I am so excited to announce my collaboration with Cobblestone Freeway Tours and our incredible 10-day itinerary for the Ukraine and Georgia! Last year, I visited the Ukraine for the first time with them and absolutely fell in love with the beautiful countryside, historic cities, delicious food, and fascinating culture. Cobblestone Freeway Tours showed me the best of the Ukraine and I’m delighted to journey with them again to Eastern Europe in 2019. Best of all, you can join me on this trip too! Nothing would make me happier than to enjoy this trip with my fellow readers and travel enthusiasts. Without further ado, let me share with you our exciting itinerary!
Quick Overview:
-2 Countries
-5 Cities
-3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
-15 Excursions & Tours
-Guide in Ukraine and Georgia
What’s Included:
-Escorted tour from beginning to the end
-All land transportation in an air conditioned quality bus with professional driver
-All events included in the itinerary
-Entrance fees
-All hotels (4 stars)
-Flight from Kyiv to Tbilisi
-Most meals (9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners, 1 wine tasting)
10 Days in Ukraine & Georgia | May 22-31, 2019
2 Nights in Lviv – The Paris of Ukraine!
DAY 1:
-We’ll check you in to a nice centrally located hotel and give you some time to rest before giving you a brief city orientation.
-Spend your time exploring this picturesque city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see some of Lviv’s most famous attractions. Enjoy Lviv’s enigmatic atmosphere, its rich music and culinary scenes. We’ll make you completely fall in love with this city!
-In the evening, we’ll treat you to a delicious welcome dinner in one of our favorite local restaurants.
DAY 2:
-The city, often called the Paris of Ukraine, got this name for a reason – once a princely state, part of the Austro- Hungarian Empire and then of the Polish Kingdom, today Lviv is a modern European city that has, nonetheless, preserved a very special ‘old-European’ feel.
-In the morning, we will take you on a city tour on a retro train to discover more of a history.
-Coffee break in Lviv Coffee minery.
-Tour to the Lychakiv Cemetery, UNESCO World Heritage Site, that’s rightfully called an outdoor history museum. -Lunch in Masons restaurant, secret place that you wouldn’t find on a map, prepare to be impressed!
-Then take the time for shopping and sample the different kinds of coffee, chocolate and foods this city boasts. —We will then get together for a dinner with some special guests joining us – enjoy Galician cuisine and traditional music!
2 Nights in Kyiv – Ukraine’s Capital City!
DAY 3:
-In the morning, we we will travel to Kyiv by intercity fast train.
-Arriving in Kyiv, we’ll transfer you to your hotel and give you some time to rest. After, we will show you around and get you oriented.
-Lunch in traditional Ukrainian restaurant.
-We will take you to Independence Square, better known as Maidan, Khreshchatyk Street – the main ‘artery’ of Kyiv, Taras Shevchenko park and famous red University building.
-Evening at your leisure.
DAY 4:
-We have a busy time planned for you in the ‘City of Golden Domes’!
-First to introduce you to Kyiv, it’s fascinating history, architecture and traditions, we’ll take you on a city tour, taking you through iconic sights: Golden Gates, St. Volodymyr’s, St.Michael’s & St. Sophia’s Cathedral.
-After the tour, you can enjoy free time for shopping at Andriivsky Uzviz. This is a street that’s home to the city’s artisans, craftsmen and vendors – explore items starting from souvenir trinkets, to authentic costumes and Soviet times memorabilia.
-In the evening, we have a special treat – a traditional Ukrainian zabava, where everyone will have a chance to learn some traditional central Ukrainian songs and dances from our special guests!
3 Nights in Tbilisi, Georgia!
DAY 5:
-We will transfer you to the airport. It’s time to travel to Georgia! (Flight PS515, depart Kyiv at 11:25am – arrive in Tbilisi 04:15pm)
-Arriving in Tbilisi, we will meet you in the airport and transfer to your hotel where you’ll check-in.
-We will have dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. Evening at leisure.
DAY 6:
-It’s time to introduce you to Tbilisi!
-Here myth and history, culture and traditions, diverse nature and hospitable people; all intermingle with one another, inspired poetry, polyphonic songs and elegant dancing. A blend of cultures, a smell of spices, different nations meeting on street corners, different faiths sharing the same courtyards…This is Tbilisi, the city that has been dominated by traders, warriors, tyrants and dictators in turn.
-Take a walk around the old town and breathe in the living past. We will visit the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, Anchiskhati Basilica of 6th century, Metekhi Church of Assumption, Georgian Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral and the main citadel of the city where you can enjoy the wonderful views of Tbilisi from Narikhala Fortress.
