Visit the town of Dilijan, Armenia

If you are looking for a place surrounded by mountains where you can relax during your trip in the Caucasus, you should go to Dilijan, in the northeast province of Tavush.

This spa resort is also known as the ‘Armenian Switzerland’ by the locals and it became famous during the Soviet period due to its privileged location in the middle of

the forest, the high quality of the air and its numerous mineral water springs with medicinal and healing properties.

Summer is the best season to see Dilijan’s nature in all its splendour and the weather is perfect to visit the Surp Grigor Church or hike up to the Jukhtakvank, Goshavank or Haghartsin monasteries, just to mention a few of them.

Walking through the city center feels like going back in time, especially when you visit the Sharambeyan street, which has been preserved as it was in the past. From there you will have a panoramic view of the lower town, built on the banks of the Aghstev river. In that part it’s well worth visiting the monument to the 50th Anniversary of Soviet Armenia and the World War II Memorial.

Despite not being a big city, it is currently experiencing rapid growth. Many bank headquarters are shifting to Dilijan following the plans of the government to turn the

town into the financial capital of the region and since 2014 the UWC Dilijan campus welcomes students of over 82 different nationalities.

If you have the opportunity to stay for few days in winter, do it! All the tourists are gone so the atmosphere is more quiet and peacefully. I’m sure you will fall in love with the snow-covered landscape and with Armenian traditional dishes such as khash , a soup made from cow’s feet, vegetables and herbs only cooked in the cold months.