welltraveledbrit

I'm hoping someone here has been to Armenia and can give us some general information. We are considering a trip in July. What areas of the country did you enjoy? Any travel agents you would recommend? Does anyone have any experience with Tufenkian Heritage hotels Vila Yerevan and the one at lake Sevan? Do please share any expereinces regarding travel in Armenia, it really looks wonderful and I'd love your help.
Thanks

welltraveledbrit

Can anyone help...please?

sandi

Try posting under "Europe". Turkey is usually found under Europe and Armenia is right next door.

welltraveledbrit

Thanks Sandi, I tried Europe and they said go to Lonely Planet!

sandi

I was doing a search on Armenia for a friend's husband (he's Armenian) and I came up with lots of hotel listings. I don't recall the hotel name you mention, but why not just do a search and see what pops up. You might find a simple hotel site, or a tour operator. Give it a shot

cram

I have traveled through Armenia three years ago, by road from Georgia. Our itinerary was as follows: Aliverdi and Sanahin near the Georgian border, Lake Sevan (very beautiful with ancient churches on the hill above the lake), Yerevan, and back. Yerevan as a city is not very attractive, Tbilissi is much much nicer. But around Yerevan there are interesting things: Echmeiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Patriarch, the Genocide Memorial and the Mt Ararat area. Do not miss Khor Virap. When we were there, there was a very nice classical music concert in the inner court, against the backdrop of Ararat. Quite something.
Happy travels. You'll enjoy Armenia, and maybe if you have time, you should combine it with a side trip to Tbilissi, which is a very very attractive city.

ColletteRI

I was in Armenia but it was way back in 1979 and so much has changed. From people I know who've gone in recent years I hear that Yerevan and the hotels are much more modern and nice and I think Tufenkian is fine.
I haven't ever found much on this site on Armenia so I'd suggest just do a google search on travel to Armenia... there are some Armenian travel agencies that would probably be helpful. I also just started reading a book by Philip Marsden, I think the name is The Crossing Place... it might be of interest as it's about discovering the Armenian history, culture etc by a non-Armenian. If you want to learn more on the Genocide and Turkish denial of it.. read Black Dog of Fate by Peter Balakian. I think there is a a site called Stone Garden that has photos etc of Armenia...

crazymomof3

I don't know if you are already here in Armenia, but I have been here for awhile. Tufenkian hotels are beautiful. You will not be disappointed. Pricey, but intimate, local, and very nice. I have not stayed at the one in Yerevan as I live here, but loved the one in the Lori region right by the river - and liked the one in Sevan (the day that we were there, the weather was cold and rainy - a few months' ago).

If you respond, I will be happy to answer more questions.

Armenia is a beautiful country with much to see.

welltraveledbrit

CrazyMomof3 I just noticed your posting - we did visit Armenia in the summer of 2003. We saw alot of the fantastic churches and monastries and flew on Caspian Air to Tehran were we spent a couple of weeks. It was just after the beginning of the iraq war and there weren't too many tourists in the region.

We stayed at the Tufenkian properties in Yerevan and Sevan and were highly impressed by both. The rooms were lovely and the food was very good. I highly recommend Armenia it's a fascinating destination and the people could not be warmer or prouder of their country.

We have sme lovely photos of the trip on our website www.eyebright.com/travels