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Imagine leaving your computer and rolling up your sleeves to make traditional gata sweets staffed with walnuts, rubbing shoulders with village headman's wife to try exotic recipes and ingredients or dining at Lake Sevan amidst the tranquil majesty of its ever-changing waters.

This month's spotlight is on Food & Wine Armenia, a splendid travel treat to spoil yourself. Authentic Armenian culinary adventures are on the shelf. Help yourself, get them while they are hot!

Happy Travel!
Hasmik

in this issue . . .

program at a glance last minute
tastiest dates of 2008 Armenia food tips

food & wine program at a glance

A week-long experience featuring Armenia's rich culinary tradition and offering a complete change of scene every day:

• Hands-on cookery demonstration at authentic home setting after early morning visit to a market and jostling with locals for your favorite cuts of meat

• Traditional feast Keff overlooked by toastmaster tamada, a philosopher, a poet and a magician, creating a wonderful atmosphere of camaraderie and ruling the event with age-old rules of Caucasian hospitality

• Al fresco lunch with Yezidi, a pastoral ethnic group tending their sheep under the towering peaks of Aragats... breathtaking views, jewel colored lakes and sun scorched grasslands dressed in flowers

• Gourmet dinner in Jermuk with Vova, famous chef of Ararat Restaurant, the favorite venue of former communist leaders

• Private visit of leading wineries of Areni, agricultural heart of Armenia with an expert of Union of Wine Producers.

Whether you are "a student" keen to learn the recipes and cooking techniques or a participant who just enjoys the atmosphere and food, we have options for you. With those with energy to burn the dramatic landscape of Armenia never fails to impress.

Click here to view this fabulous itinerary and come to Armenia, a new gourmet discovery!

last minute

We regularly offer 15% off the remaining places on a trip when the departure date is coming up soon. If you are ready to travel we have some great deals for you! Please quote Promotion No. AT008 at the time of booking for the discount to apply.

Grand CaucasusTour 01 Mar - 11 Mar 2008 Check availability

Best of Armenia 14 Mar - 24 Mar 2008 Check availability

Rally Tour 23 Mar - 30 Mar 2008 Check availability

 

tastiest dates of 2008

We wanted to let you know that we are now serving up this hot culinary adventure with fixed dates for June, August, September and October! These tours are combined with unique cultural experiences as the timing perfectly coincides with popular Armenian festivities.
Special departures for Food & Wine Armenia

23 Jun - 30 Jun 2008
features Vartavar Water Festival, mid-summer fun day associated with Astghik, goddess of water and love

12 Aug - 19 Aug 2008
features Grape Blessing at St. Echmiadzin, age-old traditions and ceremonials dedicated to the King of Fruit

04 Sep - 11 Sep 2008
features Musa Ler Feast, a colorful event with cooking of 100 bowls of traditional dish Harisa in commemoration of 40 days of heroic defense of Musa Dag in 1915.

15 Oct - 22 Oct 2008
features annual Wine Festival in Areni, the agricultural heart of Armenia.

 

Armenia food tips: when do people eat in Armenia?

Breakfast (nakhachash) is between 7 and 10 am. Breakfast is a light meal, it usually consists of coffee, bread and jam. Heavier options may include omelets, sausages and cheese. Restaurants and hotels serve standard continental breakfast. When out of Yerevan, guesthouses offer a lavish, home-made breakfast with fresh and tasty yogurt, eggs, cheese, other farm produce, traditional and western style cakes, and the delicious national dessert called gata.

Lunch (erkrord nakhachash) is between 12 and 3 pm. This is also a light meal with traditional components including salads, cold meats, cheese, and greens. Mineral water, juice, beer are acceptable and the meal ends with a cup of hot Armenian coffee.

The main meal of the day, dinner (chash) is after 7 pm. This is a heavy meal and traditionally consists of three courses - soup, meat or fish and desserts and/or fruits. Traditionally the dinner begins with apetisers - greens, cheese, smoked and spicy meat, salads and bread. Wine, beer and vodka (Russian or traditional Armenian made from berries) are offered and the meal ends with a cup of Armenian coffee.
In restaurants tipping is customary, about 10 percent, even when a service charge is already included.