Tour members gather in Toronto for the overnight flights to Baku, Azerbaijan.

We arrive this evening in Baku, the modern and prosperous capital of oil rich Azerbaijan, set on the shores of the Caspian Sea.  Park Inn Baku  (3 nights)

Our morning begins with a visit to Mountain Park and the Martyrs’ Alley Memorial with its panoramic view over Baku. Continue to the walled medieval Old Town (UNESCO) for a walking excursion. Highlights include the Gyz Galasi or Maiden Tower (the oldest building in Baku), ancient mosques, the Market Square and Shirvanshahs’ Palace (UNESCO – dates from the 15th century). Following lunch and some free time in the old quarter, we will visit Atashgah, the recreated temple dedicated to the Land of Fires, based on ancient Zorastrian and Hindu beliefs. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the Caravanserai Restaurant with a lively folklore show. 

This morning we will venture to Gobustan National Historical - Artist Preserve (UNESCO), an open-air museum littered with Neolithic rock drawings, an outstanding collection of more than 6,000 engravings dating back some 40,000 years which is noted for its amazing landscapes. After lunch by the Caspian, we will visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, with exquisite examples dating back to the 16^th Century.  Balance of day at leisure to explore the city.   

We drive into the foothills of the Greater Caucasus crossing Muganly Pass and follow the old Silk Road route. At Shamakhi we visit the historic Mosque Juma (Friday) and Yeddi Gumbez (Seven Domes) Royal Mausoleum, burial place of the Shirvan Khanate. Sheki, one of the oldest Azerbaijan towns, has a medieval fortress, Sheki Khans’ Palace, and a local handicrafts workshop. In the village of Kish, founded around 3000BC, we visit the historic church and the caravanserai (or inn) from earlier times.  Sheki Saray Hotel (1 night) 

This morning we cross into Georgia and enter the Kakheti region, Georgia’s famous wine district and a picturesque land dotted with fine mature vineyards. Enjoy lunch with wine samples and the beautiful scenery at Khareba Winery, featuring a wine cellar carved into the rock. Explore the fortified 16th century Gremi Complex, including the Church of the Archangels, a three-story castle, a bell tower museum and a wine cellar. Visit Tsinandali Estate before arriving at our hotel overlooking Ilia Lake and two rivers.  Royal Batoni Hotel (1 night) 

Historic Nekresi Monastery was founded by a Syrian monk in the 6th century. Enjoy a special treat; visit a local family and enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal, complete with Georgian wines and ‘chacha’, the Georgian version of Grappa. In the royal hill-town of Signagi, walk through the old quarter, noted for its narrow cobbled streets and typical houses with wooden balconies and shuttered windows. Weather permitting there are fine views of the Kakheti area and eastern Caucasus summits. Visit the 9th century Bodbe monastery which is now a convent and an important Pilgrimage site for Georgians. This afternoon we continue to Tbilisi, the capital and largest city in Georgia.  Courtyard by Marriott (2 nights)

Our day begins in the Old Town, with its winding roads, alleys and wooden balconies. Highlights include Metekhi Church (overlooking the river), the Sulphur Baths (Abanotubani), the cable car ride to the Narikala Fortress (impressive ruins overlooking the Old Town and the Mtkvari River), Sioni Cathedral, the heart of Georgian Orthodoxy, and the Anchiskhati Church (ancient style of Georgian church). After lunch, we ride the Funicular for spectacular views of the city. The balance of the day will be free with time to explore the Old Quarter and Rustaveli, the main street which is the heart of the city, lined with elegant Renaissance and neoclassical buildings. 

The simple chapel of Jvari (6th century), located on a high hill, is a perfect example of early Georgian Christian architecture. Mtskheta (UNESCO: from 2000 BC), at the junction of Rivers Aragvi and Mtkvari, was the capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia. Visit the 11th century Svetitsikhoveli Cathedral, Georgia’s largest and the burial place of royalty. Drive over the Jvari Pass (2,395 m), stopping near Gudauri, the highest village on the road before arriving in Kazbegi (1,700 m), a picturesque village overshadowed by Mount Kazbek (5,047 m). Continue in 4x4s to the 14th century Tsminda Sameba Trinity Church, for fine views of the snow-capped mountains.  
Rooms Hotel Kazbegi (1 night)

