Aparan, a small town that is as severe as it is picturesque, lies at the foot of Mount Aragats, Armenia's roof. A small town in the high plateaus, buffeted by the winds, dry and freezing in winter, it is an ideal point of departure for climbing Aragats.

Europe

If someone were to ask you what Steve Jobs, Kim Kardashian and Princess Diana have in common, what would you answer? They are all of Armenian origin... of course! Sometimes more known for its famous expatriates than for itself, Armenia is a multifaceted country still widely unexplored and seldom frequented by Western tourists. But what riches are hidden there! From the capital Yerevan to the emblematic and legendary mountains (Mount Ararat, Mount Aragats), Armenia boasts churches and monasteries listed in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites, a thousand-year-old culture of incredible variety. With a rocky landscape of canyons and high plateaus, 90% of the land is situated above 1000 metres altitude to delight the soul of the lost wayfarer. Traveling in Armenia also means meeting a proud, hospitable and warm people, always overjoyed to be able to share with passing visitors and to assist them in discovering their country and its resources forged over several millennia more intimately. Don’t wait a moment longer, you too can create your tailor-made trip to Armenia. Բարի գալուստ Հայաստան (Bari galust Hayastan or Welcome to Armenia)!

Armenia

Aparan

The symbol of a country which recalls the riches of its history and the bitterness of its defeats.

Mount Ararat

Areni's excellent red wines  are produced in a small village in the south west of the country on the border with Azerbaijan

Areni

The ruin of the Amberd Fortress is 2300 m above sea level; it is a symbolic monument perched on top of a stony setting and at the foot of Mount Aragats. Just next to the Vahramashen church (11th century) is another architectural and scenic gem.

Amberd

An industrial city by the lake, Sevan has nothing to offer tourists; unless, that is, you like the idea of exploring a Soviet ghost town.

Sévan

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Around 80 kilometres from Yerevan lies Sevan, a city that formerly stood at the edge of the lake that shares its name but which now stands several hundred metres away due to the fact the waters have receded. Though the lake itself is incredibly scenic and a very popular tourist destination, this is definitely not the case with the city, which is as ugly as the lake and its surroundings are beautiful. I have to admit, however, that I did get some pleasure from walking through its dreary streets: their decaying, concrete, Soviet-style buildings provide opportunities for some good photos, the large abandoned Ferris wheel with the cows grazing around it being a case in point. In summary, you should avoid Sevan when you're in <a href="/armenia/">this part of Armenia</a> and you want to visit the lake of the same name. Head instead for the little villages at the water's edge, which are much more charming.

An industrial city by the lake, Sevan has nothing to offer tourists; unless, that is, you like the idea of exploring a Soviet ghost town.

Sévan Vacations

Sévan: What to see nearby?