Arrive in Tbilisi. Our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for check-in and rest.

Today drive north on the Georgian Military Highway, completed in 1817 to link Georgia to Russia through the mountainous provinces. First stop today is sacred Mtskheta, ancient capital of eastern Georgia, and where the country's conversion to Christianity began in 337. Visit several historical monuments including the beautiful Church of Jvari on a cliff overlooking the city, the Sveti-Tskhoveli Cathedral which was the first church built in Georgia and the Samtavro monastery complex. Continuing on to Ananuri, see the incredible 16th century fortress complex before continuing to Gudauri, a popular winter mountain resort.

Drive through alpine meadows and mountain passes littered with medieval watchtowers. Arrive at Dariali Gorge, the ''Porta Caucasia'' of the 1st century Romans, marking the extent of Pompey's march through the Caucasus. Picnic lunch in the shade of Mt Mkinvari, after which we walk about 90 minutes to the beautiful little Tsminda Sameba Church. Return to Gudauri for the night.

Depart Gudauri, stopping in Uplistisikhe cave town, a center of trade on the trade route from India to the Black Sea. The complex of streets, residences, churches, secret tunnels, water passages and markets were hewn out of the rock of the mountainside over several centuries in the 1st millennium BC. Continue drive to Gori, birthplace of Josef Stalin, and stop to visit a museum dedicated to him. On to Tbilisi for a Georgian feast at a traditional restaurant.

The mountain scenery gets grander as we head south to the Sadakhlo border and cross into Armenia. Visit the breathtaking monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. Continue to Yerevan, the capital, for a welcome dinner and overnight stay.

Day excursion through the picturesque Avan Canyon to a green plateau by the Azat River where stands the pagan Garni Temple complex from the 1st century. Listen to a short acapella concert, before lunch at a local house of lavash - the local bread - and meats cooked in an underground tonir stove. Then drive to the cave monastery of Gueghard, partly carved out of a mountain, and also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Return to Yerevan and visit the Yerevan Brandy Company for a taste of the famous Armenian Cognac.

Morning drive to the 4th century Khor Virap monastery, in the Ararat Valley against the biblical Mt Ararat, where Noah''s Ark came to rest after the Great Flood. The monastery is connected to Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia. Continue to Echmiadzin, the seat of the Supreme Patriach-Catholicos, head of the Armenian Church. The cathedral was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple. Visit the 7th century St Hripsime Church and, a few kilometers away, the ruins of the 7th century Temple of Zvartnots. Return to Yerevan for a traditional Armenian dinner and folk music.

Check-out and drive back to Georgia, visiting Lake Sevan enroute. This is a popular summer resort, and a major stop on the Silk Road through the Caucasus. Continue to Tbilisi for dinner and overnight stay.

Drive to East Georgia to Signagi, built in the 18th century by King Heraclius II. The town and its defensive wall overlooks the Alazani Valley, with a superb view of the Caucasus Range in the background. Have lunch at the Wine House in Gurjaani, and taste some of Georgia''s famous wines with home made traditional dishes. Return to Tbilisi for dinner and overnight.

Full day tour of Tbilisi, which has been destroyed and rebuilt nearly 30 times after fighting off Persian, Arab, Turkmen, Mongol, Turk and Russian invaders. Today it is one of the most lively and cosmopolitan cities in the Caucasus. In the evening, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.