tourism

Jumat, 17 Agustus 2012

Saghmosavank: A place of everlasting impression

We are really proud of the architectural heritage of Armenian churches and monasteries throughout all of the Armenian highlands. One of the most astonishing pieces of architecture is Saghmosavank, located in the Aragatsotn region.

The main church complex Surb Zion (St. Zion) was built in 1215 by the order of Prince Vache Vachutyan. There is an altar apse on its eastern side and its south-eastern corner has two-floor side-chapels attached to it. However, despite their obvious similarities, each church is unique in its external and internal decoration and atmosphere. In 1235, Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Virgin) with its vestibule was built, which communicates with the book repository. The book repository communicates with the vestibule and church of St. Astvatsatsin though doors, meaning that the book depository is the only entrance to the church. This circumstance and the existence of the altar apse, shows that the building was intended for depositing not only manuscripts, but also precious church-plate.

Above all, the book repository of Saghmosavank, built in 1255, is among Armenia’s buildings original in their composition.

Individual parts of the interior are composed of red and black stones, as well as coated with white, yellow and red paint, which accentuates the beauty of the church interior. The exterior of the book depository is no less beautiful. The building has the same height as the church of St. Sion and its vestibule.

On the territory of the monastery one can find many 13th-14th century cross-stones, also known as Khachkars.

Lots of tourists visit Saghmosavank every year. It leaves an unforgettable impression and everlasting influence on visitors’ minds.

Senin, 13 Agustus 2012

The Beauty of Lichkvaz-Tey: Photos and Videos

Armenian nature is perhaps the most important thing brings tourists back to Armenia for the second time. One of the must-see places in Armenia is the so-called Lichkvaz-Tey (near Meghri town), a small area full of mystery, beauty and tranquility.

There is not much to be said about Lichkvaz-Tey. It is a unique experience and the feelings that arise there are unexplainable.

The dark and mysterious forests, the diversity of plants, the tranquil sound of the water, the dreamlike songs of the birds… all these make you forget the reality for a moment and enjoy the beauty of the dream.

Well, instead of my useless efforts to describe the beauty of Lichkvaz-Tey, I suggest you watching some photos and two short videos. Enjoy!

Kamis, 09 Agustus 2012

Armenia Hotels

Tourism is developing in Armenia and today it offers accommodation to people with different demands, starting from luxurious hotels to affordable guest houses.

There are many comfortable and affordable hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, and resorts in Yerevan as well as in regions of Armenia. Comfort loving families, luxury seeking tourists, business travelers and easy going backpackers can find suitable accommodation to their taste and budget. You can book suits online via visiting the official website of the hotel you prefer.

Budget hotels also known as hostels are also popular in Armenia. You can enjoy your visit to Armenia by staying in well-furnished, clean and cozy hostels. They usually offer Wi Fi, breakfast, coffee/tea facilities, and are located in city center in walking distance from historical sites and museums. Prices range from 10-30$ per night.

Mid-range and luxurious hotels differ from 2 to 5 stars. Usually there are nice restaurants where you see Armenian hospitality and taste various traditional Armenian dishes. Basically, breakfasts are included in the price you pay. Visitors receive exceptional individual and attentive service. The staff in all hotels is friendly and English speaking, making sure that guests are well treated and their expectations are met. Many of the hotels have unique interior design with different colors, exotic plants and flowers in hallways, and beautiful paintings to make the visitors feel comfortable and homey.

Marriott Armenia Hotel

Golden Tulip Hotel - Yerevan

Gongress Hotel - Yerevan

Metropol Hotel - Yerevan

There are several international hotels such as Marriott and Best Western Congress. Other luxury hotels are Golden Tulip Yerevan, Ani Plaza Hotel, Metropol and Sil Hotel. Tufenkian chain hotels are located in Yerevan, Sevan and Dilijan. Many of these hotels have the latest equipment for business meetings or conferences. There are swimming pools, fitness clubs and beauty salons in all hotels, where you can enjoy health and recreation.

Jumat, 03 Agustus 2012

5 Things that Amaze Tourists about Armenia

Armenia is not a very popular travel destination. Some people do not even know where the country is situated. Others know very little about Armenia and that is why our country still remains an undiscovered mystery. What are the things that amaze tourists visiting Armenia? Today I had a talk with my friends about it and here is what we have discovered:

Standards of living

That’s true that Armenia is still a developing country and standards of living are not on the highest level. But they are far from being on the lowest level either. Tourists sometimes “see” Armenia as an extremely poor and undeveloped country, where people have never seen a PC and have never heard of internet. Things that amaze tourists are means of transport (especially the underground), number of cafes and restaurants, quality of service and so on.

Armenian girls

Girls and women in Armenia are very dressy, no matter where they are. In Armenia high-heel shoes, stylish dresses and nicely done hair are not for special days. You can meet nicely-dressed girls at schools, colleges and even in the supermarkets. This type of dressing is not very common in the world especially in the western part. The eyes of tourists are not used to the beauty of Armenian women. :)

Level of English language

When tourists try to ask something in the street they are often afraid that no one will understand them. But this hardly happens. Many Armenians especially the youth have excellent English language skills and will readily help tourists. Russian, French, Spanish, Italian and German are also common in Armenia as foreign languages.

