Jermuk Olympia Sanatorium

If you've visited Armenia before and haven't stayed at the Olympia, you've missed a hidden gem. If you haven't visited Armenia, put the Olympia on your bucket list. I promise the vacation of a lifetime. The Olympia is a sanatorium in the finest European tradition. You'll find a highly trained, professional staff offering a full range of health and wellness treatments. The food is superb as well, Three buffet-style meals a day are included in your package, all thoughtfully prepared and featuring fresh, local produce. (I should also add that the prices are less than half of what you'd pay in most other European countries.) Olympia is situated in the center of Jermuk, a small, picturesque mountain town in southeastern Armenia. Jermuk is home to natural springs that were the main attraction of the sanatorium in Soviet times. The hotel is across the street from a well-kept park and within a short walk of a spectacular waterfall, a ski lift, and numerous nature trails. We used Jermuk as home base for day trips to the Tatev monastery, the Khndzoresk cave dwellings, Karahunj (aka "the Armenian Stonehenge"), the prehistoric Areni cave complex (home to the world's oldest leather shoe), the 13th century university at Gladzor, and the Gndevank monastery. Professional guides are widely available. Even better, most locals will gladly share their expertise on the region's history and natural wonders.