DESCRIPTION:

Radiating outward from the lush eastern coast of the Black Sea, the rugged sunburnt Anatolian Plateau of Eastern Turkey and the steep-sided green valleys of Georgia are brilliantly paired on this unusual back-road exploration. Although modern times have arrived in parts of eastern Turkey, they have left untouched the heartfelt traditions and natural treasures. In Georgia, the rich valleys and towering mountains hide villages where the wine flows, the feasts are frequent, and hospitality and graciousness are unquestioned.

 

This exclusive journey begins in Van, located on the shore of beautiful Lake Van in eastern Turkey. Considered the jewel in the crown for many, Lake Van provides unforgettable sights of the Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island, reflected in the ever-changing colors of the lake. Visit attractive cities and charming towns that have been claimed by the Turks, Armenians, and Russians for hundreds of years, and disputed among Romans, Persians, and Byzantines long before. With its broad vistas and timeless villages, eastern Turkey rewards its intrepid travelers with unforgettable sights, from the abandoned ghost city of Ani on the Armenian border to the dreamy fortress-like palace of Işakpaşa. Looming large in every sense is Mt Ararat, guarding the eastern border with Iran. Summer is the best time to visit, as the region is high and mountainous, and given to late thaws and early snows.

 

After leaving Turkey, briefly survey Georgia, a gorgeous country filled with fruitful valleys and saw-toothed mountains. It was in Georgia that Jason, the ancient Greek mythological hero famous for his role as the leader of the Argonauts, famously sought the Golden Fleece. Married to Medea, Jason appeared in various classical literatures of Greece and Rome, including the epic poem Argonautica and the tragedy Medea. Peppered with cave monasteries dug out of the living rock and graced with some of the earth’s most stunning vistas, Georgia is a country overflowing with wine, warmth, and hospitality and we will be welcomed at tables laden with some of the finest food and wine on earth. Encounter UNESCO World Heritage Sites and get a feeling for the interrelated histories and interlocking destinies of these fascinating countries.

 

CONSIDER:

This is a variation of a trip that was named one of National Geographic Traveler ‘Tours of a Lifetime’.

 

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS & ADD-ONS:

To Armenia, the first country in the world to espouse Christianity as its official religion, and where powerful stone churches and carved stone khachkar crosses dot the rocky landscape.

Ideal Length of Trip:

Please contact CuriOdyssey Travel for more details.

 

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL:

The best time to visit the eastern Turkey and Georgia is between April and September, with June probably the best month of all for most places. Even then, you should be prepared for a huge diurnal range, with temperatures between day and night routinely differing greatly. Georgia's wine harvest is in October.