Armenian Dreamscape - Mount Ararat

HOLIDAY ARMENIA - Where Art Excels

Home of SHIRAK TOURS, Gyumri Northern Armenia. Art and Artizans centre here. The Berlin-Art Hotel is a focal point for artists, sculptors, including internationally recognized Albert Vardanyan where visits to his studio and visits to painters and rug weavers are all possible. Get up close and personal with talented people bringing energy and craft to their works. This beautiful piece of work now hangs proudly in California USA.

HOLIDAY ARMENIA - Country Of Contrasts

Holiday Armenia
Country Of Contrasts
Armenia cradles the birth of European Christianity. Historical significance with thousands of years recorded from pagan stone carvings to modern day christianity. Amazing foods, artists and artizans. Hospitable people who will make your visit a pleasureable journey. From historical, antiquities, bird-watching, trekking, self-drive, art centres, mountains of wildflowers, hand woven rugs, weaving, lavash bread and just plain good times. Bring the family and open new vistas in your travels.

SHIRAK REGION - ARMENIA

A GUIDE TO FRIENDSHIP
Tours, located Gyumri, Armenia's second largest city, approximately 2 hours north of Yerevan, are available, and it is an amazing territory to explore. Gyumri has always been recognized as a cultural centre and home to the arts. Shirak Tours located in Gyumri won't just take you to the many galleries, statues and monuments around the old city but will further introduce you to the artists, sculptors and archeologists who live and work in the area. Visitors will experience the daily life of the Shooka, Gyumri's market area; visit Tsak Kar (the stone with the hole) and learn of its legend and, if one wants, receive its blessing; and walk through Marmashen, one of the many ancient treasures of Armenia's past.

When visiting it is a must stop and the Berlin Art Hotel is the best place to stay. Plenty of hot water and soft towels, modern Western standards with regional cuisine served from family recipes.

www.berlinhotel-gyumri.am

A delightful refreshing oasis where the centre for the artists and artizans works are found. The dining area, hallway and rooms are adorned with superior works of art. The Hotel forms a gallery in itself. The Berlin Art Hotel is perfect in downtown Gyumri near the famous city marketplace and numerous closeby attractions.

ARMENIA - CROSSROADS OF CULTURES

ARMENIA!
Crossroads Of Cultures
Travel is more than simply seeing the spectacular sights in a passive one glance. It is more than monuments, galleries and lovely views. It is learning about people, their culture, their similarities and differences. Yerevan, Armenia's capital with its ancient beginnings, with civilized history dating back to 782 BC, to our smallest, most isolated villages, the Armenian people are proud of their heritage and are always eager to share it with guests. Experience the moment!

Mystical Lands - Northern Armenia

Northern Armenia where mystical lands exist. Countless centuries and countless civilizations. SHIRAK TOURS centred at the Berlin Art Hotel in Gyumri Armenia offers visitors unique and personal visits to relatively unknown and remote antiquity. An opportunity to enjoy a country that was the first European State to adopt Christianity. View the transitional phases throughout history.

MARMASHEN VANK Shirak Armenia

Marmashen Vank*. Close to Gyumri, this impressive monastic complex sits on an impressive shelf with fruit trees above the Akhurian River, beside a stream that ends in a waterfall. The Katoghike church of S. Stepanos was built by Vahram Pahlavuni, whose gravestone sits in the ruined gavit, between 988 and 1029. The gavit itself is 13th c. There is an Astvatsatsin church, and a S. Petros, and archaeologists found remnants of a fourth, nearly circular church, along with foundations of a pre-Christian temple and many service buildings. The complex was ruined by the Seljuks, and rebuilt by Vahram’s grandsons. On the hill N is a cemetery with a ruined chapel. There is a bridge probably of the 10-11th c. on the Akhurian nearby. Across the river, near an abandoned medieval settlement, are Bronze Age graves. Visiting Northern Armenia in the Shirak Region this is a "must see". In the right light the area is mystical, magical, truly storybook. within short distances are the remains of numerous historically significant timelines in not only Armenian history but world history as well.

Stand On The Legendary Silk Road In Armenia

Shirak is in the north western region of Armenia bordering Turkey and Georgia. Historically Greater Armenia once stretched from Constantinople to the Caspian Sea. The capital city of Shirak is Gyumri. The Northwest corner of Armenia is defined by the upper flow of the Akhurian river, the NW corner of Mt. Aragats (home of Noah’s Ark), the Georgian border, and a series of mountains dominated by the 3000 m Mt. Urasar in the East.

In spring the rolling hills come alive with carpets of green grass and wildflowers. The rugged rocky outcrops become quietly beautiful. The capital city of Gyumri and area is rich in archaeological interest for either the specialist or amateur explorer and historian. There are many historical and architecturally important churches, such as in Artik, Ani-Pemza, Maralik, and Harich. The Urartian citadel at Horom is perhaps the most impressive of its kind in Armenia.

Walk the path of Christian Apostles, Marco Polo and the traders of the legendary Silk Road. One sector of the various Silk Road paths came through Yerevan and branched through to Georgia with one road tracking through Gyumri. Their are still traces of the original Silk Road awaiting the modern traveler.

BOUNTIFUL ARMENIA - VILLAGE CREAM

In Armenia the quality of the harvest is exceptional. Mostly organic the fruits, vegetables, and livestock all represent ageless methods of growing and harvesting. Armenia is known for the amazing flavor and taste of it's cuisine. There is no doubt learning the recipes will be on a number of travelers lists to do. Of course duplicating the local tastes is going to be impossible. That is the charm of Armenia. Experiences that exceed expectation. As to the village cream, well get ready for something special. Nothing can match the village cream. Try the fresh morning made yogurt too! Truly amazing. Jump right in and help bake the traditional Armenian bread Lavash a flat bread baked in sunken ovens in the traditional manner.