We are delighted to be hosting our first Art Safari in the beautiful land of Georgia – a country where ancient history meets contemporary vibrancy. It is trans-continental, straddling Europe and Asia and is an exciting blend of both with grand old cities and towns of wide leafy boulevards, mixed with traces of its history as part of the famed Silk Route.

Georgia has weathered invasions, witnessed periods of great power, and persevered through the shadow of the Soviet occupation, with Joseph Stalin being the country’s most infamous son.
Tbilisi – Georgia’s lively capital – is where we begin our adventure. It’s a welcoming city that sits either side of the Kura River, with winding streets of colourful dwellings and ornate balconies, and a cityscape punctuated with exquisite orthodox churches. We will be spoilt for choice when it comes to subject matter for our sketchbooks!

Georgia is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of wine, and it is common to see vines growing in the gardens and around balconies of people’s homes all over the country. Most families produce their own bottles and corner shops often have ‘home brew’ for sale, however, there is a burgeoning industry for high quality wine, particularly in the south-eastern region of Kakheti, and many estates now produce world class bottles.

The Orthodox churches and cathedrals of Georgia are some of the most magnificent in the world with beautifully preserved frescoes. The 11th Century Svetitskhoveli cathedral of Mtskheta is one such example that we will visit on the road back to Tbilisi.

We spend time in the Kakheti region, visiting the picturesque hill-top town of Sighnaghi, orthodox churches, and painting in vineyards, as well as sampling the produce and indulging in Georgia’s mouth-watering cuisine – a revelation for first time visitors!
We head north on the Georgian Military Highway and watch the dramatic change of scenery as we climb higher into the Caucasus to Kazbegi, also known as Stepantsminda. The little town is completely surrounded by steep-sided mountains and is overlooked by Gergeti Trinity Church – a 14th Century architectural gem perched on a hilltop. We have time to enjoy the mountain air and stunning landscapes and there are a variety of locations we can choose to settle down to paint.

Some highlights:

• Start and finish in Georgia’s vibrant and lively capital, Tbilisi, exploring the museums and galleries, ancient fortresses, and the many churches that dot the skyline
• Enjoy wine tasting at different vineyards around the country including the prominent Tsinandali Estate
• Explore the winding streets of Sighnaghi – a stunning 18th century town nestled on the top of a mountain and overlooking the Great Caucasus and Alazani Valley.
• Take the Georgian Military highway to scenic Kazbegi, famed for Gergeti Trinity Church perched on a mountain top high above the town where we will have some incredible painting opportunities
• Discover Uplistsikhe – an ancient cave town dating from the first half of the 1st millennium BC. Carved into the rocky plateau we’ll find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship, water supply system, secret tunnels, and the remains of Georgia’s oldest theatre, complete with auditorium, stage and orchestra pit.

Georgia’s journey from its ancient roots (it is where the oldest remains of the first European inhabitants were discovered) to its current renaissance is a compelling narrative of resilience and renewal, making for a fascinating country for us to explore and capture in our sketchbooks.

Your tutor Mary-Anne Bartlett is an accomplished artist and seasoned traveller.  She will teach you how to look at your surroundings and encourage you to fill your sketchbook pages in your own style, as well as trying some new ideas.