We visited famous underground carved rooms in Arinj on the outskirts of Yerevan (🚖 1300 AMD/way). It all started when All Tosya Arakelyan wanted her husband Levon to build her a potato cellar. What she got in return was an incredibly intricate seven-level underground cave network built...
Our last stop in the beautiful World Heritage-listed Azat Valley was Garni Temple and the Symphony of Stones rock formation. Garni Temple (🎫1500 AMD) was built by Armenia’s King Trdat I in the 1st century AD. This Hellenic-style temple on the edge of a gorge overlooking the Azat River was...
We made overnight at the famous resort town of Dilijan – the gateway to the Dilijan National Park. It lies on the banks of the Aghstev River in the valley surrounded by the Lesser Caucasus mountains at 1500 meters above sea level. The forested town is home to numerous Armenian artists...
We stopped in Armenia’s third-largest city in the Lori Province, Vanadzor, known before as Karaklis (until 1935) or Kirovakan (1935–93). It lies at the confluence of the Pambak, Tandzut, and Vanadzoriget rivers. In 1826 the villages of Bolshoy and Maly Karaklis were merged into the town...
Telavi, the largest town in Kakheti, is a popular base for exploring the region’s viticultural, historical and architectural riches. It is set in the vineyard-strewn Alazani valley, between the Gombori Mountains and the Great Caucasus. We have parked next to the Batonistsikhe...
In Tsinandali is located the palace and gardens of prince Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846) – one of the most colorful and influential characters in Georgian history. The palace (🎫 10 GEL) tour took us to half a dozen rooms restored in 19th-century style and related exciting episodes...
We spent two days in the cosmopolitan capital of the republic of Georgia. We parked next to Rike park above the Mtkvari River, just in the city’s center. With its dramatic valley setting, picturesque Old Town, eclectic architecture, and great eating and drinking opportunities...
Trabzon lies on a wide bay of the Black Sea, backed by high ranges of the Pontic Mountains. Trapezus, one of the most easterly of ancient Greek settlements, was probably founded in 756 BC by traders from Miletus. It has been handballed down the years between Cimmerians, Medes, Hellenes...
Tokat is located in north-central Turkey along a tributary of the Yeşil River. Surrounded by orchards and gardens, Tokat lies on a plain beneath steep hills crowned by a ruined citadel, often identified as the ancient fortress Dazimon. Tokat stands near the site of ancient Comana of...
The lovely and quiet tiny village of Soğanlı is 36km south of Mustafapaşa. We hiked for a few hours through its valleys – Aşağı (Lower) Soğanlı and Yukarı (Upper) Soğanlı. There are hidden several rock-cut churches carved from the soft tuff stone. Byzantine monks inhabited the valley from...