-Then we will continue our tour around the city with well-known museums and theatres, art galleries, churches and archaeological excavations, Sulphur bathhouses, narrow streets with inner courts, surrounded with balconies decorated with laces, which overhang over abysses.
-In the evening, enjoy dinner in a traditional Georgian restaurant accompanied by a folk show!
DAY 7:
-Today we will explore the most fertile and picturesque part of Georgia – Kakheti, which borders the Great Caucasus range from the north Alazani Valley, summits of which are over 3,000 m. This region is known as a birthplace of viticulture and wine-making. The reach land, burning sun and hard work have developed about 500 varieties of vine in Georgia.
-Visit Bodbe Nunnery (9th c), the place where St. Nino, the 4th.c female evangelist of Georgians is buried.
-Explore Sighnaghi, a fortified town famous for its wine and carpet making culture. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Kizikhi area and unusual Charm of Sighnaghi Royal Town. Have a walk in the narrow streets of the town in shadows of wooden balconies richly decorated with the lace of carved ornaments.
-Visit a local family where the hostess will show you how Georgian bread is baked, and you’ll learn how to prepare famous Georgian pork barbeque “Mtsvadi“and participate in the Churchkhela making process. Churchkhela is a traditional Georgian sweet snack made of walnuts and grape juice.
-Enjoy lunch and wine tasting with the local family.
-Visit Tsinandali Family Estate and wine cellar, which once belonged to the 19th century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze. The residence consists of a summer home, garden and winery featuring several vintages of white wine.
-Return to Tbilisi and dinner in a local restaurant and evening at your leisure.
2 Nights in Batumi, Georgia!
DAY 8:
-In the morning, we will travel to Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia, located at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers.
-Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Jvari, the 6th century cross-shaped monastery built on the top of a cliff, overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. At this place, St. Nino, a female evangelist, erected a large wooden cross on the site of a pagan temple; Svetitskhoveli, the fortified cathedral dating from the 11th century. Svetitskhoveli is a sacred place where the Robe of Christ is buried.
-Next we will travel to the center of Shida Kartli region – Gori, known as the birthplace of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Visit Stalin’s Museum in Gori where you can see the house where Stalin was born, along with his personal railway carriage.
-Visit Uplistsikhe (“Fortress of God”) rock-hewn town (1st Millennium BC). Uplistsikhe is located on the left bank of Mtkvari river and is notable for unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures and the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture. Here you can see ancient wine presses carved in stone.
-Lunch at a local restaurant.
DAY 9:
-Time to explore Batumi, one of the oldest cities in Georgia and inhabited from as early as the third century BC. Batumi is mentioned by Greek and Roman sources as one of the Black Sea’s principal ports.
-Visit seaside park and old-city district with lots of cafes, shops and churches, streets of Old Batumi, decorated with ornaments of nameless mythical creatures, Batumi Sea Port, Piazza Square, statue of Medea and Governmental buildings.
-Visit Batumi Botanical Gardens located 9 km from Batumi. The garden occupies 111 hectares of hilly land, composed partially of red soils. Garden consists of the following floristic sections: Transcaucasian humid subtopic, New Zealand, Australian, Himalayan, East Asian, North American, South American, Mexican, and Mediterranean. With this excursion, you will get a chance to see the beauty of flora from all over the world and enjoy an amazing view of the Black Sea.
-We will then have lunch in a local restaurant.
-Gonio Aphsaros Fortress is located 12 km south to Batumi, on the left bank of River Chorokhi, on the place where Colchian Bronze culture and first Georgian statehood found its birthplace. Its history is closely connected to the Myth of the Argonauts. According to the legend, this is a site where King Ayet buried his sun Aphsaros, who was killed by escaped Jason. The oldest archeological layer excavated here belongs to 17-18cc.
-In the evening, we will get together for the farewell dinner – polyphony ensemble will join us at traditional restaurant. Our group will feel the atmosphere of an authentic Georgian dinner party, with traditional songs and the speeches of “Tamada” – toast master!
DAY 10:
-After some free time to stock up on souvenirs, we will transfer you to the airport where, sadly, it’s time to go back home or continue on to new exciting destinations!
PRICE:
- Starting at $2825 per person, based on double occupancy in 4* hotels.
- Discounts and monthly payment plans are available!
Join me on this fabulous trip and reserve your spot by the end of September! Contact Vincent Rees from Cobblestone Freeway Tours: vincent@cobblestonefreeway.ca or 855-787-7482 (toll free).
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Jing
July 12, 2018 at 7:57 amI can’t wait to hear your stories about how wonderful this 10 day tour went. Seeing photos of Georgia had me wanderlusting about this country. Enjoy your travel, Carmen!
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:17 pmThank you so much, Jing! I wish you could join us.
