Visited in October 2016
Set in the small town of Akhaltsikhe in the southwestern region of Georgia called Samtskhe-Javakheti, Rabati Fortress is a recently restored historical castle and museum. The road from Tbilisi to Vardzia goes through Akhaltsikhe, so the castle is very easy to visit and a really worthwhile stop, as it’s a great showcase of centuries of Georgian history and culture conveniently located in one site.
Visited – August 2013
Lake Sevan lies roughly 70 km Northeast of Yerevan, Armenia’s capital. It’s the largest lake in the Caucasus region and one of the largest high altitude lakes in the world, however its size has been reduced substantially by human intervention. It remains a very popular day trip destination, as well as the largest freshwater reserve in the Caucusus and although the water in the lake is on the chilly side, you can swim here in the summer.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites inscription details
Visited in August 2013.
We did not see Etchmiatsin at its best. The cathedral was undergoing restoration and covered in scaffolding. The ruins of Zvartnots are very interesting. Overall, however, we preferred the other sites we saw. Still, it’s a very easy and quick trip from Yerevan and an important part of the country’s history and cultural heritage.
