Armenia: Culture & Cuisine
About this trip
This incredible ten-day tour begins with seven days in Armenia and ends with three days in Georgia.
Once tucked away within the Soviet Union, these countries are now easily accessible. The Caucus region still occupies an unusual geographical and cultural position intertwining elements of Persia, the Ottoman Empire and Central Asia so the highlights of this trip are diverse.
Armenia
Armenia is the world’s oldest Christian nation with an astounding collection of ancient churches and monasteries beautiful landscapes, and at times, a tragic history. But its inherent resilience is behind a very promising future.
It is a land of rugged mountains and vineyards, ancient cities and beautiful lakes. With a history that has been complex and at times tragic, Armenia is full with a richness and resilience that is hard to beat. The tree-lined streets and stylish architecture of Yerevan provides an intriguing contrast to the towering presence of Mount Ararat. This itinerary reflects its early history with Christianity, the tragic history and exciting future of Armenia.
Georgia
Set between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia has a long history of cross-cultural exchange. Nowhere is this more evident than in its vibrant cuisine, which blends Russian, Turkish and Persian influences with local delicacies like walnuts and handmade cheeses. Georgia boasts a cultural heritage that’s able to rival almost anywhere, with its host of captivating churches decorated with colorful frescos, qvevri wines and a charming capital city lined with quirky shops and café’s.
Georgia’s history tells of invasion and conquest from Greeks, Mongols, Ottomans and Russians – and all have left an indelible mark on Georgia we see today. Its architecture, art, religion and cuisine contain clear influences from these old powers and yet are still uniquely Georgian. We will spend time exploring Tbilisi and then spend another day in the wine region of Khaketi.
MINIMUM GROUP SIZE IS 20. Deposits are non-refundable unless a replacement is found or the tour is cancelled. For details of our cancelation policy and terms and conditions, please click here.
FLIGHTS: Recommended route is Chicago -> Yerevan; Tbilisi -> Chicago. Cost: $2100 on LOT and $2,750 on Lufthansa (4/7/25) Dynamic pricing, flights not included.
DATES
SEPTEMBER 21 - 30, 2025
PRICE
Shared Room $2,450
Single Room $2,900
Min group size is 20. Deposit is $700 and non-refundable unless a replacement(s) is found or the tour is canceled.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Yerevan
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. After some time to settle in, we will visit the major sites: Mother Armenia, Matenadaran – the famous manuscript museum, Cascade Complex, Baghramyan Ave, Armenian Genocide Memorial, Republic Square, Opera House followed by lunch at Dalan Restaurant.
Later, visit Noy Brandy for a guided tour and tasting of their premium brandies. Before the dinner, we’ll progress to a popular wine bar for a sommelier-led wine introduction and tasting of Armenian wines. We’ll learn about terroir and local indigenous grapes that have been used for centuries. popular wine bar among locals. Dinner at Vostan restaurant, where, in addition to the notable food, the building is worth noting as one of the most beautiful in the city. Built by architect Vasili Mirzoyan in 1884. The owners of Vostan renovated it in 2017, celebrating its architectural heritage, which includes decorative staircases, floor mosaics and beautiful windows.
Day 2 - Day trip to Temple Garni, Lavash demonstration, Geghard Monastery
After breakfast, we’ll start by visiting the only survived Armenian pagan temple of Garni (1st century), the Roman bath, and the ruins of the castle. The temple of Garni has amazing acoustics and we can have a short concert of Armenian music played upon a 2000-year-old musical instrument called Duduk (upon request).
Afterwards, we’ll go to lunch at a restaurant with a panoramic view of the temple and the valley below. Walking into the restaurant, we can enjoy the the making of traditional Armenian bread lavash.
Later continue to the medieval Geghard monastery complex (13th century), carved in the rock. We will have a choral music performance in the monastery hall.
Return to Yerevan. This evening, we’ll take a walking tour in the city center, taking in the local vibrant life . Dinner at Ktoor restaurant. Located on the edge of the most gastronomic street of Yerevan, Saryan Street, in one of the old districts of Yerevan, Kond. The chef prepares traditional dishes in a modern atmosphere. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3 - Thor Virap & Areni Wine Region
After breakfast, visit the most amazing attractions in southern Armenia. Start with Khor Virap monastery (7th century), an important religious site in the adoption of Christianity. It is also one of the best (if not the best) locations to capture Mount Ararat in its greatness!
Next stop it the village of Areni, one of the oldest settlements in Armenia and famous for its wines. As a republic of the Soviet Union, Armenia was designated the chief producer of cognac. Distillers spent the majority of their effort cultivating the white grapes used to make brandy, and many old red grape vines went overlooked. Armenian winemaking fell by the wayside until the 1990s. Since then, Armenians of Areni have relearned the ancient art of viticulture and uncovered the secrets of Armenian vines. In the past decade, local wine-making has blossomed.
We’ll visit several of the best wineries in this area, starting with Noa (located in Rind village, famous for its high elevation and many vineyards). Taste their premium wines and meet the winemaker.
Afterwards, we’ll visit Areni 1 Cave (also called the Bird’s Cave) where archaeologists discovered the oldest wine press in the world (c. 6000 years old). Lunch will be at Old Bridge winery before heading to the village of Yeghegis.
