Breakfast at the hotel. You're returning to Istanbul today. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch a flight back to the city. Arrive in Istanbul, transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. Dive into Turkish cuisine, go shopping in the bazaars or enjoy some last-minute sightseeing! Overnight stay in Istanbul. 

Breakfast at the hotel.  At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Armenia. Touch down in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, and transfer to your hotel. As one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, Yerevan oozes history, from Soviet-era architecture to Iron Age fortresses. Spend the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure, sightseeing in the city's magnificent squares or indulging in the city's eclectic restaurant scene. Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know Yerevan today on a panoramic city tour! Begin at the giant limestone Cascade monument. Climb to the top of this impressive staircase to enjoy magnificent views of the city below. Next, visit the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts, known as the Matenadaran. This fascinating museum is home to around 14,000 ancient and priceless manuscripts! Continue the day with a peaceful stroll through the city park before catching the Yerevan metro to Abovyan Street and the spectacular Republic Square. Get a feel for local life at a food market and end the day admiring the beautiful Blue Mosque, which dates back to the 18th century. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore at your leisure or go sightseeing in the city's plentiful museums. Alternatively, we recommend an optional visit to the Lusik Aguletsi House-Museum.* Overnight stay in Yerevan.

*Optional visit to the Lusik Aguletsi House-Museum: Visit this fantastic museum, the former home of Lusik Aguletsi, Armenian painter, ethnographer, and Honored Cultural Worker of Armenia. The visit concludes with Armenia tea tasting and homemade sweets!

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the city behind as your head for Vagharshapat this morning (commonly known as Echmiadzin). The 4th-largest city in the country, on arrival visit Ejmiatsin Cathedral, considered the first Christian cathedral in the world! Founded in 303 AD, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the main shrine of Armenian Christians worldwide. Also, discover the priceless artefacts housed inside the Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury House Museum and pay a visit to the Church of Saint Hripsime, which dates back to the 7th century. Leaving Vagharhapat behind, continue to the ruins of Zvartnots Temple, constructed in the 7th century and partially destroyed in a huge earthquake 300 years later. Return to Yerevan and spend the remainder of the day exploring the city and Armenian culture at your leisure. Alternatively, we recommend an optional excursion or photo session to complete your day.* Overnight stay in Yerevan.

*Optional Armenian Brandy Factory visit: Take the opportunity to taste authentic Armenian brandy and learn about the history and art of distilling at Yerevan Brandy Factory. Take an informative tour of the cellars packed with old brandy barrels, and learn about the history of brandy-making in Armenia from the late 19th century onwards.

*Optional Yerevan History Museum/Erebuni Fortress: Enjoy entrance to the impressive Yerevan History Museum, home to more than 94,000 objects representative of the local culture from ancient times to the present day. Alternatively, this visit can be replaced with an excursion to the amazing Erebuni Fortress, one of the most impressive Urartian structures in existence!

*Optional Traditional Dress Photo Session: A fun-filled photo session and the chance to adorn yourself in beautiful traditional Armenian clothing! Try on different traditional costumes and pose for photos during this photography session.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for the region of Ararat to visit the spectacular Khor Virap Monastery, where, according to legend, Christianity was adopted as the state religion following the conversion of the King to Christianity by St. Gregory the Illuminator in the year 301. It is set in the shadow of mighty Mount Ararat and looks like something from a fairytale! Spend some time exploring this 4th-century site before returning to Yerevan to enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Alternatively, extend your discovery with an optional excursion to Noravank Monastery or a visit to the oldest wine cellar in the world!* Overnight stay in Yerevan.

*Optional visit to Noravank Monastery: This UNESCO World Heritage Site, located deep within a narrow gorge dug out by the Amaghu River and surrounded by brick-red cliffs, is an astounding vision of an Armenian Monastery complex. Built in the 13th century by the architect Momik, the complex is composed of a collection of churches and was once the residence of pious bishops in the 14th century.

*Optional visit to ancient wine cellar: Thought to be over 6,000 years old, visit the world's oldest wine cellar, located within a cave in the village of Areni! An incredibly important archaeological site, this prehistoric winery was only rediscovered in 2007. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin this day of discovery with a visit to the impressive medieval monastery of Saghmosavank, a 13th-century Armenian monastic complex located in the village of Saghmosavan. As well as immense history, the site is surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Qasakh Canyon. Next, continue to Alphabet Valley, home to a beautiful monument celebrating the 39 characters of the Armenian alphabet! Built in 2005, it commemorates the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet. On the way back to Yerevan, pay a visit to Karmravor Church in Ashtarak, thought to be the smallest church in the country. Remarkably well-preserved, this beautiful place of worship dates back to the 7th century. The remainder of the day is free to explore Yerevan at your leisure. Alternatively, discover Armenian food and drink with a winery or chocolate factory visit!* Overnight stay in Yerevan.

*Optional Armas Winery Visit & Tasting: Visit Armas Winery in Aragatsotn to discover the centuries-old traditions of Armenian wine-making and enjoy a tasting session of three local wine varieties.

*Optional Chocolate Factory Visit & Masterclass:  Visit a local chocolate factory to find out more about the creation of this tasty sweet treat! Enjoy a chocolate-making masterclass and taste the finished product.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off for the amazing Garni Pagan Temple, dating back to the 1st century AD and was dedicated to the sun god Mihr, it is the only Hellenistic temple left in the Caucasus. Admire its ionic columns and enjoy a glimpse into pre-Christian Armenia. Afterwards, head to Geghard Monastery, also known as Ayrivank, which means 'church carved out from the rock. The monastery was constructed in the 6th century and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Pay a visit to a local house to see the process of making traditional Armenian bread, known as lavash before heading back to the capital to enjoy your final evening in Armenia at your leisure. Spend the evening enjoying Yerevan's nightlife or doing some last-minute souvenir shopping. Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Please note: The itinerary of this day can be replaced by an excursion to Lake Sevan, a huge high-altitude lake in eastern Armenia and a visit to the Sevanavank Monastery. Please select the 'Excursion to Lake Sevan' optional excursion during the booking process if you would prefer to visit Lake Sevan today.