This weekend, we traded Tbilisi for the mountains of Armenia and set off on what turned out to be a memorable adventure. Lucas decided to stay behind in Georgia with our friends, while Henry, Michael, and I traveled with Vicki and Dexter.
The trip almost didn’t happen.
Even though we had reserved our rental car a week in advance, when we arrived to pick it up, we were informed that the rental company had not yet received permission from the Georgian government for us to take the car into Armenia. Since it was Sunday, government offices were closed, and there was no way to obtain the required paperwork.
Most people probably would have accepted defeat. Michael did not.
After some negotiations, a representative from the rental company agreed to follow us to the border. Once there, he drove the car across the border himself and then handed it over to us on the Armenian side. Was this the official procedure? No comment. Was it effective? Absolutely. Within a few hours, we were in Armenia.
Unfortunately, our first Armenian souvenir came quickly. Less than ten minutes after leaving Tbilisi, Michael received a traffic ticket for turning right from the wrong lane. To be fair, we followed several other cars that made the exact same turn, so we assumed it was allowed. The good news is that the ticket was only about $18 and can be paid at any Bank of Georgia machine back in Tbilisi. Consider it the cost of an international adventure.
Our destination was Dilijan, Armenia, often called the “Switzerland of Armenia” because of its forested mountains, cool climate, and beautiful scenery. The drive itself was part of the adventure.
Along the way, we stopped at the Mikoyan Brothers Museum. The museum tells the story of two remarkable Armenian brothers: Anastas Mikoyan, a prominent Soviet statesman who survived decades of political upheaval, and Artem Mikoyan, the aircraft designer behind the famous MiG fighter jets. It was a fascinating glimpse into Soviet and Armenian history tucked away in a small mountain town.
We also visited the Sanahin Monastery, one of Armenia’s most important medieval religious sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back over a thousand years, the monastery sits among the hills with stunning views of the surrounding valley. Walking through the ancient stone buildings was like stepping back in time.
We arrived in Dilijan during Child Appreciation Day celebrations, and the town was full of families enjoying music, activities, and time together. The atmosphere was festive and welcoming.
For our accommodations, we stayed just outside of town at Dilijan Glamping. Reaching it required a journey up a winding dirt road, but it was worth every bump. The property consists of three geodesic domes perched on the mountainside. Inside, we found comfortable beds topped with weighted comforters, private bathrooms with hot water, and huge windows framing spectacular mountain views. We gathered around campfires both evenings, enjoying the cool mountain air and star-filled skies.
On our one full day in Armenia, Henry had a mission: find snow.
From our glamping site, we could see patches of snow high on the mountains, and Henry was determined to reach them. We started hiking along ATV tracks that climbed steadily upward. Nearly two hours later, after gaining about 2,000 feet of elevation, we finally reached the snow.
All too soon, it was time to return to Georgia. On the way out of Dilijan we stopped at the Fallen Soviet Soldiers of WWII Monument. We drove through a grave yard to get there and noticed the detailed portraits on the graves. Many Armenian gravestones include detailed carvings or portraits because they are meant to celebrate and remember the individual’s life, not just mark the place of burial.
As if the trip needed one final memorable moment, Henry discovered a group of puppies near the border. We still had some Armenian dram left in our pockets, so we spent it on sausages and shared them with the dogs before saying goodbye. It felt like the perfect ending to the weekend.
Just as they had helped us enter Armenia, the rental car company met us at the border to take the vehicle back across into Georgia. Michael drove the car through the Armenian checkpoint while the rest of us crossed on foot.
What began as a trip that nearly fell apart turned into a magical three-day adventure filled with mountain views, ancient monasteries, campfires, snow-covered peaks, border-crossing creativity, and even a few hungry puppies. Armenia exceeded all of our expectations.
