Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

7 Days Food and Wine Tour - Armenia

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Detailed Trip Description

A gourmet discovery tour designed for food lovers and cooking enthusiasts. Savor Armenia's culture through its food and wine, learn tricks of Armenian cookery from locals in a relaxing atmosphere with an exclusive group limited to 6 participants only.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Yerevan

 
Yerevan new & old
Sightseeing

The tour starts with a meeting with your tour escort and group participants before heading to introductory tour of Yerevan, new and old. We start our exploration with the Republic Square with it magnificent buildings enhanced by singing fountains, continue to Erebouni Fortress, the birthplace of Yerevan. Take a guided tour of the fortress and explore the impressive ruins and museum. Drive back to city center, stopping at the Railway Station to see the beautiful monument of David of Sasun, national hero. Time to kick off your culinary adventures with a visit to famous Closed Market on Mashtots Avenue. Wonder among the stalls with a variety of fresh, dried and marinated fruits and vegetables, say hello to the spices and plants you will use during the days to come, learn about the evolution of Armenian cuisine.

Wine

End the day with a visit to Yerevan Brandy Factory to learn age-old secrets of brandy-making and sample the finished product.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast


Day 2 - Yerevan

 
Culture & cooking
Sightseeing

Breakfast at hotel. Leave the frantic pace of Yerevan and drive east to the magnificent Temple of the Sun and the legendary Monastery of Spear. Explore the mosaic ancient baths and ruins of the royal palace, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this mythical place and examine remarkable cross stones carved into sheer rock.

Cooking Classes

Visit to traditional village home in Garni for hands-on cookery demonstration. Guided by Sergei, your host, learn about the spices and utensils used in traditional barbeque, marinate fresh meat with herbs and garlic, later start barbeque-making in the wood burning oven in the ground. Meat, fresh tomatoes, eggplants and peppers take turns to become crusty, mouth-watering components of the finest barbeque you will ever have. Enjoy your creation with local berry vodka in the cozy garden of the house or the traditionally-furnished dining hall in winter time. Evening back to Yerevan, rest.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast, dinner


Day 3 - Armenia

 
Agricultural heart of Armenia
Wine

Breakfast and departure from Yerevan to explore the culinary delights of Southern Armenia. Visit the royal prison of Khor Virap at the border with Turkey, proceed to explore Noravank Monastery in majestic Gorge of Bamboos followed by private wine touring in the cellars of one of the leading wineries, taste award-winning wines made from local Areni grapes.

Cooking Classes

Transfer to your guesthouse and fun cooking afternoon. Your cookery class today will focus on a specialty of the region: lamb in quince or apricot sauce. You and your host Anna take to the small garden of the house to pick quince, apricot, other greens and vegetables (in winter dried fruits and vegetables are used instead). Enjoy this fascinating dish served with rice along with fresh yogurt and cheese, necessary ingredients of any meal in Southern Armenia. And when it comes to sweets, an appetite for honey, nuts and dried fruits gives rise to a number of pastries and cakes.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Yeghegnadzor, Meal plan: Breakfast, dinner


Day 4 - Armenia

 
Goat cheese & wine
Cooking Classes

Breakfast and a short but absolutely fantastic drive in the mountains to visit a small goat cheese farm, well away from tourist trail. A full day dedicated to rural cooking in an authentic home setting where time at table is sacred and food is celebrated. Hands-on cooking demonstration at the kitchen of the farmhouse with the hostess, Maro, village headman’s wife, who teaches us traditional Armenian family recipes demonstrating cooking techniques passed down through generations. The prominent ingredient of all dishes today is goat cheese ripened with traditional flavors as well as peppers, spinach and other farm produce. Dinner with local wine at farmhouse, the head of the family will act as your toastmaster governing the event according to age-old rules of Caucasian hospitality. Back to your guesthouse for overnight.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Yeghegnadzor, Meal plan: Breakfast, dinner


Day 5 - Armenia

 
Lake Sevan
Sightseeing

After breakfast set off for Lake Sevan through rugged Selim Pass. Climbing steep paths, enjoying the wild Caucasian landscapes and ever-changing views of Lake Sevan below, reach the amazingly intact Selim Caravanserai, an important trading post on historic Silk Road.

Relaxation

Check-in at your chalet-style hotel at the beach perfect for rest and relaxation. A leisurely day at Lake Sevan with swimming, boat trips and optional visit to Shorja fishers' village.

Overnight: Hotel at Lake Sevan, Meal plan: Breakfast


Day 6 - Yerevan

 
Tolma, classic style
Cooking Classes

After breakfast transfer to Echmiadzin. Today we will focus on tolma – vine leaves, cabbage and other vegetables or fruits stuffed with meat or rice. The class will start with an afternoon visit to the local market where you will pick your favorite cuts of meat and jostle with locals for the best vegetables at the market. On to the house of your chef, Marina and it's time to expand your skills in Armenian cooking! You spend late afternoon working with her in the kitchen, make your own tolma, learn the tricks of preparing the staggering variety of vegetables and more ... resulting in a sophisticated meal enjoyed in the evening in the dining room or at the Verandah. The meal ends with traditional Armenian surch, coffee, brewed in long-handled copper pot and accompanied by a glass of brandy. Back to Yerevan for overnight.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan Meal plan: Breakfast, dinner


Day 7 - Yerevan

 
Free day in Yerevan
Relaxation

Day at leisure to relax and enjoy Yerevan at your own pace.

Overnight: Hotel in Yerevan, Meal plan: Breakfast


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