After a leisurely breakfast and relaxing morning, we’ll set out at midday for our guided exploration of the capital, starting with Republic Square. Grand in scale and surrounded by notable landmarks including the National Art Gallery, this is the heart of the city and if things are happening, they happen here. Most recently, Republic Square was the hub of the Spring 2018 “Velvet Revolution” that culminated in the election of former-journalist Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister. Not far away, the Great Cascade is a singularly extraordinary architectural complex built at the end of the 20th century; resembling an enormous modernist sculpture, it’s comprised of fountains, gardens, an obelisk – and 2,780 steps that now fall just 20 short of commemorating the city’s 2,800-year-old history. Functionally, it connects downtown with the residential districts that climb the nearby hills.
We’ll take a break from sightseeing to have lunch at Lavash, a stylish restaurant where freshly-baked Armenian breads are the centerpiece of an innovative menu of traditional regional favorites. Also this afternoon, we’ll visit the Yerevan Opera Theater which opened in 1933 and stroll through the lovely park that surrounds Swan Lake.
Armenia is a country with so much history, that it can seem a bit daunting. But with colorful and engaging insight from our Armenian guide, today’s excursion will be simply illuminating. We’ll continue our exploration at the Temple of Garni, set amidst the gently undulating peaks of the South Caucasus. There is still scholarly debate about its origin and purpose, but the leading theory about this undoubtedly pre-Christian monument is that it was erected in 77 AD during the reign of Tiradates I - who had been crowned by the Roman Emperor Nero. With its perfectly proportioned colonnade reminiscent of the Athenian Parthenon, this Greco-Roman masterpiece is believed to have been dedicated to Mithra, the Pagan Sun God.
Farther up the Azat River Valley from Garni, we’ll tour the Geghard Monastery, surrounded by towering cliffs in an area of breathtaking natural beauty. Comprised of several churches and tombs, most of them rock-cut from the cliffs, this early Christian complex dates to the 4th century and stands as masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture.
We’ll end our day at the Yerevan Brandy Company, where fine Ararat Brandy, Churchill’s favorite, has been crafted since 1887. They’re produced exclusively from locally-grown Armenian grapes and aged in centuries-old Caucasian oak casks. We’ll learn about the traditions of this respected distillery and sample a variety of blends and vintages. Meals B+L+D