Armenia Tourism Blog

Mshkavank

2012-02-21T01:06:00.000-08:00

Walking to Mshkavank from Koghb

A short hike from Koghb or Noyemberyan is Mshkavank, a 13th century monastery whose 5th-6th century triple-nave Basilica church was most likely built on top of a Pagan temple. The monastery is known for its 12th c. gavit, or assembly room, which was constructed in the same time period and similar to the gavit at Haghpat (a UNESCO site, about an hour drive to the Lori region). The monastery contains many old stone carvings and khachkars. For anyone interested in Art History, Mshkavank would be an excellent stop in the Tavush region. The layers of styled architecture and decorations from different time periods are obvious even to the untrained eye.

Mshkavank is a popular hiking destination for locals during the warmer seasons, but is hard to reach by vehicle. Often, classrooms go on field trips here to discuss the historical significance of the site, light a candle, or enjoy the forest.

Finding a guide to accompany you to Mshkavank from Noyemberyan in warm weather should not be a problem. There are a couple hotels in Noyemberyan, English speakers at each bank, as well as a group of Peace Corps Volunteers in the area (like me) who are willing to help!

Danelle is an American Peace Corps volunteer who lives and works in Tavush marz.

Along the Old Silk Road in Vayots Dzor

2012-02-14T02:24:00.000-08:00

The sign welcoming you to Yeghegnadzor.

(Photo courtesy of Narek Beglaryan)

Heading south on the main road from Yerevan, about 20 minutes past Areni, lies the town of Yeghegnadzor, the provincial capital of Vayots Dzor marz. On a small hill on the right-hand side of the road, the entrance to the town is marked by a Hollywoodesque sign in Armenian letters cut from local stone. Right in front of the sign is what looks like a footpath leading seemingly to nowhere. Blink and you’ll miss it. And you don’t want to miss it.

The first time I wandered down this road, in the heat of a Vayots Dzor summer, it was on the assurance that the walk down was well worth it. The path from the main road is quite steep. You look down with amazement at the tire tracks and marvel that anyone would attempt to drive up it, or even worse, down it. The road gradually smooths out to a more gentle slope and finally to a meandering and somewhat muddy path along a stream. It’s the stream that spurs you on; it carries with it the promise of a soothing dip in the Arpa River at a favorite spot for locals looking to beat the heat.

There are many ways to get to the Arpa; most of them don’t involve 45 minute hikes down tricky paths. But this one is special. At the end of it is Sur Kamurj, the pointy bridge, as we call it, a medieval structure on the Old Silk Road.

The reason for the sharp point has to do with the arch structure of the bridge, which gives it its strength. Its design stands as a testament to the genius of the architect, Momik, to whom so many of the monuments in Vayots Dzor are attributed. It has stood the test of time.

Like the name implies, Sur Kamurj is characterized by the sharp point it reaches at the middle. It is incredible to think of medieval traders carrying their wares along the Silk Road, traversing mountains and all sorts of rough terrain only to come to a bridge which seems as impassable as the ground they had just covered. And it is easy to imagine that weary road travelers, upon reaching the bridge, might have considered it a perfect place to stop.

A group of young people gather by Sur Kamurj as a

Niva makes the steep trip over the top.
(Photo courtesy of Gevorg Matevosyan)

As you cross the bridge, to the left is a favorite swimming hole. To the right is a shaded area perfect for camping or having a khorovats (Armenian barbecue). Local legend has it that Marco Polo crossed over the bridge on his way to China (or maybe it was his way back). Sitting at the side of the river, you can picture him there with his entourage stopping for a respite 800 years ago. Or perhaps they pushed on to spend the night at the caravanserai farther up the road on the Selim Pass.

If you come to Vayots Dzor in the warm weather, make a stop at these two places. Bring lots of food and plan to share it with local people eager to do the same. Be prepared to stay for a while; you will need the time to make toasts to your new friends.

