Upon visiting Armenia, you’ll get the opportunity to immerse yourself in its centuries-old traditions and customs. You’ll also get the chance to learn about the country’s colorful history and witness its spectacular natural beauty. The locals here are extremely friendly and hospitable. 

They’ll do their best to make you feel welcomed in their beloved land. You’ll have lots of things to do in Armenia if you spend at least a week in this country. Here are some of the places you must explore while touring this country:

1. Yerevan

This is the capital city of Armenia. Yerevan is a beautiful city, famous for its brilliant architecture and a centuries-old history. If the cuneiform inscription of Urartian King Argishti is to be believed, the city was built in 782 BC. This shows that the Armenian capital is older than Rome. If you’re exploring Yerevan for the first time, don’t forget to visit the city center. 

It is well-known for its architectural masterpieces, restaurants, cafes, and parks. At heart of Yerevan is Republic Square, which was designed by the famed Armenian architect, Alexander Tamanyan in 1924. This square has many important buildings around it, such as the History Museum of Armenia. 

2. Tatev Monastery

It would take four hours for you to reach the Tatev Monastery from Yerevan by car. Nevertheless, it would really be worth the effort. A visit to Tatev is highly recommended for tourists visiting Armenia. It is a majestic structure built during the 9th century. It is surrounded by some splendid mountainous landscapes and is located on the edge of a deep gorge. 

You can get to this monastery by taking the cable car. It has found its way into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the longest in the world. Upon taking the cable car, you’ll be gliding over the deep gorge for almost 20 minutes. You’ll certainly enjoy the enchanting scenery on the way.

3. Lake Sevan

About 66 kilometers north-east of Yerevan is the charming Lake Sevan. It is because of this lake that the town of Sevan gained immense popularity. The lake is visited by plenty of tourists as well as locals, especially during the summer season. Lake Sevan is also considered one of the world’s highest lakes. It is situated at an altitude of 1,900 meters. 

At certain times, it would appear as if the azure waters of this lake are touching the sky. The beauty of this lake has earned it the nickname ‘the pearl of Armenian nature’. During your visit to this lake, you can enjoy a barbecue, a yacht cruise, or a catamaran trip. You can also choose to simply relax and take in the pleasant scenery.

4. Vagharshapat

Between 1945 and 1995, the official name of this city was Etchmiadzin. It is located at a distance of about 20 kilometers from Yerevan. It would take you about 30 minutes to reach this city by car from the Armenian capital. Your tour of Armenia won’t be complete without a visit to Vagharshapat. 

The country was the first to adopt Christianity as its state religion. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral was built to commemorate this event. Constructed on the site of an ancient temple, the cathedral is the religious center of the people of Armenia.

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You can also choose to visit some of its casino establishments to play some exciting games. There are about eight casinos in the country that have become extremely popular over the years. Some of these establishments are Pharaoh, Senator, Flamingo, and Shangri La. Players get to choose from a range of offerings in gambling and top-quality services in each of these casinos. 

If you’re not in the mood to travel to these casino establishments, you always have the option of online casinos. There are some excellent casino review websites that would help you choose the best casinos to place your bets. Some of them also have a range of exciting online casino games that you can try for free! One such site is Casinos Jungle. To know more about this website, visit www.casinosjungle.com

Now, let’s explore some of the best casinos of Armenia.

Shangri La Yerevan

This is among the most modern gambling establishments in Armenia. For entering this casino, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee. The pass for entering the casino is given only to the individuals who are over 21 years old. The value of the entrance fee is not just for the ticket. 

The pass can be exchanged for chips, which is then used for playing. There are several gambling halls and a CW club for VIP players in this casino. It also has an exquisite restaurant called Michelangelo Launch. Several lotteries and tournaments are hosted regularly in Shangri La Yerevan. 

This gives its guests the chance to win some attractive cash prizes. The casino also has a system of club cards. It gives the cardholders the right to some additional services. This establishment is located on the 10-kilometer Yerevan-Sevan highway. It is one of the most picturesque places in the country. 

