Armenia Off The Beaten Path

 
by RaffiKojian
 
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by RaffiKojian
  • Tatev Monastery
      Tatev Monastery
    by RaffiKojian
  • Row of khachkars
      Row of khachkars
    by RaffiKojian
  • Chapel and the backs of khachkars
      Chapel and the backs of khachkars
    by RaffiKojian
  • Sanahin Monastery
      Sanahin Monastery
    by RaffiKojian
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Sevan Lake: worlds highest one

by drtad

It is an emerald of Armenia in 1900 meters above the sea level. A peninsula on which the Sevan monastery was built in 9th century separates big and Little Sevans . The monastery harmonizes perfectly with the fabric of the amazing surroundings. The monastery has been reborn, and a theological seminary has been opened. The road to the church winds past ancient engraved tombstones, called khachkars, resembling an open air museum.On a clear and sunny day, the water is a deep turquoise color. Maxim Gorky once said about the waters that the were like a piece of the sky that had descended to the earth among the mountains. The shores are white sand and most beaches are uncrowded. The monastery peninsula is the most popular spot, and is the closest place to visit as well. The water is about 18-22 Celsius in the summer, a very refreshing swim after a hot week in Yerevan. It is a freshwater lake,...

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Sanahin in Allaverdi Mountains

by drtad

At the S end of town, a modern double bridge crosses the Debed river and winds up to the E district of Sanahin, with the drafty, delapidated but survivable Debed Hotel on the main square. Beyond the hotel, the road goes straight and then right to the important and richly decorated monastic complex of Sanahin. There is also a cable-car which will take you up from Alaverdi to the village of Sanahin. When you get to the top, walk straight up from the cable car to the town square, turn left till the road enda, turn right heading uphill, and you will soon be close, and may be able to see it. This is about a 15-20 minute walk. Near the bottom of the cable-car is the 12th century pedestrian bridge, with nicely carved cats in it. You can walk up to the top of the canyon to the monastery of Sanahin from this bridge. Also near the bottom of the cable car is the brand new town church, which was...

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Yerablur Cemetery in Yerevan

by RedEaredPanda

The cemetery of Yerablur in Yerevan houses the dead from Nagorno Karabagh war together with Andranik Ozanian, fighter against Turkey in the late 19th centuries and Vazgen Sarkissian, the prime minister who was assassinated in parliament in 1999. There are fedayees (soldiers) who have participated in the war in early 1990's on the premisses who can give you a tour and point out some of the most famous heros of the Armenian military personel. I recommend you taking the tour but need a translator as they do not speak english or any other language other than Russian and Armenian. To visit this cemetery particularly on one of the traditional Armenian days for visiting graves such as Easter Monday is even more poignant than with most war cemeteries because the war in which they were killed is so recent (1989-1994) and many of the figures tending the graves are the mothers or other close...

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The Remnant of Former Russia in Armenia

by RedEaredPanda

This picture was taken in the streets of Yerevan, by an enterance of metro station underground. You can see the symbol of former communist Russia, the Hammer and Sickle with the letters "CCCP" written on the hammer. Armenia became independent in September of 1991 and no longer ruled by the former Communist Russia.I had to take a picture of this when I saw it. I don't quite remember where it was located.

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Rya Taza Village and the Yezidis

by RedEaredPanda

The road heading north from "Aparan" passed through many villages. Several of those villages are inhabited by Yezidi people. Mostly working as shepherds, they are fire-worshipping Zoroastrians and recognizable (to the Armenians) as having darker skin. The women tend to wear more colorful clothes and a scarf over their heads.As we stopped by the village, I got out of the car to take a few pictures.. I looked back and saw Christine out of the car handing out little toys or presents to the children of the village.. The kids were very excited and they were playing around and letting me take pictures of them and their village. It was one of our highlights of our trip to Armenia to meet the Yezidi children.. To get there, just look for Rya Taza Village on the map and drive there pass the Aparan Village.For more photos of Yezidi Children from Rya Taza Village, Please refer to my travelogue Rya...

