Armenia and Georgia with the Royal Society of Medicine

10 – 23 October 2020

Khorvirap Monastery with Mt Ararat in the distance, Armenia

Travel from ancient Armenia, the world’s first Christian country, to spectacular Georgia, whose long history has given it a colourful cocktail of influences spanning Turkey, Russia, Persia, Central Asia and beyond. Gain insight into the ancient history and contemporary culture of both countries and enjoy delicious local food and wine in the land where wine was first produced. Explore the rich and varied musical traditions of the area, ranging from folk to monastic choral singing, and see awe-inspiring architecture in the most spectacular of settings.

This tour has been arranged in association with the Royal Society of Medicine.

Arrive in Yerevan, the relaxed capital of Armenia, and spend the first evening settling in at leisure.

Next morning take a gentle walking tour of the city, which has fine Soviet architecture as well as some lovely 19th century Russian edifices, including imposing Republic Square, the magnificent 1930s Opera House and Victory Park with its city views. Visit Mesrop Mashtots, the Manuscript Museum, which is one of the largest collections of ancient manuscripts in the world.

In the afternoon visit the Cascade complex - a Soviet period structure that resembles a giant stairway and houses a modern art museum and the Memorial Complex of Armenian Genocide. See a craftsman making the traditional duduk, an ancient Armenian double reed woodwind instrument made of apricot wood.

Next day meet with Armenian doctors at the oldest hospital in Armenia, the Beglaryan Medical Centre, before visiting one of the great sites of Armenia – the UNESCO World Heritage Cave Monastery at Geghard. Partly cut into a cliff in a dramatic gorge with excellent acoustics, this makes an unforgettable setting for hearing sacred

Sighnaghi, Georgia

The Cascade complex in Yerevan

choir singing. Visit the stunning Temple of Garni, Armenia’s only Greco-Roman style building, followed by tastings at a local brandy factory.

Next morning drive to the spa town of Dilijan through spectacular scenery. Stop at Khorvirab Monastery, where Armenia adopted Christianity in 301 AD, near Mount Ararat. Sample the renowned dry red wine produced by the village of Areni and see Noravank Monastery. Cross the Selim Pass, which has been operating since medieval times, and explore Selim caravanserai. Stop to admire Lake Sevan – the ‘blue eye of Armenia’– before continuing to Dilijan.

Head for the Georgian border the next day through rolling valleys, framed by the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. On the way visit a stone carver, who makes traditional Armenian stone

Garni Temple, Armenia

Alarverdi Cathedral

crosses, and the UNESCO Heritage Site Monastery of Haghpat, a wonderful example of traditional Armenian architecture. Cross into Georgia and continue to Telavi to check into your hotel.

Telavi is the heart of the Kakheti region, known as the land of grapes. It is the home of Georgia’s ancient wine industry with several famous wineries as well as art museums, historic castles and a strong folkloric tradition. Explore the little town the following morning, including a visit to majestic Alaverdi Cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century. In the afternoon visit a local wine cellar and enjoy lunch with tastings. Spend the rest of the day at leisure before dinner with folk music.

Next morning visit a community clinic in Gurjaani to learn about local health care. In the afternoon take a walking tour in the fortified town of Sighnaghi, built high on a ridge overlooking the Alazani Valley in 1772. This is a region of vineyards, with breathtaking views of the Great Caucasus Mountains. Drive through beautiful landscapes to Tbilisi and check into your hotel.

Georgia’s capital is a leisurely city of considerable charm and is a favourite of many visitors, with its distinctly un-Soviet character that is a blend of Europe and Asia. Discover Tbilisi’s attractions on a half day walking orientation tour through the picturesque Old Town, where old buildings hang like swallows’ nests off the hill between the river. Walk over the striking contemporary Peace

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Gergeti Monastery (top); Tbilisi Fortress (above)

town of Kazbegi and check into the hotel in the afternoon.

The following day take to the spectacular landscapes of the Great Caucasus on a 4WD tour of remote gorges. Visit the remote village of Juta, high in the mountains, and taste local honey and yoghurt. Take a short walk to the village for views of nearby Mt Chaukhebi before exploring remote Truso Gorge, situated in some of the most stunning scenery in the world.