Enjoying a picnic by the Arpa River. (Photo courtesy of Pat Fecher)

The caravanserai on a snowy day. Caravanserais provided food and lodging to travelers along the Old Silk Road. It's still a perfect place to camp or share a meal. (Photo courtesy of Sebastian Muellner)

Rebecca is an American Peace Corps volunteer who lives and works in Vayots Dzor marz. The views and opinions expressed are hers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Peace Corps.

Clear Day

2012-02-10T03:03:00.000-08:00

Near Talin, Aragotsotn Marz

The Fruit

2012-02-07T23:27:00.000-08:00

On one of the last warm weeks of summer, I was biking uphill on a country road, standing on the pedals of my steel-framed mountain bike when a car pulled alongside me. It drove uncomfortably close for 10 or 15 seconds, then the front passenger window began to roll down. I stopped, dropped my feet to the ground. A hand came out of the passenger window. It had a perfectly ripe peach in it. I took the peach. "Shnorakalutsiun" [Thank you] I said. The car peeled away. I ate the peach. It was delicious.

Fruit is a very important part of life in Armenia. Any halfway decent host will put out a plate of cut fruit for a guest. The pomegranate and the apricot are celebrated as avatars of the nation, considered to be a superior breed to any pomegranate or apricot anywhere else in the world. During Soviet times, under the command economy, Armenia was considered to be the Soviet republic best endowed with fresh produce rare in stores in Kiev, Leningrad or Bishkek. Today, with the exception of bananas and oranges, most fruit in Armenia is locally grown and eaten only when it is in season. Outside of Yerevan, the country does not experience the "miracle" of modern produce supply chains. There are no strawberries in November, flown in from New Zealand or avocados from trees in California for making Guacamole for New Years parties. Indeed, during the winter, there's barely any fresh fruit for villagers in rural areas, except for in jams or at high prices in supermarkets in the cities. But come the spring....

Apricot blossoms in April

The first, and most important fruit of Spring is the apricot, whose flowering in April marks the beginning of warm weather. For months, the quality of the apricot harvest is a topic of discussion at every dinner table. Was there too much rain? Too little? This spring, my region saw a wave of hail which devastated the crop, causing a depression almost as acute as if a relative had died. The loss is not just culinary, it's economic. For a farming family, a strong apricot crop means enough money for heat, food and clothes in the winter. During those middle weeks of April, when the trees are covered in white blossoms, the season seems full of possibilities. They come in towards middle of June, and quickly progress from green and hard to yellow-orange, astonishingly sweet and soft and oozing sticky juice. After eating them (it's really no problem to eat 8 or 10 at a setting), the seeds are cracked with a heavy rock to reveal a brown nut that tastes almost, but not quite, like a moist almond. By the middle of July, the apricots have become overripe and are boiled down for jams and juices. By August they are all but gone.

The first apples and plums will start to appear after the apricots, and will be eaten for the excitement of fresh fruit. But these are rather poor, sour, green fellows. Still, children will pick them and eat them for the thrill of it, enduring pursed lips and sore tummies. They won't reach their peaks until August and September, when the apples will be abundant, firm and fat and the plums will be deep purple and incredibly sweet, exploding with juice once their smooth skins are pierced. Sunflower seeds are chewed year round, but at the beginning of summer entire sunflowers are sold and the seeds can be eaten fresh. Of course, they must be checked to make sure that a little caterpillar has not burrowed into the shell, eaten the seed and decided to make it his home.

A sunflower vendor in Armavir

The middle of summer belongs to the peach, the best of which are sweet and juicy but somehow don't quite compare to the apricot. It's also when the best vegetables appear; cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, green beans, red, green and hot peppers. Lettuce is rare, but cabbage is common, usually made into slaws or soup. The standard Armenian "salat" more closely resembles what Americans think of as a “slaw,” consisting of shredded vegetables with some small pieces of meats or fruits in mayonnaise. But fresh cucumbers and tomatoes are a part of every table, along with a knife for diners to slice them.

