Island Of The Caucasus
Written: May 27 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Striking geographic beauty, warmth of people, cuisine, art, culture, history, churches
Cons: Customer service not perfect, but improving, airport hustlers, country roads in poor condition
The Bottom Line: Armenia is a beautiful country offering geographical, historical and artistic attractions. Yerevan is vibrant place with 'European flavor' full of many restaurants and cafes. I recommend it to all!
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| Booms729's Full Review: Armenia |
Armenia is striking. Whether geographically, historically, culturally or otherwise, visiting this country is a treat for the adventurous and seasoned travelers. Located in the south Caucasus, this small country offers mountains, lakes, valleys and gorges to explore. For all the adversity Armenia has faced in the 20th century, walking on the streets of Yerevan is incredibly safe, at least comparatively with New York City or London. There are some exceptions however, as the country is still a male-dominated culture and it is not common to see people wearing revealing clothing.
Arriving at the Zvartnots Airport, please be wary of baggage handlers and taxi drivers that may try to hustle you, possibly asking for higher prices for services. When I left Yerevan in December 2004, I paid about $10 or 5,000 drams for a ride from my rented apartment in the center of the city to the airport which is less than 25 minutes away in the Armavir Province. Your first sight in Armenia will be a row of tacky casinos and nightclubs on the main road from the airport, too many of which are not allowed to be in the capital's administrative district. Armenian and Russian are the two most commonly spoken and understood languages, but services catering to tourists will more often than not have enough knowledge of English to help you.
Located in a valley, downtown Yerevan is full of cafes, restaurants and shops that have been multiplying during recent years. There are a number of projects, like Northern Avenue and the Cafesjian Museum, which will further enhance the the city's cultural richness. On a clear day, Yerevan skyline is beautiful, overlooked by Mount Ararat (a historic Armenian territory) across the Turkish border and Mount Aragats, the highest point in Armenia. It is easy to familiarize yourself with the major connecting streets - Mashdots, Amiryan, Tumanian, Nalbandian, Abovyan and Baghramyan - as well as the subway which costs 50 drams (12 cents) and mini buses that cost 100 drams (25 cents). You can obtain information on pretty much everything at the Armenia Visitor Information Center on Nalbandyan Streets just off Republic Square.
For a great meal, there are dozens of options to choose from. My personal favorites are Chez Garo on the corner of Pushkin and Mashdots Avenues and Artash-I Mot near the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. Chez Garo offers a host of Western Armenian and Middle Eastern dishes, such as manti (raviolis topped with yogurt and spices), su beurek (layers of pasta baked with eggs, cheese and spinach) and tas kebab (beef tenderloins served in a delicious sauce. Ask Garo about what daily specialities he has made and be sure to try them. Artash-I Mot offers some of the best khorovadz (barbequed meats) in all of Yerevan. Aside from these two, there are a number of delicious establishments such as the Western-style dinner Square One, Tumanian Shawerma, and a number of tasty Lahmajo / Lahmejuin stands throughout the city.
From the Opera House, the National Art Gallery to the Pushkin Museum, Yerevan is chock full of culture for those who enjoy the arts. Those interested in a younger crowd should check out some of the popular night clubs, such as Monte Christo and Astral, or many of the outdoor cafes surrounding the Opera area. My preferred local beer is Erebuni, although the best drinks are fresh pressed peach and strawberry juices. The best places to take a stroll and be seen are Republic Square and Mashdots Avenue. Try the peach fresh at Artbrigde Cafe on Abovyan Street.
Outside Yerevan, there is a wealth of geographically beautiful sights and striking monasteries to see. Just outside of the city, the most convenient attractions are the ancient Pagan temple Garni and the church in the hills Geghard. During the winter, visit the popular resort Tsaghkadzor (about forty-five minutes) north of the city) for some skiing and winter sports. Lake Sevan, the second most elevated lake in the world, is located about forty minute northeast of Yerevan and is a definite must visit. There are many decently priced hotels and resorts on the lake, including the recently built Tufenkian Hotel. A lot of visitors also drive south two hours to visit Tatev, a magnificent monastery located high up on hill overlooking a gorge.
My personal favorite sights outside of Yerevan are Marmashen, Alaverdi, Noravank, and Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh. Marmashen is located just 20 minutes north of Gyumri (Armenia's second largest city). It is unique because it is one of Armenia's only monasteries not located on an elevation, but in a valley with picturesque waterfalls and streams surrounding it. It is a striking place ideal for a picnic or a leisurely stroll. Alaverdi is a city located slightly north of Vanadzor (Armenia's third largest city) and is home to two very beautiful monasteries named Sanahin and Haghpat. Visit Sanahin in the fall to see the colors of the foliage which surrounds the church's grounds. Though it is a six hour drive and requires a separate visa, visiting Stepanakert and Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh is well worth it. The Jududuz clearing in Shushi is a remarkably beautiful area comprised of cliffs on the side of a gorge. Karabakh is more interesting also because of its current political situation - claimed both by Armenia and Azerbaijan.
I recommend visiting Armenia to travelers with a little bit of experience and a sense of adventure. Despite the poverty and difficulty faced by much of the population, it is a very beautiful place with a lot of warmth and hospitality, art, history and culture. The city offers all of the conveniences of most Western city, however the country is a different picture entire. Many destinations outside Yerevan are easy to arrange to see in a single day, however distant sites in the south like Tatev, Meghri and Karabakh will most likely require an overnight stay. Which ever sights you choose to see, Armenia is truly an open-air museum.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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Epinions.com ID:
Booms729
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Location: Lexington, MA
Reviews written: 182
Trusted by: 13 members
About Me:
Recent college grad from Boston area. Love for travel, food, entertainment and politics!
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