It’s not every day that a landlocked country, barely larger than Tasmania and wedged between geopolitical heavyweights, gets crowned Destination of the Year for Adventure Tourism. But Armenia—stoic, ancient, and quietly magnificent—has pulled it off.
At this year’s PATWA International Travel Awards, staged amid the diplomatic dance of ITB Berlin, Armenia snagged the crown jewel in global tourism recognition. No flashy ads, no star-studded influencer blitz. Just a solid showcase of rugged beauty, spine-tingling experiences, and a dash of that good old-fashioned Silk Road mystique.
When the hills call your name and Wi-Fi can’t reach you, Armenia wins again.
“Armenia’s breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and diverse adventure offerings make it an ideal destination for thrill-seekers and cultural explorers alike,” said Lusine Gevorgyan, Chair of the Tourism Committee of Armenia, sounding rightly proud. “Spring is a particularly magical time to experience its natural beauty.”
And what beauty it is. This isn’t your average postcard fare, though it photographs like a dream. It’s a place where ancient monasteries perch on cliffs like monks who’ve had too much coffee, where flower-speckled highlands burst to life just as the last frost vanishes, and where the air carries the scent of legend.
Silk Road Secrets and Mud-on-Your-Boots Kind of Magic
To understand Armenia is to walk it—preferably in sturdy boots. The Gegham Mountains, a volcanic highland that throws shadows over the plains between Yerevan and Lake Sevan, are a top pick in spring. The hills roll out like nature’s welcome mat, sprinkled with wildflowers, whispering of gods, poets, and Soviet hiking parties long past.
History framed in blossom: where ancient stones whisper louder than springtime breezes in Armenia’s soul.
And then there’s Lake Sevan—a brooding, blue expanse that sits 1,900 metres above sea level, with water so clear it makes Evian look murky. Hire a boat and float across its alpine silence, or sit and ponder life’s big questions, like whether you’ll ever want to leave.
For those with a bit more diesel in their veins, take the road less travelled—literally—with a 4wd expedition up Mount Dimats, tucked away in the Tavush region. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but the payoff? A ridgetop view that silences even the chattiest tour group. Nearby, Haghartsin Monastery, a medieval jewel of domes and frescoes, stands quietly beneath the forest canopy—proof that faith and stone really can withstand centuries of chaos.
After the off-roading, descend into Dilijan, Armenia’s answer to an Alpine village, where timber balconies lean lovingly over cobbled laneways and herbal tea flows like spring water. This pocket of serenity is home to Dilijan National Park, an Eden of oak forests, mountain lakes, and healing mineral springs once favoured by tsars and poets.
Eat Like a Monk. Or a Warrior. Or Both.
Now, let’s talk food, which in Armenia, is half the journey.
If you haven’t eaten tolma (grape or cabbage leaves wrapped snug around meat and rice), have you visited? The vegetarian variety is just as satisfying, with herbs and grains that would make any Michelin inspector sigh.
Then there’s lavash, the paper-thin flatbread baked in tonirs (underground clay ovens) and now listed by UNESCO for its culinary significance and cultural heritage. Tear it, wrap it, dip it, or inhale the aroma—lavash is both utensil and poem.
Don’t miss gata, a sugar-swirled pastry that comes in so many regional varieties you could plan an entire itinerary around it. Best enjoyed warm, with a mug of mountain herb tea brewed by someone’s grandmother who knows precisely what you need—even if you don’t.
A Commitment That’s More Than Skin Deep
Tolma: proof that wrapping things in leaves beats plastic, especially when served on velvet tomato.
Armenia hasn’t just won awards—it’s earned them. Over the past decade, it has quietly transformed itself into a case study for responsible tourism.
Through partnerships with local communities, eco-conscious infrastructure upgrades, and heritage conservation projects, Armenia is weaving sustainability into the very fabric of its tourism industry. Walking trails are being maintained with care, small businesses are thriving in remote villages, and green accommodation options are on the rise—from timber lodges in Lori to solar-powered guesthouses in Syunik.
And there’s a purpose behind it all: tourism that uplifts rather than overwhelms. Tourism that respects heritage and provides employment. Tourism that feels like a conversation, not a transaction.
In short, Armenia is walking the talk—and doing it in hiking boots.
Why Now, Why Here?
Tea, pastries, and peace: Armenia serves serenity with a side of flaky, golden wisdom.
Because the world is changing—and travellers are, too. We’re no longer chasing only five-star fluff or mass-market convenience. We’re seeking places that matter. Experiences that challenge us. Cultures that welcome us not with gimmicks, but with genuine warmth and history thicker than a Tolstoy novel.
Armenia is that kind of place.
It’s a country where adventure means more than ticking boxes off an itinerary. It means connecting with the land, with people, and perhaps most importantly, with yourself. Where else can you paraglide in the morning, drink mineral water from a medieval spring at noon, and watch the sun set behind a monastery built before the Magna Carta?
So if you’re wondering where to go this spring, consider Armenia. Pack light, walk far, eat well, and be ready to fall a little bit in love with a country that seems tailor-made for rediscovery.
To start your journey, visit: https://armenia.travel.
By Michelle Warner
