Tasting Armenian Wine

According to Holy Bible, the Humanity granted it’s second birth in Armenia, on Ararat Mountain. "Noah, the tiller of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk, and he uncovered himself within the tent." (Genesis 9:20-21) Given that Armenia is the birthplace of wine! Armenian cuisine includes the foods and cooking techniques of the Armenian people. The preparation of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes in an Armenian kitchen requires stuffing, frothing, and pureeing. Lamb, eggplant, yoghurt, and flatbread or lavash are basic features of Armenian cuisine. Armenians use cracked wheat (burghul) in preference to the maize and rice popular among the Caucasian neighbors.

• Day 1: Departure

• Day 2:Arrival-Yerevan City tour

  

  Arrival in Zvartnots airport. Meet and greet transfer, accommodation at the hotel. Rest. In the morning meet your escort guide and start city tour around Yerevan. Visit Tsitsernakaberd memorial and the museum of victims of Genocide. Visit Armenian History Museum, here the important archaeological collections from Stone Age through Medieval periods are dark and almost unlabeled, but should not be missed. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit to Ararat Brandy Factory for tasting Armenian brandy that has the honor to be called “cognac”. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant tasting traditional dish. Overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 3:Yerevan-Khor Virap-Areni-Noravank-Yerevan

  

  Sightseeing tour to Khor-Virap monastery the importance of which is connected with Gregory the Illuminator, who introduced Christianity to Armenia and is considered to be the first Armenian Catholicos - bishop. Continue tour to Noravank monastery - religious and cultural centre of 12th c. On the way visit the great Areni local wine factory to taste local wine made from special sorts of grapes. Lunch in the local cave café. Drive back to the capital city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.

• Day 4: Yerevan-Echmiadzin-Zvartnots-Maran Winery

  

  In the morning after breakfast drive to Echmiadzin which is mere 20 km from Yerevan. Lunch in a local community tasting homemade dishes and Armenian national cookie called “gata”. Return to Yerevan with a stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple - the pearl of the 7th c. architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Drive back to Yerevan on the way visiting Maran winery. Wine degustation. Arrival in Yerevan. Visit Vernissage flea market for souvenir shopping. Dinner in a local house restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
  **Note: Vernissage flea market is open only on weekends.

• Day 5:Yerevan-Noratous-Lake Sevan-Dilijan-Goshavank-Yerevan

  

  Drive to Gegharkounik region. This region is famous for people drinking much vodka. Drive to the nearby cemetery of khachkar called Noratous dating back to 10th c. Proceed to Lake Sevan. About 70 miles north of Yerevan sits the lake with the nearby monastery Sevanavank Monastery (8-9th c.). Stop for a lunch to taste the local fish barbeque. Continue to the North of Armenia through spectacular forested region of Dilijan, where you can walk through a museum street. Visit Goshavank monastery (13th c). Drive back to Yerevan. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 6:Yerevan-Amberd fortress-Local winery-Ashtarak-Saghmossavank-Yerevan

  

  After breakfast departure to Ashtarak region to visit the Fortress of Amberd (9th century, stands halfway up Mt. Aragats, at the height of 2300m). Proceed back to Ashtarak – one of the most ancient Armenian cities, to visit the newly built winery with modern wine – producing systems. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit Saghmossavank medieval monastery (13th c.). Drive back to Yerevan. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 7:Yerevan-Garni-Ghegard-Fruit Market

  

  Departure to Garni Temple. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates and it is dedicated to a heathen god. Special lunch at a local house in with Armenian national bread “lavash” baking ceremony. Northeast of Garni, higher up the gorge of the Azat river, sights Geghard monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage. Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Return back. Visit the fruit market where local merchants sell fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, spices, and delicacies. Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant with live Armenian folk music. Overnight in Yerevan.

• Day 8:Departure

  Transfer to the airport. Departure home!