En route, we’ll visit a local family house for a gata cooking class made in the traditional way. Gata is easily one of the most beloved Armenian desserts. It's a pastry with similarities to both croissants and rugelach, but with a personality of its own. Some call it nazook, but this typically refers to a walnut-filled version made by Iranian Armenians. Crisp on the outside, flaky within, with spirals of vanilla-laced sweetness throughout, it's a divine dessert any time of year. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Arevi (3*) in Yeghegis.
Day 4 - Noravanik & Areni Wine Region
Yeghegis village is rich with history and culture and the setting in the valley is beautiful. Take some time after breakfast to enjoy it before we head to one of its historical sites: the medieval Jewish cemetery or Tsakhats Kar monastery (10th c.), a place where people learned to paint. (choice of either). We’ll continue to Noravank medieval monastery complex (13th century). Red rocks surrounding the monastery create a special mystical atmosphere. Founded by Bishop Hovhannes in 1205 and sensitively renovated in the 1990s, Noravank is one of the most spectacular sites in Armenia.
Lunch will be in the beautiful vineyards of Momik winery. Momik was part of OneArmenia’s Farm-to-Bottle Program, a program that empowered grape farmers to use financing to create their own wines as opposed to selling their grapes to larger wineries. The location of Momik Wines and its vineyards is what helps create a special taste – the soil is rich with limestone and calcium and that allows them to exclude artificial fertilizers which helps enhance the sweetness and quality of the wine. Return to Yerevan, stopping at the traditional market GUM in Yerevan to try local delicacies (dry fruits, spices, basturma, etc.). Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 5 - The Mother See of Echmiadzin - Armas Winery
After breakfast, we will travel to the religious center of all Armenians - the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Afterwards, we’ll visit Zvartnots Temple (7th c. UNESCO) both buildings bear witness to the implantation of Christianity in Armenia and to the evolution of a unique Armenian ecclesiastical architecture: the central-domed, cross-hall type of church) which exerted a profound influence on architectural and artistic development in the region.
Continue to Aragatsotn Province for a brief stop at the Armenian Alphabet Monument. The Armenian alphabet was created in the 5th century by scholar, theologian, and linguist Mesrop Mashtots, who is said to have seen the 39 letters in a dream. The letters were erected in 2005 to honour the 1600th anniversary. Next stop is Armas Winery, located in the middle of picturesque vineyards. Enjoy a tour and tasting of their wines. Next we’ll go to Armenia Wine for a visit to their wine museum and a late lunch. Return to Yerevan. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Yerevan.
Day 6 - Vernissage - Lake Sevan - Dilijan
After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and enjoy free time to explore Yerevan. You might visit the Vernissage, an open air market for handmade souvenirs, or wander around the shopping district. We are heading north today, to Lake Sevan and Sevanavank monastery located on the peninsula of the lake. Continue to Dilijan, a resort town located in the middle of the National Park. Check-in to hotel Dilijan Tun. Enjoy your evening and dinner in Dilijan and Im Toon restaurant and overnight in the Dilijan.
Day 7 - Haghpat Monastery -> Depart for Georgia
Breakfast at the hotel and checkout. Enjoy your last day in Armenia and Dilijan and drive north and the Georgia-Armenia border. On your way, dive into culture by tasting pancakes and homemade tea with a local family in Fioletovo, a small village settled in the mid-1800s by Spiritual Christians relocated from Russia. To this day, the Molokan Russians still live there. They are considered a “close” and cautious community which is an important factor in keeping their identity. We’ll visit a family in their home where you can see the ordinary Molokan house, wander in the garden and participate in a tea drinking ceremony around samovar with freshly baked pastries or cookies. Continue to the famous monastery complex of the north Haghpat Monastery (10th c., UNESCO). Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the border. After border formalities, we will transfer to a new bus with a Georgian driver and guide and continue to Tbilisi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel . Shota @ Rustaveli
Day 8 - Tbilisi Tour
After breakfast, take a short walk from the hotel to the National Gallery. For more than a century the gallery has displayed remarkable works by both Georgian and foreign artists. Within it’s wide halls, guests will discover dramatic scenes of daily life, stunning portraits, and impressive urban landscapes,
Later, a walking tour through the historic city center, including a visit to a spice company where you will learn about the very unique herb and spice blends (also flowers!) used in Georgian cooking which are unlike any other country in the world. Which dishes use which blends will also be explained to us . Lunch at Orbeliani Garden. Other highlights during our day in Tbilisi are: the Parliament - National Museum - Freedom Square -Europe Square - Ricke park - Kartlis Deda - Narikala Castle - Kura River - King Vantang Statue - Baths Street - Fig Gorge - Shardeni - Monument Tamada - Millennium Bridge - Gabriadze theatre - Konka
Dinner at Poliphonia.
Day 9 - Kahketi
After breakfast, drive to Kakheti region and Sighnaghi, a city-fortress which was built in Middle Ages. Enjoy spectacular views of Alazani Valley. Visit a qvevri maker. Transfer to Kedeli and visit horse ranch and brewery for lunch.
Transfer transfer to village Kedeli and visit horse ranch and brewery for lunch.
After lunch we will visit a traditional Georgian wine cellar in the village of Kondoli. The host has a special love for wines, which is reflected in the quality of the wines he produces. Here we will try the most famous, natural wine "Zhghia", which is made from the rarest and highest quality Kakheti grapes (only 6000 bottles per year). Return to Tbilisi
Dinner at Ninia’s Garden. Overnight at the hotel. Shota @ Rustaveli
Day 10
Departure
Say goodbye to the beautiful Caucus region today, but return home with amazing memories and new friends.