Hospitality

Hospitality is the characteristic feature of Armenians that differentiates them among others. Armenians are exceptionally guest-loving nation. They are always ready to help foreigners in any way they can, give them shelter, food, tell them about their home-towns, accompany them and show them the places of interest. And they do it with a smile in their faces, a smile that is not taught, but comes sincerely from the bottom of their hearts.

Food

Armenian food is something that makes visit to Armenia a must-have experience. Tourists speak more about the unforgettable taste of fruits and vegetables. Armenian national food is another thing to remember in Armenia. Even bread itself has a special taste and smell.

Senin, 30 Juli 2012

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

Photo © Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

This year on August 12 Armenians will celebrate one of the 5 main holidays of the Armenian Church – the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. On this day Armenians celebrate the bodily taking-up of the Virgin into Heaven.

According to the Sacred Legend, before his Ascension Jesus Christ promised his Mother to take her to the Heaven when her life on Earth comes to an end. After the Crucifixion, Mary lived with prayers for about 12 years under the care of John the Evangelist. She often visited the Empty Tomb of Jesus Christ and prayed.

Twelve years later during her visits to Golgotha Archangel Gabriel visits her and informs her that her life on earth will soon come to an end and she will be taken to the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Mary tells about it all her friends and servitors and asks John to provide a Liturgy, so that she can have the last Sacrament. Then she lay in her room waiting for the hour to come, and Apostles surrounded the Holy Mother of God. Soon a very bright light shined and everyone was startled to see Jesus Christ in the room accompanied by angels. Seeing her son, Mary rose from her lying place, bowed to the Lord and consigned her soul to her son.

Before her death Mary had asked to bury her in the Dean of Gethsemane. She was buried there in a cave and the entrance of the cave was closed with a huge stone. For three days the Apostles did not leave the tomb and were constantly praying.

During the last days of Mary’s life on earth all the Apostles were with her except for Apostle Bartholomew, who arrived only after the funeral and did not manage to see her for the last time. The Apostles saw him weeping and decided to open the entrance of the cave so that he could make his farewell with the Holy Mother of God. When the cave was opened everyone was surprised to see that her body was no longer there. It was Bartholomew’s mission to discover the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God.

According to the legend Mary died on Thursday, but the Armenian Church celebrates her Assumption, which took place three days ago – on Sunday. It is also a common practice in Armenia to congratulate all the girls and women with the name “Mary” (“Mariam” in Armenian) on that day.

On this day after the Liturgy the Church holds the grape-blessing ceremony, which “officially” opens the season of grape. Most of the Armenians refuse to taste grape before it is “blessed.” In the Old Testament the first harvest of the year was taken to the Church and was presented to God. Among them were wheat, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive and so on. The Armenian Apostolic Church chose grape as a symbol of the harvest. During the ceremony they read the prayer of St. Nerses the Gracious, which says that God created the nature, the plants and the fruit trees, then He created Adam and Eve. This day is the blessing day for the whole harvest that God presented us with. During the ceremony people ask God for fertility and for a favorable year for harvest growing.

Jumat, 27 Juli 2012

Easy Outdoor Picnic with Armenian Barbecue

Tourists never leave Armenia without tasting famous Armenian barbecue or khorovats as locals call it. Barbecue is one of the special foods of the Armenian cuisine.
It’s even hard to imagine a wedding, engagement, baptizing, or other celebrations without having Armenian barbecue on the tables.

Armenian barbecue is completely different from American bbq; it’s usually made of big cuts of pork, not ground beef, and it is cooked on hot coals after burning a wood fire. The process of preparing barbecue is very important and it is always made by men, who like to play with fire as they associate it with women’s body. The whole idea is to get together and have a great barbecue picnic on a sunny day as Armenian barbecue is usually made outdoors.

If you don’t eat pork, you can taste lamb or chicken barbecue, which are made with the same traditions.
Let me present you the Armenian barbecue recipe. At first you need to marinade the meat then barbecue it.

We take several chops of pork and put them in a big bowl, then add chopped onion, basil leaves, salt, red and black pepper. Mix them all together and rub the meat with hands well. Leave it in the fridge to marinade for at least 12 hours, so the taste of seasonings will penetrate inside the meat.

Now let’s pass to the second part of preparing Armenian barbecue. Prepare mangal (grill) and start to put the meat on the skewers. Before barbecuing the meat, սsually Armenians also barbecue eggplants, green pepper and tomato. As vegetable barbecue is ready, men line up the skewers with meat on the grill and wait until they are ready. Meanwhile, women start clean the burnt peel of eggplants, green peppers and tomatoes.

Remember, you should eat Armenian khorovats with hands, not knife and fork, yummy!!!
As your nose catches the smell of barbecue, your mouth becomes watery and you just cannot resist not tasting it.

As in case of Armenian traditional dish dolma every year there is held Armenian Barbecue Festival in Akhtala, Lori province. Last year IBF, WBA and WBC champion Vic Darchinyan participated in the Barbecue Festival and opened the statue of famous Armenian actor Armen Jigarkhanyan. The organizers of the Barbecue Festival aim to raise popularity of Armenian national cuisine at world level. Don’t miss the chance to participate in the upcoming Barbecue Festival in Armenia in September this year.