Tales from the Black Sea Silk Road

Transcription

1 Tales from the Black Sea Silk Road Winter

2 CONTENTS Page 3 Join us at the New York Times Travel Show Page 4 Our Region in Winter Page 5 Highlights: Armenia & Turkey Page 6 Announcements Page 7 Let s Connect! TATON is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - funded BRIDGES project. It is created to enhance cross border economic development through tourism. Mt. ARARAT And in the entire world you will not find a mountaintop like Ararat s. Like an unreachable peak of glory I love my Mount Masis. Yeghishe Charents Mt. Ararat: The glorious biblical mountain where Noah landed his ark, the sacred site that has sparked the urge for adventure in so many people. Climbing Mount Ararat, which is the highest peak in the Armenian plateau and Eastern Turkey, is on the list of every person who seeks to reach the unattainable, to discover the unknown. The mountain has been and continues to be the muse for many artists, poets and writers and enchants every single person who gets a chance to see it in its full glory. The contents of this publication are the responsibility of AMAP Human Development NGO and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. Page 2

3 Barev! Merhaba! Hello! W e are happy to invite all of our friends and colleagues to attend the New York Times Travel Show January 8-10, 2016, at the Javits Center. As you know, it s the biggest show of its kind. Not only that, TATON will be there this year. What is TATON? The Turkish and Armenian Tour Operators Network is a not-for-profit alliance forged with the help of USAID to develop tourism in one of the world s last great unknown places: Eastern Turkey and Armenia. With 38 travel organizations in Armenia and 35 in Turkey working together across what is now a closed border we aim to unveil our region to travele are excited to present this unique and rich reers, focusing on its cultural glories, diverse gion at the New York Times Travel Show. In the people, storied past and scenic glories: Mount Ararat, 16,854 feet, a twin-peaked massif where the Bible tells us Noah s Ark landed, the region s most cherished icon Lakes Van and Sevan Armenian monasteries like Tatev and Akhtamar Vibrant cities like Gyumri, a Russian Era gem in northern Armenia, and Van, capital of the ancient Urartian civilization. W region with 9 climate zones...peaks higher than the Alps...6,500 plant species...sub-tropical to semi-desert climates we have unique experiences that would attract everyone. While being one of the cradles of civilization, we are away from the beaten path and our cultural, natural and historical heritage will enchant you with its diversity and opulence. Nelli Malkhasyan CEO, Princess Maneh Tours So join us at our booth (#572) at the New York Times Travel Show to meet our travel experts and get to know our splendid region. Once you learn about our glorious region, you ll want to visit and we ll give you a warm welcome. See you at the show! T U R K I S H - A R M E N I A N T O U R O P E R A T O R S N E T W O R K * T U R K I S H - A R M E N I A N T O U R O P E R A T O R S N E T W O R K Join us at the New York Times Travel Show Page 3

4 OUR REGION IN WINTER Armenia Armenia always has something new to offer, yes, even in winter. If you are a lover of active adventure, if you return to childhood seeing the snow and if you are ready for nowhere-else-to-be found authentic experiences, then you will have the best winter holidays with us. There are a few things that you absolutely have to do if you are in Armenia for winter: Celebrate Christmas with the oldest Christian nation: Christmas in Yerevan is a majestic and very unique experience. If you look for a spiritual place where you can regain yourself, experience a real family holiday of love and care, then be in Armenia on January 6 and celebrate with us. Ski in Tsaghkadzor: Winter sports are very popular in Armenia and especially in the Ski resort of Tsaghkadzor where you can spend a whole week in comfortable hotels or cozy cottages with family and friends. Eat the best winter soup-khash: Eating khash, warm winter soup, will turn the simple act of eating into a special cultural feast. Prepared with love and dedication for several hours, made from cow hooves and eaten with plenty of garlic and salt and Armenian traditional lavash bread, khash is an experience that should not be missed. It is an early morning dish accompanied with shots of vodka and warm feeling of bonding, connection and family. Give it a try! Turkey Turkey is a stunning travel destination even in winter. Eastern Turkey especially is really cold in winter. This is because of the presence of mountain ranges close to the coast and the great height of the interior plateau ranging from 800m to 2,000m. Despite everything, in the winter months some parts of Turkey can be especially attractive. There are some advantages to visit Turkey in winter such as; it is cheaper, it is less crowded, it is easier to have local experiences and it is definitely wonderful. Exploring Turkey is fantastic during the winter. You can have a snowy fairytale like vacation in Turkey. Winter sports are prevalent and extremely popular in Turkey. A winter visit to Turkey, gateway to the East, will be a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. There are different options in Turkey for winter sun seekers, ski lovers, shopping lovers, history lovers You can feel the winter s spirit in Turkey. It is amazing to smell roasted chestnuts perfume in the air. Winter is also great to experience a hot Turkish bath, a steaming glass of tea, a cup of salep, or a shop full of fine carpets. Restaurants offer delicious winter foods, while concert halls, clubs, galleries, and museums present a rich buffet of cultural events. Page 4