Return to Tbilisi the next morning, stopping for lunch at Chateau Mukhrani, the original Georgian Royal Chateau founded on Georgia’s ancient tradition of winemaking. Continue to the ancient capital of Mtsketa and hear traditional Georgian chanting at the extraordinary 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Continue to Tbilisi and in the evening enjoy a farewell dinner at Barbarestan restaurant, which serves excellent traditional Georgian fare.

Depart Tbilisi the following day.

Telavi

Sighnaghi

Bridge, visit Freedom Square and the monument, see the beautiful Writer’s House of Georgia – once a literary and artistic hub - wander down elegant Rustaveli Avenue and look out from the 4th century citadel of Narikala.

Have lunch at a family home and hear a talk on Georgian cuisine and its influences. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, with the option to visit the local flea market. There will be the option to see the opera or ballet in the evening.

Next morning visit the fascinating State Museum, the church of Metekhi, an unusual example of a domed Georgian Orthodox church, 13th century Sioni Cathedral, the old pharmacy and the historic sulphur thermal baths. Hear a talk on Georgian medicine and wine before spending the afternoon enjoying Tbilisi at leisure before dinner.

Make a morning trip to Gori, a town known for its most notorious son, Stalin, and meet with doctors at the military hospital. Visit Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town, before returning to Tbilisi.

Next day drive to Kazbegi through beautiful countryside. Stop en route to visit Gergeti Trinity Church, perched high on a ridge above the town, and continue to Dariali Gorge for a lovely walk to Gveleti Waterfalls. Watch out for local bird life, including birds of prey. Continue to the sleepy

Itinerary 10 – 23 October 2020

10 Oct (Sat) YerevanPm Arrive Yerevan

11 Oct (Sun) Yerevan Am City walking tour of YerevanPm See the Cascade complex and the

Memorial Complex of Armenian Genocide. See a maker of traditional duduks (an Armenian oboe)

12 Oct (Mon) Yerevan Am Meet with Armenian doctors at the

oldest hospital in Armenia. Visit Geghard Monastery and hear a local choir

Pm Visit Garni Temple and the Ararat brandy factory for tastings

13 Oct (Tues) Yerevan / Dilijan Am Visit Khorvirab Monastery and see

Mount Ararat. Wine tasting in Areni village. See Noravank Monastery

Pm Cross the Selim Pass, part of the medieval Silk Road, and explore Selim caravanserai. Visit Lake Sevan

14 Oct (Wed) Dilijan / Telavi Am Drive through rolling valleys and

mountains. Visit a traditional stone carver who makes traditional Armenian stone crosses. See medieval Haghpat Monastery

Pm Cross into Georgia and continue to Telavi

15 Oct (Thur) Telavi Am Explore Telavi and Alaverdi CathedralPm Visit a local wine cellar with lunch followed by tastings. At leisureEve Dinner with folk music

16 Oct (Fri) Telavi / Tbilisi Am Visit a community clinic in GurjaaniPm Walking tour of the fortified town of Sighnaghi. Drive to Tbilisi and overnight

17 Oct (Sat) Tbilisi Am Half day orientation tour on foot through the picturesque Old Town Pm Lunch at a family home. Talk: Georgian

cuisine and its influences. At leisure Eve Option to visit the opera or ballet

18 Oct (Sun) Tbilisi Am Visit the State Museum, Metecki Church,

Sioni Cathedral, the Treasury, the old pharmacy and the sulphur baths. Talk: Georgian medicine and wine

Pm At leisure

19 Oct (Mon) Tbilisi / Gori / Uplistsikhe / Tbilisi Am Transfer to Gori and meet with doctors at the military hospitalPm Visit the rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe and return to Tbilisi

20 Oct (Tues) Tbilisi / Kazbegi Am Drive to Kazbegi. Visit Gergeti Church

and continue to Dariali Gorge for a pleasant walk to Gveleti Waterfalls

Pm Return to the hotel

21 Oct (Wed) Kazbegi Am 4WD tour to the remote gorges of the

Great Caucasus. Visit Juta and taste local honey and yogurt. Short walk to the village to enjoy the views of Mt. Chaukhebi

Eve Visit the remote gorge of Truso by 4WD

22 Oct (Thur) Kazbegi / Tbilisi Am Return to Tbilisi via AnanuriPm Stop for lunch at Chateau Mukhrani.

Visit Mtskheta and hear traditional chanting at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Continue to Tbilisi

Eve Farewell dinner at Barbarestan

23 Oct (Fri) Tbilisi Am Transfer to airport

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3 nights Yerevan – 1 night Dilijan – 2 nights Telavi – 4 nights Tbilisi – 2 nights Kazbegi – 1 night Tbilisi

The flower market in Tbilisi

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Hotels

Republica Hotel (Yerevan)A stylish contemporary 4-star hotel with an excellent location in the heart of Yerevan, close to the main attractions. The hotel’s design reflects historic and contemporary Armenia and Republica is known for its wonderful service and lavish breakfasts.

