IN SEARCH OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE Cultural
tour, 9 days
 The eastern shores of the Black Sea, the Rioni (Phasis) river, the kingdom of Colchis, the legendary Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece… Getting tiny gold particles by placing sheepskins in riverbeds is still practised in Svaneti region. Trace the Argonauts and discover for yourself the land of the Golden Fleece.
 - Mtskheta and Tbilisi – the ancient and new capitals of Georgia
- Kutaisi and Vani – the important centres of ancient Colchis
- Poti and Batumi – the Black Sea ports
- Svaneti – the land of the “Golden Fleece” of today
- Gonio – the last trace of the Argonauts in Georgia
Day 1: Departure for Tbilisi
Day 2: Tbilisi
Tbilisi sightseeing tour, visit the Old Town and the State Museum Treasury.
Day 3: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kutaisi
We drive to Mtskheta - the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia and visit Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. We then travel to Kutaisi and get the first glimpse of the Rioni (Phasis) river the Argonauts sailed up in search of the Golden Fleece. Kutaisi is considered one of the possible cities of King Aeetes who possessed the Golden Fleece. On this day we will also visit Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery and Academy.
Day 4: Kutaisi – Zugdidi – Mestia
From Kutaisi we travel to Zugdidi where we change transport to continue to Mestia, the centre of Svaneti – the region of the highest mountains and glaciers and the most abiding ancient traditions. Overnight in Mestia.
Day 5: Mestia
Today we visit the Mestia Ethnographic Museum, the medieval Svanetian watch-towers, the so-called “family churches” and Lenjeri church painted inside and out. We will also see how the Svan people collect gold particles by fixing the fleece in the riverbed – a centuries-old tradition still observed in the mountains of Georgia.
Day 6: Mestia – Zugdidi – Poti - Batumi
From the high Caucasus mountains we descend to the subtropical Black Sea coast passing the town of Poti located on the Rioni river. In the evening we arrive in Batumi.
Day 7: Batumi
We visit the State Museum of Ajara, the Botanical Gardens and Gonio Fortress. Gonio is the place where, according to the myth, Medea’s brother Apsyrtus was killed pursuing the Argonauts as they began their return voyage to Greece.
Day 8: Batumi – Vani – Tbilisi
Today we visit the ancient town of Vani sometimes identified as the town where the Golden Fleece was kept thanks to many gold artefacts found in the area during archaeological excavations. In the evening we arrive in Tbilisi.
Day 9: Departure
Transfer to the airport.
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