Country roads: Top destinations you can jet off to now

Since Covid-19 gripped the globe, all of us have been holed up at our homes, missing the bits of vacations that we enjoyed whenever we could earlier. With nations shutting their borders, there was no place to be but home. The good news now is that we can travel to other countries again, but cautiously. Come winters, more might open up. To help you start planning, we have put in a couple of countries to look forward to.
However, we advise you to check the visa and quarantine policy before you book your tickets and hotels.

ARMENIA
The landlocked nation - or  'Ayastan-karastan', which means 'the stone country' in Armenian - is one of the oldest countries in the world and is rich with ancient history. The mountainous landscape of the country defined its architecture. In August, Armenia lifted the ban on foreigners on entering the nation and officially reopened for international tourism.

Yerevan
The capital and one of the world's oldest inhabited cities. It's the cultural and industrial centre. The most prominent of these are the Matenadaran library-museum of ancient manuscripts, Armenian Genocide Museum of Tsitsernakaberd complex, the Cafesjian Museum of Art, the National Gallery and the History Museum of Armenia.

Noravank Monastery
Armenia is rich in monasteries, and Noravank is one of the most impressive ones in the whole country. Smooth brick-red hills shield the monastery, which was built in the 13th century.


Lake Sevan
Sevan (66km north-east of Yerevan) is one of the most popular towns because of Lake Sevan. At 1,900m, Lake Sevan is also considered to be one of the highest in the world and has earned the nickname, 'the Pearl of Armenian nature'.


Jermuk
Jermuk is one of the most popular spa towns in Armenia because of its healing mineral waters and mild climate. The town has more than 40 thermal springs. Here, you can visit the Gallery of Water for free tastings of the healing mineral waters.


GEORGIA

Georgia is perhaps one of the most travelled countries from the UAE, and a two-day getaway usually means a trip to the country for many of us. Now there is one more reason to visit. For those of you wanting to get away from the four walls of your home but can't get away from work, the country has introduced 'Remotely from Georgia' - new state programme to allow foreigners to travel to and work remotely from Georgia. Foreigners from 95 countries will be allowed to apply for the programme.


Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital city and one of the best cities in Georgia to visit! Tbilisi lies on the banks of the Mtkvari (also known as the Kura) river and is surrounded by hills and mountains. It has been the capital of Georgia since the 6th century and its diverse architecture reflects its long and complicated history.


Batumi
Though relatively short in length, Georgia's Black Sea coast is idyllic, and the city of Batumi has some lovely beaches to visit. One interesting fact that the beach is made of rocks, not sand.


Uplistsikhe
Just an hour away from Tbilisi, you'll find another important Georgia point of interest: the incredible cave dwellings of Uplistisikhe. The fortress is mentioned in chronicles from earliest times.


Kazbegi
An area in the high Caucasus mountains, Kazbegi is actually named after the largest mountain here - Mount Kazbeg - and the gorgeous highland scenery will move you to tears, trust me.


Ushguli
Ushguli is a tiny collection of villages high in the Caucasian mountain region of Svaneti. The origins of Svaneti tower houses go back to prehistory. Its features reflect the traditional economic mode and social organisation of Svan communities. The only way to get there is by driving from Zugdidi to Mestia along steep windy roads looking over beautiful gorges, wild rivers, and majestic mountains.