Best Western Plus Paradise Hotel (Dilijan) Nestled into the green hills surrounding Dilijan, this hotel enjoys a beautiful location. It is smart and contemporary with comfortable rooms, a winter garden, cafés, bar and restaurant and outdoor and indoor swimming pool.

Holiday Inn (Telavi) A very good 4-star hotel with spectacular views of Telavi and the Caucasus Mountains, the Holiday Inn is elegant and contemporary. It has spacious rooms and facilities including an outdoor pool, spa and gym facilities.

The Terrace (Tbilisi)Another stylish, contemporary hotel with wonderful views over the city and mountains, The Terrace has a lovely rooftop restaurant and bar making the most of those views, as well as attractive and comfortable rooms with warm and efficient customer service.

Rooms Hotel (Kazbegi)A wonderful hotel to end the tour, the Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi makes good use of sleek contemporary style and high glass windows which overlook the most spectacular views. A combination of warm natural materials, elegant decor, mountain views and excellent facilities, including a pool, makes this hotel one to remember.

Breadsellers at Geghard Monastery, Armenia (top); Church on Lake Sevan; Autumn produce and traditional

Georgian wine jug; Telavi vineyards, Georgia (above)

The cost of the tour is US $4,336 per person

The cost includes:• The services of a tour leader (Janice Liverseidge)• 13 nights’ accommodation in twin-bedded

rooms with private facilities in medium grade and first-class hotels

Single supplement: US $841

• Breakfast daily, six lunches, ten dinners• Wine and brandy tastings• All admission fees • Services of specialist English speaking national

guides (one in Armenia and one in Georgia)• All transport services, tips and taxes

The cost excludes:• International flights and airport transfers• Meals not mentioned • Drinks with meals except welcome and

farewell dinners • All optional excursions, tours and visits• Travel insurance• Visa, if required

Tour Leader

Until recently tour leader Janice Liverseidge was a Director at The Royal Society of Medicine. She is now a full time guide and in her spare time a trustee of both the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund and the London Handel Festival. Earlier in her career she worked for the British Medical Association. She is also a registered Blue Badge tourist guide and regularly leads groups in London on medical history walks, tours of the Wellcome Collection and other healthcare locations plus provides music and art tours for the Foundling Museum and the London Handel Festival. Janice has travelled extensively, including an eight month journey around India, South East Asia and Australia, and has led highly successful RSM tours to Vietnam and Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Cuba and China.

A hammam in Tbilisi

“Janice is an outstanding tour leader – a brilliant combination

of fun, efficiency and diplomacy. Many thanks for a memorable trip.”

Michael Neal, Medicine in Vietnam and Cambodia with the RSM, 2017

The view from your hotel in Kazbegi

Food market, Yerevan (top); Folk singer, Armenia; Mt Kazbek in autumn, Georgia; Tbilisi, Georgia (above)

P R O T E C T E D

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About UsTo travel with us is to dig below the surface, revealing the deeper destination. Of course, you will visit the great historical sites; marvel at the wonders of architecture and engineering; be moved by the riches of culture and art; and experience the most spectacular landscapes in the world. What we also do is make sure that you see the country as it is today, giving you privileged access that independent travel and other tour companies rarely get close to. We give you a variety of experiences, from the sublime to the humble, in the company of intelligent, curious, like-minded people. And while we can be worthy, we also make sure that you have a lot of fun.

Jon Baines Tours (London) Hyde Park House, 5 Manfred Road,London, SW15 2RSTel: +44 (0) 207 223 9485 / 5618Email: info@jonbainestours.co.ukwww.jonbainestours.co.uk

Jon Baines Tours (Melbourne)PO Box 68, South Brunswick, Victoria 3055Tel: +61 (0) 3 9343 6367Fax: +61 (0) 3 9012 4228Email: info@jonbainestours.com.auwww.jonbainestours.com

USA and Canada:(Toll Free) 1-8777-398-764

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate