•2 min read•from travel
Memories from the few days I spent in Armenia
Our take
Join us as we dive into our unforgettable five-day adventure in Armenia, a captivating blend of ancient history and modern charm! From the majestic views of Mount Ararat to the serene Khor Virap Monastery, every moment was filled with exploration. We wandered through urban gems like Yerevan, discovering its vibrant culture and delicious cuisine, and ventured into the intriguing remnants of the past, including abandoned treasures guarded by friendly locals. This trip was truly a unique journey through time, culture, and friendship!
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We spent 5 days in the country during a Caucasus trip between friends. Coming from Switzerland, it was a true change of scene! The landscapes were often arid and vast and felt unique. You can definitely feel post-USSR vibes throughout the country. It did feel like time travelling sometimes, but in various places one can see modern infrastructure and signs of what felt like a strong economical growth. As urban explorers, there were many abandoned locations we could visit, most of which are guarded by grandpas who asked for a small "donation" in order to let us through. The capital, Yerevan, felt very modern and safe in the center with some unique buildings. However, we got stared at a lot as a group of 4 straight guys, some of us wearing a few ear & facial piercings. It didn't feel like people were staring out of hostility, more out of curiosity but we surprinsingly didn't get as many looks in smaller towns. Overall, the Armenian people seemed mostly friendly and willing to help whenever. The food was delicious, if you like well-prepared meat, grilled vegetables and nice flat bread you're in for a treat! In addition to these "basics" there was also a fair amount of interesting & tasty dishes. To get around, we had a rental car which seemed like a must. That being said, you must feel confident behind the wheel to drive there as the roads are not in great condition with lots of potholes, and the other drivers' behaviour is often erratic, especially in Yerevan where it doesn't help that the road infrastructure is not the best. Overall, we had an amazing time there! [link] [comments] |
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- Easter Trip to ArmeniaJust got back from 4 days in Armenia, my third Caucasus country after Georgia and Azerbaijan. As a third world passport holder, I had a rough experience in Georgia (I felt like I was treated like a criminal while my husband who has EU passport breezed through in 5 minutes). Armenia was much more welcoming. We went to separate lines and cleared immigration in roughly the same time. Both of us got asked about our previous Azerbaijan visit and whether we “have a friend there.” Nothing came of it though, we both got through fine. Yerevan first impressions: Chaotic in the best way. Traffic is genuinely insane, and there’s always some guy in a car making noise or blasting music at full volume. Still, it’s a walkable city once you’re on foot. There’s a Soviet-style boulevard that feels grand and organized, and then everything around it is just urban sprawl. I climbed the Cascade Complex, with funny arte (like the fat sculptures of Botero, which reminds me of my past visit to Colombia) and got incredibly lucky with the weather. Mount Ararat and Little Ararat were fully visible against completely clear skies. Worth remembering that Ararat sits inside Turkey now. On Sunday, I went on a minimalist tour where you basically just pay for transport. No overpriced lunch packages. Highly recommend this format if you’re on a budget. Khor Virap is a major pilgrimage site with a stunning view of Mount Ararat. According to legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator was thrown into a pit here and imprisoned for 13 years. He survived, eventually cured the king from madness, and that king converted Armenia to Christianity in 301 AD, making it the first Christian nation. I did not go down into the pit because there were many pilgrims during Easter Sunday. On the way we passed the Azat Reservoir, which looked stunning against Mount Ararat. Geghard Monastery is partially carved directly into a cliff face, which already makes it unlike most churches I’ve visited. It’s a UNESCO site and the rock-cut chambers inside feel ancient in a way that’s hard to describe. During the tour’s lunch stop there were two ladies making lavash, the Armenian flatbread, from scratch. It comes out paper-thin and incredibly crunchy. I didn’t pay for the tour lunch as it was way overpriced, and we packed our own lunch beforehand to save money. Symphony of Stones completely caught me off guard. It looks like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland but on a much larger scale, with these massive vertical basalt columns lining the gorge. I had no idea this region had volcanic geology like that. Garni Temple is a reconstructed Hellenistic temple dedicated to Mithra. It looks almost out of place in the Armenian landscape, as it was built in Greco-Roman style. Armenian Christianity developed completely independently from Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. The rituals feel distinct. We were there during Easter. I watched people bringing bundles of grass to the church to be blessed. People were touching the church walls with their hands and foreheads. The thing that stuck with me most was the khachkar, the Armenian cross-stones. I saw one depicting Jesus flanked by two lions, which reflects Zoroastrian influence, similar to the lion symbolism you see surrounding Imam Reza in Iran. Both Armenia and Iran were once Zoroastrian countries. The layers of religious history in this country are genuinely fascinating. We stayed at Ibis Yerevan. We booked in advance and paid 60 euros per night total (30 per person). Saved a lot on food by buying lavash from the supermarket and eating it with salami, cheese, and aubergine caviar. Simple, cheap, and honestly very good. Armenia was wonderful. The landscape, the history, they really rubbed my travel itch and made me feel like I discovered something totally unique. submitted by /u/SriMulyaniMulyadi [link] [comments]
- 15 days in Armenia and GeorgiaHi everyone! My girlfriend and I are travelling to Armenia and Georgia from May 2 to May 17. We arrive in Yerevan at 12:00 on May 2 and fly out of Tbilisi at 14:00 on May 17. Our rough plan is: - spend around 2–3 days in each capital - spend no more than 5 days total in Armenia (not because we’re less interested, just because this time we’d like to spend more time in Georgia) - use the rest of the trip to explore Georgia - take the night train between Yerevan and Tbilisi - ideally do a 2–3 day hike/trek in Georgia What we’re most interested in is: culture, food, city life, Soviet/Brutalist architecture, and as much nature and mountains as possible Our main questions are: Armenia: is it worth renting a car for just 2–3 days outside Yerevan? Would it make sense to drive all the way to Goris, or is that too much for such a short time? Would we be better off staying based in Yerevan and doing day trips instead? Georgia: same question about renting a car from Tbilisi. I was considering spending most of our Georgia time doing a road trip through the northern mountain regions, crossing from one side to the other and stopping for a 2–3 day trek along the way. Does that sound like a great plan, or would we miss too much by focusing mostly on that part of the country? Early May conditions in Georgia: what are the mountains and trails usually like at that time of year? Is there still a lot of snow in the higher regions? Are multi-day hikes realistically doable, or should we focus on lower-altitude areas? We’d really appreciate any suggestions, especially from people who’ve travelled there in early May. Also very happy to hear recommendations for: - the best region for a 2–3 day trek - scenic road trip routes - places with great nature + architecture + food - whether we should keep plans flexible because of snow/road conditions Thanks a lot! submitted by /u/dtac99 [link] [comments]
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#travel content#ocean vibes#sun-kissed looks#Mount Ararat#Yerevan#Khor Virap Monastery#Symphony of Stones#Haghpat Monastery#abandoned locations#post-USSR vibes#GAZ-21 Volga#Caucasus trip#modern infrastructure#Armenian people#flat bread#landscapes#urban explorers#ear & facial piercings#rental car#grilled vegetables