As summer starts to turn to fall, grapes are harvested, another opportunity for farmers to make money by selling to wine factories. The manufactured wine in Armenia suffered terribly during Soviet times and remains of marginal quality. But the homemade wines poured into plastic Coca-Cola and Fanta bottles and kept for private consumption, shared with the neighbors or sold on the sides of the road make an excellent social lubricant. At this time, walnuts begin to fall off trees in green fleshy pods and are roasted to keep for the winter. I was also given a bag of pears so delicious it made me want to cry.

Now, as fall turns to winter, the Pomegranates are the last of the fresh, fleshy fruits to be harvested. They will remain in markets at least until December, when they will be the size of a baby’s head and grace the tables for “Nor Tari,” (New Years). Between New Years eve and Armenian Apostolic Christmas on January 6, Armenians set out tremendous platters of food, including great plates of dried fruit and sujuk, a string of walnuts dipped in jam and hung to dry. Neighbors take the time to socialize, going from house to house and eating a bit at each one. The country then settles in for the winter, mostly staying home and keeping warm during January, February and March. Families rely on pickled vegetables, jams, dried fruit and most of all the hardy potato to get through these months as they look forward to the Apricot blossoms in spring.

Sam is an American Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia. He lives and works in Aragotsotn Marz, where he teaches English in village schools. The views and opinions expressed are his personally and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Peace Corps.
A version of this post originally appeared on the Author's blog: www.heyamerikatsi.com

Rediscovering a Lost Community in Vayots Dzor

2012-01-31T03:30:00.000-08:00

Late August sunset over a family plot at the medieval Jewish cemetery in Yeghegis

Driving south from Yerevan, after you pass Areni (of wine and cave fame) and Noravank, you reach the turn-off to the Selim Pass which leads to Martuni. Not far up the road is the village of Shatin. Take the turn into the village and follow the road which will bring you to Yeghegis.

Today, Yeghegis is a village of about 500 people. The houses look like they have sprung out of the landscape and may have been there forever. Until 1994, it was an Azeri enclave known as Alayaz. Sometimes, if you stop and ask a local, they will direct you to the village of Artabuynk, which also used to be called Yeghegis. It’s a little confusing, but you are looking for the present day village of Yeghegis – the medieval capital of the Kingdom of Syunik. Looking at it, it’s hard to imagine that it was once a capital city of 10,000 inhabitants. What is even more amazing, though, is the makeup of that population.

In 1996, quite by accident, the local bishop spotted some very old looking tombstones in the Yeghegis River. He searched the area and found more, some with inscriptions in an alphabet he did not recognize. Imagine his shock to discover that the alphabet was Hebrew! Fast forward a few years and seasons of excavations and an entire Jewish cemetery has been unearthed.

Geometric shapes on a tombstone at the Orbelian kings'
graveyard at the entrance to Yeghegis village.

Armenia today is 98% Armenian. 99% of the population is also Christian- the vast majority of them belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church. But here, in Yeghegis, 800 years ago, there was a thriving multiethnic society which included a previously unknown, and by all accounts prosperous, Jewish community.

The tombstones at the cemetery are quite large and come from the same quarry where the ruling Orbelian kings purchased their tombstones. They would have been very expensive to make and transport. They also bear markings similar to those on the kings' tombstones and undoubtedly came from the same workshop.

Geometric shapes on a tombstone found at the Jewish
cemetery. The stones came from the same quarry and
were engraved at the same workshop.

In addition to the cemetery, researchers discovered an inscription on nearby Spitakavor church which indicated that the land on which the church was built had been ultimately purchased from a Jewish person. This one fact, in and of itself, sets the Jewish community of Yeghegis apart from their European cousins who were prohibited from owning land.

What became of the Jewish community? We can only guess. After the fall of the Mongol Empire, the Orbelian kings lost their privileged standing. The population of the capital, which they had moved off the main trading routes of the Silk Road, dwindled. The Jewish inhabitants probably just moved on as the other inhabitants did. It is hoped that, with further excavations in the area, more will be discovered about this fascinating place. Until then, we can only let our imagination wander.

Engravings on a young boy’s tombstone in Yeghegis. This stone has Hebrew engravings on 3 sides. It also features eternity wheels which were engraved by a skilled Armenian craftsman before the Hebrew inscriptions were added. It was found after excavation of a nearby watermill where it was in secondary use as flooring for the mill.