Shangri La Yerevan also has a parking lot that can accommodate up to 100 cars. So, if you’re visiting this magnificent casino, there’s no need to worry about parking your vehicle. You can get to the casino by taking a taxi. If you prefer, you can use the services of the casino establishment and go for a gaming tour. 

Upon booking this tour, you’ll get free transportation to the casino. It also covers the expenses for your flight and visa if you’re traveling to Armenia from another country. You can also get a free hotel room, VIP services, a 10% daily return of losses, and much more.

Other casinos in Armenia

A gaming tour of the casino is also offered by Sun Palace. This is one of the most fabulous gambling establishments in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. In this casino, you can have loads of fun playing games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and video poker. 

Besides these games, there are more than 100 slot machines in this casino. There’s also a VIP room in this casino for privileged players. All the winnings received in this casino are paid by the administration of the casino establishment. You can also chose your currency, such as Rubles and Euro. A security escort may also be provided. Additionally, you can also go for a guided walk through Yerevan and a tour of Lake Sevan. 

Another fantastic casino is the ‘Senator’ casino, which is located on the border of Tairov and Argavanda. This casino establishments offers you a wide range of choices in entertainment. It has gambling halls, a bar, and places for recreation. In recent times, a new restaurant has also commenced its operations in Senator. You can enjoy some delicious treats from the Armenian, Russian, and Iranian cuisine in this restaurant.

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So, the construction-related activities in Armenia were carried out taking this fact into consideration. The local architects adapted well to the harsh landscape, creating some fabulous structures from stone. Buildings in the country are thick-walled and low-slung with regards to design. This is particularly true in case of religious sites, such as monasteries and churches. 

Such structures were built to last for many centuries. The stones used in the construction of these structures were quarried on site. It was done with the intention of blending the structure seamlessly with its surroundings. At times, the construction required the use of stones with different colors. 

In such situations, they were arranged often in checkerboard or striped pattern. Residential buildings were usually constructed using materials that were less durable. Despite this, quite a few of these structures have stood the test of time and survive to this day. 

Pre-Christian era

Many years before the arrival of Christianity, the Armenian architecture had some distinctive features. Remains of the Urartian architecture can be seen at Erebuni Fortress. It was constructed during the reign of the Urartian King Argishti I in 782 BC. Travelers can also visit the Temple of Garni, which was constructed in the 1st century in the Hellenistic style. 

The surviving caravanserais are also worth visiting during a trip to Armenia. They were used as places of lodging by the merchants and travelers. They made their journeys through the country along the Silk Road.

Architecture in Christian Armenia

The earliest churches in this country were built during the period between the 4th and 7th centuries. Construction of these churches began when Armenia converted to Christianity. The construction ended with the invasion of Arabs. 

The early churches in the country were simple basilicas, but a few of them also had side apses. By the 5th century, the typical central cupola cone had become standard. More complex architectural styles of the Armenian Apostolic Church had formed by the 7th century.

Bagratid Dynasty

From the 9th to the 11th century, Armenia was ruled by the Bagratid Dynasty. This period was characterized by the revival of the Armenian church architecture. Some ornately carved cross-stone khachkars were developed in the Armenian style during this period. These stryctures remain symbolic of the country even today. 

During the reign of the Bagratid Dynasty, the first large monasteries were built, including the Haghpat Monastery. Under the Zakarid Dynasty from the 12th to the 14th century, another period of growth was witnessed. Unfortunately, much destruction took place during the invasion of Tamerlane, which greatly hindered the architectural progress.

Russian contribution

In the 19th century, the Armenian architecture experienced new advancements with the arrival of the Russians. Most notable was the construction of many pink and black tuff masterpieces in Gyumri and Yerevan. The mastermind of several church and civil buildings in the country was Baghdasar Arzoumanian. He was one of the 20th century’s most prolific architects. 

Erebuni Museum, the City Hall of Vanadzor, and David of Sassoun metro station are among his most prominent works. Alexander Tamanyan is another legendary figure in the modern Armenian architecture. He drafted the first design of modern Yerevan. This renowned architect was also instrumental in transforming Yerevan into the thriving capital of Armenia.

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