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Three Arch Bridge in Ashtarak

by RedEaredPanda

This bridge was built in 1664 and is called the three-arch bridge and is situated on the river called the "Kasagh". It is a bridge heavily used in the past for transport from Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia to the city of Gyumri but now it is less commonly travelled due to a newly constructed bridge elsewhere. The old bridge has a rather unusual appearance in that the three arches are unequal in size with the southernmost arch almost twice the height of the northernmost.This region of Ashtarak is not very commonly visited by tourists.. Many tourists pass by this bridge and area on their way to the three churches (one of which is the small red tuff church of St. Sargis) a little to the north of where the bridge is.

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Shepherds by the Road in Countryside

by RedEaredPanda

When traveling Armenia's off the beaten paths and visiting monastaries and villages away from Yerevan, the capital city.. You will see many shepherds with their cows or ship grazing the lands by the roads.. They're very genuine people and we had the opportunity and the fortune to speak to a couple of them when we were taking a break from driving and walking and just sitting with nature absorbing the beauty of the mountains and the blue color of the sky contrasting the clear white clouds...... They were great moments!!

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Komitas Square & Statue in Ejmiatsin

by RedEaredPanda

The central square of the town Ejmiatsin is called the Komitas Square and a statue of Komitas, the composer, made by Ervand Kochar (Same person responsible for the eagle at Zvartnots) was erected in 1969.Komitas (1869-1935) is perhaps the best known composer of more recent times in Armenian history. He has written many wonderful chants as well as other compositions in traditional Armenian style. Listening to Komitas beautiful chants in any of Armenia's churches on a sunday morning is an experience which every visitor to Armenia should seek out.

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Rya Taza Village Unique Cemetery

by RedEaredPanda

Yezidi people are fire-worshipping Zoroastrians. Modern Yezidi cemeteries are distinctive with graves that look almost like small houses. An older cemetery is by the road in the village of Rya Taza where there are tombstones in the form of horses for the men though much simpler ones, sometimes depicting a cradle, for women.

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Arteni Village in Ashtarak Region

by RedEaredPanda

We stopped by at a village called Arteni to buy some apricots. For those who don't know, Armenian apricots are known to be the sweetest and tastiest.. You just have to taste some when you go to Armenia.. If they're in season which they were when we were there in July, you get to taste the fruit but if you go off season, you can always puchase from the store the halved dried apricots which they call "Apricot Cheer" in Armenia.. The picture is of a villager in Arteni who proudly stands infront of the table in his backyard where he is drying halved apricots to sell in off season.. We bought apricots from them to take with us on our journey that day. They tasted sweet and so wonderful.To read more about Arteni and the villagers, please visit Arteni village

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Unique Places in Armenia

Top 3 Hotels in Armenia

Hotel Meg  Yerevan

 1 Review and 53 Opinions  I decided to give this place a try. Normally I would opt for a cheaper option but due to the short... 

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 1 Review and 0 Opinions  Nur Hotel is an absolutely amazing place to stay! It's neat and clean, and a perfect place for... 

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Marriott Armenia Hotel Yerevan  Yerevan

 3 Reviews and 78 Opinions  I guess if you are staying here you probably do not need VT much as you will be able to afford a... 

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36 Hotels in Armenia
 
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Reviews and photos of Armenia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Armenia sightseeing.

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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Armenia
  1. Yerevan Off The Beaten Path
  2. Dilijan Off The Beaten Path
  3. Sevan Off The Beaten Path

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Popular Regions in Armenia

K'aghak' Yerevan Off The Beaten Path  K'aghak' Gyumri Off The Beaten Path  K'aghak' Kapan Off The Beaten Path  K'aghak' Ijevan Off The Beaten Path  K'aghak' Metsamor Off The Beaten Path  K'aghak' Vanadzor Off The Beaten Path  K'aghak' Sevan Off The Beaten Path  K'aghak' Ashtarak Off The Beaten Path  K'aghak' Abovyan Off The Beaten Path 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Plan to travel next fall in Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. What is your opinion of renting cars in these countries and driving? 

Fluffy_bunny profile photo

A: I can't speak specifically for renting in the other 2, but renting in Azerbaijan is more hassle than it's worth. Rental cars are expensive, $70+ per day. On top of that,... 

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