ARMENIA WINE FESTIVAL Each year already a traditional Armenia Wine Festival takes place, which gives all visitors a great opportunity not only to taste the best sorts of Armenian wine, but also to discover the Armenian culture in its brightest colors. The present tour-program includes participation in the festival, as well as sightseeing in the most famous destinations of Armenia.
Day 1. (01 October) Arrival at Zvartnots International airport transfer to hotel - overnight Day 2. (02 October) Yerevan city tour: History museum Republic Square Cascade complex Cafesjian Centre of arts Opera House - Tsitsernakaberd Memorial complex dinner at a restaurant Ararat Brandy Factory overnight Day 3. (03 October) Khor Virap Areni village participation at Areni wine festival overnight in Yeghegnadzor Day 4.(04 October) Noravank monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Yegheghadzor dinner at a local restaurant - return to Yerevan free evening overnight Day 5. (05 October) Garni temple Geghard monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - dinner at a local restaurant return to Yerevan - overnight Day 6. (06 October) Echmiatsin ruins of Zvartnots (UNESCO World Heritage Site) dinner at a restaurant - Yerevan overnight Day 7. (07 October) Transfer to airport departure
Day 1. (01 October) Arrival at Zvartnots International airport transfer to hotel - overnight Day 2. (02 October) Yerevan city tour: History museum Republic Square Cascade complex Cafesjian Centre of arts Opera House dinner at a restaurant Ararat Brandy Factory overnight The first excursion day begins with a city tour in Yerevan with the first visit to the History museum of Armenia. History museum of Armenia was founded by the Parliament September 9, 1919. It was called Ethnographic-Anthropological Museum-Library and Yervand Lalayan was the first director. Yerevan History Museum with the number of its exhibits, the number of its publications and its preservation means corresponds to the demands of a modern museum. It has become one of the leading museums of our country. Cascade complex is a unique place to visit in Yerevan. With 572 steps the complex is a one of the most beloved in Yerevan for both local people and tourists. One of the main interests of the complex is Cafesjian Centre of Arts. Located in Cascade, the museum exhibits rare samples of glass art as well as drawings, paintings and sculptures. Cafesjian Museum of Art was founded by benefactor Gerard L. Cafesjian. It is dedicated to bringing the best of contemporary art to Armenia and presenting the best of Armenian culture to the world. The majority of exhibitions are derived from Mr. Cafesjian's own extensive collection of contemporary art. In addition to the exhibition program, the museum is also a spot for various programs of visiting lecturers, classic films, concerts and numerous educational programs for adults and children. Cafesjian Museum of Art has a collection of more than 5,000 works. Some of the works from the museum one can see in Cascade that make the area more beautiful and attractive for visitors. Yeveran City
Tsitsernakaberd. The memorial-complex to the victims of the Armenian genocide towers over Tsitsernakaberd hill. At the center of the monument there is the Memorial Sepulcher with eternal flame and twelve, tall basalt slabs tilting over the flame. As a part of the Monument the arrow-shaped 44 meters high granite stele symbolizes the spiritual rebirth and bold spirit of the Armenian people. The Genocide Museum is a special constituent part of the complex. The exhibit contains a number of photos taken by the witnesses, archival documents, documentary films and the original documents issued by international organizations and parliaments of foreign countries condemning the Genocide. April 2015 is particularly remarkable for Armenians all over the world, as this year is the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 in the Ottoman Empire. After dinner at a local restaurant, the city tour continues with a visit to the famous Ararat' Brandy Factory in Yerevan. Visiting the museum of the factory, the guests will have the chance to get acquainted with the legends of ARARAT brandies, learn the 120 years old history of Armenian brandy manufacture, know who have drunk Armenian brandy, see the oldest Armenian barrels and the medals which decorate the ARARAT legend. They will also walk around the ageing cellar and see how the brandy spirits are preserved, know who have nominal barrels and enjoy the delicate aroma of the cellar. Finally, the guests are invited to spend a lovely and unforgettable time in the tasting hall enjoying the wonderful "THREE STARS" and "NAIRI". Day 3. (03 October) Khor Virap Areni village participation at Areni wine festival overnight in Yeghegnadzor The day begins with a visit to Khor Virap monastery the most famous pilgrimage site in Armenia, as itis directly connected with the adoption of Christianity. As a state religion Christianity in Armenia was adopted in 301 due to endeavors of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who before converting king Trdat the 3rd to Christianity, was imprisoned in the dungeon over which a church of Khor Virap monastery was built in the 17th century. From the monastery one can admire the stunning view of the Biblical Mount Ararat.