Enjoy the mountain scenery en route to Ananuri Fortress,  overlooking the Aragvi Valley and Zhinvali Reservoir. Uplistsikhe, or ‘the Lord's Citadel’, is a cave town hewn into the living rock. Dating from the 7th century BC, the centre was a strategic point on the ancient Silk Road. We will see a large central hall for pagan rituals, living rooms and a 9th century church. Continue to Gori, the birthplace of Stalin (1879). Visit Stalin’s Museum, which includes the original wooden hut, Stalin’s birthplace, and Stalin’s private railway car. Later we continue back into Tbilisi.  Courtyard by Marriott (1 night)

Departing early, we make our way to the Armenian border where we meet our Armenian Guide and coach. Set on a high plateau surrounded by steep forest-grown slopes is  the monastery of Hagh Pat (UNESCO site). Following lunch, we continue through the heart of Armenia to the nation’s capital and largest city, Yerevan. Modern Yerevan was redesigned and rebuilt in the early part of the 20^th Century with a tremendous amount of development since the end of the Soviet era. This “pink city” was  constructed using a pink tufa stone, quarried locally.  Double Tree by Hilton (5 nights)

This morning we will discover the city, both ancient and modern as we tour Republic Square, the Park Cascade (with its amazing sculptures), the remarkable Matenadaran Library (with over 17000 rare manuscripts) and the moving Genocide Memorial. Following lunch at a selected restaurant, we will visit the State History Museum (noted for its relics from the Stone Age to recent times) and one of the producers of the local Ararat brandy and wine. Other highlights include busy Mashtoc Avenue and the House of Opera and Ballet.

Etchmiadzin dates from 117AD and was once the capital of Armenia. It was here that St Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of Christ descending to earth. This morning visit to the remains of the Zvartnots Cathedral (UNESCO) - once the world’s largest round church, built in 7th century. Continue to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin (UNESCO), the “religious capital” and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church. Dating from 303 AD, the cathedral is a masterpiece in Armenian classical architecture. In the attached Museum of Etchmiadzin we will see Christian relics of special note – a piece of Noah’s ark, wood from Christ’s Cross and the Roman spear used to pierce Christ on the cross.  

Garni is Armenia’s last pagan temple and is dedicated to Mihr, the God of Truth and Light. This classical Hellenistic first century structure sits high in the mountains overlooking the valley below. Following lunch, proceed to the UNESCO site of Geghard, an ancient cave monastery and the peak of  Armenian medieval architecture. Help make “lavash”, the Armenian national bread, and enjoy its flavours. Very thin and cooked in a “tonir”, or ground oven, it is an UNESCO Intangible Heritage. In Yerevan, we will have free time in Vernissage, an open market, before enjoying  our dinner of typical Armenian food and entertainment. 

Heading south from Yerevan brings us to Khor Virap Monastery a place of pilgrimage for Armenians from all over the world. This is the closest point to Mount Ararat from which we can enjoy stunning views of the Biblical mountain. Enjoy the picturesque countryside as we continue to Areni village for a wine tasting and a visit to Noravanq Cave where the world’s oldest leather shoe was found. Following lunch we continue to Vayots Dzor and visit Noravank (13^th C), one of the most splendid monuments of medieval Armenia, surrounded by towering peaks and red cliffs of the Amagha Gorge This evening we are back in Yerevan for a final evening. 

Following the course of the River Hrazdan brings us quickly to the shores of Lake Sevan, the largest lake in Armenia. Continue to Noraduz to see the ancient graves and their unique headstones (khachkars) in this very extensive cemetery. Back in Sevan, we plan to include a short cruise on the lake before taking the time to visit two monastery churches located high on a promontory overlooking the lake that date from the 9^th Century - St. Astvatsatsin and St. Arakelots. Later we cross through a mountain tunnel to the Old Dilijan district, a popular village that has been restored to preserve the charms of the 19^th Century, surrounded by the national park, noted for its extensive forests and lakes.
BW Paradise Hotel Dilijan  (1 night) 

Following a leisurely start, we will make our way through a picturesque valley to the Molokan (milk drinkers) village where we will visit the private home of Natasha and learn more about these refugees that came from Russia several generations ago. Heading back to the border our final stop in Armenia will be at the fortress Monastery of Akhtala, constructed on a plateau resembling a peninsula surrounded with deep gorges on three sides. The fortress is strengthened with huge ramparts and two pyramid-shaped watchtowers rising above the main entrance. Crossing the border, we say farewell to our Armenian hosts and return to Tbilisi. Courtyard by Marriott (2 nights)           

Enjoy an extraordinary collection of gold works dating from the 6th centure BC on our visit to the State Museum of Georgia followed by a free afternoon to relax or explore and spend time shopping in the Old Quarter. This evening we have arranged a special Farewell Dinner with entertainment at a local restaurant.