Journey to the mysterious land ofArmenia, where Christianity has remained in its original forms despite Turkish Muslim and Russian-Soviet invasions and conquests. It is a land of borders, of contradictions but also of strong and resilient traditions, a land of war and mountains of good and poor people, of great migrations, of shifting borders, but of great culture still intact, in the heart of the Caucasus. We will go to try to discover its innermost realities, full of wonder and curiosity, without preconceptions.

Meet at the airport and Depart early by airplane about 4 hours to Armenia. Arrival at the airport in Yerevan , the capital city. We will begin our knowledge of the country with the help always of a GT coach and a local Italian-speaking guide with a visit to Echmiadzin , the Vatican of Armenia, since the patriarchate of the local church is based here, with its Cathedral and the basilica of St. Hripsime, in search of the early church. We will then visit the center of the capital city, which retains reminders of its recent past, including the Blue Mosque from the Ottoman era and the Republic Square with its Soviet character, and we will see the view from the top of the hill of Cascade Complex.

In the following days we cannot fail to visit the many monasteries that still populate the gray and red rocky mountains, including Khor Virap e Noravank, still jealous preservers of the Christian traditions of this remote country.

The prehistoric megalithic site of Qaraunji, dating back to ancient Middle Eastern civilizations.

Other monasteries such as that of Tatev, in the south of the country, that of Sevan on the Armenian plateau, that of Hagpath famous for its medieval scripture, and the rocky one of Geghard, famous for the spear with which Jesus Christ was pierced by the soldier Longinus.

And also the Vonotar Valley which we will pass by the longest cable car in the world; the Caravanserai of the Orbelijan among vineyards and orchards, the village of Noratus famous for its monumental cemetery made of basalt blocks; the village of Dilijan with its poor typical houses and the hospitality of its inhabitants who will invite us for lunch; the fortified church of Akhtala overlooking the canyon.

And then we will see the city of Gyurum, the second largest in Armenia, with its squares and local Orthodox churches; the temple of Garni, a Hellenistic Roman temple from the 1st century.

Still in Yerevan we will visit the Mausoleum of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks shortly before they left the country, a tribute we owe to this much-torn people; the Ararat Cognac Distillery and dulcis in fundo the Vernissage Market where we will make our last purchases before returning home. At the end of the visit we will reach the airport and begin our approach march to Verona for the conclusion.