Unparalleled mountainscapes

Little monastery towns and renowned UNESCO sites alike, peering over the next breathtaking vista, inviting an exploration, a chat with locals, and a caving in to their lavish hospitality. Natural beauty is a given, but unlikely hubs of culinary and viticulture excellence, fresh produce, and permaculture will make for warm memories around a farm table while gazing out at an unforgettable view. 

Artisanal towns

Echoes of medieval days in Lahij and Shekhi in Azerbaijan, and colourful Sighnahi in Gerogia with its wooden balconies. Walk cobblestoned alleyways, delight in a discovery, make friends with a coppersmith, marvel at time-worn ways of crafting every day clothing, carpets, killims, implements, pots, pans, pottery, and more. 

Hands on workshops with ethnic communities 

Meet with and engage in hands on workshops in traditional sock knitting, kilims, wicker basket, rug making with ethnic Talysh peoples of Azerbaijan. A social impact project to preserve traditional crafts and income supplementation for local women. Listen to the group sing folk songs in their natve Talysh and Azerbaijani languages. Immerse yourself in a community of local farmers and artisans. 

"Last of" artisans to trailblazing revivalists

You'll hear a lot of "last remaining" as we track down artisans to show us venerable skills such as Shebeke, coloured glass mosaic that covers entire walls of the Sheki Khan summer palace. Or a visionary who still processes Tushetan wool sourced from Tush shepherds traversing the Abano Pass with fleeces from the high mountain pastures. Watch a traditional shepherds coat being made from these fleeces. 

Culinary Beats . . . and how!

Multiple gourmand experiences in a land of firsts: earliest underground wine production, and abundant fresh produce, much of it native to the region. Farm to table, wine tastings in quaint, tucked aways, dining with chefs who overcame challenges before hitting just the right taste profile -- offered to you with palpable pride. Hands on with local specialties of Khinkhali, churchkela, tandir-baked breads, artsanal cheeses. 

Meet local legends 

Thanks to EYHO traveller and renowned Georgian textile artist/art historian, Nino Kipshidze, who has played a massive role in the development and preservation of local museums., we get insider access to scholars, ethnographers, artists, ceramists, ethnic jeweller, and historians in their homes and studios. Several workshops designed exclusively by Nino and private audience in Nino's unique home, House of Blue Laces. 

Museums, cave monasteries, and quirky markets 

Silk Museum of sericulture in Tbilisi and UNESCO Azerbaijan Carpet Museum in Baku are two highlights, as are monasteries from 6th C. Even a cave monastery from where the ultimate feminist icon Queen Tamar ruled during the apex of the Georgian Golden Age. Tool around Tbilisi's Dry bridge market for old silverware, chandeliers, Soviet cameras, and jewellery, sold next to busts of Levin and Stalin. Unforgettable!

Revelatory Armenia add-on

Few nations have histories as ancient, complex and laced with tragedy as Armenia. Fewer have a culture as rich and resilient. You will be intrigued by history, awed by monuments, amazed by the landscape, and charmed by down-to-earth locals. Highly recommended add-on to complete your exploration of the Caucasus.