Finally! After spending two days in Georgia’s capital and two more in Armenia’s capital, we decided to see the countryside! We’ve got quite a bit to drive, we’ll see if we manage to see everything we planned. Firstly, we decided to go and see the areas close to Yerevan that you can visit even if you’re staying here for no more than 3 or 4 days and have no plans of seeing the whole country. We do, but first, we wanted to check out the Armenian roads and the drivers that are usually referred to as “psychos” or more politically correct: “imaginative Armenians”. We wanted t check

We started with RENTING THE CAR. We don’t want to travel by marshrutkas since we don’t have time for that! 🙂 After seeing how long do they need to cross a fairly short distance, we decided not to use them anymore. It’s also uncomfortable (especially if you’re travelling with a child and motion sickness), the schedule is inaccurate etc. The guide to Armenia that we read, pointed out that trains also aren’t the best way to move around the country. Only the one from Georgia to Yerevan is decent. The rest is usually dirty, in bad shape and the trains leave quite rarely.

So we decided to rent a car. Do you have your own ways of renting a car abroad? Łukasz always starts his search on skyscanner.pl website that allows him to browse offers of most of big car rentals. How does renting a car look in Armenia? Firstly: like in Georgia, the capital is practically the only place where you can rent a car (city centre or the airport). In Georgia it was possible to rent a car in Kutaisi as well but it was much more expensive and these were mostly local companies. And it’s obvious that renowned companies have higher standards and are more trustworthy. It’s something we got used to renting a car in Italy or Ireland. In Georgia, a local company Naniko kept our deposit because we did not wash the car before returning it! This time Europcar turned out to have the best online offer. But remember, that it’s best to find a good offer online and then go to the stationary office of the company. Have you heard about ROPO? It’s an abbreviation of research online, purchase offline – a popular way the consumers act 🙂 It’s worth trying when you’re renting a car, because you can always negotiate on site (get a free baby car seat/free GPS). It worked for us! At the end of the day we got a car (a charming Toyota Matrix) for 4 days and paid PLN 180 a day. Renting a car in Caucasus is not too cheap but it gives you great comfort and freedom. We also considered going back to Tbilisi by car but it would cost us EUR 200 extra so we gave up on it and planned a night train trip back

renting a car in Armenia, Armenia, Yerevan, Khor Virap

our car on the way – around Khor Virap

The car’s here, the baby seat too. Let’s go!

Zwartnots Cathedral was first on our list. These are the remains of a complex built in the 7th century. It’s located approx. 15 km from Yerevan on the road to Emiatsin (with even more cathedrals!). On our way, we stopped for tasty lahmacuns priced PLN 1.4 for one (!) in a decent looking road bar. Have you heard about it? It’s a kind of Turkish pizza with a really thin pastry covered with minced meat and vegetables, also very popular in Armenia. Prior to being served, the “pizza” is usually sprinkled with lemon juice which we decided not to do. Lemon sounds like a great addition to fish and calamari but not to minced meat 😉

lahmacun, kuchnia turecka, kuuchnia armeńska, Armenia

a thin lahmacun baked in a stone oven

 

Reinforced after breakfast eaten on the way, we reach Zwartnots. 2 tickets and a permit to take pictures cost us 2500 drams which is PLN 17-18. The cathedral was built in 641-661 and it was supposed to overshadow the one in nearby Emiatsin with its amazing architecture and artistic approach. Unfortunately the cathedral was destroyed as soon as 10th century. There’s no precise information why it happened but the sources indicate a possible earthquake in 930.

It will take you 15-20 minutes to see the ruins. The place is nice but not extraordinary. Maks was the one who enjoyed it the most – running around ruins seems like his new hobby.

Zwartnots Cathedral ruins, Armenia, Yerevan, around Yerevan, Armenia by car

Zwartnots Cathedral ruins

 

Armenia, Yerevan, Zwartnoc, travelling with a child

“Take a picture of me here!” – Maks chooses the background himself

 

Armenia, Yerevan, Zwartnots, ruins, temples

Zwartnots ruins made it to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000

We get back to the car and continue our travel. Located just 20 km from Yerevan, Emiatsin is known for its churches. We decide to skip the city though. We drive through it, but don’t see anything interesting and only visit the Cathedral, knowing that we’re going to see lots of monasteries in Armenia (and you’ll get our reports and pictures !:)). The cathedral was built in 301-303 and it’s the oldest Christian church in Armenia. It’s amazing and looks even better with nobody around. Like today.

 

Ejmiatsin, Armenia, monastery, Yerevan, renting a car in Armenia

most important Armenian church – Ejmiatsin

Khor Virap is the next thing we’re planning to see around Yerevan and the biggest attraction at the same time. There’s also a monastery there, but the place has one more big advantage – Khor Virap is located only 30 km from Ararat, Armenians’ holy mountain (5 165 m) located on the Turkish side. The views from there are supposed to be amazing! We didn’t see it from Yerevan, so we have to go to Khor Virap. It’s 56 km from Emiatsin.

At first, GPS leads us through some kind of a field and almost starts a fight “Where o you think you’re going. It’s some kind of a field!”. The beginning of the road is neglected, with puddles and hills. Fortunately we get to a normal street pretty quickly. As with other attractions, it’s not hard to find directions to Khor Virap. That’s another advantage of Armenia! The view is already amazing as we drive! Ararat seems so close!

Ararat, Armenia, Khor Virap

Ararat covered in clouds but still visible! 🙂

There’s a little parking lot there, a small shop with drinks and men selling white pigeons that you can symbolically let go on the churchyard.

Then just a little hike and you’re there!

Armenia, Khor Virap, travelling with a child

they disturbed my nap, so I’m going to ride in a pram!

 

Armenia, Khor Virap, travelling with a child, Ararat

Khor Virap – it’s here that George the Illuminator was held imprisoned for 13 years for spreading Christianity

 

Ararat, Armenia, Khor Virap, travelling with a child, renting a car in Armenia

Ararat

 

Chor Wirap, Armenia, travelling with a child, renting a car in Armenia

in Khor Virap

That’s what you can see close to Yerevan. Today we’re going for a longer trip – 180 km north to see more mysterious monasteries and see Lake Sevan. Keep your fingers crossed!

PS. It’s not true that the drivers are bad and the roads awful. It’s possible to travel by car in Armenia as it is possible anywhere else 🙂 Another stereotype overthrown!

*the entry was written in cooperation with:

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