Armenia is a small landlocked country round about the size of Belgium. It lies between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and is bordered by Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. Obscure and off the beaten track it may be but it is a surprisingly easy country to visit and tourist visa’s can be obtained on line.
For anyone planning a visit the Bradt Guide to Armenia should be their first choice of reference. Like other Bradt Guides it contains two sections.
Armenia Part 1: Background
Part one has two chapters. The first deals with useful background information including the history, geography, language, politics, economy, religion, culture, natural history and the people. It also tackles the potentially awkward matter of the first genocide of 20th century when some one and a half million Armenians were massacred by the Ottoman Turks. Although the genocide has been recognised by the European Parliament and most western government the UK, USA and Turkey still officially refuse to accept that this well documented atrocity took place.
Chapter two is the practical information essential for planning a visit. This includes passport and visa requirements, how to get there and back, internal transport, accommodation, eating, drinking and shopping, tour operators, embassies, consulates and health and safety. For travellers with limited time there is a list of the countries highlights and a ready made itinerary. In eleven days it is possible to get a pretty decent grounding on Armenia by following Holding’s itinerary. For shorter visits it is possible to cut the itinerary down to fit.
Armenia Part 2: Details
In Part Two, the guide proper, Holding has divided Armenia into 5 regions each with its own chapter. Each chapter has detailed information on getting to the area, how to get around it and listings of accommodation and restaurants.
The main attractions in Armenia apart from the spectacular scenery are its churches and monasteries. These are described in detail in their relevant chapters. Ruined caravanserai are also plentiful and visiting them provides the means to plot the ancient and important trade routes that once passed through Armenia
Mount Ararat, where Noah’s Ark allegedly hit landfall, was once part of Armenia but is now on the Turkish side of the Border. But there are great views of the mountain from the Yeravan. This is Armenia’s capital and worth spending a few days exploring. A small square with a fountain incorporating the signs of the zodiac was recently renamed Charles Aznavour Square. The singer and actor has always been regarded as French and although born in Paris in 1924, his parents were Armenian refugees who had fled the genocide. At Swallow Castle, Tsitsernakaberd, on the west side of the Hrazdan River, is Armenia’s Genocide Memorial and Museum. Holding recommends this to anyone wanting to ‘ Understand Armenia and its people.’ The Monument was created in 1967 and the Museum added in 1995, the 80th anniversary of the massacre. It’s underground and circular in shape. IT contains comprehensive information about the genocide including photographs and reports from British and American officials.
As well as the various tourist attractions to see in each region there are a series of information boxes throughout the guide provide interesting background and snippets. These include a humorous account of a night at the Armenian Opera and information about Children’s Railways. These were a Soviet innovation and not created for the amusement of children. Instead people aged between 9 and 15 would be trained in the operation of real railways using them so that they could take their place in the workforce when their time came.
