Tourism Near Armenia

Hello all,

I will de-lurk long enough to ask the knowledgeable among you for advice.

I will be in Armenia next week as a tourist. I'm planning on doing the Parque del Cafe, Calarca and the Parque de Las Mariposas, whatever museum or two is/are most interesting, go visit the wax palm, and maybe parapente or rafting if my survival instinct deserts me.

Is there anything I should not miss? Anything I definitely SHOULD miss? Any security or scam advice beyond the usual?

What I like: history and culture, interesting nature, food, music. Interesting people too but that's kind of hard to put on an agenda. Not really interested in getting knee-walking drunk (I could do that just fine at home if I was so inclined). Not a sex-tourist or wife hunter either (not that I'm immune to the charms of the right kind of woman, just that we have them here at home too).

About me: 41, American, not in the sandals-and-backpack crowd but I don't travel in a bubble either, my basic Spanish won't win any prizes but it's not useless.

Thanks in advance.

By neutrino99 on Oct 12, 2007, 13:53 in Travel tips.

Grateful Dead says on Oct 12, 2007, 14:05:

Don't miss the Oblea's

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jzc17/335819960/

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neutrino99 says on Oct 12, 2007, 14:08:

Oooh...looks yummy! The only challenge will be deciding what flavor!

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bopenyan says on Oct 12, 2007, 14:38:

When at the Parque del Cafe (a theme park complete with rides, a dance show, a choo-choo train etc...) avoid at all costs the Orchid Show. It sucks on a truly awesome scale of pure suckiness. It is beyond bad, but it is not so bad as to be fun.

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msaucey says on Oct 12, 2007, 14:47:

I'd say that the orchid show didn't suck.... It was very, very, cheeeeseeyyy..... :-) .... I mean if you go in there drunk, I'm sure you'd have a different experience.... It's kind of like the orchid version of disney's it's a small world.......

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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arthur brode says on Oct 12, 2007, 17:14:

Dont miss Salento e Trucha al ajillo con Patacon

http://www.calirentals.net/

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billyb says on Oct 12, 2007, 17:18:

I second Arthur on Salento.

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billyb says on Oct 12, 2007, 17:19:

And Finlandia if you have the time.

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la campiña says on Oct 12, 2007, 18:08:

I third Salento, fantastic climate, great views, great people, if not a little over obviuosly tourist orientated, and be prepared to be stopped on route ( but thats another post ha) also spend sometime in Armenia, the main central area has been made a pedestrian thoroughfare after the earthquake and it is very nice to stroll along at night, its almost got a european feel to it although it does cater for the more whealthy folk, a little like chipichape but outdoors, and one other thing I found it was a little more expensive, especialy the hotels, nevertheless a must

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