Rebecca is an American Peace Corps Volunteer who lives and works in Vayots Dzor Marz. The views and opinions expressed are hers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Peace Corps.

Read more posts from Rebecca:
Ghosts of the Pasts in Vayots Dzor

Starting a Farmstay B&B in Armenia... Part 1

2012-01-25T00:40:00.000-08:00

The Farmhouse

As a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), my primary assignment is teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) in a village school, but living in Armenia for two years gives me plenty of time to pursue secondary projects. Last summer, I worked at a bunch of youth camps (they’ll be a post on that later), but this year, I’m going to help my former host family set up and run a Farmstay Bed and Breakfast. They live in a farming village with about 250 families in Kotayk Marz, about 30 km from Yerevan, where they own and operate an organic dairy farm with cows and sheep, earning about $120 a month from selling yogurt products in nearby Charentsavan. They have a beautiful house set in rolling fields, with a garden providing fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the summer and homemade jams and juices during the rest of the year.

The Garden (in summertime!)

They’re ideally set up to be a Bed and Breakfast because they’re close to Yerevan (about a 45 minute drive), but at a much higher altitude, far above the heat and pollution of Yerevan in the summertime. Guests will get to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of village life, as well as connecting with the land and learning how and farm works and where their food comes from. The family will get a boost in income and maybe some extra hands on the farm, which they especially need because their eldest son is doing his army service right now. On this blog, I’ll be keeping track of our progress in starting the B&B…

The first steps are to register as a company and develop a product line. For that, I called on my friend and fellow PCV Terri, who works with the Kotayk Small and Medium Enterprise Development National Center (SMEDNC) On a snowy January day, she came out to visit the farm, tour the bedrooms and eat a delicious meal cooked by Anaheit, the wife and mother of the family.

“My brother has a car,” said Naver, the father and husband of the family “He could take guests to Sevan and Garni.”

Terri sitting down to a meal of dolma with homemade juice.

Well, we explained, there are lots of established tourist services that already do trips to Garni and Sevan. Instead, let’s concentrate on what’s special about the village. The things that are everyday chores on the farm are interesting to people from the city. Milking the cows, gardening, making yogurt, cheese, khorovats and lavash are all fascinating to people who have always bought their food from a grocery store. The village also has excellent hiking, roads for bicycling and a sports field. Neighbors own horses and can arrange horseback-riding.

As Terri and I left, we agreed that Terri and the SMEDNC would help the family set up their business and develop products, while I would start to put together a brochure and do marketing. So how about it readers:

What would you like to do and see at an Armenian village farmstay B&B? Are you interested in a farmstay in Armenia? How would you find out about it, and what would you look for?

Sam is an American Peace Corps Volunteer who lives and works in Aragotsotn Marz. This piece originally appeared on his blog: www.heyamerikatsi.com The views and opinions expressed are his personally and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Peace Corps.

Read more posts from Samuel:
The Soviet Arcade Games of Giumri

Ghosts Of The Past In Vayots Dzor

2012-01-23T01:17:00.000-08:00

About two hours south of Yerevan, in Vayots Dzor Marz, is the town of Yeghegnadzor where I serve as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English at a local university. The climate is best in spring and fall. In the past year and a half of my service, I have seen the odd tourist come through here, but they always seem to be on their way somewhere else. Most visitors to Vayots Dzor come to see Noravank, a magnificent complex of churches and outbuildings where monks lived and studied in the middle ages, and then they move on. While Noravank is certainly worth the trip, visitors often miss out on the many other churches, universities and monuments that were built during the Orbelian reign over the Kingdom of Syunik.

The Orbelians came to power during the Mongol period. While most of the known world was being ravaged by Mongol invaders, the Kingdom of Syunik thrived. In 1236, Prince Elikum Orbelian of Syunik established diplomatic relations with the Mongol invaders, affording the region a privileged status. His brother and successor, Smbat, visited the Mongol court in 1251. This visit resulted in Smbat being given a high rank by Mangu Khan and cemented the importance of the Orbelian family and the areas over which they reigned, including Yeghegis and Vayots Dzor. After 1273, the Orbelians transferred their capital to the Yeghegis Valley. Under these conditions, the Kingdom of Syunik flourished and became a cultural center and a hub for migration.

