Bodbe - Sighnaghi - Kvareli full day Private tour from Tbilisi

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino, Signagi Georgia

The St. George’s Monastery of St. Nino, sometimes also called the Bodbe Monastery, is one of the most important religious sites in Georgia. Today, there is a nunnery where the monastery used to be, and the St. George Cathedral, part of the monastery, holds the remains of St. Nino, Equal to the Apostles, who brought Christianity to Georgia. There is also a new cathedral being built, using much of the same construction methods used to make the most famous cathedrals in Georgia centuries ago.

According to legends, St. Nino died at the age of 60 in Bodbe in the year 335 CE. During her lifetime, she had crossed the entire country, healing people and preaching Christianity. She asked to be buried in Georgia, where she had spent her life. Later, King Mirian decided to move her body to Mtskheta, but all efforts were in vain: the coffin couldn’t be moved. Originally, a little temple in honor of the martyr St. George was built on this place, but this temple didn’t survive. In 850, the newer Cathedral that stands today was built on the spot of the older temple. This new temple follows classic design principles, following the best traditions of Georgian architecture. The interior has a few 9th century frescoes, with lots of additions from the 12th through 17th centuries.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Signagi City Walls, Signagi Georgia

Sighnaghi is located in the east side of the historical region of Kakheti - the heart of Georgia`s wine-growing regions. It is one of the smallest and most beautiful towns in Georgia due to its special and unique architecture and natural location; Sighnaghi is known as a "City of Love”, characterized with the beautiful, narrow, and cobblestone streets. It overlooks the most beautiful landscape of Alazani Valley and Caucasus Mountains.

Sighnaghi is walled with the 5 km. remnants of 18th-century fortifications. There are two Georgian Orthodox churches in the town dedicated to St. George and to St. Stephen. The town with its environs are home to several historical and cultural monuments, specifically protected by the State since 1975. The local Ethnographic and Archaeological Museum dating from the 1950s was upgraded and developed into a modern-standard exhibition the – Sighnaghi Museum – in 2007. The venerated Bodbe Monastery is located 2 kilometers from Sighnaghi and is a place of pilgrimage due to its association with St. Nino, the 4th-century apostle of Georgia.

Sighnaghi developed into a city in the 18th century. However, it’s scientifically proved that this place had been playing an important role in the development of the region since Paleolithic, Late Stone and Bronze Ages. The history of the town and its fortress is associated with the name of King Erekle II. In 1770 the King entered Sighnaghi into the list of cities and made it act the leading part in the defence against Lekis. The wall with the length of about 5 kilometers and 23 towers was constructed in the same period. The fortress could accommodate almost all Kizikhians in that period. Sighnaghi Wall is still considered to be one of the most important historic monuments in Kakheti and throughout Georgia. Today the Wall is reconstructed in its earliest form.

In the 19th century Sighnaghi turned into the biggest center of workmanship and trade. It was a cultural center of Eastern Georgia. Several caravan routes crossed there. According to historic data, there were 131 shops and stalls at the central square of the town.

Over the past years a rehabilitation project has been carried out in Sighnaghi. Within the scope of the project the town gained it historical format again: restoration of old buildings, revetment of streets, improvement and development of infrastructure. Today Sighnaghi is also called a town-museum because the architectural style that characterized it 200 years ago is still preserved there. The wall, houses built with Georgian bricks, wooden fretwork balconies, cobblestone pavements, wine cellars, basements and of course the inimitable views produce an unforgettable impression upon the visitors of the town.

Sighnaghi is distinguished by its clement, humid climate. Winter temperate is cold, summer – quite hot. The highest average annual temperature is 24.3°C (July) and the lowest average annual temperature is 0.2°C (January).

Position data: 41°36′55″N 45°54′46″E / 41.61528°N 45.91278°E / 41.61528; 45.91278

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Area: 1251 km2

Altitude: 790 m. above sea level

Population: 2000

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tunnel Winery Khareba's, Meurneoba District Kakheti, Kvareli 383320 Georgia

In August 2011, Winery Khareba modernized its cellar in Terjola (Imereti) and today it is equipped with modern machinery including stainless steal tanks. Here, we produce our premium still and sparkling wines.

8000 years old winemaking method and innovative achievements of the 21st century are combined in the Terjola cellar. This is a place where more than 40 kinds of wines are produced using more than 20 different indigious grape varieties.

Winery Khareba's eastern Georgia cellar is located in Vachnadziani (Kakheti) and has been producing wines since 1957. This cellar mainly produces table wines and production capacity is more than 55 000 hectoliters per year.

We also own a spirits (Brandy) production facility in Akhmeta (Kakheti).

Duration: 2 hours