Sunday, August 21, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Top 5 Reasons to Go on a Tailor Made Armenia Tour
By Kevin, a British Traveler
We turned our backs on conventional tours because we wanted to spend more than a fleeting moment at each of our visits. Lingering at one location gave us many things that we could not have had from a conventional sight-seeing tour. It gave us the time and opportunity to discover and appreciate the past (recent as well as distant) of Armenia and to learn about the varied lives of present day Armenians. As for seeing the historical, nature and religious sites, we appreciated them all the more for not cramming them together.
Travelling at our own pace meant that we could observe recent historical and social changes. We were very fortunate in having a helpful and pleasant driver, who also acted as interpreter and adviser on the value of bank notes!
Here are a few individual notes on the places we visited.
Jermuk
Our stay of two nights meant that we had time to go beyond viewing the spa facilities. We would recommend the following to anyone going there:
The local forest has many well maintained walkways which offer pleasant rambles in the shade. Steeper walks await the more adventurous. Scattered throughout the forest and hillside are magnificent busts carved from rocks. These honour former heroes, the fedayee, and seem to be endless.
The town itself is an interesting glimpse into Armenian life, for it is home to many local residents as well as Armenians on holiday who form the majority of the tourists. It seems that this part of the country is a secret Armenians keep to themselves. These are all things we would have missed had we done the usual tourist overnight stopover.
Alaverdi and Akner
Our stay in farmhouse in Akner will never be forgotten because our hosts, the Muradyans, made us feel like family guests, which we were as we shared their home..
The mountainous area around Alaverdi has outstanding natural beauty. The panorama changes throughout the day and from one day to the next with shifts in light, sunshine and wind. In Yerevan, you would not have any notion that there are rural communities still working in the same way as their parents and even grandparents did, although satellite TV and internet connections are to be found. It pays to walk around the village to compare the old style cottages with the old Soviet tenements of the nearby towns. With luck, you may catch farmers at work or distilling home vodka or arak. Expect to see free ranging farm animals in the streets and around the village. There are outstanding walks in the hills and forests, with views of mountains, ravines and caves. There are eagles to spot, from above if you climb high enough.
Churches and Monasteries
After the first three days, we began to think that we could not stand any more but we did not, as it turned out, tire of them.
If you have a mind, you can trace the history of religious architecture and art through touring the monasteries, starting with the pre-Christian Garni temple. The human achievement of creating the old monasteries, like Gegherdavank and Norivank, are awesome, and they remain beautiful even in their faded modern forms. But the newer churches, such as Surp Mesrop in Oshagan and Surp Kevork near Aghveran, also have captivating art work. We were fortunate that in Haghpat, the priest gave us an expert and well-informed tour. This again is an opportunity that may not have arisen if we had been pressed to move on to the next site. We wish we had had more knowledge of the history of these places. Many have posters with historical notes but reading them hurriedly in burning sunshine is not conducive to learning.
Culture
We decided to spend several days in Yerevan at the end of the stay so that we could attend concerts. For us, the Surp Khach festival in Astarak was a highlight. We were enchanted by the dancing, singing and also the music. What was different about this event was the chance to see Armenia's folklore. We would strongly recommend the event. We were lucky to be there at the right time.
And… Food
The Kosrov National Park cooking experience was unpredictable and a reael adventure. Cooking lavash was fun and difficult! And our final meal beautifully prepared by Sedrak Mamulyan was above all expectations.
We turned our backs on conventional tours because we wanted to spend more than a fleeting moment at each of our visits. Lingering at one location gave us many things that we could not have had from a conventional sight-seeing tour. It gave us the time and opportunity to discover and appreciate the past (recent as well as distant) of Armenia and to learn about the varied lives of present day Armenians. As for seeing the historical, nature and religious sites, we appreciated them all the more for not cramming them together.
Travelling at our own pace meant that we could observe recent historical and social changes. We were very fortunate in having a helpful and pleasant driver, who also acted as interpreter and adviser on the value of bank notes!
Here are a few individual notes on the places we visited.
