Tbilisi lies in the centre of eastern Georgia, in the foothills of the Trialeti mountain range. The capital city of the country of Georgia, it covers an area of 726 km² (280.3 square miles) and has a population of over 1.3m. Although the city has been destroyed and rebuilt some 29 times, the layout of the Old Town is largely intact with narrow alleys and big crooked houses built around courtyards.

Following the success of the inaugural Routes Silk Road event which took place in July of last year, the United Airports of Georgia will once again host Routes Silk Road this year from 5 – 7 July.

In addition to the core business elements of Routes Silk Road our Host, United Airports of Georgia, and its partners have kindly arranged two complimentary tours and we recommend all delegates make time to explore the city and surrounding area.

Taking place on Saturday 4^th and Sunday 5^th July, the tour programme includes:

Mtskheta (Old Capital of Georgia) - Saturday 4^th July

One of the oldest cities of Georgia is located about 20 kilometres north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. The city is considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and today is populated by around 19 500 people. The town has an extraordinary importance to the Georgian Nation as it was the capital of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. Mtskheta was the site of Georgia’s adoption of Christianity in 334 and remains to be one of the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Mtskheta is of primary interest to any visitor interested in Georgian history and/or Orthodox Christianity.

Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, the “Historical Monuments of Mtskheta” became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The historic churches of Mtskheta are outstanding examples of medieval religious architecture in the Caucasus. They represent the high artistic and cultural level attained by this ancient kingdom.

Old Tbilisi - Sunday 5^th July

One of the Must-dos and probably the most distinctive pleasures of visiting Tbilisi is wandering through the Old City, with its old-style balconies, ancient churches, winding, narrow streets, and charming shops. Here one will notice a number of eclectic sights – sites ranging from churches to mosques and synagogues, as well as the art galleries lining along the way.

The uniqueness of attractions and the cultural as well as architectural diversity widely presented at this spot starting from Sulfur Baths, Betelmi - housing two of the city's oldest churches and the stunning views from the Narikala Fortress is simply overwhelming.

Full details of both tours can be found online including timings and costs. To book your place, please use our tour booking system. Please note tour capacity is limited and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Register now for Routes Silk Road to ensure you don’t miss out!