Unexpected Georgia
Immerse yourself in Georgian culture as we explore an eclectic mix of culinary traditions, hyper-modern architecture, and homegrown vineyards.
Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Georgia, where east meets west along the silk road in the heights of the Caucasus Mountains. This compact country along the shores of the Black Sea packs a punch as one of the world's most biodiverse with snow-capped mountains and subtropical valleys. Ancient monasteries scrape the skies perched on mountaintops with unsurpassed views. Vineyards have claimed the valley floors in the birthplace of wine for the last eight thousand years.
About your trip
Georgia is a country unlike any other and we wanted to honor that. Take a deep dive into the many aspects of the culture and indulge in the beauty of slow travel. This adventure includes a unique opportunity to get to know the entrepreneurs and artisans who are shaping this vibrant nation through fashion, food, architecture, and wine. We’ll also uncover the fascinating history through a list of highly curated activities, such as exploring a cave city built around 1,000 BC, visiting ancient monasteries, and learning about the years under Soviet rule.
What’s included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Boutique hotel accommodations in twin rooms
Transportation to and from the airport
8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners and snacks
El Camino’s exclusive Eat, Play, Shop Guide
Experienced local host with you throughout the trip
Not included
Airfare in and out of the country
Mandatory travel insurance
Incidental expenses
Alcohol except where noted
Tips
Travelers must provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their journey. If you’d like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process. If you need assistance please contact our Customer Success team.
Itinerary
Flight
☞Please remember to book separately
Day 1
☞Arrival in Tbilisi (TBS) | Welcome dinner
Day 2
☞Flea Market | Fashion Studio Tour
Day 3
☞ Silk Weaving and Scenic Lunch
Day 4
☞Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church Visit | Khinkali Lunch Experience
Day 5
☞Ancient architecture| Locally-owned winery experience
Day 6
☞Discover Georgia’s Women Winemakers
Day 7
☞Travel to Guria | Tea Farm Experience
Day 8
☞Architectural Visit | Farewell Feast
Day 9
☞Depart from Tbilisi
Your Itinerary
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Touch down in Tbilisi, where east meets west. Get swept away to your home base for the next few nights. At every turn, your eye finds something new from Roman, Byzantium, Persian, Ottoman, Russian, and hyper-modern architecture. Explore at your will, tapping into the Eat, Play, Shop guide that we prepared for you, or relax at the hotel before meeting your new travel mates later this evening. We’ll be heading about forty minutes outside the city to a country home and winery where an exciting welcome supra (feast) will be prepared especially for us.
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Head out to our favorite flea market this morning that offers everything from antiques, art nouveau, and art deco to Bohemian crystal and Soviet-era x-rays. There’s so much to see that it’s often referred to as a museum. After lunch, we’ll regroup for a private tour of some of Georgia’s up-and-coming fashion designer’s studios, where traditional silk textiles meet modern, architectural design, bold color-blocking, and eye-catching prints. Later this evening, you’ll begin to explore the regional differences of Georgian food as we visit a pioneering female chef who’s turning traditional, rustic Georgian food into something modern and chic.
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Today, we’ll head out to the heart of Georgian wine country. Our first stop will be at one of Georgia’s (and maybe the world’s) last silk producers and weavers, who use the ancient technique of growing silk from silkworms and weaving it by hand. Lunch is nearby, overlooking the Caucasus Mountains and vineyards. Prepared by a husband and wife duo, the meal represents a reemergence of centuries-old local and endemic recipes after decades of Soviet attempts to “standardize” Georgian food. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring narrow, cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored cottages and local markets, before we head back to Tbilisi .
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Buckle up and get ready for spectacular views as we drive north to the Georgian wilderness, dotted with ancient castles, fortresses, and monasteries. We’ll rise to the peaks of the mountains to visit a Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church that was built in the 1300s and is still in use today. For lunch, you’ll get to meet with a group of local women to prepare and more importantly—eat—Khinkali (or Georgian soup dumplings). Larger, with slightly thicker skin than typical Chinese-style dumplings, they’re filled with ground beef or pork with broth and make the perfect snack or meal in the mountains.
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Today, we’re headed west to the countryside for culture, relaxation, and—of course—more wine. We’ll arrive at the rocky cliffs of one of Georgia’s most beautiful monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around the year 600, which is virtually unchanged from its original construction. Continue your exploration of regional Georgian flavors for lunch, when we’ll visit a local vineyard owned by a husband and wife power-duo who are involved in the revitalization of the Georgian wine scene. Our other host for the day runs a seasonally-changing kitchen and launched Georgia’s first woman-owned wine label. Post-lunch, we'll head to a cave city built around 1,000 BC that was inhabited until the late Medieval period. You’ll get a unique glimpse into ancient life as you witness temples dedicated to a sun goddess standing next to early Christian churches. This evening, we’ll check into our new hotel in the town of Kutaisi, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.
