Tavush Province (Marz)

Tavush Province

    Tavush Province is one of Armenia's most beutifull provinces.  Province is covered with vast forest, surrounded with mountains and rich with history.  Several places you should check out.
    Town of Dilijan is nestled in a beutifull forested area of the province, in one of Armenia' s protected reservations Dilijan Reservation.  The town has restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts and friendly people.
    Hagartsin Church complex is located north of Dilijan.  The complex is composed of three standing churches, one completely ruined one and a dinning complex where Armenian kings dined.  The place is believed to have been a summer residence for the kings.  Parz Lich is another place one should check out if you are in the vicinity of Dilijan.  The name means Clear Lake, but it is not.  The drive to the lake is amazing.  It is about 30-40 minute winding road, but the scenary, the smell of the forest, the sound of the creeks  is unforgetable.  There are picnic sites by the lake, you can take hikes, camp and e.t.c.  No restaurants here (not yet), so take your own food.  Another place that is worth your visit is Goshavank Monastery.  It is a little north of Dilijan.  A little south west of Dilijan there are two churches Jukhta Vank (Vank means church) and Matosavank.  This two you have to hike a little to get to them.  They are locatd inside the Dilijan forest (Reservation) and the hike once again is beuitiful.  You can find more information about these places by visiting www.armenpedia.org or www. cilicia.com and click on the encyclopedia icon.  Another very usefull site (even though some pages are still under construction) is www.virtualarmenia.am.  Check them out they have pictures, history, directions and e.t.c.