Stories from the Road - Penelope’s Highlights from Armenia
I just returned from meeting with our partners in Armenia and finalizing plans for our Spring journey, and I was again struck by the hospitality and deep pride Armenians have for their country. This trip also reaffirmed why we chose Armenia to be one of our inaugural trips. Armenia offers unique cultural experiences, delicious food and wine rooted in tradition, and a rich story of how everyday Armenians work at building their democracy.
Armenia’s culture and history are among the oldest and most enduring in the world. So old in fact, it was the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301 AD. On our Journey, we visit the centuries-old monasteries of Noravank and Haghartsin – places steeped in peace, beauty, and reverence. Its capital Yerevan, where we start and end our journey, predates Rome and is buzzing with cafés, galleries, and a thriving arts scene that blends Soviet-era influences with bold contemporary voices.
This richness is layered with the hardship of Armenia’s genocide, still not recognized by some of its neighbors. Our tour provides a private tour of the powerful Armenian Genocide Museum, taking time to honor those lost. Rooted in resilience, Armenia’s history carries the legacy of survival and renewal.
As I traced the route of our tour, Armenia’s food and wine traditions unfolded as a journey through both landscape and culture. I wound through the gorgeous wine country of Vayots Dzor – tucked in deep red canyons, then climbed into the lush mountain villages of Dilijan, before returning through the patchworked farmland outside of Gyumri. Everything I ate felt like a celebration of what the land produces: peaches warm from the tree, roasted vegetables drizzled with herbs, platters of perfectly grilled meats, and homemade wines that carry millennia of tradition in each sip. The oldest evidence of wine production in the world is found in an Armenian cave - which we will visit - dating back to over 6000 years ago. Whether it was a three-course mountaintop fine-dining experience in Dilijan, a traditional feast in the vineyards at NOA Winery, or a late-night meal at restaurant Vostan in Yerevan, I got up from each table feeling cared for, nourished, and connected.
In 2018, Armenians achieved the Velvet Revolution, a peaceful movement that in a mere 40 days overturned Armenia’s previous leader from claiming a third and illegal term. Over coffee, wine, and shared meals, I sat with the changemakers, parliamentarians, professors, art activists, and everyday citizens who made it happen. They talked openly about what succeeded, where they stumbled, and what it takes to keep building and protecting their democracy today. They shared that while on its face, Armenia’s Velvet Revolution seemed to happen overnight, there were decades of large and small movements that paved the way for such a significant democratic change to take place, dating back to mass protests in 1988 demanding unification with Nagorno Karabakh. They also candidly discussed some challenges that remain since the democratic transition in 2018. These conversations reminded me that the people of Armenia are incredibly inspiring and that democracy is never won, it’s worked at. That democracy takes continuous work, creativity, and heart.
As I returned home to Washington, DC, where the National Guard lines the streets, I carry with me a sense of energy and inspiration from Armenia. This May, I’m so excited to travel with you: a chance to experience the full picture of Armenia, savoring its very best while learning directly from the people shaping its future. I can’t wait to welcome you on this unforgettable journey.
Until our paths cross again,
