2018 Primetime Emmy
& James Beard Award Winner

Roam

  • Georgia

    Tbilisi and the Western Winelands 2023

    June 11-19, 2023

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    Feast your way from the riverine capital Tbilisi to the miracles of Western Georgia, where cave monasteries and an ancient wine culture collide. Hosted and inspired by the adventure, curiosity, and connections of Georgia’s most celebrated chef, Tekuna Gachechiladze.

    Apply Now

Overview

Tbilisi and the Western Winelands 2023

  • June 11-19, 2023
  • June 11-19, 2023
Tbilisi and the Western Winelands 2023 Apply Now
Day
1

A Tbilisi Welcome

  • Stamba Hotel
  • 14 Merab Kostava St, 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia
  • +995 32 202 11 99
  • Welcome cocktails in the lobby bar at the ultra-stylish Stamba Hotel
  • Stroll through the green, gorgeous Vera district where the hotel is
  • First feast: Alubali restaurant for a broad, delicious intro to Georgian cuisine
Day
2

Tbilisi’s Finest

  • Stamba Hotel
  • 14 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi, Georgia 0108
  • +995 32 202 11 99
  • Clay-oven bread with complementary matsone cream and local preserves for a classic Tbilisi breakfast
  • A walk through Dezerter Bazaar Market with writer and guide Paul Rimple
  • Lunch of classic Georgian dishes in Tbilisi’s magisterial old city
  • Dinner at Keto & Kote for a modern twist on Georgia’s unrivaled cuisine
Day
3

Into the Winelands

  • Vazisubani Estate
  • Kahketi
  • An adjaruli khachapuri breakfast in Tbilisi
  • Lunch at Pheasant’s Tears winery in Sighnaghi, pairing vintages with Gia Rokashvili’s famous cuisine 
  • Horse-riding tour of Tibaani vineyard and a tasting of local beer
  • A relaxing afternoon with iconic winemaker John Wurdeman accompanied by one of Georgia’s best revival polyphonic choirs, Zedashe
Day
4

The Mighty Supra

  • Vazisubani Estate
  • Kakheti
  • Free morning for swimming, relaxing, or exploring Telavi
  • A visit to Telavi Market with chef Tekuna Gachechiladze
  • A supra feast at the wine country villa of Tekuna and Irakli Bluishvili, winemaker behind Blui’s wines
Day
5

Kakheti to Vardzia

  • Vardzia Resort
  • Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi, Georgia
  • +995 591 32 15 15
  • Lunch at Silver Lake, Tekuna’s wine country restaurant
  • Luxury van pickup from Silver Lake to the western winelands of Vardzia
  • Dinner of grilled seafood and cold beer along the Mtkvari River
Day
6

God is Good

  • Vardzia Resort
  • Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi, Georgia
  • +995 591 32 15 15
  • Morning trip to the legendary Vardzia cave monastery complex
  • A visit to the iconic village of Saro with al fresco lunch at the Saro Monastery
  • Aluda’s in Chobaretti for tenili cheese-making and a supreme village feast
Day
7

Return to the capital

  • Stamba Hotel
  • 14 Merab Kostava St, 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia
  • +995 32 202 11 99
  • Returning to Tbilisi through the Dukhobor village of Gorelovka
  • Lunch with the nuns at Phoka Nunnery
  • Light dinner and natural wines at Vino Underground
Day
8

A last touch of Tbilisi

  • Stamba Hotel
  • 14 Merab Kostava St, 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia
  • +995 32 202 11 99
  • A walking tour of the extraordinary Dry Bridge Market
  • A visit to Tbilisi’s historic baths and their pools of hot, sulphur-rich water
  • Light lunch at Tekuna’s bright new restaurant Khasheria
  • Farewell dinner at the historic mansion that houses Café Littera
Day
9

Farewell

  • Last breakfast at Stamba Hotel
  • Private transfer to Tbilisi Airport
Tbilisi and the Western Winelands 2023 Apply Now
R&K League of Travelers

Ready for a new adventure?

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    Fill out the form to join the waitlist. We’ll reach out if space opens up.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How large are your groups?

    We have a maximum of 12 travelers for each trip. Our guiding light: how many people could cram into a perfectly-sized bar in Ginza? That’s how many we want to travel with, that’s how we came up with that number. Each trip has at least two members from the R&K team.

    Do I really have to do an interview?

    Yes! We don’t offer a way to book online, because we want the chance to talk to each of you about how you like to travel, and about what we do on our trips. That includes spouses and partners! Don’t sweat it, we have an appropriately high acceptance rate, but it is a requirement, whether by Zoom or by WhatsApp.

    Is there a solo traveler supplement?

    Yes, we have an $1800 solo traveler supplement ($1000 for four-night trips).

    Should I get travel insurance?

    Roads & Kingdoms is a fully insured travel provider but we recommend you purchase travel insurance for yourself to cover costs you might incur through change of plans, flights, etc. We do not have a recommended provider, but there are many reputable providers available online and the signup process is not onerous.

    What is included in the price?

    Our journeys are meant to free you from any financial decision-making whatsoever during the week, if you choose. You’re responsible for your own international airfare to our starting city. But then we take care of everything else, from tipping to transportation to hotels and meals and drinks along the way. You’re only responsible for personal bar tabs (when not with the group), personal laundry, or personal spa services.

    What happens if R&K cancels a journey?

    This has not happened in the post-acute-COVID period—nor do we anticipate it happening—but we do reserve the right to cancel or postpone a trip up to 100 days before departure. In that case, you would receive a full refund, including the $1500 deposit.

    CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE VEGETARIANS?

    The short answer is yes! Any trip can be adapted, but some work better than others. Salamanca and the World of Jamón, for instance, would probably not make sense for a vegetarian, whereas Tbilisi and the Western Winelands works well. Animal products do feature heavily throughout our journeys, and many include whole-animal barbecues, ceremonial slaughter, or other traditional culinary methods that might be off-putting to those who abstain.

    Traveler Rights And Responsibilities

    The League of Travelers is meant to be that: an intimate group of travelers who accompany us to some of our favorite places to spend time with some of our favorite people. That is why we interview all potential travelers. These trips are not for everyone, and we just want to be sure the vibe matches. Mostly, for you, that means treating the people who make these trips possible, from drivers to somms to waiters to hotel staff, with decency. We will do our best to accommodate special requests, but we don’t have fulltime concierge or waitstaff on these trips, we have chefs and writers and storytellers. Our groups are a diverse bunch, so please also come with an open mind and heart for your fellow travelers. And in exchange, we pledge to open all doors we can to you. We promise we will have poured our whole selves into these journeys, and we will do everything in our power to make it a wondrous experience.

    Refund And Deposit Policy

    We require 50% downpayment to secure a spot. Second payment due 60 days after first payment. If you cancel up to 60 days before the start of the trip, the trips are fully refundable except for a nonrefundable $1500 deposit. Within 60 days we will refund everything except the $1500 deposit if we are able to replace your seat, otherwise you must contact us to see if a transfer to a later journey is possible. If we cancel a trip for any reason, the entire trip, including the $1500 deposit, is fully refundable.

    Dates

    2025

    Destinations

    Europe

    Asia-Pacific

    Latin America

    Africa