Armenia and Georgia with the Royal Society of Medicine

29 May – 11 June 2021

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.

Gergeti Trinity Church, Georgia

Tbilisi Fortress, Georgia

Tour Leaders

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.

“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

Itinerary 29 May – 11 June 2021 LB D= Breakfast = Lunch = Dinner

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

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Day 1: Yerevan (Sat, 29 May) Pm: Arrive in Yerevan, the relaxed capital of

Armenia, and spend the first evening at leisure.

Day 2: Yerevan (Sun, 30 May) Am: 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.

Pm: 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.

Day 3: Yerevan (Mon, 31 May) Am: Meet with Armenian doctors at the oldest

hospital in Armenia, the Beglaryan Medical Centre. Visit 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 choir singing.

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

Day 4: Yerevan / Dilijan (Tues, 1 June) Am: Drive through spectacular scenery to

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.

Pm: 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 the spa town of Dilijan.

Day 5: Dilijan / Telavi (Wed, 2 June) Am: 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 crosses, and the UNESCO Heritage Site Monastery of Haghpat, a wonderful example of traditional Armenian architecture.

Pm: Cross into Georgia and continue to Telavi.

Day 6: Telavi (Thurs, 3 June) Am: Telavi is the heart of the Kakheti region,

which 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.

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Explore the little town, including a visit to majestic Alaverdi Cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century.

Pm: Visit a local wine cellar with lunch followed by tastings.

Eve: Dinner with folk music.

Day 7: Telavi / Tbilisi (Fri, 4 June) Am: Visit a community clinic in Gurjaani to learn about local health care.Pm: Walking tour of 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 to Tbilisi and overnight.

Day 8: Tbilisi (Sat, 5 June) Am: Tbilisi is a leisurely town of considerable

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

Pm: Lunch at a family home. Talk: “Georgian cuisine and its influences”. At leisure or visit the local flea market.

Eve: Option to visit the opera or ballet.

Day 9: Tbilisi (Sun, 6 June) Am: 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.

Pm: At leisure.

Day 10: Tblisi / Gori / Uplistsikhe / Tblisi (Mon, 7 June) Am: Transfer to Gori, a town known for its most

notorious son, Stalin, and meet with doctors at the military hospital.

Pm: Visit Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town, and return to Tbilisi.

Day 11: Kazbegi (Tues, 8 June) Am: Visit Gergeti Trinity Church, perched high on a ridge above the town.Pm: Continue to Dariali Gorge for a beautiful

walk to Gveleti Waterfalls. Watch out for local bird life, including birds of prey. Continue to the hotel later in the afternoon.

Day 12: Kazbegi (Wed, 9 June) Am: Explore 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.

Pm: Travel to another remote gorge, Truso.

Day 13: Kazbegi / Tbilisi (Thurs, 10 June) Am: Return to Tblisi via Ananuri. Pm: Stop 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.

Eve: Farewell dinner at Barbarestan restaurant, which serves excellent traditional Georgian fare.

Day 14: Tbilisi (Fri, 11 June) Am: Transfer to airport after breakfast.

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Hotels

Opera Suite Hotel (Yerevan)An upmarket boutique 4-star hotel in the heart of Yerevan, close to the main attractions. The hotel’s design is stylish and contemporary and it 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, the Holiday Inn is elegant and contemporary. It has spacious rooms and facilities including an outdoor pool, spa and gym facilities.

The Bricks Room Hotel (Tbilisi)A cosy and attractive hotel with light filled, comfortable rooms, the Bricks Room Hotel offers

a warm and homely welcome in a lovely, central area in Tbilisi.

Rooms Hotel (Kazbegi)End the tour in style at the sleek and contemporary Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi. A combination of warm natural materials, elegant decor, huge glass windows that overlook mountain views and excellent facilities, including a pool, makes this a hotel to remember.

The view from your hotel in Kazbegi

The flower market in Tbilisi

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

Breadsellers at Geghard Monastery, Armenia (top); Church on Lake Sevan; Local produce and traditional Georgian wine jug;

Telavi vineyards, Georgia (above)

A hammam in Tbilisi

Garni Temple, Armenia (top); Folk singer, Armenia; Alarvedi Cathedal, 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