Our stay of two nights meant that we had time to go beyond viewing the spa facilities. We would recommend the following to anyone going there:
The local forest has many well maintained walkways which offer pleasant rambles in the shade. Steeper walks await the more adventurous. Scattered throughout the forest and hillside are magnificent busts carved from rocks. These honour former heroes, the fedayee, and seem to be endless.
The town itself is an interesting glimpse into Armenian life, for it is home to many local residents as well as Armenians on holiday who form the majority of the tourists. It seems that this part of the country is a secret Armenians keep to themselves. These are all things we would have missed had we done the usual tourist overnight stopover.
Our stay in farmhouse in Akner will never be forgotten because our hosts, the Muradyans, made us feel like family guests, which we were as we shared their home..
The mountainous area around Alaverdi has outstanding natural beauty. The panorama changes throughout the day and from one day to the next with shifts in light, sunshine and wind. In Yerevan, you would not have any notion that there are rural communities still working in the same way as their parents and even grandparents did, although satellite TV and internet connections are to be found. It pays to walk around the village to compare the old style cottages with the old Soviet tenements of the nearby towns. With luck, you may catch farmers at work or distilling home vodka or arak. Expect to see free ranging farm animals in the streets and around the village. There are outstanding walks in the hills and forests, with views of mountains, ravines and caves. There are eagles to spot, from above if you climb high enough.
After the first three days, we began to think that we could not stand any more but we did not, as it turned out, tire of them.
If you have a mind, you can trace the history of religious architecture and art through touring the monasteries, starting with the pre-Christian Garni temple. The human achievement of creating the old monasteries, like Gegherdavank and Norivank, are awesome, and they remain beautiful even in their faded modern forms. But the newer churches, such as Surp Mesrop in Oshagan and Surp Kevork near Aghveran, also have captivating art work. We were fortunate that in Haghpat, the priest gave us an expert and well-informed tour. This again is an opportunity that may not have arisen if we had been pressed to move on to the next site. We wish we had had more knowledge of the history of these places. Many have posters with historical notes but reading them hurriedly in burning sunshine is not conducive to learning.
Culture
We decided to spend several days in Yerevan at the end of the stay so that we could attend concerts. For us, the Surp Khach festival in Astarak was a highlight. We were enchanted by the dancing, singing and also the music. What was different about this event was the chance to see Armenia's folklore. We would strongly recommend the event. We were lucky to be there at the right time.
And… Food
The Kosrov National Park cooking experience was unpredictable and a reael adventure. Cooking lavash was fun and difficult! And our final meal beautifully prepared by Sedrak Mamulyan was above all expectations.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Walk the Caucasus Mountains Tour
Walk the Caucasus Mountains Tour, now ongoing. Enjoy the slideshow and join us on the next departure on September 3!
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| Walk the Caucasus Mountains, film |
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Hiking vs. Trekking, Help me Choose the Right Trip
Over the years we are hearing many questions from our travelers one of which is: should I choose hiking or trekking, what is the right trip for me? Now we will try to answer this question:
Hiking is an outdoor activity of walking in beautiful natural environments on pre-defined paths called hiking trails. On a hiking trip, you'll make day hikes in a local area, trails will be mostly good though occasionally you may come across rough sections in the mountains. Normally hiking is between 4 to 6 hours per day at moderate altitude. Your luggage (except backpack) will be carried by vehicles from one overnight point to the next. And you will return returning each night to a restaurant meal and a warm bed in a hotel or lodge. We offer a popular Armenia Hiking Tour, offering all of the above plus exploring the traditions and life of the locals – an added treat!
Trekking is a long journey undertaken on foot in remote mountainous areas where there are no means of transport available, you walk on undefined paths, in challenging environments. Trekking is walking for a number of days from point A to B with pack animals carrying the luggage. Accommodation on trekking tours can be wild camps or shelters (if you are in a national park). Trekking is not necessarily mountaineering although they are sometimes combined to add to the attraction of the activity. Classical trekking tours offered by AdvenTour are Walk the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia and Trekking in Armenia.
Hiking is an outdoor activity of walking in beautiful natural environments on pre-defined paths called hiking trails. On a hiking trip, you'll make day hikes in a local area, trails will be mostly good though occasionally you may come across rough sections in the mountains. Normally hiking is between 4 to 6 hours per day at moderate altitude. Your luggage (except backpack) will be carried by vehicles from one overnight point to the next. And you will return returning each night to a restaurant meal and a warm bed in a hotel or lodge. We offer a popular Armenia Hiking Tour, offering all of the above plus exploring the traditions and life of the locals – an added treat!
