Culture, nature and friendliness
Armenia may be in Asia, but its heart beats in Europe. This small country boasts a history stretching back three thousand years from the time it was under Greece’s influence in the reign of Alexander the Great, to become the first Christian nation in history, not to mention being a former Soviet republic. It retains many traces of this in an eclectic heritage which, to the delight of tourists, combines Hellenic ruins, medieval monasteries, Stalinist buildings and even a Blue Mosque!
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currency
Dram
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language
Armenian
Despite all this, Armenia's greatest treasure lies not so much in its past as in its present. In the shadow of Mount Ararat, where Noah and his Ark are said to have ended their epic journey, nature is at once peaceful and wild. Here, you can indulge in beautiful walks in the mountains, but keep an eye out for bears, lynx, and panthers, or take cool dips in the lakes, starting with Lake Sevan, a true inland sea, and favourite playground for the locals and their guests.
But in the end, Armenia charms you with... its people. Armenians are modest but generous, open and smiling. They have a sense of hospitality and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Chess for example, is a national pastime, often played in a public park, under the shade of tall trees. Then, there are the café terraces, where the locals enjoy a glass of pomegranate or sweet apricot wine at the end of the day. And finally, comes the pleasure of a delicious meal, with flavours from the East, which you can enjoy with a glass of the local red wine. After all, Armenia vies with its neighbour Georgia for the title of "oldest vineyard in the world."
