Arthur

Hi Tatev

Thank you so much for all the patience and effort you invested in making our holiday so enjoyable and unstressful.  It was definitely a long time coming but it was worth waiting for. 

The itinerary was good and we felt we gained a wonderful insight into the countries we visited and the differences between them.  The loss of one of the free days was a shame as we felt in need of some time to take in what we were seeing particularly in Armenia but this was just unfortunate and not in anyone's control.  Our extra day at the end meant we did start the journey home relaxed.  We did see what you meant about the walk being impossible given the weather.

Our guides were well briefed and without exception on time, bringing with them excellent English skills and a wealth of local knowledge, and, where we had drivers, they drove well and were considerate and helpful.  Everyone was very kind and considerate.  Afgan and Temo were exceptional; they had excellent English, a great sense of humour and a real ability to notice where they might ask us what we wanted to do.  Afgan ensured we felt able to navigate on our own before he left us, he checked about choices for places to eat and never rushed us. Temo rose to the occasion of dealing with Charles feeling ill, and sorted out help from a pharmacy, an extension to our booking for a couple of hours and suggested adjustments to the itinerary that I could do with him while Charles rested.  Perfect service!  Arthur, I felt, struggled a little bit more with his English but was keen to ensure that he worked his way thoroughly through the itinerary we had.  He was very knowledgeable about the monasteries and very generous. 

The hotels were all well sited and staffed with friendly and helpful people.  For our trip they met our needs well.  The most scenic, Seventeen Rooms, had great views and we were sad we didn't spend a bit longer there, but all of them were comfortable and ideal for this kind of trip.  The final hotel provided a perfect finishing and relaxing 

While 13 days was enough to get a good feel for these beautiful countries, we left wanting to explore even more! Each country has its own charm, rich history and welcoming people, making every stop memorable. The food was absolutely delicious, and we were able to experience the unique flavors of each region. A special thank you to our wonderful driver. He was not only skilled and friendly, but also shared homemade wine and sweets with us during the journey, which added a personal touch and made us feel appreciated.

This was one of the most memorable trips we have ever taken. The itinerary was so well thought out — we loved the balance between history, culture, and nature. Gobustan with its rock carvings, the caves of Kutaisi, the mountain scenery around Gudauri, and Tatev Monastery were absolute highlights. The hotels were comfortable and always in convenient locations, and the tour manager’s support was excellent throughout. Thank you for such a smooth and unforgettable experience! We are already interested in visiting the 5 Stans of Central Asia with Arara.