Even though I came to Armenia to scour the high plains and luminous, arid lands of Ararat, I have to admit that Tavush blew me away.
It's selling point is the incredibly lush landscape. Arriving from Georgia, having crossed the dry climes of Aragats, Sevan and Mount Gegham, I wondered if I was in fact back on the Black Sea coast. From Dilijan to Ijevan, encompassing the verdant Aghtsev Valley, Tavush is the 'Swiss Armenia', a blend of lush mountains, swollen rivers and lakes with fish aplenty. It comes as no surprise that during the Soviet era, Dilijan was a favourite mountain station with visitors from the USSR.
With vines, water, fruit, fish and game, the area has all the abundance that epitomises the Caucasus. Dilidjan is a particularly enjoyable town in which to stay. And once you head along the monastery route, from Haghartsin to Makaravank, you'll understand why Tavush is the birthplace of Armenian culture, boasting a host of treasures that pull in visitors.