Trekking is a long journey undertaken on foot in remote mountainous areas where there are no means of transport available, you walk on undefined paths, in challenging environments. Trekking is walking for a number of days from point A to B with pack animals carrying the luggage. Accommodation on trekking tours can be wild camps or shelters (if you are in a national park). Trekking is not necessarily mountaineering although they are sometimes combined to add to the attraction of the activity. Classical trekking tours offered by AdvenTour are Walk the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia and Trekking in Armenia.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
How do you know you are in Tbilisi on AdvenTour Caucasus tour
1. It’s hot
You’re sweating, a natural process the body uses to cool itself in heated conditions.
2. Its Exotic
It doesn’t feel like home, the smell of delicious Georgian food is in the air, the scenery is breathtaking and the culture is fascinating.
3. Crossing the road is an adventure
You were nearly run over by cars driving in every direction. However, you manage to make it across the road and gain a sense of achievement from it.
4. Its Historical
You find yourself in a fusion of architectural styles from sulphur baths dating back to the Arab Khalifs to the New Bridge, the symbol of new Georgia.
5. Your local tour guide is informative
He has your head spinning with images of Tbilisi new and old, knows the dates of all major occurrences in Georgian history and has told you the best place to get Khinkali, tasty Georgian dumplings.
6. Your tour is organised
You have been given information on all the best places to eat and drink. You have been told in advance your precise movements over the next few days.
7. You have time to yourself too
You’re sipping on a beer at a riverside café simply watching the world go by at your leisure, after a morning of touring and learning about the city.
8. You’re staying in fantastic accommodation
The hotel is comfortable, air-conditioned, the rooms all have en suite bathrooms and the buffet breakfast is great.
9. The transport is private and comfortable
You are met at the door of your hotel by your minibus, the transport is for your group alone and when you asked for a photo stop your driver obliged.
Got any Tbilisi tips to add?
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Why go to Tusheti Georgia?
Remember we are offering 40% off Tusheti Biking and Hiking Tour, August 3? Follow this link and spark your imagination. The place is a real paradise for activity enthusiasts...
Friday, July 22, 2011
Armenia from ancient to modern times
Armenia, Ancient times
• 870-590 Urartian/Araratian Kingdom dominates Armenia
• 820 Founding of Van
• 782 Founding of Erebuni Fortress, foundation of Yerevan
• 402-401 Retreat of Xenophon across Armenia
• 401 King Yervand I of Armenia is crowned, first Armenian dynasty
• 330 Alexander the Great in Armenia
• 189-160 Reign of King Artashes I, start of Artashesian dynasty
• 170 Founding of Artashat, capital of Armenia
• 95-55 Armenian Empire reaches greatest size and influence under King Tigran the Great
• 68 Battle of Aratsani, Tigran the Great defeats Roman troops led by Lucculus
• 53 Performance of The Bacchae at Artashat
• 34 Roman commander Antonius captures Armenian King Artavazd and Romans conquer Armenia
• 30 - 20 Restoration of Kingdom of Armenia under King Artashes II
• 48-49 Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew introduce Christianity to Armenia
• 66 Construction of Fortress and Temple of Garni
• 293-330 Reign of King Trdat III, the treaty of Nisibin between Rome and Persia and restoration of Armenian Kingdom's independence
• 301 (or more likely ca. 310) Trdat III accepts Christianity as a state religion in Armenia
• 303 Construction of Echmiadzin Cathedral started
• 374-378 Reign of Varastad, participant in Olympic Games
• 395-405 Creation of Armenian Alphabet by Mesrob Mashtots
• 425 Bible translated into Armenian
• 451 Battle of Avarayr led by Vardan Mamikonian
• 591 Second partition of Armenia between Byzantium and Persia
• 610-641 Heraclius, first Armenian Emperor of Byzantium
• 637 Armenian Patriarchate established in Jerusalem
• 640 First Arab invasion of Armenia
• 643-652 Construction of Zvartnots Cathedral
• 813 Armenian prince Ashot I begins 1,000 years of rule in Georgia by Bagratid Dynasty
• 961 Founding of Ani, capital of Armenia
• 985-1001 Construction of Ani Cathedral
• 11th-14th centuries Byzantine Greeks invade Armenia from west, Seljuk Turks from east
• 1071 Battle of Manzikert, Seljuk occupation of Armenia
• 1080 Rupenian Principality established in Cilicia
• 1098-1099 Cilician Armenians assists First Crusade
• 1271 Marco Polo travels through Armenia
• 1280 Medieval universities of Gladzor and Tatev established.
