See the highlights of Georgia and Turkey on an 18-day adventure through the cultural heart of this region. These two Black Sea bordering nations may be close, but the distinct differences in food, tradition and historic sites will shine on this small-group adventure. From the medieval towns of Kutaisi, lush green slopes of Mestia valley and the ramparts of the Narikala Fortress, to navigating the warrens of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, marvelling at the ancient city of Ephesus and floating over the fairy-tale landscape of Cappadocia, each day will keep you guessing every step of the way. Be intrigued by the landscape and eat as much kebab as you can handle as you have some essential Turkish and Georgian experiences.Highlights
Journey to the Svaneti region, a remote and alluring land of snow-capped mountains, where you'll discover medieval tower-houses and a fascinating local dialect.
Discover local Georgian wine and overindulge in khinkali (Georgian dumplings), learning from the locals the only way to eat these delicious parcels.
Enjoy a free day on the Aegean in the resort town of Kusadasi. You can check out Pamukkale's thermal pools, take a traditional boat trip along the coast or sit on the beach with a cool drink in hand.
Get up close and personal with the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia on a valley walk that'll have you exploring rock-cut dwellings in Love Valley or the rose-coloured hues of Red Valley.
See the back streets and vibrant bazaars in Istanbul – the continental-straddling metropolis where East meets West.
- You will visit the following places:
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Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari (Kura) River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936. The city covers an area of 280.3 square miles and has 1,480,000 inhabitants. Founded in the 5th century by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Georgian King of Iberia, and made into a capital in the 6th century, Tbilisi is a significant industrial, social, and cultural centre. The city is also emerging as an important transit route for global energy and trade projects. Located strategically at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and lying along the historic Silk Road routes, Tbilisi has often been a point of contention between various rival powers and empires.
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Kusadasi
Kuşadası is a coastal resort town in the Aydin Province of Aegean Turkey. It has become a popular holiday resort, especially for visitors from Northern and Western Europe. It has about 50,000 residents, although that grows significantly during the high season from May to October. The lovely city caters to tourists, growing to over half a million during the high season, when the large resort fills with tourists (from Turkey itself, northern Europe and the Balkans) plus the hotel staff, bar staff, construction workers, and drivers who are needed to work in the restaurants servicing all these visitors. The hills behind Kuşadasi are built up with big hotels and blocks of holiday flats.
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Istanbul