Georgia Holiday Reviews
Our trip to Georgia and Armenia
Karin and Peter Illenberger, May 2011
Hello Paul - happy New Year!
A huge apology for taking so long to get back to you regarding our trip to Armenia and Georgia in May last year. Peter and I both came back to a mountain of email and project work and it has taken this long to finally get some comments back to you.
Itinerary and Booking
Your assistance and advice was invaluable. We particularly appreciated your suggestion to travel to Ushguli - a real highlight. Overall, the itinerary was very well planned and organised. Without the assistance we received from Steppes, I doubt that we would have been in a position to have organised this trip.
Local Representatives and Guides
In a word - outstanding! Our guides and drivers in both Armenia (Armena and Tigram) and Georgia (Tinatin and Nugzar) were a highlight of our trip. Armena and Tinatin worked tirelessly to ensure that we were comfortable and that everything ran smoothly. Armena is clearly very well connected (and well regarded) amongst the guiding community in Armenia. This frequently worked to our advantage in places like Garni where Armena made sure that we were included for an impromptu musical recital that had been organised for a visiting German and French group. Equally with Tinatin, an exceptionally impressive and gifted young woman who we believe has the potential for great things when she completes her studies in architecture. On our return from Ushguli, we travelled thru Gori, Tinatin's hometown. We were both surprised and delighted to be invited to meet Tina's family at home. This was an unexpected pleasure and the family put on a very generous afternoon tea.
Our drivers, Tigram (Armenia) and Nugzar (Georgia) were also exceptional. The vehicles we travelled in were spotless and well maintained - we always felt very safe. The road to Mestia was particularly challenging and I can honestly say, if it had been anyone else at the wheel, I probably would have walked back to Tbilisi! Both Tigram and Nugzar were so much more than drivers and their company added to our enjoyment.
Highlights and Overall Impressions
Our guides/drivers (refer above) then in no particular order: the church service at Etchmiadzin (very moving); Garni, the walk thru Havuts Tar and the lunch in the orchard following the walk; Mestia; Ushguli; and Kazbegi - the mountain scenery in Georgia is spectacular. Overall a well planned itinerary, well executed, a wonderful holiday! We would be happy to recommend Steppes to our friends and family.
Again, my apologies for not getting back to you sooner. Please pass on our thanks to the other staff at Steppes Travel.