Short break in Armenia - Tailormade

On arrival at Yerevan’s international airport, you will be met by our local team and transferred to your hotel in the Armenian capital. Once you have checked in, the remainder of the day is free to relax after your journey or begin getting your first impressions of this fascinating city.

Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with its origins dating back more than 2,800 years to the foundation of the ancient settlement of Erebuni in 782 BC. Today, the city combines this remarkable history with elegant boulevards, attractive squares, lively cafés and a thriving cultural scene.

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Yerevan with a guided city tour. Discover the character of the Armenian capital as you visit Republic Square, the city's impressive central gathering place, before continuing to the Cascade Complex, a monumental series of stairways and terraces incorporating fountains, sculptures and an extensive collection of contemporary art.

Continue to the elegant Opera and Ballet Theatre and explore some of the city's principal boulevards and landmarks, gaining an insight into Yerevan's distinctive architectural character and its evolution from ancient settlement to modern capital.

Leaving the city, travel towards Garni, with a special cultural stop en route for an introduction to the Armenian tradition of miniature painting. Discover the fascinating world of Trchnagir, a distinctive Armenian decorative tradition in which letters are transformed into intricate bird and animal forms. During this hands-on workshop, your instructor will introduce the history and symbolism behind this artistic tradition before helping you create your own Armenian-inspired design.

Continue to Garni Temple, Armenia's remarkable surviving pre-Christian Greco-Roman temple. Dating from the 1st century AD, the temple occupies a spectacular position above the Azat River gorge, with views extending across the surrounding mountains and countryside. It provides a fascinating contrast to the medieval Christian monasteries that feature elsewhere in the journey.

From Garni, continue into the gorge to see the extraordinary Symphony of Stones. Here, volcanic basalt has formed towering columns with remarkably regular geometric shapes, creating a natural formation resembling the pipes of a giant organ.

Enjoy lunch at a traditional Armenian home, where you will discover another important element of the country's culinary heritage through a lavash-baking master class. Learn how this traditional flatbread is prepared and baked in an underground tonir oven before tasting it fresh from the oven.

After lunch, continue to Geghard Monastery, one of Armenia's most extraordinary medieval monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set dramatically against the cliffs of the Azat Valley, parts of the monastery have been carved directly into the surrounding rock. Founded in the 4th century and substantially developed in the medieval period, the complex is renowned for its atmospheric rock-cut chambers, churches and finely carved stonework.

Return to Yerevan in the late afternoon, with the evening free to relax or perhaps explore the capital's cafés and restaurants independently.

Today, venture south through some of Armenia's most scenic countryside towards the country's renowned wine-producing region.

Your first stop is Khor Virap, one of Armenia's most important pilgrimage sites and one of the country's most spectacular viewpoints. The monastery stands close to the Turkish border and, on a clear day, provides an extraordinary panorama towards Mount Ararat.

Khor Virap is closely associated with Gregory the Illuminator, who was imprisoned here for many years because of his Christian faith before later becoming the spiritual leader who played a pivotal role in Armenia's conversion to Christianity. The name Khor Virap translates as 'deep dungeon', a reference to the underground prison associated with Gregory.

Continue into the Areni wine region, an area renowned for its vineyards and long winemaking tradition. Visit Areni-1 Cave, an important archaeological site where evidence of ancient winemaking has been discovered, offering a fascinating insight into the depth of Armenia's relationship with wine.

Continue to a local winery for lunch and a chance to sample Armenian wines in the heart of the country's principal wine-producing region. The surrounding Vayots Dzor landscape combines vineyards with rugged mountains and deep valleys, making this one of the most scenic areas of southern Armenia.

After lunch, continue to Noravank, dramatically positioned amongst the red-rock cliffs of the Amaghu Gorge. Dating principally from the 13th century, the monastery is one of Armenia's great medieval architectural treasures, particularly noted for its ornate stone carvings and dramatic setting.

On the return journey to Yerevan, enjoy a fascinating introduction to another important element of Armenian cultural heritage with a visit to a traditional duduk workshop.

The duduk is Armenia's distinctive woodwind instrument, traditionally crafted from apricot wood. Meet a master craftsman and discover how these beautiful instruments are made, with a short demonstration of the craftsmanship involved. The experience concludes with a live performance, allowing you to hear the duduk's unmistakably warm and haunting sound.

Return to Yerevan for an evening at leisure.

After breakfast, travel to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion in the early 4th century, and Etchmiadzin has remained at the centre of Armenian religious life ever since.

Visit the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, surrounded by an important complex of churches and religious buildings. The site provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Armenia's Christian heritage and the enduring importance of faith within Armenian culture.

Continue to the nearby Zvartnots Cathedral ruins, the remains of an extraordinary 7th-century circular cathedral. Although the original building was destroyed by an earthquake several centuries later, its surviving columns and foundations provide a remarkable impression of the scale and ambition of early Armenian architecture.

Enjoy lunch at Tasty Guesthouse, where you will meet your host and take part in a traditional Armenian cookery experience.

Learn how to prepare arishta, a traditional hand-made Armenian pasta, as well as gata, a much-loved Armenian sweet pastry. Following the demonstration and practical element, sit down to enjoy the dishes you have helped prepare alongside other traditional Armenian specialities.

Return to Yerevan in the afternoon and visit the Matenadaran – Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. This remarkable institution houses one of the world's most important collections of Armenian manuscripts and provides an insight into the country's long literary, religious and intellectual traditions. The collection encompasses manuscripts and documents covering subjects including theology, history, medicine, astronomy, philosophy and the arts.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free to enjoy Yerevan independently.

Today is free to explore Yerevan at your own pace.

You may wish to revisit the city centre and spend time around Republic Square, browse the shops and galleries, or enjoy a leisurely coffee in one of the city's many cafés. The Cascade area is particularly pleasant for exploring independently, combining contemporary art with panoramic views across the city towards Mount Ararat on a clear day.

Alternatively, consider visiting one of Yerevan's museums, browsing the city's markets for Armenian handicrafts, or simply enjoying the relaxed café culture for which the capital is increasingly known.

Your final evening provides an opportunity to enjoy dinner independently and reflect on a fascinating few days discovering Armenia's history, culture and cuisine.