Afterwards the guests move to Areni village, where the wine festival is going to take place. Areni village - The village of Areni is in Vayots Dzor region. It has an ancient history. Wine-making in Armenia arises from the ancient times. Its history started from the times of Noah. Since then people have been cultivating wine and bequeathing the secrets of viticulture from generation to generation. Owing to the unique dry climate the valuable grapes of Areni have been cultivated here, and nowhere else in Armenia has it shown itself as good as in the village of Areni. The long history of wine-making in Armenia is evidenced by the numerous wine barrels and clay vats excavated out of the thick layer of soil in various places. The homeland of Areni grapes is Vayots Dzor region of Armenia, in particular, the area of Areni. Areni has a black amber color. Thanks to its pleasant sourish and specific taste, the best wines are made from Areni. Areni is an aborigine sort and in the course of centuries it has been adapted to dry climate of Vayots Dzor. Nowadays Areni wine factory has become the cradle of winemaking in this region. A visit to the winery will give the guests the opportunity to taste 15 sorts of wine, watch a short-length film about the history of the factory, winemaking in Armenia and its historical background. Afterwards the guests are welcome to have a walk in the cellars of the factory. Each year in Areni village takes place already a traditional Areni Wine Festival, where besides the inhabitants of the region there are also present representatives of various departments. Areni Wine Festival gives a great opportunity to discover Armenia. Those who even once have taken part in Areni Wine Festival in Armenia will never forget the bright impressions. During the Areni Wine Festival you will be able to taste the best range of Armenian wines, which are very highly valued by European consumers. The Areni Wine Fetiva l opens with the bright and colorful and spectacular
parade of the best wine-makers, combined with the song and dance combination. The festival program includes opening ceremony, Armenian wine-makers fair, public and professional wine tasting, Armenian national music and dances. After the festival the guests are transferred to Yeghegnadzor for an overnight. Day 4.(04 October) Noravank monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Yegheghadzor dinner at a local restaurant - return to Yerevan free evening overnight On the return way to Yerevan the guests visit Noravank monastery, a 13th century Armenian monastery, located 122km from Yerevan in a narrow gorge made by Amaghu river, near the city of Yeghegnadzor, Armenia. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The monastery is best known for its two-storey Surp Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church, which grants access to the second floor by way of a narrow stone-made staircase jutting out from the face of building. The monastery is sometimes called Noravank at Amaghu, with Amaghu being the name of a small and nowadays abandoned village above the canyon, in order to distinguish it from Bgheno-Noravank, near Goris. In the 13th 14th centuries the monastery became a residence of Syunik's bishops and, consequently, a major religious and, later, cultural center of Armenia closely connected with many of the local seats of learning, especially with Gladzor's famed university and library. From 1996 the monastery of Noravank and the upper Amaghou Valley are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further the guests are invited to have a dinner of Armenian traditional dishes at a local restaurant in Yeghegnadzor. Afterwards they return to Yerevan where a free evening will be at their disposal.
Day 5. (05 October) Garni temple Geghard monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - dinner at a local restaurant return to Yerevan - overnight We begin the day with a visit to Garni temple the only survived pagan temple in the territory of Armenia. Garni temple which towers over a threecornered cape is the unique survived example of pagan culture in Armenia. It is a blend of Greco-Roman and Armenian styles. King Trdat the First began building of the temple in the first century A.D. and dedicated it to the God of Sun. After adopting Christianity in 301 the pagan temple lost its significance and the fortress of Garni became the summer residence of the kings. Nowadays the ruins of the royal palace and the bathroom with a stunning mosaic work can be found near the temple. Geghard Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterwork of the 13th century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. From the outset the complex was called Ayrivank (cave monastery), later it was renamed Geghard (lance), as the lance used by the roman soldier to sting Jesus Christ's side, was kept in this monastery for many centuries.the complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones). After the excursion the guests will have a dinner a local restaurant near Geghard and return to Yerevan.
Day 6. (06 October) Echmiatsin ruins of Zvartnots (UNESCO World Heritage Site) dinner at a restaurant - Yerevan overnight On the last excursion day the guests will visit the spiritual center of Armenia Echmiatsin. Echmiatsin is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is where the Catholicos Of All Armenians lives, and the location of the Echmiatsin Cathedral. The cathedral, built in 480, is located in a walled compound with gardens and various structures. The word "Echmiatsin" means the Only Begotten descended, and the cathedral was built on the very spot Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) dreamt Jesus Himself descended from heaven to show him where He wanted the church to be built. It is a scenic place to visit. Most of the exterior is plain until you make it around to the entrance which is intricately carved and very beautiful. Throughout the course of centuries, various religious relics have been brought from different monasteries and Dioceses to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, as it is the spiritual center of the Armenian nation and people. Three of the most important pieces are the Holy Lance (Geghard), the Right Hand of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, and the relic of Noah sark.
Zvartnots - The architectural masterpiece of Zvartnots was built by order of the Catholicos Nerses 3 rd between the years 641 and 662. It was damaged by an earthquake in the 10 th century and unearthed nearly a thousand years later in 1900 1907, in the town of Echmiatsin. Zvartnots is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. After a dinner at a local restaurant, the guests return back to Yerevan. Day 7. (07 October) Transfer to airport departure www.vandeygrouptours.co.ke info@vandeygrouptours.co.ke