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You’ll have the opportunity to support some of Georgia’s outstanding female entrepreneurs today. Our first stop will explore the wine cellars of a notable Georgian author, literary critic, and one of the few female winemakers in Georgia. Among her achievements is writing a food ethnography to preserve local, Megrelian food (a regional & cultural identity, cuisine, and language that has been labeled by UNESCO as endangered). We'll continue toasting to the women of Georgia and good wine by visiting another woman-owned winery, founded by an active member of the fledgling feminist movement in Georgia.
Read the full itinerary here.
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This morning, we’ll venture further west, to the lesser-known, subtropical area of Guria near the Black Sea. Once the fourth-largest producer of tea in the world, the collapse of the Soviet Union caused the region to enter an economic crisis for a prolonged period of time. Now, thanks to a few traditionalist tea producers, tea is making a comeback. We’ll visit a female-owned tea farm to taste some of the highest quality varieties of tea around the world, accompanied by lunch. After lunch, we’ll visit a local Gurian house and winery to explore the subtle regional differences within Georgia.
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We’ll make our way back to Tbilisi today, passing by a cathedral that was extensively reconstructed and preserved by revered Italian architect, Andrea Bruno, before stopping at a stunning country home for lunch. Once back in the city, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore or revisit some of your favorite shops to fill those extra suitcases. Reconvene with your new friends for a farewell dinner at one of Tbilisi’s best restaurants which offers a beautiful selection of Georgian tapas and wines. Raise a glass to all you’ve experienced this week and recount your highlights with your travel mates.
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Say your goodbyes over breakfast before heading to the airport. Leave Georgia inspired by the spirit of Georgia's cultural reclamation experienced over the last few days, and return home feeling renewed by the rugged landscapes and steadfast people found in this wondrous place.
Important Notes
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We teamed up with local experts to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life.
We made a bold decision to indulge in slow travel, sticking to only two main destinations for your 9-day adventure. We'll explore other nearby places for day trips, keeping travel times to a minimum. Georgia is a destination unlike any other, and we wanted to help you fully immerse yourself in the culture rather than speeding through.
We have also chosen to partner with several female creatives and entrepreneurs in Georgia, to celebrate and support the work of these brilliant leaders. You’ll get to meet women who are experts in their fields, such as wine, tea, and Georgian cuisine. This insider access has been established through our local relationships and is unique to El Camino Travel.
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Fly into Tbilisi International Airport (TBS).
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Please note that El Camino does not handle or monitor flights and is unable to make changes with any airlines. If you need help with your flight search once you reserve your spot, we have a travel advisor that we can recommend who specializes in flights. She can be used at a small fee for those having trouble finding the best option during your flight search or who would like further assistance. She knows all the details regarding our trips and may be able to find better fares and routes than what you can find on your own.
More information will be given post booking on how travelers should work with their travel coordinator if they experience any delays or issues to ensure that we can update our local teams at your destination to arrange an adjusted pickup. If your return/outbound flight is altered at the end of your trip, we will do our best to support your needs.
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This trip is for the traveler who has an adventurous spirit, is looking to squeeze the most out of their time in Georgia, and cares about making the world a better place through responsible tourism. The trip is filled with experiences that allow you to be immersed in the varied cultures of Georgia. This traveler is open-minded, inherently curious, and enjoys indulging in the moment. This trip is for the traveler who finds joy in stepping outside of their comfort zone, loves trying new things, and is excited to explore a culture completely different from their own. This trip is available to travelers from all walks of life who are over the age of 18.
While El Camino Travel provides a high level of customer service, our traveler is someone who is easy-going and amenable to change in the diverse and unpredictable landscape of travel in Georgia.
This trip is also for a solo traveler who does not want to travel solo, but instead with an interesting group of people and for those who do not want to spend countless hours planning a trip of a lifetime.
Our adventurous style of group travel is not for everyone. Please read carefully through the itinerary and the above description to ensure that you are booking a trip that fits your comfort level.
