Garni Will Welcome Guests at the New Visitor Center

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 !

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!

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

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

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

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

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.