Here mountains, ancient monasteries, the best barbecue in the world and that the mountain Ararat, which landed after the flood of Noah. And all this in a visa-free regime in a three-hour flight from Moscow. Perfect for a spontaneous trip. I spent three days here, and that’s the program maximum, to have time to relax and see everything.
“Pretty woman-Jan, you are now in the centre of the world,” says the owner of the restaurant, pouring in a glass of pomegranate wine. Armenia really becomes the center of the world, when you get here.
A plane ticket to the capital city of Yerevan, it is better to take in advance (about 10-13 thousand rubles in both directions). Be sure to choose a hotel in the centre of the city. You will want to late at night to walk the streets and not to think, how to return to three hours of the night in a hotel (but Uber is not here).
My friends and settled in Paris Hotel Yerevan (standard room about 6200 rubles per day) not only because of its Central location and good reviews on Booking.combut mainly because of the view from the restaurant on its roof. Every morning at Breakfast you can admire the panorama of the city and mount Ararat.
The view from the terrace of the hotel Paris Hotel Yerevan
To see the most beautiful places of Armenia, you will need to travel. Tours are not always convenient to their schedule. And to ride behind the wheel of a rental car for the open road, too, so imagine the rest. So we took the car to the driver. By the way, you don’t even have to look for a rental service of cars, it is easy to negotiate with any taxi driver (as we did). Moreover, the prices are reasonable (about 2000 rubles, or 16 000 AMD per day per person).
Day one: lake Sevan and Garni temple
The map of Armenia immediately notice a large blue spot is a mountain lake Sevan. It occupies nearly 10% of the whole country. From Yerevan to him just an hour and a half drive to the East. Here’s a little chilly even in the summer (after all, 1900 meters above sea level), but incredibly beautiful. The best view is near the Sevanavank monastery. It is located on a hill, and its walls are decorated with khachkars (carved crosses). All the monasteries of Armenia they “painted”, and say that there are no recurring pattern.
Go down to the pier on the lake and be sure to have lunch in the restaurant Tea House Bashinjaghyan. Try here juicy kebab of crayfish (only 1500 drams, or about 200 rubles per serving, which I ate quite). And here is the spectacular beach with seagulls and a statue of a mermaid.
Garni Temple
Then go to the pagan temple of Garni in the mountains (in the opposite direction just before reaching Yerevan, the same half hour). The best view is at sunset from the restaurant terrace Garni Toun near the temple (they serve the same pomegranate wine for only AMD 2000, or 250 rubles for a bottle).
Second day: cable car of Tatev monastery
“Wings of Tatev”; Natalia Haussmann photo by @muradosmann
On the second day, plan your trip to Tatev monastery. About three to four hours one way to the South of the capital. But it’s worth it! After all, the ropeway “Wings of Tatev” is the longest in the world (6 km flight over the gorge, the ticket costs about 5000, or 600 rubles). By the way, the beauty of the views of Tatev recently said Murad Haussmann (the founder of the project #Followmeto).
Look at the way to Noravank monastery in the gorge with red rocks. The most courageous for beautiful frames to climb on the rocks. Generally, traveling to Armenia, you can stop literally everywhere. Our driver to the middle of the second day already tired slow down every flock of sheep, the nest of a stork or a poppy field.
Day three: Yerevan
On the last day of rest and just take a walk in Yerevan. Be sure to go to Cascade. This is a huge staircase with fountains, which offers a panoramic view of the city. At the foot – a gallery of modern art (all free!). Most popular photo of the sculpture: full girl, Botero cat and blue bird, the kiwi.
Bear in mind that in the summer in the capital, about 40 degrees. Escape from the heat in the café or in the city market. At the same time buy edible Souvenirs – dried fruit, cheese and sweets (don’t forget the smoked delicacy from grape juice and nuts). 4 kg of dried fruit I paid about 2,000 rubles (always bargain). Don’t forget the brandy! The best place for buying it – factory “Ararat”. You can even go there for a tour and taste everything before you buy (the ticket from the AMD 2000, or 250 rubles.). Another obligatory place to visit – the flea market “Vernissage”. It has everything from chess and daggers to designer silver jewellery.
And of course, every night of their travel spend, walking around the restaurants of Yerevan. Eat delicious Armenian kebab and dolma (minced meat with rice in grape leaves). Immediately accept the fact that you will return home, gaining a couple of pounds. But the food here is so delicious that it’s worth it!