• 1402 Last invasion of Armenia by Timur the Lame (Tamerlane)
• 1453 Fall of Constantinople, end of Byzantine Empire
To be continued (Medieval & Modern Armenia)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
A dry and hot summer day in Yerevan
Vardavar is celebrated 98 days or 14 weeks after Easter and is on July 31 this year. Formally, it is the day the Armenian Apostolic Church marks the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. However Armenians usually forget about this and during the day of Vardavar, people of all ages join the craziness of water and pour buckets of water on unsuspecting strangers.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Why do we camp on our trekking trips?
We choose camping along with small hotels/inns on trekking trips since:
• camping is much more adaptable - in the mountains itineraries can change due to weather, trail condition, etc.; camping gives us the flexibility to stop wherever we want
• camping is more eco-friendly - we employ a lot more local staff and your money is spread over a much greater range of the local community
• camping is better for your health - our local cooks prepare excellent food fit for trekkers with more variety in ingredients and menus
• camping is often quieter than small lodges where paper-thin walls separate you from a snoring fellow trekker
• no roads, no shops, no TVs, just incredible views and marvelous solitude.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
AdvenTour is joining ResponsibleTravel.com
We are joining ReponsibleTravel.com. Please see their questions and our answers on AdvenTour's responsible travel policy below:
1. Do you encourage travelers to minimise waste and recycle? If so how?
When we travel to protected areas or to any remote regions in the countries we work in, we advise our travelers on the kind of luggage to take, i.e. minimal luggage that is needed for the day or two they will spend in that area. This minimizes the use of petrol (if everyone take all luggage they’ve brought, we would have to hire a larger car).
Also the kind of utensils and food can have a huge impact on the amount of rubbish (we do not use plastic bags, plates, etc. – only recyclable bags and utensils that can be used more than once).
Another example is the food that we do not use during the lunch or dinner at camping - whatever remains is given to the local community who can use the remains to feed domestic animals or as fertilizer.
2. Do you encourage travelers to save energy and water? If so how?
Energy and water are saved in a variety of ways:
a. by the measures described above (being clever about the amount of luggage needed);
b. when traveling to regions where the roads are really bad and special vehicles are needed (like in Svaneti in Georgia) we “pool” groups and share the special vehicles, i.e. instead of taking 2 vehicles for 2 separate groups of say 3-4 people, we combine them for this section of the road;
c. our fleet of vehicles is maintained in our own garage – the vehicles are well maintained to minimize waste of energy;
d. water is saved by accommodation providers we work with, they provide travelers with specific advice for example on changing the bedclothes or using water.
3. Do you use accommodation with environmental policies? If so what are these policies?
The local family-owned accommodations which form the majority of the facilities we use, do not have formal environmental policies but by giving jobs to people in the locality where they operate, buying the food in the small villages surrounding the hotel, they work towards the same end, we believe.
4. Do you support local conservation projects? If so which ones? How do you support them?
We work with Khosrov Nature Park and Lake Arpi National Park in Armenia as well as Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and Tusheti Protected Areas in Georgia; we take groups to these protected areas; our groups not only use their facilities, guides, horses, etc. but also visit their conservation projects – like tree nursery and make contributions to the project.
When working with these protected areas we pay for clients’ entry as well as services provided to our groups – food, accommodation, horses, local vehicles – in this way we help them run and improve their activities.
We contribute to their “soft” development as well – for example with Khosrov Nature Reserve we have created a culinary demonstration product which was not in place before we went there and is now a great addition to the nature viewing product they already have. In these protected areas we comply with the local regulations concerning routes, accommodation, flora and fauna protection.
