Breakfast in the hotel. One of the most unusual places in Armenia, the village of Garni which bears the same name as the ancient pagan temple, is situated 37 km from the center of Yerevan. Before the adoption of Christianity, the architecture in Armenia was interrelated with the Hellenistic style. This is evidenced by Garni,executed in this elegant manner with a characteristic colonnade on all sides and located on the top of a hill divided from the mountain range by a deep gorge. The temple was restored in 1976 and welcomes a multitude of tourists daily to this day. Since 2011, it has been awarded the UNESCO heritage award. The picturesque mountains, steep gorge, and endless echo to be heard again and again, fascinate and ask to return. Geghard is a complex consisting of the main chapel, two cave halls, and tombs. There is a cold spring in the first cave hall, which to this day captures the attention of the visitors. It is believed that its holy water heals diseases, rejuvenates, and gifts beauty. Literally translated, Geghard means “holy spear” in memory of the spear kept in it, which had wounded Jesus Christ at the Crucifixion. It is also included in the UNESCO List of Heritage since 2000. The nearby flowing Azat River hypnotizes with its murmur, pigeons hovering over the church, and the coolness from the gorge gives strength to continue the path to new discoveries and impressions.Lake Sevan is the largest source of fresh water for the country and also the biggest in the whole Caucasus. Surrounded by mountain ranges at an altitude of about 1900 meters above sea level, Sevan is striking in its beauty and azure-blue water surface. The lake has a small peninsula, at the top of which is located the monastery of Sevanavank. In a complex with several buildings, the monastery has been preserved since the 18th century and is still in effect.From a height, it seems that the mountains and the water merge together and there is not a single border between them. Watching the endless play of the waves shimmering under the sun makes one mistake it for a sea. This association is truthful indeed. In the ancient Armenian sources, Sevan was called “the Geghama Sea”, or was simply referred to as “the sea”. Amazing nature combines rocky landscapes and pine mini forests located alongside the coast. Once here for the first time, you begin to feel infinite harmony and inner peace. We invite you to immerse yourself in this feeling and relax both mentally and physically.
