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One of the lads in my group is staying in the Golden Tulip and as far as I can remember, it's costing him about €150 a night. The rest of us are staying in the Best Western where we got the 4 nights for the cost of 3 nights deal. I think that came to about €200 each (each in our own room) which is grand.
Wow, on that basis the BW Congress is much the better deal for September. I think the outfit I work with get both hotels for much the same rate but I'll be able to compare value for money next week.
The BW Congress has been fully booked for some time now - though they are compiling a waiting list. I think the likes of Abbey / 747 have probably block booked the rooms and they will be released when they dont sell out the packages they are offering.
I'm in Yerevan now. I'm staying at the GoldenTulip which is certainly more grand and a bit more central than the Congress. However from the prices quoted above, the Congress is the better deal and would still be my choice. 10 minutes walk to the Stadium and 10 minutes in the other direction to the area around the Opera which is is where it all happens - lovely bars and cafes in the park. All have big screens for the World Cup and should have them for your visit too.) The weather is glorious and should be in September too so its a good scene..
As far as I can see there isn't an ATM in the Arrivals Hall but there are 2 money exchanges and it is quick and easy. You need to get your cash, then fill in the visa form and go to the visa windows, Cost is 3,000 AMD which is about 6 Euro at the moment. It just takes a few minutes. There is a sign for the Bus outside but its only 10 minutes to the city and taxi are cheap.
If anyone has any questions, let me know. I'm here for the next week
RodegenotPodge, what's the going rate for a taxi from the airport into the centre of Yerevan?
Max you should pay is 5,000 ADM - about €10. All the proper taxis are metered but from the airport they will usually agree a price. Its the best bet as it will take you directly to your hotel. If the airport taxis are being difficult and you are not in a hurry, you can always take the bus; you will probably still need a taxi to find your hotel but that should be only 600-1,000 in the city centre. Generally there doesn't seem to be too much of a rip-off culture in Armenia. Most folk are pretty decent.
I watched Germany-England last evening in Astral and it was great. Another good spot is Atlantic, which is the first place in the park by the Opera as you come up the big pedestrianised street from the main square (it is directly opposite Od Erivan restaurant complex.) But there's loads of places.
RodgenotPodge, quite a number of our party were ripped off on taxis from the airport (although no sense of it happening anywhere else).
As you say, agree a price up front and make sure you get a taxi rather than some lad's private car.
Also spot on on the service. Very "relaxed" and also a Communist hangover that they don't equate increased consumption with a money making opportunity!
I'm sorry I'm going to miss the game, I think its a great spot with some of the best eye candy in the world.
Have updated the first post with a list of the hotels. When RnP is back, I'll move his posts to the general thread if he doesn't mind! Just to keep everything together for later reference. Will leave it all here for the moment though cos people know that's where to look.
I finish up this trip to Yerevan tomorrow and I probably won't be back before the game, so here's a couple of final observations;
There is a Duty Free in the Arrivals Hall, although I've never checked out the prices, nor felt like shopping at that hour of the morning. At least its an option.
Shorts - as the weather continues to heat up (35 today) I see the odd one or two around. Its still pretty rare but at least you won't get arrested or have stones thrown a you and you should be able to get fed (and watered.). However if you plan to go clubbing (and you can), you will need "longs" (and I suspect more than an Irish jersey).
Most bars serve only 33cl bottles (draught is almost unknown). (The Atlantic at least serves 50 cl - and it has a nice upstairs terrace.) Of the places near Opera, I recommend Astral and Atlantic most.
There's a few Chinese around if you want a big feed but the food isn't anything special. Its a meat eating culture, so veggies be prepared. At least they do salads. Local wine is OK, but stick to the "dry" as anything else is way too Russian and sweet for our taste.
Chek out Virtual Tourist or Tripadvisor for more lowdown - there's also maps of the city centre you can download and check out locations.
You can get a local SIM card for a couple of Euro (make sure your phone is unblocked.) Calls to Ireland will be a lot cheaper, as will calls to your mates in other bars in Yerevan.
Overall Yerevan is fine, clean, sophisticated city and is especially good in summer. Its a lot bigger than Podgorica say, but the central area is easily covered on foot. Its got some nice parks with a lot of sculpture and there's a general feel of culture and sophistication. Famous "Armenians" include Andre Agassi, Charles Aznavour and Cher.
I think they are pretty hopeless at football.
Fantastic info Rodge , thanks for the time you spent putting this together as I know it will come in handy for a lot of us who are travelling to the game .
Yep.. What that man said.Quote:
Originally Posted by Claret Murph
Cheers
Hello everyone! It's nice to see these threads about our country:)
I'm waiting impatiently for your September trip guys). And don't forget to visit our local Irish pubs in Yerevan. Hope you'll like them and enjoy your travel.
Buy):hat:
Hi Podge, regarding buying a sim card, is there any network that you use over there/recommend and where would you get it?Quote:
Originally Posted by RodgenotPodge
Any spots that you think are good for a bit of grub? And what sort of money would you be looking at paying for a beer and for a meal?
Cheers
Please don't say that!!Quote:
Originally Posted by RodgenotPodge
You can get SIM cards in any corner shop. Mine is Vivacell but it doesn't matter which one.
The area around the park and lake close to the Opera is best for eating and hanging out. I like Atlantic and Astral - both in the park. There is also a place called Marco Polo just by the big square which is also decent but you won't go far wrong anywhere. Get one of the maps they give out free in the hotels; lots of restaurants marked on those.
You should eat well for a tenner and beer is pretty cheap.
Top laid-back spot.
Decent locals, besides those involved with the passports and money exchange who are amongst the worst I've encountered.
And a tenner;RNP, you're being ripped-off!
I've never had a problem with the passport chaps - maybe you need a new picture on yours. I also find the ATM's pretty polite but maybe that's just me.
As for the tenner; I guess that depends on how you define eating well.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks RNP;For all your info'.
Though was serious about the tenner, as food there was ridiculously cheap especially if you ate any local cusine. Around €5 max. And talking a decent sit-down venue.
They do have a serious problem with their passport control as they have a higher level of paranoia with all passports regardless of age or nationality. If we'd been Turks or Azeris I'd understand but this was OTT with everyone.
And the only real 'rip-off' was the money-exchange kiosks who were out to fleece you the 2-3 times we had to use them, on arrival or to change back to Western currencies.
These however were the downsides.
Overall 8.5/10 for me.
I never had a problem with passport control in Armenia, even this time on a flying visit - though I think without any local contact you'd have difficulty with the money exchange, it's almost as bad as Dublin Airport!
Really enjoyed Armenia I have to say, I had an idea that it would be great but it exceeded my expectations. Really glad we did some tours during the week we were there, fascinating scenery - so much to see. People, food, weather, hotel etc top notch.
Really hope to go back there one day.