In the Italian publication SiViaggia, journalist Emma Santo writes about Armenia, a country that is “a cultural powerhouse that welcomes anyone who wants to explore and discover all that it offers.“
Armenia is now more easily accessible to Italians, thanks to the convenience of direct flights from Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino and Venice Marco Polo. These flights are in addition to connections with stopovers at European hubs of major airlines. Armenia is still a relatively unexplored destination, but it is well worth visiting for its rich cultural treasures, breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality and variety of activities and experiences in contact with nature.
A Small Country with a Great Cultural Heritage
Armenia is a small republic in the South Caucasus, known for its rich cultural heritage and fascinating natural landscapes, with plateaus and valleys opening up between mountains that reach over 4,000 meters above sea level. Armenian civilization boasts three thousand years of history, a unique language and an original alphabet.
The tourist offer of this bridge between Asia and Europe is diversified around four main themes: culture, food and wine, nature and adventure. There are also internationally renowned events.
The first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301, Armenia is a treasure trove of history, art and spirituality. Visitors can explore mighty medieval monasteries perched on majestic mountains, archaeological areas, monuments, museums and galleries, each representing a different era of the wonderful local culture and the unique perception of the world by local artists.
The history of the Armenians can be read in the carved embroidery of the khachkars, the stone crosses that are one of the symbols of this people who have managed to maintain their cultural identity and have always recognized the value of knowledge and learning. This is evidenced by the Matenadaran, the Institute of Manuscripts, which houses a priceless collection of over 17,000 manuscripts and ancient books in Armenian and other languages.
A Rich Food and Wine Tradition
Armenia’s rich food and wine tradition is rooted in tradition and includes the typical lavash bread, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, tolma, vine leaf rolls, and sweets like gata, which is as simple as it is delicious.
Wine tourism is also an important attraction. This year, in fact, Armenia will host the 8th UNWTO World Conference on Wine Tourism. It is thought that the Areni-1 cave contained the oldest wine production system in the world, dating back over 6,000 years. Today, you can taste characterful wines made from native and international grape varieties in welcoming wineries and internationally renowned wineries scattered throughout the different production regions, and during the Yerevan Wine Days, the major event scheduled in the center of the capital from 7 to 9 June.
Nature and Adventure
For those who love nature and outdoor activities, this small country offers a myriad of possibilities, from hiking to trekking. For the more adventurous, there are plenty of opportunities to go rafting on the Debed River, SUP on the artificial lake of Azat, diving in Lake Sevan, ziplining, paragliding, climbing and canyoning in spectacular locations. For those who love running, the Yerevan Marathon will take place on April 28th, taking place through the streets of the capital.
And don’t miss a hot air balloon ride to admire the landscape in all its glory. Armenia is also an ideal destination for winter sports, with ski resorts like Tsaghkadzor, with modern facilities that reach over 2800 meters above sea level and a new ski resort in Yeghipatrush, both a short distance from Yerevan. On February 24th, in Amasia, north of Gyumri, Armenia’s second city, in the Shirak region, the -46°C Winter Festival will offer activities such as snowboarding, tubing on inflatable tubes, snowkiting and skiing along with music, good food and lots of fun.
