The Idyll of an Aghavnavank Guest House

Miles north from the bustling city center of Yerevan is the idyllic and quaint village of Aghavnavank. Nestled next to the Dilijan National Park in the northernmost region of Tavush, this village is home to the 12-13th-century Aghavnavank Monastery, surrounded by hiking trails and verdure indicating flourishing agriculture—including grapevines.

Companies like the "Aghavnatun" Guest House are making a trip to this region a meditative and fully immersive experience for locals and tourists alike. Founded in 2018, the Guest House has built an agro-tourism hospitality center for visitors that puts the community's education at the forefront for their guests. In addition, there is a diverse cultural influence in the area, as the village has been home to those forcibly displaced from 17 different regions in 1988.

"Aghavnatun" treats its guests to a multitude of unique and curated experiences. They offer cooking classes, cultural events, truck trips and hikes through the village, and even bring those wanting an authentic experience to stay with local villagers.

Armenia's wine production has grown immensely in the past twenty years, building on an ancient and historical practice. Tavush is one of the country's top wine-producing areas. The "Aghavnatun" Guest House's architectural design was inspired by their onsite winery. At KinEa Winery, visitors can learn about both historical and modern methods of wine production while being able to bottle their wines and engrave their bottles to take home. Because of the success of this industry and the model of the Guest House, they have been able to expand their winery to add more modern equipment, storage, and a cellar, allowing them to up their wine production from 2,660 bottles to 10,660 per year.

The popularity of their cultural programs and the expansion of their winery has meant that the Guest House has had to invest in accommodating more travelers and even worn-out city workers looking for a respite. As a result, they are adding five thematic rooms on their second floor, including "quiet rooms" for those looking for some solace or to work remotely in a tranquil setting. In addition, they are also family-friendly, with playrooms for their youngest visitors. Finally, after a day of work, play, and exploration, the Guest House offers traditional Armenian dishes from its array of regional influences and even features a Lavash-making facility.

The Guest House is centered on the unique culture of the village of Aghavnavank, developing its community and giving back to the verdant land it has so long been intertwined with. The Guest House employs local villagers and immerses tourists in the unique culture's food, the winemaking traditions of the Tavush region, and experiences with the people who make the Aghavnavank unique.