Today, in the sleepy Yeghegis Valley, you can see the many monuments to Orbelian kings which still stand. There are countless churches, the impressive Smbataberd fortress, and the kings’ tombs on the near side of the village. And on the far side, a most unexpected discovery excavated only 10 years ago: a Jewish cemetery. More on that in my next post.

Above the entrance to one of the churches at Noravank is this engraving. It is attributed to the architect Momik who was said to be of such a singular talent that he alone was permitted to depict the face of God. But look closely at the eyes and you will see a decidedly Asian aspect. The Orbelians believed, and rightfully so, that if the Mongolian invaders saw a God that looked like them, they would not destroy the church.

One of several medieval cemeteries in Yeghegis village

View of Smbataberd fortress from the entrance to Yeghegis village

Rebecca is an American Peace Corps Volunteer who lives and works in Vayots Dzor Marz. The views and opinions expressed are hers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Peace Corps. Parts of this post have been previously published.

Read more posts from Rebecca:
Rediscovering a Lost Community in Vayots Dzor

Still Thinking of Winter Vacation? Discover some Winter Resorts in Armenia!

2012-01-20T07:25:00.000-08:00

Where to spend vacation this winter? Is this still a question?
Throughout this hunt, someone might like to discover a new winter vacation destination in Armenia. Armenia has world-class winter resorts along with great sites and mountains. Tsaghkadzor and Jermuk are just the two of the numerous fascinating places that winter vacation lovers must consider.
50 km north from the capital - Yerevan, 1750 m above sea level, surrounded with alpine meadows, Tsaghkadzor is known for being a wonderful winter sports center, especially with excellent conditions for cross-country skiing and snowboarding, with lovely forests and ancient monasteries (11-13th centuries).

Jermuk is another fantastic resort-spa town, where much of the country's mineral water comes from. Its 173 km south-west of Yerevan, 1980-2080m above the sea level, surrounded with mountains 2500-3000 meter high and is covered with fresh Alpine vegetation and forests. An ancient fortress, the stones, peculiar to ancient buildings and architectural monuments of this area, remain on the Jermuk territory till these days. The fortress of Jermuk was built during the rule of the Artaxiad Dynasty in 189 B.C., but the settlement was established much earlier.

Both of the resorts have got ropeways meeting international standards, which enable the mountain-skiers to enjoy the professional ski-runs. The ropeway in Tsaghkadzor has five levels and is 6105 m long and the one in Jermuk has one level and is 1000 m long. Tsaghkadzor ropeway is considered to be the best in the Caucasus and it opens a beautiful view of Lake Sevan.

A lot can be shared on these fascinating sites, however, as the saying says, “BETTER SEE IT ONCE THAN HEAR THOUSAND TIMES”!

The Soviet Arcade Games of Gyumri

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

In the Central Park of the town of Gyumri, once called Alexandropol after the Czar, and still referred to as "Leninakan" by most locals, across the gorge from the Russian military garrison, and down the hill from the town’s Ferris wheel, is a small, square building with "Attractions - Games" written on the outside. Inside the building are a dozen Soviet-era arcade games and attractions. Give the middle-aged lady who works there 100 drams-worth about 30 cents, and she'll give you a Soviet 15 Kopek coin, enabling you to travel back to 1987 and experience the best in Soviet entertainment technology.

"Snayper-2," a target-practice game

Today, a father and his young son are the only other people in the arcade besides myself and the attendant. The father helps the son shoot targets in "Snayper-2," a target shooting game, then the boy challenges me to race him. This is the only true video game in the room. I control one little car at the bottom of the screen, and the son controls another other. To move the car, I twist the wheel. I have to fully spin the wheel to move the car across the screen. I avoid hitting other cars on the road, and when I crash into them the little 16x16 pixel drawing representing my car goes red and gets a broken wheel. As we're getting to the end of the race, the screen goes blank. The machine hasn't malfunctioned-electricity has gone off in the town.

