World / Europe / Armenia

Few destinations match the description of a small country with a big personality better than Armenia. Tourism in this small Caucasian country is still relatively undeveloped and a fair proportion of those taking holidays in Armenia come from a Diaspora that stretches from Australia to California. For those lacking blood connections, the country still has much to offer in the way of historic sights and the landscape itself is unexpectedly diverse. Unsurprisingly for what is considered to be the world's oldest Christian state, there are plenty of atmospheric churches and monasteries to visit and, as a bonus, these are often tucked away in gorgeous, wooded valleys.

Slick, modern, yet appealingly relaxed, the capital city of Yerevan is reported to have more outdoor cafes than anywhere else in Europe, and boasts a wealth of cultural draws that include museums, theatre and music venues. With an impressive range of decent restaurants and hotels, Yerevan provides a comfortable, well-equipped base for business transactions and, for leisure visitors, a convenient location for day trips to the rest of the country. Nearby attractions include Echmiadzin, the headquarters of the Armenian Orthodox Church, the pre-Christian classical temple at Garni and the rock-cut monastery at Geghard. South of the capital, almost straddling the Turkish border, lies the Khor Varap Monastery framed by the stunning backdrop of Mount Ararat, a mountain that although falling within Turkish territory serves as a timeless, iconic image for the Armenian nation.