Montenegro - Durmitor National Park
Foto: The Cascade of Yerevan (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Armenia - Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Founded in 782 BCE, the city combines a rich history with a modern, vibrant atmosphere. Located at the foot of the mighty Mount Ararat, Yerevan offers a mix of ancient monuments, Soviet architecture, and contemporary art and culture. The heart of the city is Republic Square, designed in the 1920s. This impressive square is surrounded by stately buildings made of pink tuff, a volcanic stone that gives Yerevan its characteristic warm color. Here you’ll find the History Museum of Armenia and the National Gallery, housing valuable artworks and archaeological artifacts. In the evenings, the square becomes a meeting place for locals and tourists, with illuminated fountains dancing to music. Not far from the center lies the Cascade, an imposing stairway connecting the lower city to the higher Victory Park. Decorated with fountains, sculptures, and flowerbeds, it offers beautiful views over the city and the snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat. Inside is the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, a modern art museum with works by international and Armenian artists. One of the most poignant sites in Yerevan is the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The monument consists of a tall obelisk and an eternal flame, surrounded by twelve slanted basalt pillars. The accompanying museum documents the tragic events with photographs, documents, and personal stories. Other highlights include the Blue Mosque, built in the 18th century as a remnant of Persian influence, the Vernissage market, an open-air market with handmade crafts and souvenirs, and cultural landmarks such as the Opera and Ballet buildings, Katoghike Church, and the Matenadaran manuscript museum. Together, these sites reflect a city that seamlessly blends old and new—a dynamic capital where history, art, and hospitality go hand in hand.
By cable car to the Tatev Monastery
Armenia - The Tatev Monastery is spectacularly situated on a rocky plateau above the deep gorge of the Vorotan River in southern Armenia. This medieval monastery complex, dating from the 9th century, was for centuries an important religious, cultural, and scientific ...
Holy Etchmiadzin of the Armenian Church
Armenia - The Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin is a 4th-century Armenian church in the city of Ejmiatsin, Armenia. It is also the central cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is listed as ...
The Amenaprkich Church in Gyumri
Armenia - Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, is known as the cultural heart of the country and is full of religious and architectural treasures. Despite the devastating earthquake of 1988, Gyumri has retained much of its historical charm. The city has several ...
The Geghard Monastery
Armenia - The Geghard Monastery, also known as Geghardavank, is one of Armenia’s most impressive religious monuments and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery lies deep in the picturesque Azat Valley, surrounded by steep cliffs and rugged mountains. ...
The Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries
Armenia - The Sanahin and Haghpat monasteries are located in northern Armenia, in the Lori region, forming one of the most impressive religious and architectural complexes in the country. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites dating from the 10th and 11th centuries, ...
The Sevanavank Monastery
Armenia - The Sevanavank Monastery, also called Sevan Monastery, is situated on a picturesque peninsula on Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest lake and one of the highest lakes in the world. At over 1,900 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of the ...