Holidays in Caucasian Switzerland: Travelblog on Artsakh tourism
Travelblog.lv, a famous tourism blog in the Baltic states, published an article on Artsakh and its tourism attractions. The article is entitled “Holidays in a country that doesn’t exist: Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.”
“Caucasian Switzerland – this is how the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh is called, a country which hasn’t been recognized by any country of the world. 40% of the mountains of Artsakh (this is how Armenians call NKR) which is located in Transcaucasia are covered with forests,” the author says, mentioning that although the country is in a political and economic isolation and has a territorial problem, the government began to actively develop tourism.
“During the last 10 years, the number of foreign tourists who displayed interest for Artsakh increased 4 times, reaching 16 thousand annually”, the blog said, stressing with the purpose of the regional restoration program hundreds of kilometers long highways have been constructed with financing from wealthy compatriots living abroad, schools, hospitals and residential districts have been reconstructed, architectural monuments have been renovated. The blog mentions entry to Artsakh is possible only through Armenia on land.
“Upon entering the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, you will be greeted by several friendly military personnel, they will ask you to present passports and get registered in Stepanakert, which, it turns out lasts only 10 minutes and is necessary only for statistics,” the author said. He also presented the capital city Stepanakert, which has a population of 53 thousand.
“It’s us and our mountains” monument, the Gandzasar monastery, Tigranakert and the ongoing archaeological excavations there, Shushi – the symbol of independence and liberation of the Armenians of Karabakh, Jdrduz, “Zontikner” miniwaterfall, Dadivank etc. The author doesn’t forget to mention the “Jengylaov Hac” delicacy.
“The tourism appeal of Artsakh has been con�rmed by leading global magazine. From these, one can point out the article of The New York Times – “Warm reception in Caucasus”, as well as The Guardian including Artsakh in the list of top countries for summer holidays.
