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why gil travel
Middle East
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Latin America
Asia/ South Pacific/ Africa
North America
Oceana
What’s new?
be inspired
why gil travel
Middle East
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Latin America
Asia/ South Pacific/ Africa
North America
Oceana
Suitable for Family, Group
OVERVIEW
Experience an illuminating 8-day Jewish heritage mission to Georgia, a nation that has served as a serene sanctuary for Jewish life for more than 2,600 years. This curated mission invites families and seniors to witness a rare historical phenomenon: a society where Jewish and Georgian identities have thrived in absolute harmony without a single instance of state-sponsored antisemitism. Your journey begins in the winding alleys of Tbilisi’s Old Town, where the Great Synagogue and the David Baazov Museum reveal the profound “Gruzinim” traditions. By engaging directly with local community leaders, you will uncover the living story of a resilient diaspora that has flourished at the majestic intersection of Europe and Asia.
The adventure scales the heights of the Greater Caucasus and ventures into the ancient spiritual heart of Mtskheta, where Jewish roots reach back to the Babylonian exile. You will walk the historic Jewish Quarter of Kutaisi, stand before the medieval grandeur of Bagrati Cathedral, and explore the multicultural Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe. From the rock-hewn caves of Uplistsikhe to the iconic mountain views of Stepantsminda, the itinerary seamlessly weaves sacred heritage with Georgia’s breathtaking natural wonders. This mission serves as a vital bridge between past and present, offering multi-generational travelers a deep connection to a community that has guarded its faith with unwavering pride through centuries of change.
To provide total peace of mind, this program is anchored by a high standard of luxury and logistical excellence. Travelers will enjoy a robust kosher infrastructure in Tbilisi, featuring communal Shabbat experiences and high-quality meals. As the journey moves into the rugged highlands, we provide specialized catering to ensure dietary requirements are strictly observed without sacrificing the warmth of legendary Georgian hospitality. Every detail, from 4×4 mountain excursions to private kosher wine tastings, is meticulously managed to create a safe, comfortable, and spiritually fulfilling mission through one of the world’s most ancient and welcoming Jewish havens.
Highlights*
*Some experiences are subject to minimum group size
Upon your arrival at Tbilisi International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to settle in. Your journey begins with a gentle introduction to the capital’s layered history, taking a cable car to the Narikala Fortress for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city’s skyline. From this vantage point, you can see how synagogues, churches, and mosques have stood side-by-side for centuries. The day concludes with a festive welcome dinner at a traditional Georgian restaurant, where the sounds of local folk music will set the stage for the week ahead.
Today is dedicated to an in-depth exploration of the historic Old Town and the soul of the Georgian Jewish community. You will visit the Great Synagogue of Tbilisi, a stunning 19th-century landmark, and the Atskhuri Synagogue, followed by an educational visit to the David Baazov Museum of History of the Jews of Georgia. Here, you will trace the 2,600-year bond between the land and the people. After wandering through the charming Shardeni area, you will visit the “Beit Rachel” Synagogue, ending the day with a deep understanding of the local community’s modern revival.
We drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mtskheta, the ancient capital where Georgia’s spiritual history began. After taking in the views from the 6th-century Jvari Monastery, you will explore the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a site deeply linked to Jewish tradition as the place where the robe of Jesus was reportedly brought by a Jew from Mtskheta. You will spend the day uncovering the traces of ancient Jewish settlements dating back to the Babylonian exile before returning to Tbilisi for a relaxing evening, perhaps enjoying the city’s world-famous historic sulfur baths.
Leaving the city behind, we travel north along the scenic Georgian Military Highway, stopping at the Ananuri Fortress overlooking the turquoise Zhinvali reservoir. The highlight of the day is reaching Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), where you will board 4×4 vehicles to reach the Gergeti Trinity Church. Perched high in the mountains at the foot of Mt. Kazbek, this is one of the most iconic and spiritual views in the world. You will spend the night surrounded by the silence and majesty of the Greater Caucasus peaks.
Our journey continues west toward Kutaisi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe and a historic pillar of Jewish life. You will spend the day exploring the Jewish Quarter and its three distinct synagogues, meeting with the resilient local families who remain the guardians of the community’s legacy. After hearing their personal stories of life under Soviet rule and their hopes for the future, you will visit the medieval Bagrati Cathedral and enjoy a local dinner in the heart of the city.
We travel south to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region to explore the massive, multicultural Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe. This fortress complex houses a beautifully restored historic synagogue and is located near an ancient Jewish cemetery, providing a rare window into the Sephardic influence and the diverse history of Georgia’s southern frontier. The day is spent walking through these layers of history and ends with a dinner featuring the unique highland flavors of the southern region.
As we head back toward the capital, we visit the rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe, an ancient cave city dating back to the Iron Age. After exploring these fascinating stone structures, we will stop at a local vineyard for a Kosher wine tasting, learning about Georgia’s 8,000-year-old tradition of fermenting wine in Qvevri (clay jars). The journey culminates in a grand Farewell Supra (feast) back in Tbilisi, complete with traditional polyphonic singing to celebrate the friendships made along the way.
Your final day allows time for personal reflection and a visit to the Dry Bridge Market, where you can find unique antiques, or the local bazaar to stock up on Georgian spices and Churchkhela (traditional sweets). After a final walk through the city’s vibrant streets, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure, taking with you the profound stories and landscapes of this ancient safe haven.
Accommodation
The Tbilisi Marriott is an architectural landmark with a unique, circular design. But its century-old facade isn’t the only glimpse of the past on offer. This is a hotel with stories to tell. Step into the scene-stealing Great Room, the restored ceiling playing tribute to the hotel’s 1915 opening.
*Star rating standards vary from country to country.
This experience is fully customizable. We will create your personal dream experience!
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