5. Do you encourage guests to support them? If so how?
In group visits we include conservation projects implemented by protected areas, provide information, help create live demonstrations (for example a Children’s Art Center in Vanador, Northern Armenia) and by taking part in the demonstration people choose to contribute to the project.
6. Do you give your guests information about the conservation of the natural environment? If so how?
Our guides have information about the natural and cultural environment the group visits and provide this information during their guiding process; also we use local guides from communities which are especially interesting and original (for example Russian Molokan “Milk Drinkers” community in Northern Armenia); these local guides are “living” examples of how to behave and interact with the community. Many of our past travelers have commented on the encounters with local people being an absolute highlight of their trip.
7. What is the group size and how does this impact on the community and environment?
On our activity holidays (which mostly visit protected areas) maximum group size is 8 persons – this decision was made to comply with the guidelines of protected areas – to help minimize the waste, noise and other type of impact which are critical in these environments (for example in Lake Arpi Trans Boundary National Park in Armenia and Georgia during the birding tours we take a boat trip to the island on the lake where birds nest – we do not take more than 3 people on one trip to this island).
On cultural groups the max group size is 12 people which is again based on our experience of the optimal group size both from the point of view of communities visited and from the point of view of travelers – creating a good balance between planned and independent activities.
8. In your office: how do you minimise energy use? Do you use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances?
As much as possible we try to use energy efficient bulbs and appliances (based on availability of these appliances in Armenia and Georgia); our office is located in the premises of a former Soviet factory in the “working” quarter of Yerevan where people have lost jobs due to the collapse of the Soviet Union – by giving jobs to people from these quarters, we believe we have a contribution to the living of these people; also we share the cafeteria, security, garage and many other auxiliary services / units with the part of the factory that still works which also minimizes many types of environmental pollution.
9. Do you recycle? If so what do you recycle?
We recycle mainly stationary as well as the food in the cafeteria – whatever remains is distributed to villagers from surrounding villages to feed their animals or use as fertilizer.
10. Do you run a paper free office? Do you use recycled stationary? Do you encourage car sharing? Do you work from home to avoid transport pollution? Please give details
We run a paper free office – we print only when something absolutely needs to be on paper, otherwise we use the electronic version of the file. We take our employees to our office in a minibus in the morning (our office is far from city center). This is done not only to make sure everyone travels to the office comfortably and in time but also to minimize transport usage; on holidays we work from home.
Thank you for your attention, any comments are welcome as usual!
1. Do you encourage travelers to minimise waste and recycle? If so how?
When we travel to protected areas or to any remote regions in the countries we work in, we advise our travelers on the kind of luggage to take, i.e. minimal luggage that is needed for the day or two they will spend in that area. This minimizes the use of petrol (if everyone take all luggage they’ve brought, we would have to hire a larger car).
Also the kind of utensils and food can have a huge impact on the amount of rubbish (we do not use plastic bags, plates, etc. – only recyclable bags and utensils that can be used more than once).
Another example is the food that we do not use during the lunch or dinner at camping - whatever remains is given to the local community who can use the remains to feed domestic animals or as fertilizer.
2. Do you encourage travelers to save energy and water? If so how?
Energy and water are saved in a variety of ways:
a. by the measures described above (being clever about the amount of luggage needed);
b. when traveling to regions where the roads are really bad and special vehicles are needed (like in Svaneti in Georgia) we “pool” groups and share the special vehicles, i.e. instead of taking 2 vehicles for 2 separate groups of say 3-4 people, we combine them for this section of the road;
c. our fleet of vehicles is maintained in our own garage – the vehicles are well maintained to minimize waste of energy;
d. water is saved by accommodation providers we work with, they provide travelers with specific advice for example on changing the bedclothes or using water.
3. Do you use accommodation with environmental policies? If so what are these policies?
The local family-owned accommodations which form the majority of the facilities we use, do not have formal environmental policies but by giving jobs to people in the locality where they operate, buying the food in the small villages surrounding the hotel, they work towards the same end, we believe.
