Itinerary Suggestons 5 weeks in Turkey, Georgia and Armenia

In 2011, we visited Cappadocia and Istanbul. It was a great trip…and the two locations provided quite a contrast. We loved both. Istanbul is awesome, with grand sights and the Bosphorus. Cappadocia is unique with the topography, cave dwellings (including tourist accommodations), and underground cities. Would love to return.

I think suggesting places to visit in Georgia is my favorite topic ever. Tbilisi is a great place to stay i Georgia. Places I would suggest to visit are old parts of the city which have beautiful architecture. Also botanical gardens are one of my favorite places to visit though I have never visited them in Autumn. You can also visit national museum there is planty to see.

Also seeing as you will be visiting Georgia in Octomber in time of rtveli which is time when grapes are collacted and wine is made, I would suggest visiting the best place to enjoy rtveli and try wine Kakheti. It is the whole experience really, plus if you will be able to experience Georgian sufra that will be a feast you never forget. You can use public transportation to get to kakheti but I would suggest renting a car in Tbilisi if you have drivers license.

One of the cultural experiences you must have in Georgia is trying national food like Khinkali, which are delicious dumpling meal, Lobiani and Khachapuri. Also some Georgian Wine and Chacha if you enjoy drinking alcohol and churchkhela if you like sweet treats.

If you like watching national dances I would suggest visiting sukhishvili concert in Tbilsi, national dances are very elegant and can very very fierce too, depending on a dance. You would also get the chance to listen to Georgian music.
And for the last if you would like to just go out and have some fun in bars I would suggest Wine Factory for drinks (there are many bars that serve cocktails and different drinks) and nearby is Brose if you want to dance a little to 2000s songs. And if you enjoy techno music and rave there are events at Khidi and Mtkvari and also an event called Mzesumzira.

I think I have overed all I know about, hope yo enjoy Georgia <3

Hi Ani,

All of this is great, thanks! Have you traveled to the southwest in Georgia? I'm also planning on being there for Tblisiosa which I'm excited about.

ntbutcher, I was in Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia in 2022 (also Azerbaijan). Here is a list of the places I went to:

Turkey

• Istanbul (stayed 5 nights
• Kuşadası (stayed 3 nights)
  • Ephesus
  • Pamukkale and Hierapolis
• Antalya (stayed 2 nights)
  • Perge, Aspendos, and Side
• Cappadocia (stayed 2 nights)

Georgia

• Tbilisi (stayed 5 nights)
  • Sighnaghi
  • Kakheti
  • Mtskheta
  • Kazbegi
  • Gori and Chiatura
• Kutaisi (stayed 3 nights)
  • Tskaltubo
  • Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park (stop en route to Akhaltsikhe)
• Akhaltsikhe (stayed 2 nights)
  • Vardzia and Khertvisi

Armenia

• Gyumri and Dashtadem (stop en route to Yerevan)
• Yerevan (stayed 4 nights)
  • Geghard Monastery
  • Garni
  • Khor Virap and Noravank

Of all these places, the only one I didn't think was worth seeing was Dashtadem Fortress; however, I understand they've been working on restoration of the site, and maybe it's more worth seeing now.

I had private drivers/guides to take me around. I didn't get the impression that there is extensive public transportation available in Georgia or Armenia. Some of the places I visited in Georgia could easily be done as day trips from Tbilisi if you have a car or a driver. And all the places I visited in Armenia were day trips from Yerevan.

If I were you, I'd subtract a day or two from Armenia and add them to Georgia. There's just so much to see in Georgia.

It's a shame this part of Europe isn't in Rick Steves' purview. You'll love it!

Please let me know if you want any more details on any of the experiences I had in these countries.

We’ve been to all three. One trip, we spent two weeks in Georgia and Armenia. I’d add more time in both Georgia and Armenia. We had private drivers in both countries. A family member organized the trip using an agency in Yerevan.

Lane, thank you!

I am thinking of a week in Georgia and a week in Armenia. The remaining time/days in Turkey. My thought was to stay in Istanbul a few nights and fly to Georgia and then take a minivan into Armenia and return the same way into Georgia. From Tbilisi I may fly back to Istanbul and head south west to east or???

How long were you in Armenia? Is there a reason why you didn't go to Batumi in Georgia?

Of the 37 countries I have been to thus far this is my mode of travel. I am very loose with my travels and usually do so by intuition and what feels good and for how long.

Elizabeth, thank you. If you suggest more time in Georgia and Armenia, where did you travel in each country and how long? I like day trips so that I can base out of a city and feel the life there instead of spending all my time in a car and only seeing a spot for a brief stop which I feel most tourist agencies do. A private driver is more likely to go at my pace, but I am not sure.

I originally had Batumi on my itinerary, but I decided to cut it because of time and distance considerations. I'm sorry I didn't get there, but I'm happy with everywhere I did go.

I updated my original reply to show 4 nights in Yerevan. That's the total of my time in Armenia.

Lane, do you feel like that was enough time for you in Georgia and Armenia? I can't decide if I want to spend a few nights in Istanbul. Fly to Tblisis, bus to Armenia, bus back to Tblisi, fly to Istanbul and travel the remainder of the time in Turkey. Or, do the reverse and travel through Turkey, into Georgia, Armenia and end in Istanbul for my return flight....

If I had a few more days, I'd like to have gone to Batumi. Other than that, I felt like I had enough time overall.

As far as the overall order of things, I think it's generally a good idea to end up in the city you are flying home from, so that suggests saving Istanbul for the end. Why not fly from Istanbul to Tbilisi the same day you arrive, or spend just one night at the Yotel in IST airport and fly to Tbilisi the next day?

Did you look for a direct flight from Yerevan to Istanbul? These two countries aren't friendly, and I believe their land border is closed, but Pegasus does have flight from Zvartnots to SAW. Not sure about flights to other cities in Turkey. I think that's easier than going back to Tbilisi just to get a flight to somewhere in Turkey.

hey, Tbilisoba is great also I really enjoy music, dances and activities. There is always some kind of activities and concerts, hope they won't disappoint.
And about southwest Georgia, it depends on what part you mean. Do you mean Adjara ? I usually really like going to vacations to the seaside so I will usually go to Batumi for summer. It is little overcrowded in summer but I have never been there in Autumn, but I know there are way less people in Autumn.