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We are not luxury travel, but we're not budget either. So what exactly does that mean? At El Camino Travel, we're all about the high-low. We enjoy fine dining but we also love street food. We fly coach but you can find us in the airport lounge. We'll splurge on something special like handmade pottery or a one-of-a-kind hand-sewn dress, but we also love searching online for a good deal. We love great style and design, but we also get excited about off-the-beaten-path experiences that are a little rough around the edges. We pride ourselves on designing trips that are authentic and real, understanding that any country is comprised of many lenses and lived experiences and that we can't possibly showcase them all.
This duality can be seen in our trips. Our trips represent boutique travel—not luxury, not budget. We won't be staying at hostels but we won't be at luxury hotels either. We choose boutique hotels where we can prioritize things like location, character, charm, safety, and customer service.
Sometimes we do experiences that feel more high-end. Sometimes we're going *way* off the beaten path to do something entirely unique, and sometimes that means it's a little unpolished. Our traveler is someone who enjoys both ends of the spectrum and understands that one isn't more authentic than the other.
Luxury travel usually means a lot more hand-holding. While we provide a high level of customer service, our traveler is a little more adventurous and self-sufficient. We provide blocks of free time so you have the flexibility to explore the destination your way because we understand that everyone is different. Don’t worry though, we will make sure you are equipped with a curated list of all our favorite places to eat, play, and shop for when you are out on your own with your new travel friends.
For some additional context, a luxury-travel version of our trips would start anywhere from $7,000-12,000. We mix the high-low versions of a destination to keep our trips more accessible.
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Please note that our standard pricing is based on shared double rooms. This allows us, among many things, to keep the cost of the trip accessible to as many travelers as possible. If you’re booking this trip with a friend, family member, or significant other, let us know and we’ll place you together.
Traveling solo? No problem—the majority of our travelers choose to fly solo. We’ll be in touch before the trip to learn a bit about you and find the best fit for a roommate. We will make it a priority to best situate you and we’re happy to chat more in-depth if you have any questions or concerns about this.
Single room upgrades are available! A limited number of single rooms have been reserved. Please select this option at checkout if you’d prefer your own space. If all the single rooms have already been filled, please email us at info@elcamino.travel and we'll let you know if we can secure additional rooms to accommodate a single.
We'll have more details regarding hotels prior to your trip, but we promise we chose these locations because they pass the El Camino standard of customer service and are clean, safe, and well-maintained.
It's important to note that our accommodations are not luxury or high-end. We seek more boutique accommodations that are well-situated and allow us to make the most of our itinerary.
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We have a roster of well-qualified hosts that we work with. Prior to your trip, you will receive a welcome packet that will inform you of who will be guiding your adventure. We proudly work with local hosts because no one is better equipped to provide layer upon layer of context than someone who is actually from there.
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A non-refundable $500 deposit is due at the time of booking. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions for more information about our cancellation policy.
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Yes! Payment plans are available through Affirm. Apply now to make monthly payments.
What is Affirm?
Affirm helps to split your purchases over time. You get to choose your payment schedule, and you’ll never pay more than what you agree to upfront. There are no hidden fees.
How does it work?
Once approved, Affirm will issue you a one-time virtual card to use as your payment method at checkout. Then you'll make your monthly payments through Affirm.
When does my virtual card expire?
Your virtual card expires 24 hours after you confirm your loan and get your card. If your card expires before you use it, it’s like the loan never happened. You won’t owe anything for it.
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ECT Clubhouse members get $250 off.
Current members, click here for more info about your discount. Not a member? Click here to learn more about joining The ECT Clubhouse.
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We encourage travelers to aim to arrive no later than 3 pm on the first day of the trip. This should allow you time to settle in ahead of any welcome activities. Most flights to Tbilisi will arrive later than this so we strongly suggest that you arrive at least 1 day early.
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Our trips are very active, and involve a lot of walking, standing, and moving around—sometimes, in very high temperatures, with high humidity, on uneven roads and terrains, in busy cities. While we work to accommodate all travelers, other modes of transportation are not always available, due to infrastructure, making walking the only option. Travelers should be willing and able to walk anywhere up to 4 miles each day, up and down stairs and hills, and be able to stand for extended periods of time. If you have any concerns or questions about the activity level of this trip, have recently had surgery, or have any history of mobility issues, please reach out to us at info@elcamino.travel before booking—we want to ensure that everyone on our trips is safe, and will able to keep up with the active itinerary. By signing up for any of our trips, you agree to and understand that a certain level of physical fitness is required to safely participate in this itinerary.
What our travelers say
“Amazing experience with a great group of similarly minded people. Art. Architecture. Culture. Boutique Hotels. Nature. Good Food. Cultural Experiences. The PERFECT mix. A trip you would want to plan yourself... without any of the planning!”
—Amy G.