Food Fun Wine in Armenia

Armenian cuisine is as ancient as the history of Armenia. Its unique and climatic conditions produce flavorful fruits and vegetables, which grow mostly in the fertile and well-watered Ararat valley between Mount Ararat and Mount Aragats.

Closely related to eastern cuisine, various spices, vegetables and fruits combine to present a unique experience for any visitor to the country.

The seasons, specifically winter and summer, greatly influence the composition of the basic menu. In the summer, fruits, vegetables are ubiquitous. Fruits grow in abundance in Armenia- grapes, apricots, pears, apples, cherries, pomegranates, melons, water melons. Vegetables are no less plentiful, including dozens of pumpkins, eggplants, peppers, turnips, cucumbers, and luscious tomatoes.

At this tour you will have the chance of getting acquainted with both Eastern and Western Armenian cuisine both distinctly different in taste. Also visits to the famous Armenian Brandy Factory would be a highlight of this tour.

All of the hotels and Guesthouses on this itinerary are totally different from each other from their location to scenery to type but all have one thing in common great hospitality and comfort high on the list. All have great breakfast served with Armenian specialties among others with fresh local produce on the table every morning.

Day One

Temple of Garni and the Monastery of Geghart carved in a mountain both from two totally different eras and both distinctly different in nature.

A performance of a spiritual singer at the monastery especially arranged for you.

Dinner at a specially chosen restaurant by our Gourmet specialist Dolmama restaurant owner Jirayr Avanian.

Overnight in Yerevan

Day Two

Southern Armenia with a view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virab Monastery where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned. To the Gorge of Noravank where wine making started at this area starting from 5th-4th millennium BC  to the Exceptional architecture of the Monastery of Noravank.

At this location locally produced Armenian food and Areni Wine would be served in Cave café on the road to Noravank.

A visit to the local winery is the culmination of this tour

Overnight in Yerevan

Day Three

A day spent in Yerevan exploring the Museums and also the Art Galleries. A special viewing of the Matenadaran the Book Depository of hand made books to the Parajanov Museum with its exclusive Collages and a reception of Champagne at the court yard of this museum is one of the high lights of this tour.

A light lunch at the Artberidge café would complement this day

Off to a Carpet weaving factory where you will witness the process of hand made carpets with its       fascinating designs and fantastic colors. You could also purchase carpets and have them shipped for you.  If you are still up to it we would visit the Gold Bazaar where in a crowded atmosphere golden jewelry is being sold. The most adventurous could also walk the open air handicrafts bazaar looking for treasures.

Dinner at a specially picked restaurant by Dolmama owner Jirayr Avanian

Overnight in Yerevan

Day Four

Our first visit of the day would be the legendary Ararat Brandy company. We will tour the factory see the aging process of the brandy and then have a sampling session of different kinds of brandy arranged specially for you. You could also visit the shop right on location if you wish to buy some brandy to take home with you.

It is now time to move to the Northern part of the country to explore the nature and the culture of these regions. The first stop would be Lake Sevan which is the highest largest lake in Europe. We will visit the two monasteries located on the top of a hill overlooking the lake.

It is time to have some fish freshly caught from the lake with some vodka or wine.

We will then move on to the city of Dilijan with its luscious forests.

Our first stop at this city would be the Artisans Street. We would visit the small museum of the city and then have coffee or tea at the local coffee shop right on that street.

Then we would move on to our Guesthouse where we would be greeted by our hosts.

Some rest and the beautiful scenery from this guesthouse would put you in a relaxing mood.

An excellent local dinner would be served at this Guesthouse famous for its food and great hospitality of its owners.

Overnight in Dilijan

Day Five

The next morning is another adventure and a totally different experience. We would visit the Parz Lidje which is a lake. The road to this location for a short while might feel a little bumpy but worthwhile. There are boats available for rent. Horses in season and other entertainments.

Lunch would be at this location.

In the afternoon after lunch and some relaxation we would move on to the Monastery of Goshavank.

A Cooking class would be organized specially for you by the owner of the guesthouse.

Overnight in Dilijan 

Day Six

The last day of our tour to the Northern regions will take us to the Monastery of Haghbad a UNESCO site. It was at this location that one of the movies of Sergey Parajanov was filmed.

Then we would drive to the Tufenkian Hotel in Allaverdi.

This Hotel is a fantastic establishment in a village. It has an indoor swimming pool and a Gym area.

After checking in the Hotel and some rest an early dinner would await us at the front garden of the Hotel weather permitting.

Overnight in Lori region

Day Seven

The next morning after a hearty breakfast we would drive back to Yerevan by a totally different road for change of scenery.

Visit Amberd fortress and Stone Lake in Aragats Mountain. Stone lake is located  app 3500 meters above sea level. It is famous not only for it's beautiful scenery but also with a small restaurant serving  Armenian traditional soup Khash  all year round.. Tradition holds that Khash can only be cooked by men, who spend the entire night cooking, and can be eaten only in the early morning in the dead of winter, It is served with heaps of fresh garlic and dried lavash. Lavash is the traditional Armenian bread made in an under ground ceramic pit called tonir.

Check into our hotel in Yerevan.

This is the last night so we would be greeted at Dolmama restaurant for our farewell dinner organized by the owner Jirayr Avanian.

Overnight in Yerevan

Last Day

Transfer to Airport

Departure Bon Voyage