Amy
July 12, 2018 at 11:36 amWhat a fantastic itinerary covering such beautiful destinations. Georgia looks like an absolute dream, deserving of the extra attention! Your experience in travel would surely enhance this journey for others. An amazing opportunity, would love to join you someday!
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:16 pmThank you so much, Amy! I hope you can join us.
Tizzy Says
July 22, 2018 at 12:58 pmWhat a wonderful trip! The botanical gardens are like nothing I have ever seen before. So beautiful!
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:16 pmMe too, so amazing! Hope you can join us.
Cynthia
July 22, 2018 at 3:28 pmThis sounds like such an amazing trip! And your photos are beautiful. It’s so hard for me to wrap my head around how old some of these places are – Batumi has been around as far back as 300 BC!! The clock tower in the Tbilisi photo looks like it’s offset – is that just the angle of the photo or is there something different in the architecture of it?
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:15 pmI think it’s just the angle! And yes, it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the history too.
Amber
July 23, 2018 at 9:33 amThis looks like such a great tour. I really want to visit Tbilisi and Lviv, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. This is a good tour, I just might do it at my own pace! I love the look of Tbilisi in your pictures, it is great!
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:15 pmThey are all amazing places and it’s worth having a guide in a lot of them! Thanks for reading, Amber 🙂
Carol Colborn
July 23, 2018 at 11:54 amWhat an exciting tour this would be. Your photos are unbelievably spectacular. No other way to invite people to join you but to show how beautiful the places are. If only the price is not that luxurious!
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:12 pmThe value is very high, especially considering all of the nice places we are staying in and it covers so many meals. Wish you could join us, Carol!
Sharon Chen
July 24, 2018 at 4:15 amAmazing travels! I wish I could go! The beach looks very lovely.
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:11 pmI wish you could go too! It’s going to be a fabulous experience.
Elizabeth O
July 24, 2018 at 5:20 amI enjoy a tour, I feel you really get to see the best a place can offer! Your photo’s are so gorgeous, there are so many bright colours and rustic history peeking through. I bet it was an amazing experience.
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:11 pmI know it will be, the tour will be in 2019 🙂
Amna Tariq shah
July 24, 2018 at 9:13 amI have recently discovered the traveler in me and this is just what I was looking for 🙂 Loved the incredible selection of photos you’ve posted here.
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:11 pmThen I hope you can join us!
Kathleen
July 24, 2018 at 1:23 pmOMG your photos are amazing. makes me want to visit asap!
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:11 pmYou should! This itinerary is calling your name 😉
Lance
July 25, 2018 at 9:32 amOh, my. I am now aching to book this tour. How fantastic to have the full itinerary laid out for you, and simply be escorted to all of these great locations and events. It sure beats having to plan out every item on your own. The landscapes are stunning. What a great opportunity to visit some UNESCO sites and spend evenings in world-class hotels.
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:10 pmI only have great things to say about Cobblestone Freeway Tours and I know we’ve come up with a fantastic itinerary! I hope you can join us 🙂
Aneeta
July 25, 2018 at 12:24 pmSuch a beautiful post and lovely pictures.
If you are planning to visit India, you must definitely visit Kerala. Its such a beautiful place that everyone would love to go.
Carmen Edelson
July 25, 2018 at 1:10 pmThanks! India is absolutely on my bucket list.
Joshua K Sutton Ziaian
July 26, 2018 at 5:22 amYour trip looks amazing, Georgia is definitely somewhere I would like to go in the near future, it looks beautiful. What were your highlights?
Carmen Edelson
July 29, 2018 at 2:13 pmI haven’t actually gone yet, this is promoting the tour itinerary I’ve created for next year 🙂 I can’t wait!
Brianna
July 26, 2018 at 10:29 amThese are two countries I’m definitely wanting to see. Georgia looks incredible! This tour is very out of my price range though.
Carmen Edelson
July 29, 2018 at 2:13 pmIt’s incredible value for everything you’re getting but I totally understand!
Erica Edwards
July 26, 2018 at 12:30 pmIncredible itinerary! Both Kyiv and Tblisi have been highly recommended to me and I’d love to see some additional cities as you’ve done here. Love you photos, you’ve definitely inspired me to look into this region for my late summer hols before I head back to work in October! Did you try that famous cheese bread pastry that everyone is always raving about?
Carmen Edelson
July 29, 2018 at 2:14 pmI sure hope to try it! This is the itinerary I’ve created for the tour I’m going on next year 🙂
Neha
July 26, 2018 at 4:51 pmwow!! I love your post..I have never been to both the countries…But, I would definitely refer to your blog when I visit there.. I just loved it 🙂
Carmen Edelson
July 29, 2018 at 2:14 pmThat’s great, thank you!
