«Chateau Fort de Manavi», Georgia,
Date: 2-4.06.2023
Day 1: Armenia: Yerevan – (Bavra) – Dashbashi – Paravan lakes – Tsalka – Manavi
Breakfast. Transfer to the Dashbashi canyon. Paravan lakes. New bridge in Dashbashi. Dinner. Transfer to Manavi. Stop at the pearl of Kakheti – the private estate «Chateau Fort de Manavi». Dinner and overnight in Manavi.
Day 2: Manavi – David Gareji – Signagi – Manavi
Breakfast. Excursion to David Gareji – a complex of Georgian cave monasteries of the 5th century, the beginning of which was laid by the Holy Father David. Depending on the weather, objects for inspection may change. According to legend, Saint David reached Jerusalem, took three stones at the gates of Jerusalem and returned back. The legend says that with these stones he brought out of Jerusalem all the blessings of the Lord. Then the Patriarch of Jerusalem caught up with him and asked him to leave these stones. David left two stones, and brought one with him to Georgia. This stone is still on his grave in David Gareji Lavra. In many churches and refectories of the complex, frescoes (VI-IX centuries) have been preserved, incl. portrait of Queen Tamara. Return to Chateau Fort de Manavi. Tasting of wines and chacha produced according to the traditional old Georgian technology directly in the marani «Chateau fort de Manavi» from grapes grown in the estate’s own vineyards. The highlight of the tasting will be «Manavskoe green» – wine from a special grape variety that grows only in the area of the village Manavi in Georgia. Dinner. Departure to Sighnaghi. On the way, acquaintance with the history of the Manavi fortress (XI century) and the Manavi Temple (XVIII century). The church was built in 1794 by the abbot of the monastery of John the Baptist from the David Gareji Lavra – Ephraim. In the 17th century, the royal vineyards and the estate of Erekle II were located here. Walk through the ancient city of Sighnaghi, which is located on top of a mountain range overlooking the Alazani Valley. Visit to the historical and ethnographic museum with exhibits from the 5th millennium BC. until the 19th century. In the museum also exhibits paintings by the famous Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani. Return to Chateau Fort de Manavi. Master class on cooking churchkhela and baking dedas puri with tone, khachapuri or khinkali. Dinner in traditional Georgian style. The menu includes dishes of only Georgian cuisine from ECO products grown in the Chateau Fort de Manavi farm. Overnight in Manavi.
Day 3: Manavi – Tbilisi – (Sadakhlo) – Armenia: Yerevan
Breakfast. Short stop in Tbilisi. Departure to Armenia.
The price includes: • Hotel accommodation; • Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners; • Wine degustation; • Master classes; • Service of the Russian-speaking guide-accompanying according to the program; • Transport service according to the program.
The price does not include: • Additional excursions; • Entrance tickets about 20 euros per person; • Services not listed above; • Personal expenses.