Asia & Oceania group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Armenia - Georgia

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louis Premium account Joined: Dec 05 Points: 13399 Posts: 17 Posted: 2008-07-17 17:11:00    Unfortunately my holidays have been cut due to my work reason. So I had to change my plans, and I can't see all places that I wanted to see. Now the plan is following: from Tbilisi to Yerevan. 2 weeks are enough to make this trip or I should limited my trip to one country? I don't want to spend all journey only in buses. Both countries offering a lot to see. I know that some members have been in the region, so any advice will be very welcomed. Is it safe to do this journey alone ? Thanks in advice --- Louis Reply    Reply with quote    Contact louis   jorgesanchez Premium account Joined: May 05 Points: 41625 Posts: 77 Posted: 2008-07-19 10:08:00    Hola Louis! Yes, two weeks is time enough for visiting the two countries if you run. A little bit short, but enough. Places you should not miss: ARMENIA: Etchmiadzin, Armenia religious capital, very close to Yerevan, and the Genocide monument in Yerevan. The two monasteries declared Patrimony of the Humankind by UNESCO that is Haghpat and Sanahin, very close each other. Lake Sevan is also nice place in your way by car from Tbilisi to Yerevan. And if you like adventure, go to Nagorno Karabah! Visa for Armenia is given at the border with Georgia, and it is cheaper than in the Armenia Embassy in Tbilisi. Visa for Nagorno Karabah, too, it is cheaper at the border. But remember! After Nagorno Karabah do not go to Azerbaijan! Better change your passport first. If you go to Gori (to spit at the face of Stalin statue, what many people do), do not forget to stay in the house of Vahtang Chitashvili, Wojciech friend (and also mine). Try cognac in Yerevan and very good wines in Stepanakert, Nagorno Karabah capital, I liked it more than Georgian wines. In Yerevan there are two sisters in the main street, in front of the Conservatorio and Musical theatre, who rent rooms in their houses, very cheap, and invite you to tea and biscuits all the time. The same in Tbilisi, go to Carmen house, behind the Freedom Square. She speaks Spanish (she studied in Salamanca). Remember that for Georgia you do not visa (at least I did not need last year). In Tbilisi do not miss the banya, in downtown, is a pleasant experience and not expensive. Close to Tbilisi, you can get there buy bus, do not miss, the complex of monasteries and other tourists attractions. I think that it is enough for two weeks. Buen viaje! Just my two lars jorge --- Bonum est faciendum et prosequendum, et malum vitandum. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact jorgesanchez   krisek Premium account Joined: Jan 08 Points: 84174 Posts: 203 Posted: 2008-07-19 21:38:00    Hi Rafal, Two weeks should be just fine, but you need to be selective. I went only to the capitals and just a little off. You do not need a visa to Georgia. The capital, T'bilisi, is very pretty (I have put a few tips in my report) and safe to wander about, even at night. I would not miss Mtschketa, UNESCO site, a former capital of Georgia. It is mysterious and lovely situated amongst the mountains. In Armenia (I also wrote a short report), I agree with Jorge, Etchmiadzin is great and it has several very old churches. Yerevan is not very exciting itself, so it is better to venture to the monasteries scattered around the capital. The most remarkably located is the Khor Virap, of course. I would look at the UNESCO list and try to plot a course. The marshrutkas (minivan buses) go between every place to every place, but direct services are not frequent and you might need to change, but you should not be stuck anywhere for much long. Happy travelling! --- Open your eyes. Free your mind. Touch lives. Sink into the different. Travel and belong. Profile photo: Palma de Mallorca. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact krisek