Mel Butler
July 26, 2018 at 5:38 pmFirstly what beautiful pictures Carmen 🙂 I really want to go to both Ukraine and Georgia that are definitely high on my list. Sounds like you had such an amazing trip and I love the fact that you got to go to some UNESCO sites during your trip.
Carmen Edelson
July 29, 2018 at 2:14 pmI haven’t gone on this trip yet, this is the itinerary I’ve created with Cobblestone Freeway Tours for our trip next year! Can’t wait 🙂
Astrid Vinje
July 26, 2018 at 8:35 pmWhat an awesome opportunity! I’m looking forward to following along on your travels.
Carmen Edelson
July 29, 2018 at 2:14 pmThank you, Astrid! You could also join and follow along in person 😉
Anna Liddell
July 29, 2018 at 4:08 amWow! Incredible photos and this sounds like an amazing route. I would very much like to explore Georgia and Ukraine one day. Have a fantastic time!
Carmen Edelson
July 29, 2018 at 2:15 pmThank you so much, I am really looking forward to it!
Miranda @ Migration Expert UK
August 1, 2018 at 1:30 amVery informative blog post and your pictures are awesome!
Carmen Edelson
August 2, 2018 at 1:01 pmI appreciate it, thank you!
Danik
September 3, 2018 at 6:16 amI love the Ukraine, such an amazing country with amazing people and Georgia is on my list of things to do soon now that there are cheap flights from the UK. Loving the photos here, some defo brought back good memories. 🙂
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:34 pmYes, very cheap flights! Come join 🙂
Map Scratchers
September 3, 2018 at 4:23 pmThat does sound like a spectacular trip and very well planned! I used to spend my summers in Ukraine when I was little, so I have been there already, but Georgia looks almost like a hidden gem. Looks stunning…
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:34 pmYes Georgia is such an underrated country!
Ann
September 4, 2018 at 6:47 pmWow! The architecture in these countries looks amazing! I’m definitely adding them to places I want to visit. I didn’t realize they had so much beauty there.
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:32 pmYes, really amazing and underrated countries!
Jay | Life of Creed
September 4, 2018 at 10:13 pmWow! Looks like an amazing tour! Looking at the itinerary this will be a great time for all who go on this tour. Thanks for sharing!
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:31 pmYou’re very welcome, I hope you can join us 🙂
Jennifer L
September 5, 2018 at 3:02 amWow this is such a fabulous tour to explore these two countries. I usually love taking guided tours when I go to Europe because they’re less stressful and im assured that I will see the key places in the country.
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:30 pmYes, this takes all the stress out for travel for sure 🙂
Renee Butcher
September 5, 2018 at 10:04 amThis sounds like an absolutely fabulous tour, and your photos capture so much of the vibrancy of the country! One of my daughters spent a year teaching in Ukraine and had such wonderful things to share about the people she met there.
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:30 pmGood for her! The people are amazing.
emman damian
September 5, 2018 at 6:28 pmI want to tour Ukraine! Such a lovely country. They also have very good tennis players. I would really love to see this pretty country soon.
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:30 pmJoin us if you can! It will be an amazing tour.
Yukti
September 6, 2018 at 9:52 amBoth countries are my favorite and I too loved both of them. Georgia is unique in terms of beautiful countrysides and Ukraine has lovely monasteries. Last month only I visited Lviv and Kiev.
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:28 pmI really love both Kiev and Lviv!
The Travel Bunny
September 6, 2018 at 10:20 amThis seems very exciting and it’s quite a close visit from where I live (Romania).
It’s unclear to me: you always say “we” (“we’ll check you in”, “we’ll treat you”) and you said we can join you.. Are you hosting this tour or are you going to be our companion?
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:28 pmYes, very exciting! I created this itinerary with the company and will be joining the tour.
Sandy N Vyjay
September 6, 2018 at 12:36 pmBoth Ukraine and Georgia are charming places. They are a pure indulgence for the senses and there is so much to see and experience there. Tbilisi is one place that has been on our bucket list and we hope to get there someday. The itinerary sounds really fascinating. Have a great trip and look forward to your updates.
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:28 pmThanks so much, I hope you enjoy following along!
Anna
September 6, 2018 at 3:56 pmwow what a trip! The photos look incredible! Have an amazing time!
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:27 pmThanks, I am so looking forward to it!
Tif
September 6, 2018 at 9:53 pmThis sounds amazing!!!! If I wasn’t going to be back in my doctorate program I would sign my husband and I up now!!! What a wonderful experience you will give everyone!!
Carmen Edelson
September 7, 2018 at 10:27 pmWish you could join, thanks Tif!