5 HIGHLIGHTS: ARMENIA & TURKEY Palandoken Erzurum, located in the eastern Anatolian city of Erzurum, Mount Palandoken, boasts Turkey s iciest temperatures. The best thing in here is Palandoken ski resort on its outskirts which is guaranteed to have snow. With its light powder snow and cold weather conditions, Palandoken is the best skiing destination for skilled skiers with its steep slopes, 12 kilometer-long trails and two-three meter-high snow. The ski center in Palandoken has the longest and most perpendicular tracks in Turkey. There are 22 tracks in Palandoken Ski Center, including eight easy tracks, eight intermediate, two advanced and four road tracks. Additionally, two of those tracks are registered as Olympic tracks. With its lifts and tracks, the Palandoken Ski Center is accepted as one of the best ski resorts in Turkey and it hosts many international winter sport championships and competitions. If you are a professional skier who is eager to experience a real skiing adventure, Palandoken is the best choice for you. Tsaghkadzor If you are in Armenia for winter, Ski Resort of Tsaghkadzor is a must visit. Located 1840 meters above the sea level, Tsaghkadzor is calling winter sport lovers, snowboarders and ski riders to indulge themselves on the slopes of Mount Teghenis. If you are a beginner, then you will surely get the help of experienced coaches and trainers. The climate in winter is rather mild here. The average temperature in January is -3 C. Tsaghkadzor is ideal for skiers. The skiing season here normally starts mid December and stretches well into March with the top slopes often fit for skiing in April. The ropeway with its 5 stations is in line with current international standards by the level of their technical equipment and services. However, even if you are not into winter sports, you can always enjoy the amazing landscape with snow-capped peaks, breathe the clean and refreshing mountain air and spend warm and comfortable evenings at restaurants offering delicious food. Page 5

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS TATON Web Magazine to be ready soon Get a glimpse of our fabulous TATON Web Magazine that we will proudly present to you next year. Rich with awesome content about the magnificent region of Armenia and Eastern Anatolia, it will make you pack your bags and visit us. Photos and videos of the region as well as travel stories written by people who can t live without travelling will become a guidebook for you to our region and will allow you to virtually start travelling before you set your foot on the soil of unexpected adventures and magnificent beauty. TATON to participate in the Washington DC Travel and Adventure Show TATON is planning to take the beauty of this region to Washington D.C. for the 12th annual Washington D.C. Travel & Adventure Show. This is where travel lovers come for travel inspiration, expert information and fun, cultural interaction and we are excited to present our authentic travel experiences, amazing travel deals and welcome you to our home. If you are a tour operator in Armenia or Turkey and you want to join the TATON booth on February for the D.C. Travel & Adventure show, hurry up and contact taton.travel@gmail.com. We have limited places left. English for Travel Professionals with Susan Spano On December 10, 2015 AMAP office hosted the first meeting of the English for Travel Professionals class initiated and organized by our great friend and colleague Susan Spano. The classes that will begin late January, 2016 will give the TOs in Armenia a chance to improve their English and to have better relationship with their English speaking colleagues abroad. Susan will kindly share her vast experience and knowledge with the TOs. Page 6

7 Crossing Borders Creating Solutions Let s Connect! We want to stay in contact with you via Social Media. We hope you do too. We want you to discover the exciting and interesting experiences in this virtually untapped, beautiful region. Our hope is that more people will learn about this area, & visit us here. Join us via your favorite social media platform & let us know what you think! AMAP Human Development NGO 101 Pavstos Buzand St. 1st Entrance, Apt. 6 Yerevan 0002 Armenia (o) +374 (10) info@amap.am t Ekonomistler Platformu 19 Mayis Mah, Tayyareci Cemal Sok. Safa Apt. No: 22 Daire: 9 Şişli Istanbul, Turkey (o) info@ekonomistler.org.tr contact cooperate create Page 7

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