Dr. Stefan Christmann

November 15, 2019February 5, 2020

National gallery

You can find the national gallery of Armenia at the Republic square of Երևան. It is within the building that also hosts the historic museum and you have to get up to the first floor to enter it. Looking through the very high staircase you can see that there seven floors full of art to discover – and an ancient elevator obviously from Soviet times. Already the building is like travelling in time. In 56 halls you can see Armenian, but also Russian and European art.

November 15, 2019April 15, 2022

YerevanCard

In some cities across the globe, you can buy tourist packages that often include public transport, entrance fees to museums and other sights and discounts at shops and restaurants. I didn’t expect to find such an offer at Երևան, Armenia, but I dramatically underestimated the tourism industry in Armenia (focussed mostly on Russian tourists). The YerevanCard is a comprehensive package giving you everything you need for a stay in the city. You can order it only and then collect it at tourist offices in the city.

November 15, 2019April 15, 2022

Dram

The Armenian word ‘dram‘ (դրամ) just means ‘money‘ – and it is the name of the local currency. A dram is divided into 100 luma, but there aren’t any luma coins circulating anymore. Currency symbol is Դ, but most often the abbreviation ‘dr.‘ seems to be used. The dram was introduced in 1993 and replaced the Russian ruble as the formerly official currency.

November 15, 2019February 5, 2020

History museum

If you want to learn more about the past of Armenia then the history museum at the Republic square of Երևան is your best choice. You can’t overlook the impressive building at this main square. On three floors you can learn about the past from the stone age until today. It is a big collection of ceramics, carpets, ancient cloth, stones, weapons and paintings.

November 15, 2019February 1, 2020

Paris Hotel

The Paris Hotel at Երևան, Armenia, is a very good four-star hotel just a few meters afar from Republic square. The rooms are quite large and I even had a balcony (which I found unusual inside an inner-city). It is a high-class hotel but not exaggerated; I felt really well there. Breakfast is served on the 12th floor where you can also get dinner and drinks in the evening hours.

November 15, 2019February 6, 2020

Zvartnots

The international airport of Երևան, Armenia (EVN), is called Zvartnots because it is located in a municipality with that name 10 kilometres west of Երևան. The location is known for a special church from the 7th century and the airport is designed after the shape of that church. It was opened in 1961 and the newest terminal was opened in 2007. It has only one runway but it looks really modern and is well-organized.

November 14, 2019December 2, 2019

Шереме́тьево

Sheremetyevo International Airport, Москва́

The Sheremetyevo Alexander S. Pushkin International Airport (Междунаро́дный аэропо́рт Шереме́тьево, SVO) is the largest airport of Москва́ and Russia. It is named after the next small city (Sheremetyevo, which is linked with Russian aristocracy) and the nationally important poet Alexander Pushkin. It handles 40 million passengers every year. Шереме́тьево is the most important gateway to the capital city but also an important hub with many interconnecting flights.

November 14, 2019November 22, 2019

Visa or no visa

Russia is one of the countries with the most complicated visa rules. When I wanted to fly from Germany to Armenia, the only sensible flight was with Aeroflot via Москва́ – including switching planes at the Sheremetyevo airport (SVO). If you plan such a trip two questions arise automatically: how much time is necessary to switch planes at SVO and – do I need a visa? The first question is easily answered by Aeroflot; their website tells you the minimum amount of minutes you need.

November 10, 2019December 13, 2019

Borussia-Park

Borussia Mönchengladbach, the soccer club of Mönchengladbach, Germany, was once playing at an epic stadium called the Bökelberg. Legendary fights are recorded from that times. A lot of stories could be told of that place (like when in 1971 the goal post broke in a match against Werder Bremen). What is left? The Bökelberg still exists even though the stadium was destroyed from 2005 on. It defended itself and withstood the first explosives – but today it is converted into a residential zone. You can still see the terraces and the structure of the stadium.

November 10, 2019December 2, 2019

Where is the fodder?

The Tiergarten of Mönchengladbach, Germany is just a small zoological garden but one that is fun – especially for families. They don’t have too many species there but you can get pretty close to most of them. Especially the alpacas, donkeys, horses and pigs will expect that you have something for them in your pockets. Fortunately, you can buy some fodder for the animals at the cash desk. That way you can easily attract them and pet some nice animals. In addition to domestic animals, they also give a home to species like kangaroos and seals.