4. Do you support local conservation projects? If so which ones? How do you support them?
We work with Khosrov Nature Park and Lake Arpi National Park in Armenia as well as Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and Tusheti Protected Areas in Georgia; we take groups to these protected areas; our groups not only use their facilities, guides, horses, etc. but also visit their conservation projects – like tree nursery and make contributions to the project.
When working with these protected areas we pay for clients’ entry as well as services provided to our groups – food, accommodation, horses, local vehicles – in this way we help them run and improve their activities.
We contribute to their “soft” development as well – for example with Khosrov Nature Reserve we have created a culinary demonstration product which was not in place before we went there and is now a great addition to the nature viewing product they already have. In these protected areas we comply with the local regulations concerning routes, accommodation, flora and fauna protection.
5. Do you encourage guests to support them? If so how?
In group visits we include conservation projects implemented by protected areas, provide information, help create live demonstrations (for example a Children’s Art Center in Vanador, Northern Armenia) and by taking part in the demonstration people choose to contribute to the project.
6. Do you give your guests information about the conservation of the natural environment? If so how?
Our guides have information about the natural and cultural environment the group visits and provide this information during their guiding process; also we use local guides from communities which are especially interesting and original (for example Russian Molokan “Milk Drinkers” community in Northern Armenia); these local guides are “living” examples of how to behave and interact with the community. Many of our past travelers have commented on the encounters with local people being an absolute highlight of their trip.
7. What is the group size and how does this impact on the community and environment?
On our activity holidays (which mostly visit protected areas) maximum group size is 8 persons – this decision was made to comply with the guidelines of protected areas – to help minimize the waste, noise and other type of impact which are critical in these environments (for example in Lake Arpi Trans Boundary National Park in Armenia and Georgia during the birding tours we take a boat trip to the island on the lake where birds nest – we do not take more than 3 people on one trip to this island).
On cultural groups the max group size is 12 people which is again based on our experience of the optimal group size both from the point of view of communities visited and from the point of view of travelers – creating a good balance between planned and independent activities.
8. In your office: how do you minimise energy use? Do you use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances?
As much as possible we try to use energy efficient bulbs and appliances (based on availability of these appliances in Armenia and Georgia); our office is located in the premises of a former Soviet factory in the “working” quarter of Yerevan where people have lost jobs due to the collapse of the Soviet Union – by giving jobs to people from these quarters, we believe we have a contribution to the living of these people; also we share the cafeteria, security, garage and many other auxiliary services / units with the part of the factory that still works which also minimizes many types of environmental pollution.
9. Do you recycle? If so what do you recycle?
We recycle mainly stationary as well as the food in the cafeteria – whatever remains is distributed to villagers from surrounding villages to feed their animals or use as fertilizer.
10. Do you run a paper free office? Do you use recycled stationary? Do you encourage car sharing? Do you work from home to avoid transport pollution? Please give details
We run a paper free office – we print only when something absolutely needs to be on paper, otherwise we use the electronic version of the file. We take our employees to our office in a minibus in the morning (our office is far from city center). This is done not only to make sure everyone travels to the office comfortably and in time but also to minimize transport usage; on holidays we work from home.
Thank you for your attention, any comments are welcome as usual!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Go to Georgia
Georgia is a small country that seems to be perfectly located between Europe and Asia. Before the Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflict erupted, this country was known for culture, tradition, people and the Caucasus Mountains. Although Georgia sounds dangerous to some, the place has countless adventures, learning, and fun to offer.
It's very hard to forget Georgia and the Georgians, as their level of hospitality is phenomenal. You will find people offering you wine while you are sitting outside a restaurant. You will also see strangers inviting you to come to their home. They simply know how to entertain guests in a sincere way and because of this people are one of the reasons why you should explore this tiny country.
Georgian cuisine is known as the best cuisine in the Soviet Union. Georgian dishes are unknown to the West but are absolutely distinctive in all ways. With its influence from Persia, Greece and Turkey, this food has taste and flavor that will make you long for more. The moment a Georgian invites you for supra feast, take the invitation right away. So, you just learned the second reason to visit Georgia.
