Feminist Tour 9 Days
Despite many barriers, women have always played a very important role in Georgia's history. In the 4th century AD, Saint Nino brought Christianity to Georgian lands and in the 12th century AD, Georgia prospered under the rule of Queen Tamar. Later, Georgian feminists of the 19th and 20th century fought for a progressive and inclusive vision for their country. The 1921 Constitution of the first independent Georgia was uniquely advanced for its time, introducing universal suffrage and the equal right of women and men to vote. In more recent years, women of Georgia forged ahead as pioneers in many fields in spite of deprivations after the collapse of the USSR and persisting inequalities.
This tour will give you a unique opportunity to meet successful, hardworking women entrepreneurs in rural areas, hear their stories, and become inspired by their resilience and strength. By booking this tour, you support all these small businesses led by Georgian women.
Duration: 10 Days
Best season: All year round
Interests: Feminism, Sustainable tourism, farming, craft, cultural heritage, nature, organic wine and food, hiking.
Tour itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival
Meet in the airport and transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi at centrally located hotel (B)
Day 2. Tbilisi city tour
Visit the old part of the city and with a tour guide discover the most interesting parts and hidden gems of Tbilisi. While concentrating on the lives of women of Tbilisi in the past and present, visiting their cafés and handicraft shops. During the tour also visit a female cook at her house and take part in a cooking class of Georgian traditional dishes. Overnight in Tbilisi at centrally located hotel (BL)
Day 3. Tbilisi - Tserovani Enamel workshop - Uplistsikhe - Didi Ateni Winery
Tbilisi - Tserovani - visit enamel workshop where refugee women from the Russian occupied Georgian territories work on enamel and jewelry - share a cup of coffee/tea with them and take part in enamel making workshop - drive to Uplistsikhe and discover this ancient rock hewn town from the 7th century BC where ancient Georgians worshiped their pagan idol - goddess Nana - after an hour walk in Uplitsikhe drive to Didi Ateni where another hardworking lady is waiting for us to accommodate and share her stories with delicous dinner and wine. Overnight at Winery and Guesthouse in Didi Ateni (BDW)
Day 4. Didi Ateni - Baghdati - Kutaisi - Tskaltubo
Didi Ateni - drive to Baghdati - visit local female winemaker and enjoy lunch and wine tasting with the hostess - drive to Gelati and explore 12th centuiry monastery UNESCO World Heritage Site - drive to Kutaisi - visit a local market to go shopping of spices cheese and vegetables - drive with these products to Tskaltubo - visit a local family and cook with our hostess and have dinner with her. Overnight in Tskaltubo at a 4-star hotel with outdoor swimming pool (BLWD)
Day 5. Tskaltubo - Prometheus cave - Martvili canyon - Winery - Tskaltubo SPA
Tskaltubo - drive to Prometheus cave - explore the cave with - drive to Matvili - visit Martvili canyon and take a short boat trip in the canyon - optional swim in the canyon - visit a local female winemaker who is also a wine writer and enjoy lunch - Megrelian cuisine with her creative and modernized dishes and of course her wines - after the lunch drive back to Tskaltubo and enjoy SPA. Overnight in Tskaltubo (BLW)
Day 6. Tskaltubo - Ubisa - Vardzia
Tskaltubo - drive to Shrosha pottery market - next stop Ubisa monastery with unique frescoes - lunch at Rikoti pass at a local lady's café - drive to Vardzia - explore cave town of Vardzia from the 12th century associated with Queen Tamar and Georgian Golden age - Overnight at a local female farmer's guesthouse and enjoy dinner and wine (BLDW)
Day 7. Vardzia - Khertvisi fortress - Borjomi park and thermal pools-Tbilisi
Vardzia - visit Khertvisi fortress on the way - drive to Borjomi - walk in the Central Park of Borjomi and swim in the Thermal pools - lunch at a local family café and meet the hostess - drive to Tbilisi and free evening (BL)
Day 8. Tbilisi - Bodbe nunnery - Sighnaghi - Kisiskhevi
Tbilisi - drive to Kakheti region famous for its wine - stop at Badiauri and visit a local bread baker lady and try fresh bread and cheese - drive to Bodbe and visit a nunnery where St. Nino was buried and explore the nunnery and a local craft shop - drive to Sighnaghi - explore this beautiful town overlooking Alazani valley and the Great Caucasian mountains - visit a local natural winery and meet another female winemaker - taste her wines and local dishes at her restaurant - drive to Kisiskhevi stay at Wine Château with SPA and a pool (BLW)
Day 9. Kisiskhevi - Argokhi - Zemo Alvani felt - Alaverdi cathedral - Koghoti Winery - Telavi - Tbilisi
Kisiskhevi - drive to the village Argokhi and visit a local jam maker lady and have breakfast with the local products - drive to the village Zemo Alvani and visit a local felt workshop. These ladies are from Tusheti mountains, and they brought ancient felt making technics with them - attend a felt making masterclass - next stop is 11th century Alaverdi cathedral - then drive to village Koghoti and visit a local natural winemaker lady and have a wine tasting with her - drive to Telavi and visit a local female cheese maker's restaurant - this lady creates not only a delicious cheese but the rest of the dishes are mouth-watering - after the lunch drive to Tbilisi via Gombori pass. Check in to a hotel. In the evening, farewell dinner at a local restaurant where chief cook is also one of the best female cooks in Georgia. Overnight at a centrally located hotel in Tbilisi (BL)
Day 10. Departure
Check out - transfer to the airport of Tbilisi. Departure (B)
End of the tour
Price of the tour depends on the size of the group and types of hotels used for this tour program. For more details please contact us, as we offer private tours we are ready to make changes in the itinerary and consider your requirements.
What will be included in the price:
- Tour guide
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entrance tickets
- Meals as specified in the itinerary: B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner and W - wine tasting
- Costs of the activities which are mentioned in the itinerary