Black Sea Odyssey

**A note on safety: Subject to Istanbul’s safety, we may substitute our stay in Istanbul, for a stay in lovely little Agva, 1.5 hours away, on the Black Sea. While it isn’t quite wondrous Istanbul, it’s a gorgeous little spot and a great, safe place to start the tour!**

Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Beyoglu, Istanbul. Beyoglu is the district on the north bank of the Golden Horn, from the Galata Bridge to Taksim Square.  Beyoglu is enjoying a cultural and architectural revival. The pedestrian avenue and its side streets boast lots of nightlife, chic café-bars, bistros, restaurants and music clubs.

Tonight we’ve got a table at the hottest roof-top restaurant in town!

Let’s explore the little known Balat and Fener districts today. Right on the Golden Horn, these districts have housed the city’s Jewish, Greek and Armenian populations for many years. Buildings remain virtually untouched and the area retains an old-world charm, untouched by western commercialism. We’ll spend the morning exploring the cobble-stone streets, observing local life and looking at the eclectic architecture around us. We’ll visit part of the city’s defence walls and one of the largest Greek orthodox churches.

After lunch, we’ll visit Chora Church famous for its intricate and fascinating frescoes and mosaics.

This morning we’ll take a short flight to the seaside town of Sinop, the most northerly point of Anatolia. Spend this afternoon at leisure, exploring the medieval walled town and walking around the harbour – known as the prettiest harbour on the Black Sea.

Lets take the coast road to Amasya. With its dramatic mountain-and-riverside setting, charming old houses, mosques and antiquities, Amasya is one of Turkey’s undiscovered treasures.

Amasya is also famous for its apples, cherries, peaches and okra.

Approximate driving time: 3.5 hours

Today we’ll explore Amasya on foot, and visit the quirky Ottoman mental hospital museum!

Lets enjoy a day at leisure in Amasya. Perhaps experience the famous thermal baths, or climb up to the castle for spectacular views down the valley.

We’ll drive over the mountains to Unye, a charming seaside town with little port and boasting one of Anatolia’s longest settlement histories. After stopping for lunch, we’ll continue on to Trabzon, where we’ll spend the night.

Approximate driving time: 6 hours

This morning we’ll first visit Hagia Sophia Church with its splendid frescoes, before driving through the mountains to the incredible Sumela Monastery, a Greek Orthodox Monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. We’ll walk a short way up the hill (we’ll earn our lunch!) to the monastery, which clings to the sheer rock wall. Views from here over the Altindere Valley are spectacular!

*Sumela Monastery is currently closed for restoration, with no re-opening date, however even if it is not open, viewing the monastery from the outside is still incredible.

After lunch lets hit the coast road, into tea country! We’ll stop for a tea with a view in Rize’s famous tea gardens before heading to tiny little Camlihemsin village.

As you know, tea has long been the national drink of the Turks, but did you know tea cultivation was only introduced in Turkey just before World War II? There are about 200,000 tea growers in the Eastern Black Sea Region.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours

Today we’ll explore the beautiful alpine plateau area of Pokut, at 2000 metres. We’ll tackle the mountain trail in 4WDs, and do a light trek across the plateau to a wonderful spot for lunch. After a long (and well deserved) lunch, we’ll hike to another tiny settlement (village is too strong a word!) before tackling the mountain road home. An amazing and adventurous day!

The drive today from the North East Coast to Kars will be fascinating as we gradually move from the green mountainous region to the flat, dry plains of Eastern Turkey. We’ll stop in Şavşat forest for lunch before continuing on to the eclectic city of Kars, with Kurdish, Turkish and Russian influences.

Approximate driving time: 5 hours and 30 minutes

We begin the day early and drive to Ani, the ruins of what was once the capital of Armenia and home to 100,000 people. Ani once rivaled Constantinople in power, and is now a strikingly beautiful ghost city on a windswept plateau overlooking the Armenian border. On the way back to Kars, we’ll also visit the little known ruins of an Armenian monastery.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours

Lets explore Kars today, with a walking tour of the city, before we embark on a honey and cheese tasting adventure!

Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring this fascinating town.

Today will be an adventure as we leave Turkey and cross the border into Georgia! Mostly a day on the bus, we’ll drive through the mountains, past green valleys and National Park, to finally arrive into our divine wine-themed hotel in Tbilisi.

Approximate driving time: 5 hours and 30 minutes

This morning we’ll head out to explore fabulous Tbilisi, first visiting the striking Sameba Cathedral and taking a cable car to get a birds eye view!

We’ll then travel a short distance to Mshteka, Georgia’s spiritual capital since AD 327 when Christianity was established here. Today, it’s still the setting for important Georgian Orthodox ceremonies.

Lunch will be at a small, family-run winery where they continue to make the wines using the Qvevri method, where the wine is stored in terracotta pots, buried in the ground. Of course, lunch will be washed down with plenty of the local drop!

On our way back to Tbilisi, we’ll visit the 6th century Jvari Monastery, with spectacular views of the valleys below.

This morning is free to explore Tbilisi at your own pace. In the afternoon, we’ll make the short drive to Georgia’s premier wine-producing region. We’ll spend the next three nights at a small, winery hotel amongst the vineyards.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours

Today we’ll explore the Kakheti wine region, visiting Tsinandali gardens and museum, followed by a visit to the famous Kvareli wine tunnels, where we’ll enjoy a wine tasting and lunch.

This morning we’ll make the short drive to Signhagi, to explore this pretty little hilltop town on foot.

We’ll head to a nearby winery enjoy a wine tasting of famous Georgian wines, followed by a great Georgian feast, with more wine of course!

Approximate driving time: 2 hours

Another adventurous day today, as we head south, and cross the border into Armenia. The drive to the Armenian border is dry, dusty and flat – plenty of Western cowboy films have been set here! After we cross into Armenia, the scenery becomes greener and more mountainous.

We’ll make a stop at the incredible Haghpat Monastery, before continuing on lovely little Dilijan, in the alpine mountain region of Armenia.

Approximate driving time: 4 hours and 45 minutes

After a short walking tour through Old Dilijan, to see the picturesque Alpine cottages, woodcarving workshops and the art gallery of sculptor Ashot Babayan, we’ll enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Hiking, and a cooking class are available for those who are interested.

Heading further south, we’ll first stop at Echmiadzin, the “Vatican City” of the Armenian Apostolic Church, built on the site where St Gregory the Illuminator saw a beam of light fall to the earth in a divine vision.

We’ll arrive into the capital, Yerevan in the afternoon. Our hotel is right in the action!

Approximate driving time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

Lets start with a city tour of ancient Yerevan. Did you know Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome? Highlights this morning are a visit to Matenadaran book depository, one of the world’s most ancient libraries, and the Armenian Genocide Museum.

After lunch, we’ll head to one of the best brandy factories in town for a tour and a tasting. Did you know Winston Churchill once said, when asked the secret to a long life “Cuban cigars, Armenian brandy, and no sport!”

We’ll first visit the UNESCO heritage listed Geghard Monastery, an ancient Armenian monastery carved out of monolithic rock. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps exploring the Vernissage flea markets.

Tonight we’ll come together for a final Georgian feast.

Yerevan has a massive jazz scene, so after dinner, lets head to one of the best jazz clubs in town. The owner is known as the father of Armenian jazz, so if we stay late enough hopefully we’ll be lucky enough to hear him play!

Our tour ends this morning after breakfast, and you’ll be transferred to your onward flight.