Discovering Armenia in Europe

Brochure

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Dates

3rd - 11th September 2010

Tour Leader

Peter Shahbenderian is of Armenian origin and has a considerable knowledge of the history, art and architecture of the region. Having been a lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, he worked for some years on various UN development projects abroad. A former Director of the Oxford Gallery, Dr Shahbenderian is a collector of contemporary art. He has accompanied several tours to Georgia & Armenia for The Art Fund.

Clare Ford-Wille - Art historian, Clare Ford-Wille, has for many years lectured to numerous prestigious organisations including the University of London, the National Gallery, the Wallace Collection, the V&A, the Royal Academy, the National Trust and other societies. She has worked for leading Old Master dealers in London and been employed as an art historian by the Central University of Iowa and Stanford University, California. She contributed to the National Gallery's CD-Rom sound guide and the Companion Guide to European Art.

Costs

Per person: £2,495

Single supplement: £155

Airport taxes per person: Currently £149.90
(Please note that airport taxes include fuel surcharges and security fees and are liable to change without notice)

Visa fees: TBA

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The Republic of Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity as its religion in the 4th century, has a rich cultural heritage as witnessed in the museums of its capital, Yerevan, and in the remarkable early churches, monasteries, and cave dwellings set in the majestic mountain scenery of the south Caucasus.

We begin in Yerevan with a city tour including the magnificent Matenadaran, a depository of over 12,000 ancient manuscripts, and the National Museum with its collections of Armenian and Russian Art.  We also visit the ruined church of Zvartnots, the famous Vernissage market and the Sergei Parajanov Museum with its eclectic works by the artist.  Leaving the city, we travel south to the monastery of Khor Virap, with its splendid views of Mount Ararat, and the evocative Noravank Monastery complex.  From Sisian we visit the monolithic stones at Karahunj, the impressive walled monastery at Tatev and Khndzoresk, a cave village.  Crossing the Selim Pass, we visit the caravanserai, before continuing to Noraduz and Lake Sevan, one of the largest mountain lakes in the world, and the remote Goshavank Monastery.  We then begin our journey back to Yerevan and visit the Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries, the latter a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Amberd fortress and church.  The tour ends with the remarkable rock-carved churches at Geghard, the Hellenistic Temple at Garni and the National Gallery of Armenia with its rich collection of masterpieces.

Day 1: Friday, 3rd September

London / Yerevan
Depart London Heathrow on a British Midland afternoon flight to Yerevan, arriving early the next day.

Day 2: Saturday, 4th September

Yerevan
Arrive early morning and transfer to the renowned Hotel Yerevan (now a Golden Tulip Hotel), situated on Abovian Street, Yerevan's smartest shopping thoroughfare.  After time to rest, morning tour of the capital including the Matenadaran Library, the pride of Armenian culture with one of the world's largest collections of ancient manuscripts.  In clear weather there is a tantalising view from the city of the distant slopes of Mount Ararat.

Lunch at a local restaurant.  Afternoon visit to the National History Museum on Republic Square, where exhibits include a remarkable wooden wagon dating from around 1250 BC, discovered by the shores of Lake Sevan during a hydro-electric project.  A room is devoted to excavations from Ani, another to the massacres of 1915.  Dinner at Yerevan Pandok Restaurant.

Day 3: Sunday, 5th September

Yerevan & Etchmiadzin
Morning drive to the ruins of the Palace Church at Zvarnots and the fine early medieval church of St. Hripsime.  Continue to the city of Etchmiadzin, the spiritual sanctuary of the nation, whose Cathedral is the seat of the Armenian-Gregorian church. 

Lunch at Vagharshapat Restaurant.  Return to Yerevan and visit the famous Vernissage Craft Market. Continue to the museum of the artist and film director, Sergei Paradjanov, known for The Colour of Pomegranates.  The museum is in an interesting old house and contains drawings, collages, puppets, posters and some of his personal possessions.  Dinner at Genatsvale Restaurant.

Day 4: Monday, 6th September

Yerevan / Sisian
Leave for the historic Khor Virap Monastery, with its splendid views of Mount Ararat, continuing south to the evocative complex of Noravank, set against a rugged cliff face.  Wine tasting in the village of Areni.

Picnic lunch.  Continue to the mysterious standing stones of Karahunj, dating back some 4,000 years and the pleasant town of Sisian.  Check into the simple Hotel Dina where two nights are spent.  Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5: Tuesday, 7th September

Sisian / Tatev /Khndzoresk
Morning drive to the impressive walled monastery of Tatev, which stands in splendid isolation above the Vorotan Gorge.  Continue to the riverside town of Goris.

Lunch in a local restaurant in Goris with a mountain view.  Visit the cave village of Khndzoresk and then return to Sisian.  Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6: Wednesday, 8th September

Lake Sevan / Goshavank / Dzoraget
Depart Sisian for the Selim Pass and visit the Caravanserai.  Continue to Noraduz to see the field of khatchkars (or carved memorial stone crosses).  Drive on to Lake Sevan, one of the largest mountain lakes in the world and the inspiration for poets, artists and composers.

Lunch overlooking the Lake.  In the afternoon, drive to the village of Dilijan, appreciated as a summer resort by artists, writers and musicians for its old stone houses and tranquil wooded surroundings.  Visit the remote 12th century monastery of Goshavank.  Check into the Tufenkian Dzoraget Hotel, a small 'heritage' hotel attractively furnished with Armenian handicrafts, where one night is spent.  Dinner at the hotel.

Day 7: Thursday, 9th September

Sanahin / Yerevan
Leave for the beautiful medieval Sanahin Monastery, set against a backdrop of wooded mouintain scenery. Continue to Haghpat, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Yerevan and the Golden Tulip Yerevan Hotel.  Dinner at the hotel.

Day 8: Friday 10th September

Yerevan
Leave for the early monastery of Geghard, with its rock-hewn chapels and monks' cells.  A winding route through the Aransk Gorge leads to the restored Hellenistic temple of Garni. 

Lunch will be at a private house, with a demonstration of the typical bread (lavash) baking.  Return to Yerevan and visit the National Gallery, founded in 1921, which includes fascinating collections of Armenian and Russian art, as well West European old master paintings.  Dinner at a traditional restaurant 'Our Village', with national music.

Day 9: Saturday 11th September

Yerevan / London
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for a mid morning British Midland flight to London, arriving Heathrow Airport early afternoon local time.