During the summer of 2018, I spent several months traveling across Armenia. While there, I was able to meet some of the kindest people, eat some of the tastiest food, and drink good wine, homemade vodka, and beer. These are a few of my favorite photos from those few months.
Looking out over Mount Ararat from one of the many monasteries that can be found in every corner of the country. Armenia was the first country to officially adopt Christianity as the state religion, and crosses like this one can be found everywhere.
A winery we visited in Areni region. We took a break from driving to enjoy some sandwiches, and of course sample wines and buy some bottles as souvenirs for friends and family. If you ever get the chance, I would also recommend stopping at one of the winemakers selling homemade wine on the side of the road and packaged in old 2-liter Coca-Cola bottles. You can't find anything like it.
Pomegranat grove in Alaverdi. The pomegranates from this tree were used by a relative of my wife to make homemade pomegranate vodka. Pomegranates are a symbol of Armenia, and can be found in works of art, and it is quite typical to find pomegranate trees in people's yards.
Outhouse in Alaverdi overlooking the heavens. I'd take this bathroom over a modern one any day. The view is even more unbelievable in person.
View from the home we stayed at in Alaverdi. The mountains you see are on the other side of a canyon. This is typical terrain for Armenia, which is mountainous and has many villages and communities dotting the mountain tops. This community in Alaverdi is magical, everything is done the old-fashioned way, and you can feel such a strong connection to the surrounding nature.
I'm not certain, but I think this photo might also be from the winery we stopped at in Areni.
An old church somewhere on our journey across the country. There are many famous churches in Armenia, and even more churches like this in every corner of the country.