Your Georgian getaway begins in the capital, where a Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to whisk you from the airport to your atmospheric Old Town hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before heading out to explore the maze of squares and winding cobblestone alleys lined with ramshackle houses, ancient stone churches and lively boho bars – all watched over by the fourth-century Narikala Fortress. As night falls, you’ll weave your way to a local restaurant to experience your first supra (feast), accompanied by folk music and dancing. Raise a glass of qvevri wine to the start of your adventure. Gaumarjos!  

East of the capital, the Kakheti region is believed to be the birthplace of wine, with evidence of viticulture dating back over 8,000 years. Today, you’ll explore this ancient art with a visit to a traditional winery. On the way, you’ll stop at the fortified hilltop town of Sighnaghi – perhaps the country’s most picturesque town – followed by a special lunch with a local family. In true Georgian style, a tamada (toastmaker) will MC the meal with stories and elaborate toasts to love, health and happiness. Later, at the wine cellar, you’ll learn how wine is fermented in qvevri (clay vessels), lined with beeswax and buried underground. Naturally, there’ll be time for some tastings before heading back to Tbilisi for an evening at leisure.  

After breakfast, you’ll head north on the Georgian Military Highway, built in the 19th century when Georgia was annexed by Russia. Cutting through the Caucasus Mountains, the views are simply stunning, with jagged peaks, lush valleys and quaint villages dotting the landscape. Your first stop is the Ananuri Fortress, a classic example of feudal architecture, overlooking an emerald lake. Then, you’re in for a treat at a local home where you’ll learn the art of making khinkali (dumplings), a staple on any Georgian menu. Fuel up for this afternoon’s hike up to the photogenic Gergeti Trinity Church, perched on a dramatic hilltop against a backdrop of mighty Mount Kazbek, before descending to your hotel in Stepantsminda.     

Leave the highway behind, as you take a hike through the beautiful Truso Valley, dotted with ancient defensive towers, abandoned Ossetian villages and multi-hued mineral lakes that bubble with carbon dioxide. You’ll switch to two wheels for a gentle bike ride alongside the Tergi River, which flows all the way to the Caspian Sea. As you traverse the verdant valley, accompanied only by the sound of clear running water, you’ll learn about the region’s troubled history and why the villages were deserted. After a well-earned lunch, you’ll head back to Tbilisi for a final farewell dinner. Celebrate your trip with your new Flash Pack friends as you dine on modern Georgian dishes in a cosy courtyard restaurant.

There’s one more treat in store before you head off to catch your flight: a visit to the famous Abanotubani sulphur baths. The historic subterranean baths are topped with Persian-style brick domes, some clad in turquoise mosaics, and are as much a Georgian tradition as diving into a plate of khinkali or sipping on a glass of qvevri wine. Soak and scrub in the thermal waters, ranging from 40-50°C, as you reflect on all the amazing experiences you’ve shared over the last few days. For more short stay inspiration, why not check out our trips to Istanbul, Marrakech or Albania?