We visit hidden gem with 6,000-year-old winemaking tradition that’s getting its first direct flights from UK
Flights have launched to the world’s oldest winemaking region
|GB NEWS
By Sarra Gray
GB News
From June 8, the budget airline will operate twice-weekly services on Mondays and Fridays, with fares starting from £45.99 each way, making exploring the deeply historical country an affordable option for your next getaway.
As part of Wizz Air’s Let’s Get Lost campaign, 35 competition winners and their guests boarded a mystery flight from London Luton Airport. The premise is simple – the location, itinerary, and even flight time remain a mystery until the flight is boarded.
After landing, the destination was announced – Yerevan in Armenia – and guests discovered they had just flown the new route before its official launch next month.
Mount Ararat is visible throughout the country
| GETTY
Many on the trip had not visited Armenia before, so Wizz Air put together an extensive full-board itinerary in partnership with the Tourism Committee of Armenia and Armenia Travel to ensure guests experienced everything the country has to offer.
And while the new flights land in the country’s capital, Yerevan, visitors aren’t restricted to spending the duration of their trip in the city – many of Armenia’s must-see sites can be reached within an hour or two.
The country has a rich history, with monasteries carved into cliffsides, temples, churches and a vibrant food scene.
Perhaps one of the most surprising draws to the country is its dedication to wine, as Armenia claims to be the world’s oldest wine-producing nation. Archaeologists discovered a 6,100-year-old winery at the Areni-1 cave complex in southern Armenia, widely considered the oldest known winery, and the popularity of the commercial has soared over the last 10 years.
What to do
Explore Yerevan’s culture and history
A good introduction to Armenia begins at the National Gallery of Armenia, located on Republic Square. Its collection spans Armenian, Russian and European art, but it is the Armenian works that you won’t find anywhere else. Think portraits, religious iconography and landscapes that tell the story of a nation shaped by empire and conflict.
Yerevan itself feels continental. Wide boulevards, outdoor cafés and honey-coloured stone buildings give the capital a strong European atmosphere, albeit with a distinctly Soviet edge.
Visitors will be quick to notice the overpowering silhouette of Mount Ararat, which is visible from most of the country. Much of Yerevan was even designed with this in mind, with streets wrapping round to keep the landmark in view. While technically in Turkey, the mountain is a national symbol in Armenia, and its grandeur wouldn’t look out of place among the iconic peaks of Japan.
For something unique, holidaymakers can visit the Megerian Carpet Museum & Factory and find out more about its link to George and Amal Clooney. It also has an on-site restaurant.
Garni and Geghard
Outside the city, Armenia’s ancient past is impossible to miss. The Garni Temple is one of the country’s most remarkable landmarks: a Greco-Roman pagan temple perched dramatically above a gorge. Built in the first century AD, its classical columns seem almost surreal against the rugged Caucasus landscape.
Nearby, the Geghard Monastery offers an entirely different atmosphere. Partially carved into the surrounding mountain rock, the medieval monastery is dark, atmospheric and deeply spiritual.
The sites are just two landmarks that highlight Armenia’s claim to being the world’s oldest Christian country.
Echmiadzin and Zvartnots
Armenia’s religious history continues at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, considered the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church and often described as the world’s oldest cathedral.
Nearby, visitors can see the ruins of Zvartnots Temple, which sits with a backdrop of Mount Ararat. Even in partial ruin, the seventh-century cathedral is worth seeing, with its circular design and intricate stonework.
Armenia’s wine revival
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the abundance of Armenian wine. At Armenia Wine– one of the country’s leading wineries – visitors can tour vast cellars, sample indigenous grape varieties and discover how Armenia is reviving traditions that stretch back thousands of years. It has an underground museum, which is one of the most impressive, modern and informative museums of any vineyard we have visited before.
The country’s volcanic soil and high-altitude vineyards produce crisp whites and robust reds unlike anything commonly found in British supermarkets. Indigenous grapes such as Areni Noir are increasingly attracting international attention, while many wineries continue to blend ancient methods with modern production.
The country has around 150 to 180 commercial vineyards – a number that has shot up from just 25 in 2016, showing the growing popularity of the wine and the draw for overseas tourists. There are plenty of places to grab a glass of local wine and say, ‘Kenats’, or cheers in Armenian.
Brandy also plays a major role in the country’s drinking culture. The Ararat Brandy Factory offers a fascinating glimpse into Armenia’s long-standing reputation for cognac-style spirits, once famously favoured by Winston Churchill.
Visitors can see the ruins of Zvartnots Temple, which sit beneath the silhouette of Mount Ararat
| GETTY
A good introduction to Armenia begins at the National Gallery, located on Republic Square
| GETTY
Where to eat
Mealtimes in Armenia are rooted in tradition. It is a leisurely experience, with locals taking the time to really enjoy both their food and the company they are in. Locals told us it is not uncommon to be invited into the homes of Armenians, who are only too happy to host at mealtimes.
Of course, you can find a range of international cuisine in towns, but the traditional cuisine is definitely worth trying. Think fresh bread (Lavash), well-seasoned grilled meats, colourful salads and cheese platters.
Located in Garni, 7 Qar restaurant gives a real introduction to Armenian hospitality, with grilled meats, fresh herbs, lavash flatbread and local cheeses served by sweeping mountain views.
For something closer to the capital city, Tavern Yerevan Riverside delivered a livelier atmosphere. Pick from traditional dishes accompanied by live entertainment and generous pours of local wine.
Finally, Yerevan Pandok showcased the comforting side of Armenian cuisine: slow-cooked meats, rich stews and freshly baked bread served in cavernous dining rooms often frequented by locals.
Where to stay
The base for the trip was the DoubleTree by Hilton Yerevan City Centre, a modern hotel around a 15-minute walk from the city centre. While Yerevan itself remains relatively low-rise and laid-back compared with many European capitals, the hotel provides a comfortable retreat after long days exploring churches, monasteries and wineries.
Rooms are spacious and contemporary, with many offering impressive views of Mount Ararat. Its location also makes it an easy jumping-off point for excursions outside the capital.
Armenia still feels refreshingly untouched by mass tourism. Many British travellers remain unfamiliar with the country altogether, despite its rich history, dramatic scenery and increasingly sophisticated culinary scene.
With Wizz Air’s new direct route making Yerevan more accessible than ever, Armenia is poised to emerge as one of the Caucasus’ most intriguing city-and-culture breaks – a destination where ancient monasteries, mountain landscapes and 6,000 years of wine-making history come together in one remarkably compact country.