Other than the food and warm welcome, your Caucasus tour should include a visit to the mountains and historical sites of Tbilisi, Georgia's capital. Tbilisi is another reason why you want to explore this country. It will tell you a lot about Georgia's history, you just need to spend a couple of hours walking downtown and every corner of the street will tell you something about turbulent Caucasian history. The city is one of the most charming cities in the Eastern Europe with its bustling streets, cozy terraces and cultural diversity. Tbilisi is home to many ethnic communities like Armenian, Jewish and Azerbaijani.
The highlight of your Caucasus tour will be Caucasus Mountains and trekking. One of the highlights of the Caucasus Mountains is Svaneti, a magical place both to Georgians and foreign visitors. It has fables spread throughout the country. Tusheti historical region with its charming medieval villages and mystic watch towers is another highlight of your Georgia tour. However, an opportunity to stay and spend time with the Svan or Tush families tasting their food and experiencing their lifestyle, will make trekking an experience full of cultural and outdoor adventures.
Georgia is also home to ancient churches and temples. Touring these mystical places will tell you about the rich Georgian religious identity. When visiting churches, don't miss Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient capital for its Svetitskhoveli Cathedral meaning The Living Pillar Cathedral. This is another reason to visit Georgia as it is the most holy site among Georgian churches. A worship place since the 4th Century, this church has a sacred atmosphere that will mesmerize you.
Rich modern and ancient history, great food, wine, hospitable people, mountains and lakes make Georgia travel worth your money and time. Get lost in this wonderful country, the heart of the Caucasus as Georgian men and women are there to show you the best their country can offer.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Hiking Adventures, AdvenTour
4 Fun: A little slide show of Hiking Adventure Holiday in the Caucasus. Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Pack your patience!
Suddenly summer is on the horizon and your imagination is fired to take a trip to unknown country. Here is the most important tip to maximize your enjoyment of the trip. Whatever else you pack, be sure to pack your patience and sense of humor. Even on the most meticulously organized trips, something will go wrong. Planes will be delayed, buses will break down, museums will close mysteriously, fellow travelers will oversleep or even worse: they will snore in the next tentJ).
When these happen, you can choose to get angry and make a fuss -- or you can enjoy the unexpected. Enjoy! Break your bread and cheese and share them and admire the cattle grazing in the meadows while the bus driver repairs the bus. Walk right by that uncooperative museum and find sidewalk seat at the corner café, and enjoy the singing fountains. And as for your tour mate- study your surroundings more closely -- you may be rewarded with a rare scene of timeworn temple you never would have seen if you hadn't had to wait or slept.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Georgia Travel Slideshow, check out
Georgia-Armenia Caucasusexplorer.com Slideshow: Adven’s trip to Tbilisi, Georgia was created by TripAdvisor. See another Tbilisi slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
AdvenTour's blog: My bike trip to Armenia
AdvenTour's blog: My bike trip to Armenia: "Why Armenia? I did not even know how to find it on the map. I only listened to that special voice inside that tells me where to find the nex..."
My bike trip to Armenia
Why Armenia? I did not even know how to find it on the map. I only listened to that special voice inside that tells me where to find the next biking adventure. It has not been wrong yet.
I discovered that the internet knows more than I do, so I started by typing "bike trip Armenia" on Google. Only one travel agency popped up. It was called AdvenTour and I figured it was a promising name so I wrote. That was the beginning of a delightful correspondence with Hasmik.
We arrived in Yerevan at midnight and were met by a delightful young man named Vrezh who was to be our driver for the trip. The look on his face when he saw two elderly ladies that would be in his charge for 10 days on the road could not be compared to his expression when he met us the next morning in our lycra biking shorts!
Our bikes, loaded on a small Land Rover, were waiting for us outside the hotel. Vrezh advised us NOT to bike through Yerevan, and after seeing the worst drivers I have ever seen on any of my travels, I knew he was right. After we cleared the city we biked through villages and gardens towards Mt. Ararat and Khor Virap Royal Prison. It was the first of many remote monastic sites we visited, with secret pathways and underground chambers - fascinating parts of Christian history.
Armenia was the first country to have Christianity as the state religion (311 AD) and those ancient monks sure could find the most inaccessible sites on mountain tops to build their monasteries. If their purpose was contemplative prayer in safety, it was achieved.
