The Last Country In Europe That’s Still Truly Off The Beaten Path

Now that Croatia has been found by the plenty, and even nations like Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina have grow to be ‘TikTook well-known’, it is simple to suppose that there are usually not that many ‘hidden gems’ to unveil in Europe.

Out west, for positive there is not, but when we’re speaking Eastern Europe, as in, far, far east, there may be nonetheless a largely unheard-of faraway land stuffed with historic wonders, magnificent nature, and most significantly, that is but to be ruined by the crowds.

This summer time, you need to give the same old tourism hotspots a miss and discover Armenia, the world’s oldest Christian state, and a true off-the-beaten-path nation.

The Side Of Europe You Didn’t Know Existed

Tucked away within the Caucasus, an ambiguous territory between Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Armenia is a kind of faraway lands you would not instinctively suppose to go to until you may have familial ties, or very area of interest pursuits.

There are no direct Transatlantic flights, and even service from main European hubs is restricted to sure dates of the week, so it is no surprise it is remained largely ignored by the traveler group.

Even with the latest increase in digital nomads, who’ve not too long ago found a home in Armenia drawn to the tax-friendly insurance policies and relaxed visa guidelines, the nation has but to interrupt into the mainstream.

You know, uncovering secret spots is our specialty right here at Travel Off Path, and oftentimes, it is exactly these unheard-of locations you’ll be able to barely pinpoint in a map that develop into essentially the most unbelievable—Armenia isn’t any exception:

One Of The Oldest Cities In The World

Whether you are flying in from mainland Europe or crossing the land border with Georgia, likelihood is your first cease in Armenia will likely be Yerevan, the capital and largest metropolis.

Boasting a wealthy historical past courting again practically 3,000 years, it’s identified to be one of many oldest repeatedly inhabited cities on this planet—to our fellow tradition buffs on the market, it is even older than Rome!—and it is obtained the fabric heritage to again it up.

Erebuni Fortress, based in round 782 BCE by an Armenian king, dates again to the founding of the nation, and a brief 20-minute drive from downtown Yerevan, you’ll be able to go to Zvartnots, a singular circular-shaped Seventh-century cathedral inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Armenia is broadly accepted to be the primary state to transform to Christianity, and Zvartnots is a testomony to the Armenian individuals’s unshakeable religion.

A Pink-Washed Cityscape

Yerevan’s most wonderful attraction, nonetheless, is its Soviet heritage: like each different nation within the Caucasus, it got here underneath Russian management within the twentieth century, and if you happen to’re a fan of modernist structure, you are undoubtedly in for a deal with.

Republic Square is town’s primary assembly level, flanked by grandiose neoclassical buildings and that includes a dancing water show at its heart. The Cascade Complex, arguably Yerevan’s primary attraction, is an extended stairway adorned with gardens and small fountains.

From the very prime, you’ll be able to admire Yerevan’s pink-washed cityscape: in contrast to most cities within the Soviet Union, Yerevan’s condo blocks had been constructed partly from volcanic pink tuff stone, not pure concrete, giving them a singular rose-tinged hue.

The metropolis’s additionally well-known for its full of life café tradition, with outside espresso retailers galore, and open-air markets, like Vernissage, the place you should buy native crafts and vintage souvenirs.

Ancient Wonders Galore

Vibrant as Yerevan could also be, Armenia’s true attraction lies in its largely-rural countryside and smaller cities.

Picture snow-clad highlands, stunning monasteries with an imposing Mount Arat for backdrop, and quaint villages nestled on the backside of deep valleys which have preserved their outdated methods amidst a quickly altering world.

If you are seeking to get really thoughts blown, ensure you pay a go to to the 4th-century Geghard Monastery, partially carved right into a mountain, and yet one more UNESCO-protected gem.

Overlooking Azat Gorge, considered one of Armenia’s pure wonders, Garni Temple is yet one more must-see historic sight: this Greco-Roman magnificence has stood right here for the reason that 1st century, and it is the one standing Hellenic constructing within the former Soviet Union.

If you are a thrillseeker, ensure you take a experience on the Wings of Tatev, the world’s longest nonstop aerial tramway, to succeed in a Ninth-century monastery, perched atop a cliff, or discover the distant Khor Virap, a non secular website of nice significance the place Saint Gregory, the Illuminator, was imprisoned.

The better part is, if you happen to’re not assured sufficient about renting a automobile—Armenian roads are notoriously difficult to drive on—most of those places are served by bus or Soviet-style marshrutkas, or guided excursions, starting from solely $28–$50 per individual on GetYourGuide.

Discover The Armenian Sea

Armenia has no entry to the ocean, however it does have Lake Sevan, one of many largest and deepest highland lakes within the Caucasus.

It is lined with sleepy resort cities and extra historic monasteries, most notably Sevanavank, which occupies a distinguished peninsula stretching out into the lake.

Sevanavank is among the many best vacationer websites to get to on Lake Sevan, as a consequence of its proximity to Sevan, the primary city within the province, so it could actually get fairly busy, however if you happen to’re searching for picturesque and unspoiled, Tsovagyugh is the right different.

A small village on the shores of the lake, with a small seashore and scenic promenade, it is nice for beating the Yerevan and Sevan crowds.

On the japanese shore, Shorzha is much more peaceable, with its clear water, wild seashores, and plush nature, and cottage-style stays right here begin from solely $56 for two adults, or $28 every—take a look at Shorzha Kangar Guesthouse.

Armenia Fits Every Budget

Speaking of costs, Armenia is among the most reasonably priced locations within the Eurasian continent, owing it to the low value of dwelling, low native wages, and weak spot of the Armenian dram in comparison with stronger currencies just like the U.S. greenback or the euro.

Getting there may be not precisely the simplest or most cost-effective feat, as as soon as once more, there are not any direct flights from the United States and even connecting flights in Europe are on the pricier finish, however as soon as at your vacation spot, you may be feeling as if you happen to’ve hit the jackpot.

According to Budget Your Trip, vacationers spend a mean $21 on meals per day, $3.70 on native transportation every day, and $26 on accommodations per night time.

Order your self a platter of steamed dumplings with garlic yogurt dip, lahmajoun on the facet, a beneficiant khorovats grilled meat choice for primary, and a few local-sourced crimson wine, and you may be paying $13 tops at a local-frequented restaurant.

Armenia is the facet of Europe that is but to be ruined by mass tourism, and although it is fairly the journey there, it is completely definitely worth the detour.

Start planning your Armenia journey by checking native entry necessities here.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ nations underneath his belt (and presently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that can have you ever packing your baggage.