Georgia · Wine & Beer

1-Day Bodbe Monastery and Signagi Tour with Wine Tasting

1 Day Round trip from Sighnaghi Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit Bodbe Monastery, home to Saint Nino's revered relics
02 Walk the ancient Signagi city wall with panoramic valley views
03 Explore St. Stephen's Church and its restored fortified tower
04 Enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery in the birthplace of wine

Visit Bodbe Monastery and explore the historic town of Signagi on this full-day excursion in Georgia's Kakheti region. Walk along the ancient Signagi city wall, visit St. Stephen's Church, and enjoy time to savor local cuisine during a lunch break. The experience also includes a wine tasting at a local winery, offering a taste of Georgia's long winemaking tradition. Travel with private transportation and return comfortably to your hotel at the end of the day.

The experience also includes a wine tasting at a local winery, offering a taste of Georgia's long winemaking tradition.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Signagi

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Bodbe Monastery, Signagi Wall and Winery Experience

Your day begins with pick-up from your hotel.
The first stop is Bodbe Monastery.
After that, you will continue with a tour of Signagi city.
You will explore the historic Signagi city wall.
Next, visit Signagi St. Stephen's Church.
There will be a lunch break to savor local cuisine. After lunch, continue to a local winery for a tasting experience.
At the end of the tour, return comfortably to your hotel.

Where this trip takes you

Bodbe Monastery, Signagi city wall, Signagi St. Stephen's Church, local winery

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Sighnaghi 1 city · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private transportation and driver
Certified tour guide
One bottle of water per person
Hotel pick-up and drop-off

What's Not Included

Lunch or dinner (there will be a lunch break to taste mouthwatering Georgian dishes).
Expenses for additional activities, personal shopping, or entertainment.

What to bring

Women need scarves to enter churches and cover their heads.
Carry some cash for lunch or souvenirs (about 100 GEL).
Bring a jacket, as it can be windy. Depending on the weather, you may also need a raincoat or an umbrella, and a hat for sun protection.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking.

Know before you go

Rules for entering churches in Georgia:
- Orthodox Christianity is practiced in Georgia, so certain guidelines must be followed when entering churches.
Women's attire restrictions:
- Prohibited clothing:
  - Trousers, shorts, short skirts, or bare shoulders are not permitted.
- Attire recommendations:
  - Women should wear long skirts or wrap a large scarf around themselves. Many churches provide wraparound dresses to borrow.
- Head covering:
  - Women must cover their heads with a scarf when entering a church.
Recommendation for women:
- It is advisable for women to carry 1 or 2 scarves to ensure hassle-free entry into churches in Georgia.
Men's attire restrictions:
- Prohibited clothing:
  - Men are prohibited from wearing shorts or exposing bare shoulders.
- Required attire:
  - Full-length trousers and covered shoulders are mandatory. Failure to comply may result in denial of entry or require wearing a wraparound dress.
- Hat etiquette:
  - Men should remove any type of hat before entering a church.
Bodbe Monastery:
- Saint Nino's relics are enshrined here.
- Saint Nino, originally from Cappadocia, is revered as an enlightener of the Georgian nation.
- After relocating from Mtsketa, she continued her religious activities in Bodbe and was eventually buried here.
- She is honored within Bodbe Monastery, specifically in the Church of St. George.
Signagi City Tour and City Wall:
- Signagi has preserved much of its 18th-century charm, resembling its appearance from two centuries ago.
- King Heraclius II declared it a royal city in the 18th century and reinforced its city walls.
- During this period, Signagi was primarily populated by merchants and artisans.
St. Stephen's Church:
- This church features a remarkable camouflage: a fortified tower integrated into its fortifications.
- It was constructed in the 18th century within the largest defensive tower, known as the "King's Tower."
- Despite damage during the Soviet era, the sanctuary has been restored.
- Visitors can ascend the tower for a breathtaking view of the valley.
Local Winery:
- Georgia is celebrated as the birthplace of wine, boasting an 8000-year history of winemaking.
- The country cultivates up to 500 varieties of white and red grapes, some of which are exclusive to Georgia.
- Traditional winemaking methods include storing wine in large clay vessels called Khvevri.