For many people, Armenia is unlikely to leap to thoughts when planning a vacation overseas.
The previous Soviet nation, sitting between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, is a comparatively new child on the block on the subject of tourism.
Now, in our post-pandemic period of journey, it's positioning itself as an off the overwhelmed observe vacation spot. Guests are being inspired to look past the capital Yerevan and to discover its rural and mountainous areas.
“We've a brand new tagline, ‘Armenia: The Hidden Observe,’” Sisian Bighossian, head of Armenia’s Tourism Committee, tells Euronews Journey.
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“We've many hidden gems. We've wonderful surroundings, we now have nice pristine landscapes for mountaineering, nature and journey tourism.
“However we wish to make certain we’ll be capable of protect these as properly. If we now have overtourism, that’s one thing that’s going to probably jeopardise that.”
Head for the mountains and reside like a neighborhood
A part of Armenia’s ‘hidden observe’ strategy is engaging guests to remain in certainly one of its many distant villages, sampling the hospitality of locals.
“After I was younger, I went to huge motels, all inclusive, laid by the pool. However in the present day I don’t prefer it. I like being in nature, the place there’s one thing to see, to go strolling just a little bit,” says Bianka Blom, a German vacationer on a street journey in Armenia together with her household.
The Bloms have opted to remain on the Tegher Gastro Yard and Pottery Centre, round an hour’s drive from the capital Yerevan, within the village of Tegher within the Aragatsotn area.
It's a part of a community of Gastro Yards, run by villagers, which purpose to immerse guests in native tradition, heritage and gastronomy.
At Tegher, you'll be able to strive your hand at pottery and creating stained glass, with the assistance of the pleasant, and gifted, Shushan household.
In addition they present lodging, together with a home made treehouse, and a restaurant, nestled in gardens that are stuffed with all types of creations and curiosities.
“It’s a particular place, it’s very attention-grabbing inside. They make a number of little items which might be very cute and good,” says Bianka. “A lodge will not be the identical. Right here is extra genuine. We prefer it.”
Serving to rural communities via tourism
Armenia’s ‘hidden observe’ tourism seeks to fulfill growing wishes for gradual and genuine experiences post-pandemic.
However it’s additionally seen as key to unlocking the event of rural areas and communities on this small nation of three million individuals.
“It’s a chance for the households and native people who find themselves working or can work within the tourism sector. It’s a wonderful alternative to create new jobs,” says Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-Basic of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), who not too long ago visited Armenia.
“The federal government itself is investing quite a bit in infrastructure, primarily in roads, to create accessibility to the brand new locations. There are many alternatives to develop the regional areas of the nation.”
Pattern wine and brandy from Armenia’s ‘sacred’ fruit
Armenia’s wine heritage may also be discovered past the brilliant lights of Yerevan. Natives imagine that Noah planted a grape vine on the foot of Mount Ararat after the Flood, so it's one thing that's sacred to them.
Head to the village of Arenia, in Vayots Dzor province, and you'll go to the stays of what Armenians proudly say is the world’s oldest vineyard. Different nations within the area dispute this declare.
The Areni-1 vineyard was found in a cave complicated in 2007 by Armenian and Irish archaeologists and is known so far again to 4100 BC.
A wine press, fermentation and storage vessels, withered grape vines and seeds have been among the many many gadgets discovered.
Grapes grown in Armenia these days aren't solely used for wine, but in addition to supply brandy. Twelve varieties, from the agricultural fields of Ararat, go into making it.
Brandy is the signature drink of Armenia, Nina Azizyan, lead information on the Yerevan Ararat Brandy Wine Vodka Manufacturing facility, tells Euronews Journey.
The historic manufacturing facility, within the capital, produces 22 million bottles of brandy yearly and is known for its Noy model.
“It’s very tender, it’s pure and through the mixing, we solely use spring water. Possibly the distinctive style of this brandy is that.”
Take a tour and you'll pattern a choice of brandies. Additionally, you will hear about how former British prime minister Winston Churchill apparently fell in love with them.
Make a non secular and religious connection
Going off the ‘hidden observe’ in Armenia is about discovering extra of the nation’s wealthy non secular and religious heritage too.
Armenia is likely one of the earliest Christian civilisations, with its first church buildings mentioned to have been based within the fourth century.
“We've 1000's of church buildings and monasteries throughout Armenia. A whole lot of them are out within the areas as properly, which inspires individuals to depart the capital metropolis,” says Bighossian.
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