AACI KOSHER GEORGIA
June 9-17, 2025
Georgia, the country is a unique destination, offering a wide range of experiences from high mountains to old cities to beautiful Tuscany like grape orchards. Due to its diverse natural and cultural heritage, the country is a popular adventure of travelers worldwide.
On this exciting journey, we will visit beautiful landscapes and historical sites such as Tiblisi with its eternal charms, Kutaisi, a story of real Zionism and architecture, Vardzia, the unique and haunting cave town, Akhaltsikhe’s Jewish quarter, synagogue, and the impressive Rabati castle that dominates the city, Borjomi Park and scenic cable car ride and so much more including fun filled jeeping!! We will meet members of the local Jewish community and have an opportunity to enjoy the colorful and exotic local food. This trip is for those who like to see, feel, and enjoy.
Day 1 – Monday, June 9: Tel Aviv – Tiblisi
Depart: Tel Aviv TBA
Arrival: Tiblisi International Airport and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 2 – Tuesday, June 10: Tbilisi – Mtskheta -Gori – Kutaisi
Tefilla and breakfast at the hotel.
We begin our day with a visit to Mtskheta – Georgia’s former capital and spiritual center since the dawn of Christianity. We will see the impressive 11th century Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli, one of the holiest sites in Georgia and other amazing architectural places of worship from the outside. These buildings offer magnificent views of the town.
We continue to Gori – the city was founded by one of the greatest kings of Georgia, David the Builder (1089–1125). It has a population of 60,000. Gori is situated where the Liakhvi River enters the Mtkvari. We will visit the Stalin Museum one of the world’s biggest mass murders including many Jews. We will also visit the Gori Jewish community.
Drive to Kutaisi.
Dinner and overnight in Kutaisi.
Day 3 – Wednesday, June 11: Kutaisi – Prometheus Cave – Bakuriani
After Tefilla and breakfast at the hotel we will have a walking tour in Kutaisi city – antique Kutaia. In certain historical periods it was the second capital of Georgia after Tbilisi according to size. We will visit the three synagogues and will hear the story of the local Jewish community. The first community after the foundation of the state of Israel that send a letter to Golda Meir expressing their wish to make Aliya. We will visit the local market.
As we continue touring, we will view Bagrati – 11th c. It is an old architectural monument of Kutaisi. One of the UNESCO heritages sites. Driving to Prometheus Cave. The magic cave is full of stunning stalactites and stalagmites. It is possible to walk through the length of 1420 meters in the cave’s territory.
Drive to Bakuriani
Dinner and overnight in Bakuriani
Day 4 – Thursday, June 12: Bakuriani – Vardzia – Akhaltiskhe – Bakuriani
After Tefilla and breakfast we will drive to Vardzia which is a cave monastery site in southern Georgia. It was excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, thirty kilometers from Aspindza. The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some five hundred meters and up nineteen tiers. The site was largely abandoned after the Ottoman takeover in the sixteenth century and is now part of a state heritage reserve which has applied to be on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
We travel on for a visit to the interesting Synagogue in Akhaltiskhe and a chance to daven Mincha there.
Further down the street we will visit the old stone Rabati Castle. It stands on a small hill on the very shores of the Potskhovi river. Its name comes from Arabic meaning “fortified place”. It is in the western suburbs and can be seen from practically anywhere in the city.
We will enjoy a musical show in the evening.
Dinner and overnight in Bakuriani
Day 5 – Friday, June 13: Bakuriani – Borjomi – Tbilisi
After Tefilla and breakfast we will drive to Borjomi which has been well known for decades due to its wonderful springs and mineral water. We will have the chance to sample the mineral water from the drinking taps as we visit the Borjomi Park. Thereafter, we will enjoy a ride on the Borjomi Cable Car and enjoy the beautiful views of this resort town. There are amazing views of the nearby mountains, valleys and the park. At the top of the hill there is the Ferris Wheel and if there’s time, we may enjoy a ride there.
Driving to Tbilisi to prepare for Shabbat. Candle lighting @ 18:51Kabbalat Shabbat at Beit Rachel followed by Seudat Shabbat at Mendis Kosher restaurant. Dinner and overnight in Tbilisi
Day 6– Saturday, June 14 – Shabbat
We will enjoy a coffee break in the morning and then walk to the synagogue for prayers followed by Shabbat lunch at the kosher restaurant.
In the afternoon there will be a walking tour in Tbilisi to view the incredible architecture. We will walk down Rustaveli Avenue and visit the Tibilsi fine art museum. There will be time to have some rest at the hotel before Shabbat ends.
Havdallah @ 19:49 Overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 7 Sunday June 15: Tbilisi – Narikala cable car – Annanuri – Gudauri
After Tefiilla and breakfast at the hotel we will enjoy a ride on the Narikala cable car which was opened in 2012. The cable car connects Rike Park on the left bank of the Mtkvari river with the Narikala Fortress. From the cable car you can gaze at the fantastic 360-degree views of the city from the large windows as it ascends to the top of the hill. At the hill-top station one can see the Kartlis Deda statue and the Narikala Fortress.
Then, continue to Ananuri which is an ensemble of XVII century. It comprises of a tower, small-domed church, big-domed temple and a belltower. The ensemble overlooks the artificial reservoir of Zhinvali built in 1971.
Dinner and overnight in Gudauri
Day 8 Monday June 16: Gudauri– Truso Kazbegi – Gergety Trinity Church – Tbilisi
Today we are off on an exciting adventure! After Tefillah and breakfast, we will travel on 4×4 local jeeps to the Truso Valley – source of Tegri (Terek) River. This is a spectacular trip.
Truso valley is known for its mineral water springs, white/yellow travertine, mineral lake with bubbles, towers from the Middle Ages (most notably Zakagori castle) and villages on a very high altitude such as Resi (2350m)
We continue to Kazbegi where we will have lunch (kosher) with a local family.
Afterwards we will visit the amazing façade of the 14th century Gergety Trinity Church. It is built on the slope of Mt. Mkinvartsveri (the top of a glacier) on the left bank of the river Tergi. This monument is built on the highest spot in Europe. Gergeti is a domed church with a belltower.
We will drive back to Tbilisi for our group farewell dinner before heading to the airport to return home.
Depart: Tbilisi TBA, arriving on Tuesday early morning
| Price without flights: $ 2,600 per person in a double room for AACI members $ 2,900 single person in a room Flights from Israel will be quoted upon registration. |
$75 pp addition for non AACI member or join AACI
Price include:
7 nights hotel accommodation
1/2 board plus lunches
English speaking guide service for the whole tour
Mineral Water
Musical Show
Jeep tour in Kazbegi
Entrance fees
Tips
Not included:
Air Fare
Travel & Health insurance
Alcoholic drinks or other similar…
Anything not specified in the “price includes”
Payment Policy:
Upon registration Deposit- $300 ($150 of deposit non-refundable)
2nd payment 50% -April 27, 2025
Balance due – May 18th, 2025
Cancellation Policy:
From registration until May 8th, 2025- 100$
Cancellation from May 9th until May 22nd , 2025 – 50%
Full cancellation from May 23nd, 2025
For more information, please email info@aaci.org.il or call 972-25661181 ext. 205