This game never quite caught on like its famous cousin, Tetris.

"Morskoy Boy-Water War," a submarine simulator

15 kopek coins

Sam is an American Peace Corps Volunteer who lives and works in Aragotsotn Marz. This piece originally appeared on his blog: www.heyamerikatsi.com The views and opinions expressed are his personally and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Peace Corps.

Armenia's New Year Eve and Food

2011-12-02T05:02:00.000-08:00

New Year Eve is still a big celebration time in Armenia, a nice close family gathering, keeping together, sharing last minutes of the past year. It's a lofty moment, as there is an Armenian saying and belief: "The mood you start the New Year will last through the whole year round". People even try to close their dept, apologize and stay away from arguments.
Closer to 12:00am all the family is already around the table full of national Armenian food: tolma, ham, qufta, lavash, multiple salads, fruits, nuts and more. Food is plenty. It is not for the number of people around the table. The food is for as many guests, as possible to the size of table and the room.

Banakum on Shant TV

2011-07-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Very very popular Banakum comedy on Shant TV on YouTube. People love to watch these young soldiers struggle through 2 years of army service :) Taste of dialects from allover Armenia, characters, humors and jokes make the movie so pleasant for children and adults.

Especially teenagers just love this funny serial. They repeat what was told on the serials and sing the Banamuk song "Zinvorner enq menq!!!".

All the series of the movie are available on YouTube, these funny stories about Armenian soldiers.

Tatev Tramway was Breathtaking

2011-05-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Susan and Liz wanted to see the new developments in the Southern Corridor of Armenia, where Tatev Revival project is taking place. We drove all the way from Ijevan to Goris, to overnight for the purpose. What happened in Ijevan, is a different story, I will share it in another post. We took Salim Mountains pass, where the caravansary is. 14th century "hotel and restaurant" setting! I will write about it too.

Next day we started at about 10am. When we were boarding, Susan wanted to get in to cabin as soon as possible, to take the front view. However, we were late and took the back seats. Not happy? Yes :) However, it was amazing! You know, we took the world longest tramway; 5.7-kilometer (3.54-mile).

Anapat from the tramway

Halidzor was down there and all the other rural areas, villages. Anapat (desert) where the Armenian scholars used to read, pray and write in isolation. They say now the villagers of this areas can take the tramway for free. For the rest of us it costs 3000AMD ($8). Group leaders have free pass, too.

The cabin was full, we even had a wonderful baby boy, who was sleepy and crying :)

Halidzor

You see desert and Halidzor village? Like from the helicopter, correct?

Was very windy and the cabin was swinging on the down slopes. Tjey say, it is safe and strong construction. Mondays they stop for maintenance.

It took us 11 minutes to get to Tatev Monastery. Do you see it? 9th century Monastery a UNESCO World Heritage candidate.

Tatev Monastery from the tramway

Garni Will Welcome Guests at the New Visitor Center

2011-03-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

On Friday 25th of March they opened their doors in Garni. This was a joint project between the Ministry of Economy and UNESCO office. The Garni Visitors' Center is in the House of Culture, on a small square, about 200 meters away from the temple. After the presentation we toured in the area.

First we visited the temple, which also now has a crafts store and booths with goodies and sweets made by the locals. The gates were crowded with Iranian, was windy and cold. The gorge was magnificent, as always. Now entrance ticket is required for getting in.

Next stop was at Geghard, where the priest was uncomfortable with the crowd of Iranian, who had to be shown how to behave in the Monastery. The local people here were ready too, with the music, goodies and crafts, even the crafts seller speaking Persian language :)

Our guide was Alina, "garnetsi", mean from Garni, and she was brilliant. Vaghinak, the head of the Visitors' Center prepared another show for us: lavash-baking, and which was more important for hungry people, - eating barbecue and fish. The dinner was decorated by the "Shvi player" and Priest singing Komitas.

Success and green way to the Garni Visitors' Center. This was a nice and also promising start.

