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Yerevan - The country's capital is bustling with energy. It is young and modern with an exciting night scene. The city is quite small, so take the day to walk around and check out the city's architecture.

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Yerevan - Walk to the top of the top of the Cascade to enjoy beautiful views of the city and the surrounding area. If the day is clear enough, you might even get to see the majestic Mt. Ararat in the background.

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Yerevan - The capital city recently celebrated its 2,800th year, filling its bounds with history. Check out the Armenian Genocide memorial complex dedicated to the 1.5 million victims of the genocide that began in 1915 and lasted several years.

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Garni - From Yerevan, take a day trip to the nearby Garni, where you'll see the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in the country and in the whole of the former Soviet Union.

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Geghard - In the same trip, visit the nearby Geghard, which houses a wonderful medieval monastery partially carved out of the adjacent mountain and surrounded by cliffs. The monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Lori Province - From Yerevan, head north to Lori Province, located about two and a half hours by car from the capital. Pictured is the Sanahin Monastery, which was founded in the 10th century.

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Lori Province - The neighboring village is home to the equally old Haghpat Monastery, which was founded in the late 10th century. Rather than being built on a peak, the monastery sits halfway up a hillside, presumably to provide concealment from prying eyes.

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Dilijan - Located just over an hour south of Lori Province, Dilijan is known as the "Armenian Switzerland" since it is one of the greenest parts of the country. Pictured is the breathtaking 13th-century Haghartsin Monastery.

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Lake Parz - The drive up to the lake in itself is worth the visit. Located on the TransCaucasian Trail, you can also get there by foot if you choose to hike through the area.

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Lake Sevan - Drive from Dilijan to the Areni region along the lake route. It takes about two and a half hours and the scenery is gorgeous.

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Road from Dilijan to Areni - Lake Sevan is the largest body of water in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is equally beautiful in the summer and in the winter, when the surrounding mountains are white with snow.

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Road from Dilijan to Areni - On the route between the two destinations you'll find Orbelian's Caravanserai. The 13th-century roadside inn is situated along the old Silk Road, and it's definitely worth parking your car and venturing inside! You'll probably be the only one in there.

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Road from Dilijan to Areni - From the lake area, you'll head back inland through mountainous terrain. The roads are safe and generally empty, allowing you to take in the rugged scenery in all its contemplative glory.

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Areni - Located in the Vayots Dzor Province, Areni is home to the oldest winery in the world. Discovered in 2007, the Areni-1 cave complex is 6,100 years old! That means it was built 4,000 years before the common era.

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Areni - The area is also home to the Noravank Monastery. The location is nothing short of spectacular, and the complex is large and includes several buildings.

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Areni - The road leading up to the monastery is stunning. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of foxes and other wild animals. Trails are available all through the region, so don't be afraid to explore on foot.

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Areni - In the 13th and 14th centuries, Noravank Monastery served as a home for the region's monks and bishops, and later as a cultural center closely connected to the famed medieval University of Gladzor.

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Tatev - Head south another two and a half hours to the village of Tatev. Located about 1,500 m (5,000 ft) above sea level, the region offers priceless views of canyons and valleys.

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Road from Areni to Tatev - The road between the two destinations is as rugged and wild as you could ever ask. The route is filled with roadside vendors, so be sure to stop for some fresh fruit or "gata," an Armenian sweet bread.

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Road from Areni to Tatev - The roads get a little more bumpy and full of trucks coming in from Iran, but you'll still feel the peace and tranquility that comes with these incredible views.

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Tatev Monastery - Nestled on a large basalt plateau, this ninth-century monastery is enormous. Much like other sacred places in Armenia, the monastery is free and you can fully explore it as you like.

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Tatev Monastery - You can get up to the monastery (and the nearby Tatev village) by car, though it is only accessible through a winding dirt road. You can also get there by taking the cable car, called Wings of Tatev, which holds the Guinness record for the longest nonstop double track cable car. Needless to say, the views are spectacular.

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Tatev - Be sure to visit the Devil's Bridge. Located in the 500-m (1640-ft) gorge of the Vorotan River, this natural bridge allows visitors to swim in its warm salubrious springs, ringed by stalactites of marvelous colors.

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Great Hermitage of Tatev - Located along a trail just 15 minutes walking from Devil's Bridge, this semi-abandoned monastery is a must-see. The place is inhabited by a single hermit, who can often be seen reading his Bible on the property. Don't be shy if you see him! The place is open to the public.

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Zorats Karer - Known as the "Armenian Stonehenge," this prehistoric archaeological site is located near the town of Sisian in the Syunik Province, so stop here on the way back north to Yerevan. Its origins remain a mystery, but archaeologists have determined that it dates back to the Bronze Age.

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Khor Virap - The journey from Tatev to Yerevan is about four and a half hours, so leave early and stop at Khor Virap, famous for its breathtaking views of the incredible Mt. Ararat.

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Mt. Ararat - According to the biblical tale, Mt. Ararat is where Noah's Ark finally came to rest following the great flood. The mountain has been a sacred symbol for Armenians for millennia, though Ararat now sits in Turkish territory since the Treaty of Kars in 1921. Because the border between Turkey and Armenia is completely closed, avoid going anywhere near it.

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Khor Virap - This is where Gregory the Illuminator is said to have been imprisoned in the late third century CE for being a Christian. Pictured is the pit where he reportedly spent 13 years amid venomous snakes and insects.

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Khor Virap - Gregory the Illuminator is credited with converting Armenia from paganism to Christianity in the year 301, which is the reason why Khor Virap is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the country.

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