14 Jun 2023
The first stop on our day trip was the very impressive ancient cave complex of Uplistsikhe which came about thanks to traders on the Silk Road. From there we travelled to Gori where we first had lunch and then visited the Stalin museum which was more interesting than I’d expected. That was due at least in part to our very knowledgeable guide, Metro, who talked us through the exhibits and explained very well what we were looking at. Afterwards we visited Jvari Monastery where we saw the original plinth that once carried St. Nino’s wooden cross, bound with the saint’s hair. today a replica of this cross can be seen inside the Monastery. From outside, there are fantastic views across the valley including the confluence of the rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi. You can also see Mtskheta, the old capital of Georgia. Our final stop was the beautiful Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the centre of Mtskheta where Metro once again explained what there was to see. A fascinating place which holds the relic of Jesus’ robes.
The tour, which we booked with Gamarjoba Georgian Tours via Get Your Guide is highly recommended for those who wish to combine breathtaking scenery with Georgian history. Watch out for the guide named Metro - he’s a mine of information, and his English is excellent too. This was a 5-star day trip that I’m happy to recommend.