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It’s easy to choose Paris, Barcelona or even Iceland for your next European adventure, but these destinations are often packed with tourists.
Choosing an off-trail destination can be tricky.
You don’t want to make the wrong decision and waste your time and hard-earned money.
It’s hard to say that Europe is ever a bad idea, apart from the select few destinations that drive tourists away.
But there are certainly some places that fly well under the radar and are packed with fun, cultural experiences, rather than packed with annoying selfie-taking tourists.
One of these is Armenia, a country that is rarely discussed when it comes time to book an epic trip.
Full of rich history, hospitable locals and beautiful locations: it’s time to give the stalwarts of Europe a break and give this incredible underestimated country an opportunity this summer.
No, it’s not Kardashian country
Is it Asia? Is it Europe? One thing’s for sure: it’s not Kardashian Land. One of Armenia’s claims to fame, if there is one, is at the other end of the spectrum: America’s unofficial royal family, the Kardashians, who it’s safe to say are not Armenia’s pride and joy.
The other is the heartbreaking history of genocide, in which an estimated 1.2 million innocent people were tragically killed.
This should not represent your Armenian experience today unless you are a history buff who wants to delve into the country’s past and make an even more reverent comeback, similar to what Bosnia and Herzegovina is today.
Nowadays Armenia is simply a beautiful country that is too often passed over because it is seen as a remote, too difficult to reach destination, but that is definitely a mistake.
If travelers can enjoy trips to neighboring Turkiye and Georgia, there’s no reason why Armenia shouldn’t save money with the many connecting flights throughout Europe.
More travelers are trickling in
Armenia is undoubtedly the ultimate country to avoid crowds this summer.
That said, there may not be a better time to visit, as 2023 saw over 2 million visitors for the first time.
As travel has continued to increase since the dark days of the pandemic, more travelers are holding their cards further and further from home.
The picturesque capital Yerevan, with the unmissable Mount Ararat in the background, will probably be your gateway to the country.
This city has noticeably gained popularity over the past year, but is still not at a point where the crowds make it even remotely unpleasant.
This city has only been a “free country” since the early 90s and has undergone a huge makeover with trendy shops, restaurants and cafes, but everything is very affordable.
A dark past, but a bright future ahead
Even as we live in a fast-paced world where new information is available at the drop of a hat, uncovering travel secrets of new, exciting destinations takes time.
Armenia gets rave reviews from those who have visited and many return for more fun because they were so impressed with their experience here.
Like Germany and Bosnia, countries with dark pasts often have fascinating histories and it’s no different here, with many intriguing museums and relics from Armenia’s Soviet past.
While it’s difficult to put aside such a grim past, Armenia is clearly full steam ahead in embracing a new identity as a tourist destination, with some travelers going so far as to say it’s ‘bucket list worthy’ and Europe’s ‘best kept secret’.
Cheap, safe and ready to be discovered
Travelers can expect cheap everyday expenses like cups of coffee and meals under $5, and that includes plenty of tickets to historically themed museums.
Hotel prices can be staggeringly low compared to other European cities with nice places to stay, like the Radisson Blue, starting at just $30 per night!
Safety should not be more important than anywhere else. To support this, the US Department of State has designated Armenia as Level 2 on April 9.
Travelers can stretch their budget and feel more comfortable venturing beyond Yerevan to visit incredible monasteries, ancient ruins, wineries, and even the world’s longest cable car through the breathtaking landscape of Vorotan Canyon.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
