Spring is here. And while it’s a weird time to be thinking of travel, it’s still something that’s on our minds.
And while traveling abroad might seem like a daunting task, life around the world continues and the local guides and small tour operators that rely on tourism as their main source of income need you now more than ever.
So, while I’ve asked some of my favorite travel experts to weigh in on the best spring destinations to visit this year, there’s always spring 2021 to start planning and looking forward to. Fall is also a pretty incredible time to check a new, beautiful destination off your bucket list, if you need a trip to look forward to sooner rather than later.
Where: Hunza Valley, Pakistan
Where: Gyumri, Armenia
Recommended by: Aram Vardanyan and Megan Starr, Travelers and Founders, AbsoluteArmenia.com
Why: With new budget airline routes to Gyumri from Germany and Greece, Armenia's second city is finally stepping into the spotlight for more than just its association with the 1988 Spitak Earthquake. Spring is a fantastic time to visit Gyumri as the harsh winters subside and flowers saturate the city as it prepares to celebrate Easter with juicy fruits and heaping plates of pilaf. Gyumri is home to hip cafes and concept shops like Konjelazia Tourism & Design, several cultural spaces, unique places to stay like Masters' House Bed & Bar and Loft Gyumri, and Armenia's most humorous locals.
Pro Tip: Stop into Gwoog Gastrohouse for a local taste of Gyumri and try their Panrkhash, a dish made from cheese and lavash. Local herbs create tasty tea at Herbs & Honey, a beautiful cafe located in the center of Gyumri and the perfect place to stop before checking out a show at the Alikhanyan Puppet Theater. And, if you're looking for a souvenir to take home from Gyumri, look no further than HayAr Jewellery where all accessories are made from repurposed bullets by Gyumri artist Artak Tadevosyan.
Herbs & Honey café in Gyumri, Armenia.
ARAM VARDANYAN
Where: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada