MIR Corporation Travel's video: MIR s Tour: A Taste of Georgia: Wine Cuisine Culture South Caucasus

MIR Vice President Annie Lucas is so fond of Georgia (http://goo.gl/gLT6bK), a gorgeous country in the South Caucasus, that she created a diverse epicurean tour for MIR, "A Taste of Georgia: Wine, Cuisine & Culture" (http://goo.gl/3Sh5YX). Look, listen, and learn why Georgia is so captivating to travelers – and to Annie – today. * Handcrafted closed captions. * Read MIR's insider tips on how to enjoy a Georgian feast: http://goo.gl/knXXUH * Learn more about MIR's tours and travels to Georgia and the South Caucasus: http://goo.gl/7njsRM _______________________ SUBSCRIBE: MIR'S YouTube Channel: http://goo.gl/I0zCIM KEY POINTS IN THIS MIR VIDEO: 0:00 Introduction, and how Annie Lucas created this tour 0:50 Skip ahead to: "A Taste of Georgia: Wine" 1:29 Skip ahead to: "A Taste of Georgia: Cuisine" 2:12 Skip ahead to: "A Taste of Georgia: Culture" 3:20 Skip ahead to: Conclusion -- Georgia, the "best of the best" _______________________ CONTACT: MIR Corporation – http://www.mircorp.com Destination Specialists since 1986 Small Group Tours • Rail Journeys by Private Train • Custom, Private Trips • Siberia & Western Russia • Central Asia & Silk Road • South Caucasus 1-800-424-7289 ______________________ CREDITS: * Photos used in video: Michel Behar, James Carnehan, Devin Connolly, Richard Fejfar, Douglas Grimes, Peter Guttman, Martin Klimenta, la Tabagari, Norman Leaper, Mariana Noble, Paul Schwartz, Amy Stidger, Anna Uturguari, John Wurdeman * Videos shot by Martin Klimenta and Mariana Noble * Video thumbnail photo: Michel Behar * Endslate photos: Michel Behar, Mariana Noble * Video story created and edited by Helen Holter _______________________ VIDEO TRANSCRIPT (Voiced by Annie Lucas, MIR Corporation Vice President) INTRODUCTION: HOW THIS MIR TOUR WAS CREATED Music and mountains are just two reasons why I'm so taken with Georgia. It's my favorite place in the world, and, I think, everything you could wish for in a destination. Georgia has been called an "undiscovered little gem" of a country in the South Caucasus – big on beauty, history and culture, hospitality, and most of all its legendary food and wine. I first visited Georgia in the early 1990s, after it declared its independence from the Soviet Union, and I go back as often as I can. So many travelers ask me about Georgia that I decided to design a tour for MIR called "A Taste of Georgia: Wine, Cuisine & Culture." These are a few of my favorite highlights: A TASTE OF GEORGIA: WINE Georgia's winemaking goes back some 8,000 years; it's considered one of the richest – but least known – wine regions in the world. What’s unique about winemaking in Georgia is the use of organic grapes aged in huge earthenware vessels, called 'qvevri,' which are buried in the earth until they ripen into wonderfully full-bodied wines – with no intervention in the fermentation process. To me, there's no better place to taste these very unique organic wines than in the Kakheti region of Georgia; my favorite place is the tiny town of Signagi, at the Pheasant's Tears Restaurant and Winery. A TASTE OF GEORGIA: CUISINE In Georgia, where there's wine, there's also feasting. Foods are rich, and complex, fresh, and flavored with a medley of spices. It's all shown off at abundant feasts known as a 'supra,' or the "Georgian Table." Over several hours, dozens of dishes are piled high on the table - and your wine glass is never empty, with frequent toasts given by the ‘tamada’ or toastmaster of the evening. Some of my favorite foods include 'khachapuri,' Georgia's famous cheese pie; little dumplings called 'khinkali;' the salty cheese varieties that are made in every region of the country – and my absolute favorite – the bread baked in clay ovens. A TASTE OF GEORGIA: CULTURE Beyond its fine wines and food, there's much to see and do in Georgia. Some of my favorite places are the old town of the capital, Tbilisi – with the balcony architecture the city is known for. I love the watchtowers of Svaneti – where a distinctive way of life in this mountain region has been preserved for centuries. My latest favorite is the tiny Phoka nunnery, in a village of the same name in Southern Georgia, where nuns make their own absolutely fantastic chocolates and cheese. Georgia's architecture and landscapes are bold and impressive: from the Caucasus mountains to the Black Sea coast, with monasteries, fortresses, vineyards and cave towns in between. CONCLUSION Georgia encompasses the best of the best that a country can offer in my opinion – and at MIR, we're thrilled that our tour, "A Taste of Georgia: Wine, Cuisine & Culture" is such a wonderful opportunity to experience the living traditions of Georgia through its chefs, winemakers, artisans and musicians. You can find this truly unforgettable destination of Georgia, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.