Wine tours in Armenia
The world famous Armenian wine has been around for already 6000 years. The most ancient wine making spot was found very recently in Areni in Armenia. According to the old legend, Noah was the first man who planted the grapevine in the Ararat valley. Also, Greek Historians, Herodotus and Strabo's mentioned about Armenian wine in their recordings.
This tour will give you the chance to explore the traditional wine-making ways of Armenia as well as taste them while also learning the history of our small but well-known country.
Arrival to the “Zvartnots” International Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in procedure. Meeting with the guide and the start of the city tour in Yerevan – one of the most ancient cities in the world which history starts from the 8th century BC and now it is almost 3000 years old.
Visiting the Republic Square, the victory park where there is the “Mother Armenia” statue, Opera and Ballet theater, the Swan Lake and the Cascade complex. An overnight in the hotel (In case of a day-time check-in, the tour can be held in the evening time).
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide and a transfer to Ashtarak. Ashtarak is one of the oldest cities in Armenia with numerous historical monuments representing the cultural and traditional lifestyle of people who used to live in the site. This site is well-known for its regions, streets, houses and the landscapes. After these follows a visit to the house-museum of Perch Proshyan. The museum was built in 1948 in the city of Ashtarak on the place of his parental house. After the visit a master class of sudjukh making will be held for the guests. Sudjukh is made out of nuts and grape juice.
Transfer to Saghmosavank which was founded in 1215. The monastery of Saghmosavank is known for holding manuscripts and many miniature illustrations. The library of Saghmosavank is one of the rarest collections in Armenia.
Further departure to the wine factory “Armenia Wine”. A tour in the winery and a degustation of 3 kinds of wine and snacks.
Return to Yerevan. Wine evening in the city. Spare time. Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide. A visit to Matenadaran – one of the most ancient depositories of ancient manuscripts. A transfer to “Vernisage” – an open-air market of hand-made and crafts. Afterwards a transfer to Garni-the only pagan temple standing till now, which was built in the 1st century BC and dedicated to the god of the Sun – Mihr. It consists out of 24 columns which represent the 24 hours within a day.
“Symphony of stones” is another must see site in this area. It is just in the Gorge of Garni and it mesmerizes the visitors with the natural beauty of the stones carved out by avolcano lava.
A visit to the Monastery of Geghard which was built in the beginning of the 4th century and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. This monastery is an inimitable masterpiece of the Armenian 13th century architecture.
A return to Yerevan. Spare time. Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide. Transfer to Echmiadzin, visiting the Cathedral which is know as the center of the Armenian apostolic church and is one of the most ancient Christian temples in the world. As the legend goes Jesus the Christ went down here from the sky to point out the place where the cathedral had to be built.
Next stop is at the ruins of the Zvartnots Cathedral – a UNESCO world heritage site. The temple founded by Nerses III set a base for a new architectural trend. Unfortunately the temple stood only for 300 years. Today on it site tourists can find an archeological museum and a reserve, where a small reconstruction of the temple is demonstrated alongside with fragments of the ancient building.
A visit to the brandy factory “Ararat” or “Noy”. An excursion with a degustation.
A return to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out from the hotel. Upon request a transfer to the fruit market in Yerevan.
Afterwards a transfer to the Zvartnots international airport. Departure.