens and a BBQ area perfect for relaxing evenings. Hotel West Way serves as the ideal base for exploring the magnificent Prometheus Cave, Sataplia Nature Reserve, and the ancient Gelati Monastery.
A premium boutique inn offering luxurious Junior Suite rooms just steps from the magnificent Rabati Castle. Akhaltsikhe Inn combines elegant interiors with stunning views of the historic fortress and surrounding valley, providing the finest accommodation in this ancient southern Georgian town.
A modern wellness hotel right beside the historic Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe. Hotel Gino features an indoor pool, sauna, and full wellness center, making it ideal for relaxation after exploring the Vardzia cave monastery and the dramatic landscapes of southern Georgia.
A friendly and affordable hotel in Akhaltsikhe offering clean, comfortable rooms and genuine southern Georgian hospitality. Hotel Beni is a great-value base for exploring Rabati Castle, the Vardzia cave city, and the scenic Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
The crown jewel of Batumi's waterfront, Rooms Hotel Batumi is a luxury design hotel with a stunning rooftop pool overlooking the Black Sea. With world-class dining, impeccable service, and interiors that blend industrial chic with coastal elegance, it's the finest address on Georgia's coast.
A polished mid-range hotel in the heart of Batumi offering modern rooms, many with balconies and sea views. Hotel Monarch combines comfort and value with a convenient location near Batumi Boulevard, making it an excellent choice for exploring Georgia's sunny Black Sea coast.
A cozy and affordable boutique hotel tucked into a quiet street in Batumi. Boutique Hotel 32 offers a personal touch with tastefully decorated rooms, friendly staff, and a location that puts you just minutes from the seaside promenade and Old Town attractions.
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