Vatel School of Tourism Management in Yerevan !

2011-03-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Vatel students obtain national university degree, which is recognized worldwide. This is significant and noteworthy accomplishment for Armenia. Institute Vatel is the best institute in France and the second in Europe. The School of Hotel and Tourism Business Management awarded World Prize of Hospitality in the category “The best learning program”. Now you can study in Yerevan and graduate from an international school.

Armenian Institute of Tourism had signed agreement of cooperation with Vatel, International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management. Vatel is a leading business school, created over 25 years ago, recognized in the tourism industry and with seven campuses across Europe. Vatel employment rate is very high, it is more than 90%.

"We are ready to accept 15 students which will be taught by new educational program agreed by the French institute”, said Minasyan in the article.

Citizens of Armenia will pay 2 thousand EURO, citizens of CIS countries – 4 thousand and citizens of other countries - minimum 4 thousand EURO. The payment is less than in France where it makes 10-12 thousand EURO annually.

Call for more information 374 10 520-530

Stefani's Armenia: Yerevan!

2011-02-21T05:03:00.000-08:00

KSEE's Stefani Booroojian was in Armenia first time. Sweet, warm, excited... Her voice sounded deep, wheezy. She and her companions photographer George Garnica and producer Paul Chaderjian had finished their journey in Armenia.

She was in Ararat Restaurant, when I first met her: she was tired, but satisfied. I enjoyed learning from her of what she thought Armenia looks like. She shared her impressions about her trip in series of TV shows.
Here's her first story...

Crafts People in Vernissage

2011-02-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

The outdoor market is located right next to the Republic Square, active only on the weekends, colorful, crowded, live. Vernissage attracts almost every visitor of Yerevan.
This is where you see the talented people, displaying their amazing handiwork right on the ground or on wooden stands. The buzz of the negotiators exclamations and discussions in different languages occupies the atmosphere. There people not only make their living, they create and maintain the taste of the craftsmanship, making the whole experience historical and personal, real and ancient at the same time.

They also learned English and you can hear them telling the price of an item and bargaining and arguing the value of their merchandise.
There are dolls with Armenian national costumes, silver and gold jewelry, nativities made from wood and obsidian (a glass-stone), chess, vessels, large and small statues, embroideries, toys, carpets...

Visiting Vernissage is a must, if one is interested in people, interaction, fun, buying great gits and taking warm memories of Yerevan capital life.

How Scribes Kept Armenian Literary Heritage

2010-12-07T03:18:00.000-08:00

The repository of manuscripts (called Matenadaran) records the writings of the fifth century A.D. It holds the spirit and devotion of thousands of Armenians, scrupulously and admiringly creating hand-written, hand-crafted books for generations. It displays spiritual wealth and richness of soul of our fathers, who dedicated all their life to possessing what is dear to them - books: Holly Bibles, Scientific textbooks, Philosophy, Historiography, etc.

Matenadaran is not only a museum, but a major research center.

The Matenadaran was designed by architect Mark Grigoryan. Located slightly north of the city's center at the foot of a small hill and looks over Yerevan main avenue by Mesrop Mashtots by the name of who the Matenadaran was named.

Secrets of Armenia's Stone Henge

2010-11-10T22:49:00.000-08:00

The name of Karahunj sounds similar to Stonehenge and is translated as "singing or sounding stones". The Armenian observatory is similar and can be compared with the ancient stone construction in the north of Scotland, Karenish (kare nish in Armenian means stone sign), as well as with the stone construction in the north of France, Karnak (1876 BC) - written and pronounced similar to Karnish - and Newgrenge in Ireland (2500-2400 BC).

The Armenian scientists of ancient times could accurately measure latitude, knew that the earth is ball-shaped, and had an accurate calendar and many more...

According to newly started excavations, the Armenian Stonehenge (Karahunj) has a history of 7500 years. It's discovery has sparked a scientific debate in astronomical and astrological circles.

Doctor and Tour Operator in South Armenia

2010-11-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

He loves the mountains and caves, hiking and exploring, but most of all hunting. Diving deep into the nature, he forgets himself. As if he had touched every stone and leave in the surroundings, drank from every well, and smelled every flower ...

