Airline and Route: British Airways (economy A320) LHR-TBS-LHR

Flight Experience: We flew on a new direct route that BA started operating last year. The departure flight was around 21.30pm making our arrival into Tbilisi around 5.30am local time (a five-hour flight). With a three-hour time difference, it did feel like we were arriving in the middle of the night, but we managed to get extra legroom seats helping all of us to get some sleep.

The flight was very comfortable, and we were served a light meal (sandwich/desert) along with a drinks service. The return flight was quite early, around 7:30am, also with meal service on board. BA flies an airbus A320 on this route, so it is worth noting that there is no seatback entertainment, although you do have USB charging ports.

Airport Experience: We flew from Terminal 5, checking in as a group, and were able to use the Business Class check-in desks, which meant no queues. Our flight was one of the last few to leave Heathrow that day, so the terminal did seem pretty quiet which meant we were able to whiz through security.

Overview: After an early arrival into Tbilisi we were picked up and taken to our hotel which was our base for the next three nights. Luckily, we were able to check in straight away and had a few hours sleep before we headed off on a city tour of Tbilisi with our guide. It was a fascinating tour with a mixture of old and new. We took the cable car up to Narikala Fortress - one of the oldest historical buildings in the country. On the way back down, we walked along cobblestone streets, passing by historical sites such as the Tbilisi Sulphur Baths and Sameba Cathedral.

Day two took us to Mtskheta which is about an hour and a half drive from Tbilisi, where we visited the Jvari Monastery which was perched on a hill with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. We then drove to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral where, according to legend, Christ’s robe is buried. The afternoon was spent making Khinkali (dumplings) and homemade wine tasting! We then continued on to the city of Gori which is the birthplace of Stalin, and visited the Joseph Stalin Museum, before driving back to Tbilisi.

Day three took us on another drive - around two hours to Telavi - where we visited the Alaverdi Monastery before driving to Kvareli to visit the Kvereli Wine Cave - with more wine tasting! Our final stop of the day was Sighnagi, a picturesque town overlooking the stunning wine-producing region of Alazani Valley, where we visited Bakhtrioni Fortress, before heading back to Tbilisi.

Highlight: Alaverdi Monastery - we were there to witness the Easter ceremony with the clergy in full regalia.

Interesting fact: Sameba Cathedral is one of the tallest Orthodox churches in the world.

Overview: We were driven to the Bagratashen - Sadakhlo Border Crossing between Georgia and Armenia, accompanied by our guide and, after a smooth and quick crossing, were met by our Armenian guide on the other side. Our first stop on the way to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, was Haghpat Monastery Complex, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its remarkable medieval architecture. We then continued to Vanadzor, the third largest city in Armenia where we visited the workshop of a local artist and sculptor and took part in a stone carving masterclass. We then drove through the town of Dilijan and continued to Yerevan for our first night there.

The next morning we visited Etchmiadzin Cathedral, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and then continued on to visit the 7th Century ruins of Zvartnots Temple.

We then came back to Yerevan for a city tour of the main landmarks, squares and viewpoints. In the afternoon, we visited the famous Ararat Brandy Factory for a guided tour and brandy tasting.

Highlight: Cross stone carving masterclass. It was fascinating to hear about the history of the craft and to learn from the most famous local artist and sculptor in Armenia and taking part in a hands on kachkar (cross stone) carving class.

Interesting fact: The famous Ararat Brandy Factory produces the legendary brandy once favored by Winston Churchill.

Overview: Dilijan, a mountain village set at an altitude of around 1500 metres, is nestled within the “Little Switzerland” region of the Tavush Province. En route to Dilijan our first stop was Khor Virap Monastery. This has the closest and most impressive views of Mount Ararat. Our next stop was the Garni Temple which is the only standing pagan temple in Armenia with an impressive structure and dramatic gorge surroundings. Continuing to Dilijan, we arrived in the afternoon and after a short city tour checked into our hotel for the night.

The following morning, after checking out from the hotel, we made our way back to the Georgian border, visiting en route the impressive Geghard Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Monastery is carved deeply into the surrounding cliffs. The name translates to "Monastery of the Spear," referring to the spear that wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, which was reportedly brought to Armenia and was thought to be hidden here.

After an easy border crossing, we were met again by our Georgian guide and transferred to our hotel in Tbilisi before our final night, and early flight back the next morning.

Highlight: Visiting Geghard Monastery was a true wow/Indiana Jones moment!

Interesting fact: UWC Dilijan College is a member of the “United World Colleges” movement, one of eighteen colleges around the world, and the first international boarding school in Armenia which attracts students from all over the world.