georgia
October 3 - 12, 2025
Ancient Georgia:
Wine Harvest & Cultural Journey
Embark on an extraordinary journey through the heart of Georgia, where ancient traditions meet breathtaking landscapes. From the cobblestone streets of Tbilisi to the lush vineyards of Kakheti, you'll uncover a land steeped in history, bursting with flavor, and pulsing with vibrant energy. Imagine traveling to the birthplace of wine, stomping grapes in a traditional harvest festival, exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites that whisper tales of bygone eras, and savoring cuisine that's as diverse as the landscapes you'll traverse. Whether you're drawn by the allure of 8,000-year-old winemaking traditions, the haunting beauty of abandoned Soviet architecture, or the warmth of Georgian hospitality, this journey offers a tapestry of experiences that will transform you from a mere tourist into a true explorer of one of the world's most captivating destinations.
We’ll come together as a group of strangers, but leave with friends you’ll have for a lifetime.
This isn't just a trip; it's a deep dive into an under discovered culture that has captivated adventurous travelers for centuries. We’ll visit many the off the beaten path highlights of Georgia, including Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Kakheti, Rabati, Akhaltsikhe, and Kutaisi.
Itinerary
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Pickup from Tbilisi airport
Free time
Optional dinner
Welcome to the beginning of your Georgian adventure! After your flight lands, you'll be greeted and transferred to your charming boutique hotel in the heart of Tbilisi.
The remainder of the day is designed for relaxation, allowing you to unwind from your journey, settle into your comfortable accommodations, and adjust to the local time. This gentle start sets the stage for the exciting experiences ahead, ensuring you're refreshed and ready to immerse yourself in Georgia's rich culture and stunning landscapes in the coming days.
No meals are included this day, but an optional dinner will be arranged for those who are interested. -
Breakfast at hotel
Free morning
Optional afternoon walk
Sulfur bath experience
Group dinnerThis relaxing yet culturally rich day in Georgia offers a perfect balance of leisure and local experiences. Begin with a free morning to rest or explore at your own pace.
In the afternoon, join an optional walking tour to get your bearings. The highlight comes next with a visit to the Orbeliani Bath, where you'll indulge in traditional Georgian sulfur bath treatments, a rejuvenating experience steeped in local tradition.
The day concludes with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, officially kicking off your adventure with delicious Georgian cuisine and newfound friends.
Breakfast and dinner included -
Breakfast at hotel
Jvari Monastery visit
Mtskheta tour and lunch
Tbilisi Old Town tour
Dinner and dance showThis action-packed day in Georgia takes you on a cultural odyssey from ancient times to vibrant present. We'll first head to Mstkheta, the birthplace and one of the most vibrant centers of Christianity in Georgia. We begin at the iconic Jvari Monastery before delving into Mtskheta's rich history, exploring its UNESCO cathedral and charming old streets.
After lunch, you'll journey to Tbilisi for an immersive Old Town tour, including a scenic cable car ride. The day culminates in a festive dinner featuring traditional Georgian singing and dance, offering a perfect blend of sightseeing, cultural experiences, and local flavors.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Breakfast at hotel
Depart for Sighnaghi
Sighnaghi tour
Wine pairing lunch
Visit Alaverdi Monastery
Wool class
Hosted Artisan Cheesemaker dinner
This immersive day in Georgia's picturesque Kakheti region begins with a leisurely morning before venturing to the charming mountain village of Sighnaghi. Here, you'll explore ancient city walls and browse a vibrant souvenir market. Next, savor a wine pairing lunch with stunning mountain views in Kardenakhi. The journey continues to the historic Alaverdi Monastery, followed by an engaging wool class.
After checking into your hotel, the day culminates in a unique hosted dinner with an artisan cheesemaker, providing a delectable taste of local culinary traditions and warm Georgian hospitality.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. -
Breakfast at hotel
Depart for Rabati
Traditional market + Azeri traders
Zhinvali Reservoir and Ananuri Fortress
Lunch at Fish house
Golden hour free time in Borjomi
Casual dinner at Tabla restaurantThis diverse day takes you on a journey through Georgia's varied landscapes and rich cultural tapestry. Begin at a traditional market, mingling with Azeri traders, before crossing a scenic mountain pass through Tianeti. You'll then be treated to breathtaking views of the Zhinvali Reservoir, followed by a visit to the picturesque Ananuri Fortress perched by the lake. Lunch brings a unique culinary experience: whole baked sturgeon at a fish farm.