I had prepared some talking cards with phrases like "Where is the toilet? " and "Your country is so beautiful " and "Thank you for helping me", etc which I asked Vrezh to translate into Armenian. They were much appreciated by the Armenians, not so much for the content but for the respect they showed.
Let me state that our driver was NOT just for taking our luggage from one point to another. We learned that he had been engaged (at no extra cost to us!) to take care of us 24 hours a day for 10 days - and he did. He left us to bike alone as long as we wished, but magically appeared whenever we needed him.
Our first evening dinner on the road was one of several things we could never have done on our own. We were having our first dinner at a remote goat cheese farm. With the bikes on the back of the Land Rover we bounced up a dirt track for nearly an hour, finally arriving at an old stone farmhouse at the top of the mountain . We were welcomed by mother and her daughter Katrik, who greeted us proudly in school-girl English but could not converse. Grandfather was perched on a little stool near the door, dressed for the occasion in knickers, a shirt and jacket, heavy knitted brown kneesocks with short knitted grey socks over them, thick-soled slippers and a cap. His broad smile showed his gold tooth and we sipped welcoming cups of thick Armenian coffee.
Dinner was a feast. A table had been set in the garden under the heavy boughs of a nut tree in deep grass. There were platters of fried chicken, fried potatoes, goat cheese, sliced cucumbers, whole green chili peppers, a bowl of chopped greens and herbs mixed with yogurt, and freshly-baked soft flat Armenian bread wrapped in plastic bags as individual servings beside each place. Dessert was thick sour cream topped with homemade honey and our beverage was ton, a ubiquitous Armenian drink made with plain yogurt mixed with water until it looks (and tastes nothing) like milk.
It turned out that the mother taught German to school children in her home. Ingrid managed to keep the conversation going with her limited German and I kept patting my stomach and waving my " The food is delicious! " talking card. There were hugs all around as we left and I thanked God (and Hasmik) for these new friends.
Biking the next days was often at 4000 - 6000 feet, so we were grateful for our strong lungs - and legs. Sometimes the roads were so steep and winding that, when flying down, we were "biting ourselves in the tail" as they say in Norwegian. Sometimes the road was so narrow that there was no room for two cars and a bike to meet at the same time, yet the hairpin turns were so tight one could not see what was coming. We checked our brakes many times a day!
The fields of wild flowers with intense colors were everywhere, the most spectacular I have ever seen. We always brought a picnic lunch of bread, cheese fresh tomatoes and apricot jam (my favorite) along the roadside, washed down with gallons of water. It is hot and dry in southern Armenia at this time of year (July) and dehydration can be dangerous for bikers.
Perhaps the most unforgettable occasion for us was one no one could not have programmed. I had read in my book before the trip that Armenian hospitality was legendary and that total strangers might invite you into their homes. Well, it happened to us! We were standing on a village street when two little boys popped out of an old stone house and were fooling with our bikes. The boys' mother came out and asked if we would like to come in for a drink of ton.
Naturally I was thrilled and Vrezh accepted for us. He stayed in the background, but Ingrid and I were escorted through an old kitchen with loaves and loaves of bread cooling on the table and into a small living room. We were seated on a sofa with a little table in front of us.
Well, it was just like the book. First came the glasses of ton, and then the platters of cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and bowls of yogurt, loaves of the newly-baked lavash, bowls of sour cream for dessert and a plate of chocolate. I had good use of my "Your country is beautiful" and "The food is delicious! " and "Thank you for your friendship" cards! When we left we discovered that they had given Vrezh a bag of bread and a huge hunk of cheese for us to eat later. I will never forget that spontaneous and loving hospitality.
The most moving occasion on the trip was our visit to the memorial for the Armenian genocide in 1915. Until I started reading some Armenian history I did not know of the dreadful holocaust in which 1.5 million people were murdered or sent off to die in the desert. The memorial and the garden in which trees are planted by people from many countries in memory of those who died touched me deeply. I will never forget what happened to the people of this magnificent country.
I almost forget that I knew nothing about Armenia a few months ago. I now know where it is on the map, I know that it is full of Christian history, gorgeous scenery, bumpy roads and great food. But most of all I know it is full of warm, wonderful hospitable people who are proud of their heritage and their country.
Connie, Norway
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