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.

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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

A little town, 25km from Erevan, Garni is famous for its Hellenic temple that dates back to the first century.

Garrni

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Situated at twenty or so kilometres to the west of Erevan, Garni is home to the only pagan temple that survived Armenia's Christian overhaul. Destroyed and then rebuilt, the temple today stands proud. You'll also find remnants of other ruined buildings including a church, baths and a fortress - vestiges to Armenia's past that date from the Roman Conquest, Christianisation and other invasions. It was an interesting visit that left me with good memories, but I can't say that Garni was top of my <a href="/armenia/">list of destinations in Armenia</a>. Even so, if you're based in Erevan and can get hold of a car, Garni makes for an enjoyable day out.

A little town, 25km from Erevan, Garni is famous for its Hellenic temple that dates back to the first century.

Even though the site comprises only of a temple, Garni is a must-see during a <a href="/armenia/">trip to Armenia</a>. It's one of the country's rare examples of Greco-Roman architecture. What's more the temple is particularly well preserved and restored. I was surprised to find that the visitor information was written in Armenian, English and French. It wasn't just limited to simple descriptions of the temple, but also explained the symbolism behind the architecture. It means you can enjoy the visit from another angle, leaving with an understanding of Armenian society before Christianity arrived. Another pleasant surprise is that Garni overlooks a magnificent landscape of gorges and mountains - a nature lover's dream. If you're in Yerevan, taking a combined trip to Garni and the Ghegard Monastery makes for a great afternoon out.

Garni, with is stunning colonnade,  is Armenia's only Greco-Roman temple. 

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