|
Armenia is a country that remains relatively untouched by the commercialization of tourism. Proud of its unique cultural heritage, Armenia offers over 4,000 historical monuments and churches. This tiny country has the third richest collection of art in the former Soviet Union and shoppers will delight in the Yerevan’s markets for carpets, gold, silver and carvings.
Georgia is home to some of the most glorious landscapes anywhere in Eurasia. High snow-capped Caucasus Mountains descend to the subtropical Black Sea coast; fertile valleys and gushing rivers give way to dramatic semi-desert. Tbilisi, the capital, is an intriguing mix of severe Soviet style and the exotic.
Azerbaijan is one of the most ancient sites of humankind - present here at every stage of their historical development. With more than 6,000 historical sites across the country, you never have to go far to experience much of what this fascinating country has to offer. Not to be missed is the unique museum-reservation "Gobustan" or the fire worshipper's temple, "Atashgah."
In Depth
In Armenia a visit to Lake Sevan provides the opportunity to spend a couple of days exploring one of the world’s largest high-altitude lakes. On the shores of the lake stands the village of Noraduz with its field of khachkars (intricately carved memorial stones) some of which date back 2,000 years.
In Georgia visit Mtskheta, the ancient capital. It was here in the fourth century that King Mirian III was converted to Christianity by Nino, a Turkish slave, making Georgia the world's second Christian state (Armenia was the first). Dominating the town is the 11th-century Sveti-Tskhoveli Cathedral, where Christ's robe is said to have been buried.
|