As the day winds down, enjoy golden hour free time in charming Borjomi, exploring its park, town, and cable car. The day concludes in Akhaltsikhe, where you'll savor a casual dinner featuring refined Meskhetian cuisine at Tabla restaurant.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Breakfast at hotel
Depart for Vardzia Cave Town
Cheese-making class at a local cottage home
Free afternoon in Rabati and spa time at hotel
Evening supra with a Meskhetian family and winemaker
This day offers a deep dive into the Meskheti region's historical and culinary treasures. Start with a visit to the awe-inspiring Vardzia Cave Town, a remarkable feat of medieval Georgian architecture. Next, immerse yourself in local culture with a hands-on cheese-making class, learning to craft Tenili string cheese, followed by a simple lunch of regional specialties.
The afternoon is yours to explore the impressive Rabati fortress and its surroundings, with an optional museum visit. Relax with some spa time before the day's highlight: an evening supra (traditional Georgian feast) with a local Meskhetian family and winemaker, where you'll savor regional wines and experience genuine Georgian hospitality.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Breakfast at hotel
Depart for Kutaisi
Lunch at a home winery
Abandoned soviet cable car station
Mgvimevi cave convent
Free time
Light dinner in the cityThis laid-back day begins with a leisurely morning before embarking on a journey through western Georgia's Imereti region. The highlight is a private lunch on a terrace at a home winery, where you'll savor Imeretian wines with the winemaker.
The afternoon brings a blend of offbeat and spiritual experiences: explore abandoned Soviet cable car stations in Chiatura, visit the serene Mgvimevi cave convent, and catch a glimpse of the iconic Katskhi's Pillar. After a restful van ride, settle into your Kutaisi hotel. Optionally, enjoy some free time in the city, perhaps with a relaxing coffee by the river, before concluding the day with a light dinner in town.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Breakfast at hotel
Free time or optional tour
Light lunch in the city
Tskaltubo abandoned soviet sanatoriums visit
Gelati Monsatery (UNESCO)
Dinner at Korena’s Agro houseThis flexible day in Kutaisi offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and local experiences. Start with either free time to discover the city's highlights like Bagrati Cathedral and the scenic cable car ride, or join a guided tour that includes these sights plus a visit to a charming family art gallery.
After a light lunch, venture to the haunting Tskaltubo abandoned Soviet sanatoriums. The day's cultural immersion continues at the UNESCO-listed Gelati Monastery.
The evening brings a lively dinner at Korena's Agro house, featuring stunning views, live entertainment, and warm Georgian hospitality, before returning to your hotel in Kutaisi.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Breakfast at hotel
Depart for Tbilisi
Qvevri maker's workshop visit
Homemade garden lunch
Positive Impact visit to local school to give donations
Rtveli (Full harvest experience)
Khinkali cooking class
Harvest Supra with live polyphonic singing
Late evening return to Tbilisi
This immersive day offers a deep dive into Georgian traditions and rural life. Begin with a visit to a qvevri maker's workshop, enjoying a simple homemade lunch in their garden.
The afternoon brings a meaningful stop at a local school to donate supplies to children, followed by a full grape harvest experience or "Rtveli." Participate in grape picking and stomping, then try your hand at making khinkali dumplings. As the day progresses, savor a harvest supra (feast) featuring whole baked meats, accompanied by free-flowing wine, traditional toasts, and live polyphonic singing. The evening culminates with a private Georgian dance class led by a former national troupe member, and a churchkhela-making demonstration. This action-packed day, ending late in the evening, promises unforgettable cultural experiences and memories.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included -
Breakfast at hotel
Free time or airport transfers
This final day of your Georgian adventure is designed to accommodate various departure times and preferences. For those with late-night or early-morning flights (from 2 AM onwards), the day is left open to allow for rest and packing.
Travelers with later departures can choose between a relaxing free morning to reflect on their journey, perhaps enjoying a final stroll through the city or some last-minute souvenir shopping.
Alternatively, an optional morning activity is available for those wishing to squeeze in one last cultural experience. This flexible schedule ensures a smooth and personalized end to your trip, allowing you to conclude your trip at your own pace before bidding farewell to this captivating country.Breakfast included
WHAT’S INCLUDED
✓ Airport pick-up and drop-off at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
✓ All activities, tours, and entrance fees listed in the itinerary
✓ Local ground transportation to all listed activities
✓ 24 meals (9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners)
✓ Wine tastings and glasses of wine during several tours and meals
✓ Gratuities for included meals
✓ 4-star boutique accommodations with double occupancy
✓ Local English-speaking guides
✓ Private English-speaking driver
✓ Group trip leader for support before and throughout the trip
✓ WhatsApp chat support for the group three months prior to trip
✓ Pre-trip orientation call and trip guide with packing list and travel tips
✓ Shared album with photos and videos of the entire trip
✓ Professional Liability Insurance
✓ All taxes (including VAT)
NOT INCLUDED
X International flight to and from Tbilsi. Details will be provided after you register.
