By Marlise Kast-Myers
Armenia has a population of roughly 3 million, of which Yerevan is home to roughly a third. As we roll into our hotel, it seems most Yerevanites are out that night. Even in the lobby of The Alexander, the bellman explains that Armenia is a late-to-bed, late-to-rise culture.
Acclimating our senses the following morning is a rooftop breakfast served by a gracious staff who introduce us to Armenian coffee – finely ground into a powder and brewed in a jazzve pot. Ruby pomegranate juice brightens the table beside yogurt, figs, honey, olives, pastries, brined cheeses (chanakh and lori), cured beef (basturma), and other local delights.
Following breakfast, we meet Lusine Guin Dalera, our guide and owner of Next is Armenia. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she launched her business, which gained traction with viral videos introducing the “other side” of Armenia. Over the next five days, she will be our driver, translator and historian.