He has dived in these springs ...

He has climbed these mountains ...

Rested and slept everywhere in this wild nature ...

He is part of Sisian, he cannot leave himself, he cannot live without his motherland. Why is it so?

He told us, he doesn't know, maybe it is because of his father and mother? Maybe his friends? He doesn't see himself apart from his little town.

He built a B&B, because he wants to show everyone the wonders of wild, peaceful and friendly mountains of southern Armenia.

His name is Suren and he is Gynecologist :)

Here's his website: Travel to Sisian. He plays with it and will soon upload a lot of photos and information. Visit the site comment his posts, however, he will only be enjoying in his next hunting-hiking-trekking excitement.

World's Longest Tramway To Open & Wine Festival in Areni

2010-10-12T03:13:00.000-07:00

This weekend is hot down to the south of Armenia. World longest tramway opening on Saturday is the greatest one. CNN featured the story and now it is coming true!

And Areni Wine festival traditional already, started in 1990s. On Sunday it will round up and will fill ones weekend with greatest impressions of interaction with villagers and lovely great wine. The festival is a major event for traditional food making and tasting. There will be traditional dancing, singing, food-making and tasting, wine-making and tasting, traditional games, contests and so on. Villagers will sell home-made products- cream, honey, nuts and walnuts, vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, baked goods, lavash, home-made jams and jellies, sweet sujukh, herbal teas and all the other products that a typical Armenian household usually prepares for its members.

There is a Facebook Event Invitation now, valid until Saturday. What's going to be there :)

In 2009 Areni Village Hosted Wine Festival

Help Armenia Brand and Promote Itself!

2010-10-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

CAPS Project published an article on Foreign Tour Operators' Survey conducted recently. It was the first ever attempt to ask what others think of the Armenian and start discovering image, perceptions and opinions on Armenia and Armenian people.

Very exciting comments and feedback were shared, some can't be read without tears. We want to make a difference in people's lives, which is what all about tourism and the opportunities of people's interactions it brings.

The opinions and perceptions of foreign tour operators

Foreign Tour Operators' Survey Results can be downloaded from the site.

Please post your comments and share more of your thoughts as well here at this post. Make our day.

Conferencing in Gyumri: Work and Fun!

2010-09-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

Armenia's second largest city of Armenia is Gyumri, (soviet name Leninakan), and also historically called Kumayri. Well known by its humorous people, easy-going, talkative and friendly. Best about all, is the "can do" nature, which makes it possible now to share with you possibility to develop conferencing tourism there. It has been challenge first to find facilities for 120 professionals both to have serious dialogue and discussions and to move smoothly into the atmosphere of party and fun, and socializing.

All the equipment and furniture for the workshop were arranged in a great setting or a complex called Oasis. It is located with a large and clean park in Gyumri center, roofing part of the park without cutting any tree or plan there.

Registration of the workshop participants was done before the entrance, and showcasing companies' posters and brochures nicely lined right after the entrance in the hall surrounded with plants and trees.

Conferencing area was comfortably arranged in one of the rooms, and chairs, tables, microphone, screen and all the equipment were provided.

Social interactions with colleagues and participants of the conference in a green setting right outside of the conference room.

Fun after the hard work :)

Armenian Baptism

2010-09-23T03:28:00.000-07:00

Let's view very sweet video and some photos on the theme without explanations.

Armenia is in Party These Days

2010-09-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Armenia's Independence Day is especially colorful in Yerevan. Celebrations start 21 September around 6:00pm usually in the Republic Square.

Armenian music is unique in that it incorporates peasant, secular and ceremonial rhythms in all its styles, and can easily be identified as a "mountain music" in the way it imitates the elements and natural surroundings. At the same time, the music of Armenia has been constantly evolving throughout its history, incorporating new dimensions while retaining the core of its own specific sound.

You can partake and experience the fullness of culture the Republic Square Yerevan alone, not to mention other squares, such as, Cascade, Komitas Conservatory, and many others.