X Travel insurance (required, see more info in FAQs)
X Meals and beverages not specified above
X Alcoholic beverages not included in tours (but A LOT of wine is included!)
X Gratuities for tour guides and drivers
X Optional extra activities during free time
X Any extras not listed above
Accommodations:
This trip is for adventurous souls who want to share a once in a lifetime experience with new friends.
Throughout your journey across Georgia, you'll experience comfortable and charming accommodations that perfectly complement the country's rich culture and warm hospitality. We've carefully selected a range of 4-star hotels, favoring boutique properties over large chain establishments. These intimate, locally-owned hotels offer a unique blend of modern amenities and traditional Georgian character. Expect stylish rooms with local touches, personalized service, and often, stunning views of the surrounding landscapes or historic towns. Many of these boutique hotels are housed in beautifully restored buildings, allowing you to immerse yourself in Georgia's architectural heritage while enjoying contemporary comforts.
Why Travel to Georgia With Us:
You can travel with a lot of group trip companies, but it might not be the same experience—especially to a hidden gem like Georgia. Here’s just a few reasons why we’re different:
You literally just have to show up.
Pack your bags (I'll tell you exactly what to bring) and book that flight (yep, got tips for that too). Everything else? That's my problem now. Your only job is to show up ready for adventure.
I've done the homework so you don't have to.
That means preparing you every step of the way and providing information on everything from purchasing flights, visas, currency, weather and safety, to the more exciting things like what to wear and fun things to do in your free time. Because I scout every trip first, you get to skip the tourist traps and rookie mistakes I've already made for you.
No more waiting on flaky friends.
We've all been there - that group chat that starts with "Let's plan a trip!" and ends in radio silence. Not here. The dates are set, the itinerary is locked in, and your adventure squad is ready to go.
Small group = Big experiences.
Forget those massive tour buses. We keep it intimate (10-15 people max) because you can't exactly have a heart-to-heart conversation with 40 strangers or get invited into someone's home for tea when you roll up with a small army.
Make an actual difference (not just Instagram stories about it).
This isn't about drive-by tourism or performative do-gooding. We're talking real connections with local communities, authentic cultural exchanges, and meaningful ways to give back that actually help rather than hurt.
Finally get photos you won’t hate in 5 years.
Let's be honest - we all want at least a few shots that make our friends jealous. I've got you covered with photos that capture the real you having the time of your life (not just awkward poses in front of landmarks). Check out some photos of past adventurers.
testimonial
“I traveled to Cuba with Laura and had an amazing experience! Every detail was well planned out. She cares not only about her travelers, but the communities we are visiting as well. If you want to really experience the culture and atmosphere of a country, Laura will take you off the beaten path and provide memories for a lifetime. I will be traveling with her again!”
-Rich
Ready to reserve your spot?
INVESTMENT:
$4,500 for double occupancy
+$600 for single occupancy
DEPOSIT DUE AT BOOKING:
$750
I offer a free payment plan, so you can spread the payment across several months, with a $750 deposit due at time of booking.
Get $250 off for paying in full using code PAYINFULL at checkout (valid until December 31).
Additional payment due dates are December 1 ($750), January 15 ($750), March 1 ($750), April 15 ($750), and June 1 (remaining balance). All payments are non-refundable.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need a different payment arrangement. I look forward to sharing this adventure with you!
FAQs
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In short, A LOT!
This trip is designed to be almost all-inclusive. Food and wine is a huge part of Georgian culture, so most meals are included on the trip--and they are plentiful. And because this is the birthplace of wine, I promise you the wine will be flowing and generously poured throughout!
**Top shelf premium spirits are not included. -
This entirely depends on your spending habits, but you won't need a lot due to the all-inclusive nature of this particular trip.
I would budget $25 a day for spending money, unless you plan to do a lot of shopping.
You’ll also want to set aside money for tips for our guide and driver. -
This trip requires a moderate level of physical activity, with most of it being walking. There's a mixture of fast-paced activities and additional time for free time and rest. There will also be several days that we will travel by van for an hour or more.
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Absolutely not! Most people come on group trips alone, and it’s the best way to meet people!
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While most of my trips tend to be people in the 30-50 age range, all ages 18+ are welcome.
We usually have some people who are 50+ on our trips, so if that's you, don't worry! Age is truly just a number, and it’s more important that the trip sounds like a good fit for you than your actual age. -
While this trip is very on the go (we’ve got a lot of ground to cover), most days have free time built in so you have time to wander, shop, and explore the cities we are in.
In addition, all planned activities are optional, so you are free to opt out at any time if you choose.
All that being said, this trip is designed to show you the best of the best of Georgia and all activities have been personally vetted by me to ensure you’re only seeing things worth seeing. If something isn’t generally liked by the entire group, I don’t include it in the itinerary and leave it for free time.
