Visiting Armenia & Georgia together

As they share space where continents collide both countries offer a taste of Europe and Asia. Yerevan, for instance, is Armenia’s capital city and cultural hub, with an eclectic mix of contemporary and ancient landmarks to be found under the all seeing eye of Mount Ararat. Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, is also more than a match for Western Europe’s perennial weekend breakers with a historic district on both sides of the Kura River, skyscrapers and sulphur baths sitting alongside open air cafés, operatic theatres and numerous nightclubs. There’s another perhaps more significant link that makes Georgia and Armenia inextricably bound: Orthodox Christianity. From the Holy City of Echmiadzin and the 4th Century Geghard Monastery in Armenia to Georgia’s Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, there is no escaping the ecclesiastical on a visit to these former Russian counterparts.

Although, on the face of it, Armenia and Georgia may appear somewhat similar in their cuisine, Caucasus, churches and so on. Scratch the surface however, and you’ll discover there’s much more to it. Allegiances with neighbours vary drastically. Armenia is considered by some to still be at war with Azerbaijan, for instance; while Georgia and Russia haven’t always ‘gotten on’ with South Ossetia – a serious stumbling block when it comes to who to put on the Christmas card list. The Armenian and Georgian languages are completely different, although Russian is usually understood on both sides of the border. Armenia is landlocked, Georgia boasts the Black Sea. Georgia has cultivated grapes in regions like Kakheti for thousands of years; Armenia’s collection of khachkars (carved medieval crosses) in Noratus cemetery is second to none. Yes, Armenia and Georgia are at first glance similar, however, visit them both and you’ll discover there’s much more than might at first meet the eye.