Author(s): Richelle Da Costa

Travel Stories | Books by Newcastle and Hunter Authors

ARMENIA is the third book in my Leopard Print Luggage series. It documents the last journey that I made with my then-partner, Tim, through this enigmatic, pocket-size Christian nation in the shadow of biblical Mt Ararat. We explore modern-day Yerevan, peeling back the historical and cultural layers that define the city's identity, then embark on an 'Armenian Food and Wine Extravaganza' tour around the countryside, visiting remote monasteries, isolated villages and historic sites, staying in an assortment of strange hotels, lodges and private homes, and partaking in a string of unconventional cooking classes and wine-tastings. Rather than an indulgent interlude, the journey becomes in many ways an endurance test, full of the sort of challenges and surprises that can make or break a relationship. As the stories unfold, we can only wonder at the indomitable spirit of the proud, hospitable, resilient Armenians.