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You bet! I realize this is a large investment, so I try to make my trips as affordable as possible by offering payment plans.
There is an up front deposit of $750 at the time of booking. The remaining portion will be split into smaller payments.
You are responsible for making payments on time, or you will forfeit your spot without refund. All payments are due by June 1, 2025.
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Wait until you get the green light from me to purchase your flights—I typically recommend 3-6 months prior to the trip, or as soon as I’ve finalized our group and arrival details.
I will be in contact with you regularly with reminders and assistance on purchasing fights, visas, insurance, packing, and more.
In the meantime, feel free to set up a flight alert on Google Flights to start monitoring prices. You will be flying in and out of Tbilisi International Airport (TBS).
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Yes, you will need a passport valid beyond April 13, 2026, as passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the last day of the trip.
If you do not have a passport, I recommend you start the process right away, as it can take several months to receive it. If you need assistance with this, feel free to reach out!
VISAS
Come 2025, Americans and Brits will be required to apply for European Travel Information and Authorization System authorization and pay a small fee to visit Europe.
That being said, Georgia is not currently one of the listed countries that will require a visa.
Read more about the new ETIAS program here.
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Yes, travel insurance is required for all of my trips starting in 2025, with a minimum of post-departure/travel medical coverage (typically about $50). There are options to upgrade to trip cancellation coverage + cancel for any reason coverage as well.
I always recommend getting travel insurance for large investments such as a trip like this. It's well worth the peace of mind knowing you will have travel and health coverage should something go wrong before or during your trip (and I have had several people have to use it—they were SO glad they had it).I always tell people to ask themselves, “am I willing to lose thousands of dollars should I not be able to go on this trip?” If the answer is no, consider getting trip cancellation coverage.
If you want to learn more about travel insurance and are looking for a recommendation, you can learn more about my travel insurance partner, Wanderwell, here.
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I sure hope that’s not the case, but I also realize that life can be unpredictable, and things happen.
All trip payments are non-refundable.
Filling trip spots is incredibly time-consuming. I am a small boutique travel company, and I unfortunately do not have the ability to refund people if their plans change. Your deposits go directly to my local partners, and they are non-refundable to me as well.
Travel insurance is required (see previous FAQ for more details), and will potentially cover most of your trip costs should you need to cancel for a covered reason if you elect a trip cancellation benefit.
Fun Facts
Georgia is believed to be one of the oldest wine regions in the world, with evidence of winemaking dating back over 8,000 years!
October typically marks the transition from the warm months of summer to cooler autumn weather. The daytime temps reach 59°F to 68°F. Nights can be cooler, with temperatures dropping to around 41°F to 50°F.
The currency of Georgia is the Georgian Lari, abbreviated as GEL.
The Georgia terrain is diverse and features a wide range of landscapes, including mountains, valleys, plains, and coastal areas.
The Georgian alphabet, known as Mkhedruli, is one of the oldest alphabets in the world that is still in use today.
Do you have additional questions about traveling with us?
Read our FAQs or contact me!
After leading over 230 people through 9 countries, I've learned that while group trips are absolutely life-changing for most people, they're not everyone's cup of tea (or shot of tequila). Before you dive in, let's make sure we're a match:
Vibe Check
You'll thrive with us if:
You can roll with the punches when things go sideways (because they will - it's travel, not a scripted TV show)
You're cool with scheduled adventures (we've got amazing stuff planned, but if you're the "wake up at 2pm on vacation" type, you’ll be missing out)
You understand the whole "strength in numbers" thing means sometimes doing what works for the group vs. your sudden craving for street food at midnight
You can vibe with different personalities (spoiler: you won't click with everyone, and that's totally fine)
You get excited about culture shock instead of freaking out when things aren't exactly like home (that's kind of the whole point)
Think of it like joining the coolest adventure club you never knew you needed. If you're nodding along to these points, chances are you're gonna fit right in. If you're breaking out in hives just reading this... maybe stick to solo travel for now.
Remember: Travel isn't about being perfect - it's about being open to whatever awesome weirdness comes our way. Because trust me, it will.
Still have questions?
Want to scope out flight prices?
You will be flying in and out of Tbilisi International Airport (TBS).
Laura Ericson Group Trips is not responsible for any costs related to flights. You can use this tool to gauge flight prices, but please wait until you get an email from us approximately 6 months prior to your trip to book your flights to ensure you have all of the information needed for booking. We recommend always booking with the airline directly and not from an online travel agency (OTA) like Kayak, etc.
“Travel is about the
gorgeous feeling of
teetering in the
unknown.”
— Anthony Bourdain
Contact Laura
Contact Laura