Looking for a short sweet escape on a budget? Here’s Armenia, get lost and learn new things.

Armenia is a nation, and former Soviet republic, in the mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe. Among the earliest Christian civilizations, it’s defined by religious sites including the Greco-Roman Temple of Garni and 4th-century Etchmiadzin Cathedral, headquarters of the Armenian Church. Khor Virap Monastery is a pilgrimage site near Mount Ararat, a dormant volcano just across the border in Turkey. Thanks Wikipedia

Weather Forecast
June – August is Summer
September to October is Autumn (Best time to visit and explore)
November to February is Winter
March to May is Spring

Things to know in Armenia

1. Armenia is a Christian country
2. Visa is issued upon arrival $7 or 3000 Armenian Dram for 21 days stay For Visa Details click Here
3. Bring  Dollars as per the Converse Bank in the airport does not accept Dirhams with a Really Bad Customer Service Agent. Boooooo
4. SAS supermarket has a money changer that exchanges AED to Dram with a rate of 128 Dram / 1 AED.
5. Bring Wet wipes (Trust me it will come handy)
6. Bring Adoptors and power banks
7. Taxi fare is really cheap
8. Food is really affordable
9. Riding the metro will cost 100 Dram per ride
10. The Metro has free WiFi Service
11. You can purchase Cigarettes, Cola and Ice Cream from every block here.

Places to visit

Tour packages are really affordable here,  some offer free WiFi inside the van which is really neat, especially if you want to share your pictures in real time.

Travel Tips: Bottled water, power bank, and sunscreen.  These are your must have whenever you travel especially in summer months. I got sun burnt during my trip here and to my mistake, I didn’t have a sunblock to protect me.

Khor Virap Monastery

The oldest monastery in the region, significant fact about this place is that Gregory The Illuminator was imprisoned here for more than 13 years.

Travel Tip: Don’t hold the doves that they offer you at the entrance or else they will charge you 500 Dram each.

Hin Areni Winery
You can taste 16 different types of wine here.  After the wine tasting, you can go up to the 2nd floor to enjoy a short clip on how they make wine while you enjoy the freshly brewed Armenian Coffee. You can purchase wine for 500-700 Armenian Dram and for Filipinos, we can carry 4 bottles of wine to the airport. Make sure to bring the receipt.

Noravank Monastery

Travel Tip: Sometimes, touring can be very exhausting as much as you’re enjoying it. However, try not to fall asleep the road to this place is breathtaking. You’ll see how the cliff changes from green to red to orange. Actually, I wanna play the entire Sound of Music album while on this road.

Lake Sevan

Parz Lich
If you enjoy nature, you’ll love this place. Parz Lich offers a clean lake wherein you can rent a paddle boat, or go to a floating restaurant that offers wine, crackers, and cheese. They have a picnic area, BBQ stations and for adventure lovers, they have zip lines and obstacle course for 2000 Dram.

Haghartsin Monastery in Dilijan Province
(FYI Dr. Shiek Al Qasimi ordered the restoration of this monastery)

Temple of Garni
Garni reminds you of The Temple of Athena in Athens. Entrance is 1000 Dram.

Geghard Monastery

Travel Tip: An empty bottled water can be use to collect holy water inside the monastery

Republic Square

City tour offers a half-day tour of the city of Yerevan. Places to see while you’re here: Republic Square, Opera House, Cascade, National Museum and the Galleries.

Travel Tip: Drinking fountain is spread out across the city,  If you fancy drinking cold water I’m  pretty sure you will find one.

The Cascade

If you want to see the entire city of Yerevan go to this place, it is across the Opera House.  The surrounding residentials buildings and cobbled stoned pathway reminded me of my last visit in Rome.  Reaching to the top doesn’t need to climb the entire 572 steps. Use the escalator to reach the top, while enjoying some of the art installation inside the facility.

Travel Tip: The escalator is only open from 8 am – 8 pm

Travel Tips: visit this place from 7 pm – 9 pm to see the Armenian Sunset while overlooking the entire city of Yerevan. You might consider bringing a tripod here for recording a time lapse of the sunset.

Places to Eat

Thanks to my friend Abeer for introducing me Shaurma Club and Tavern.

Try their pork shawarma its the best.

 Another great place is to eat is at Tavern, located beside Marriott Hotel at  Republic Square. Great food and great service.

Travel Tip: Don’t wear shorts before visiting this place, as they have a dress code and this place is considered a fine dining.

So there you have it, a glimpse of Armenia. I hope some of my tips will help you to get around.

By the way, don’t forget to mingle with fellow traveler or tourist. You might end up earning a new friend and perhaps travel buddies too.

I booked my tour locally through a friend.

Contact:
Global Adventure Tours Armenia
Kim +374 55 451 521

Bonus Vid