Armenia Dram
The Armenian official currency is the dram. 1 dram is worth 100 luma. The word dram in Armenian translates as money and it is the Armenian equivalent of the word drachma, which is used in Greek.
Armenian drams are issued in coins and notes. The coins are in 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 drams and notes are issued in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 drams. Special commemorative notes of 20,000 and 50,000 drams have also been issued.
Although each dram is officially sub-divided into 100 luma, the luma is no longer in circulation.
History of the Dram
The dram in current circulation is a relatively new currency, having only come into being in 1993, following Armenia getting its independence from the Soviet Union.
However, the dram had ancient associations in Armenia and indeed was actually in use from around 1199 up to 1375, when a currency known as the dram was used in the form of silver coins.
In the twentieth century, the official currency was the Russian ruble, with the states of the Soviet Union all sharing the same, unified currency. It made perfect sense therefore, to ensure that when the country became independent it had its own currency. So, after Armenia was declared its own state in 1991, work quickly began to establish a currency which could help signify the birth of a new country and hence the dram was born!
One interesting aspect to the dram is that it is not actually linked or pegged to any other currency, which makes it a very singular currency.
Travel to Armenia
Travelling to Armenia is relatively straightforward. The country is quite safe and there are no significant risks of either political unrest or of violent attacks against foreign nationals.
Armenia is an interesting country because geographically it is located within the Asian continent, yet it is actually a very Eastern European country, no doubt a hangover from its days as part of the Soviet Union. It has some stunning scenery and architecture and a people who are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to help you.
Armenia lies to the east of Turkey, Iran is to its south and it also neighbours Azerbijan and Georgia. With such exotic neighbours you may expect this to be very much a country that is very exotic, but it really does have a very unique sense of being European in a Russian kind of way! It is also a pretty Christian country, with around 94% of its population belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church. This also gives Armenia a real flavour of being a European country, with an air of magic and mystique.
It is also not a particularly backward place. True it may not be as sophisticated as some other European countries, but there is a reasonable transport system, although the trains are very slow and also, it has to be said, quite bumpy, so for those who like to arrive somewhere refreshed and not fatigued by the journey, consideration should be given to using a taxi since they are also quite cheap and Armenia is not a huge country.
Getting hold of Drams
The government of Armenia has publicly stated that it is very keen to establish a reputable government that is based on the Western style democracies to be found throughout the world and because of this, it is quite a progressive country.
ATM machines are prevalent and credit cards can also be used quite easily, particularly within Yerevan, which is the capital of Armenia. However, if you travel to some of the more remote areas, you will find that credit cards cannot be used and ATM machines are non-existent. This situation is changing as Armenia becomes more geared up towards the 21st Century, but on the whole, it is worth just thinking that you will only find these amenities in Yerevan.
If you are travelling out to the country, then make sure that you have sufficient funds to be able to cover any expenditure.
One thing that you need to do prior to travel is simply to check that your card will work in Armenia, in case for some reason it will not be accepted. It is also worth notifying your bank that it will be used abroad. Generally there will not be a problem, but due to the potential risk of fraudulent activity, banks may sometimes put a stop on cards, if they think they are not being used by the owner. This is a major hassle if you are abroad, so just take a couple of minutes out to notify your bank before you go.
Travellers cheques are also a good option and it may be worth taking these in either Euros or US dollars, since these currencies are preferred as opposed to British sterling.
Using Drams
By Western standards, Armenia is really not an expensive country. It is very much a country that is emerging after years of being suppressed by the Soviet Union and prices reflect the fact that it is a relatively 'new' country in some ways. So it does offer very good value for money and although it can be expensive to travel to Armenia (and a visa is required) it is cheap once you have arrived.
Accommodation is quite varied, from very basic 'bed and breakfast' type experiences, right up to very sophisticated hotels suitable for the pickiest of international travellers.
One thing you may find when travelling in Armenia is that not many people speak English. In Yerevan, you will find that people do speak a reasonable amount of English, particularly younger people who have been taught it at school. In the rural areas or smaller towns, the only language spoken is Armenia, although people may also communicate in Russian. Life can be a little difficult if you don't know any Russian. But on the other hand, the people are so friendly that they don't view language as a barrier and will spend time trying to help you and talk to you: even if they can't speak your language!
In some of the more touristy places such as Lake Sevan, you will experience very western style facilities, but also find that the prices reflect the facilities available. Lake Sevan is a well loved hotspot for travellers and is a real holiday destination for not just Armenians, but also people from other countries nearby. It is beautiful, but it is not really typical Armenia and although you will find that communication is not a problem and that no modern convenience is lacking, it is not indicative of Armenian life.
In Yerevan and other areas you can see much more typical Armenian sights and experience the wonderful Armenian friendliness, which can be a little lacking in the more developed areas.
Taxis are plentiful and cheap so getting around is no problem and you will also have the benefits of getting to see the countryside. Hiring a car is also inexpensive, but unless you are a pretty skilled driver it is best avoided. The roads, particularly in the country areas are not up to western standards and people often walk on the roads with their livestock as they transport them from one location to another. Not only does this cause delays, but is quite dangerous, both to you and the person who is herding their animals. In addition few drivers take any care in Armenia and they generally seem quite oblivious to any road markings, choosing instead to either drive in the middle of the road or whichever side takes their fancy at any particular moment. Add in to this equation a seriously sized pothole and a herdsman with 50 goats as you come round a bend and you can see why driving is best left to those who have experience of these types of conditions. Indeed, sometimes being in a taxi can be quite threatening, but they do manage to negotiate all kinds of obstacles, even if the odds seem stacked against them!
Bartering is commonplace in Armenia and there is no option but to haggle and indeed, offence may well be taken if you don't attempt this age old ritual.
In Lake Sevan and other touristy areas you may well find that there are some fixed price shops, but generally anything that you want to buy will involve some kind of negotiations, which are usually quite good natured and due to the relatively slow pace of life, quite unhurried and relaxed. Just don't start to haggle if you are in a hurry !
There are some great handicrafts produced in Armenia and some have quite a Russian influence, but others are more distinctly Armenian. Markets abound and the atmosphere at the markets is generally quite lively, with everyone keen to show you their wares and to persuade you to buy something: even if their English is really poor! Often people just seem to like the experience of meeting new people and want to learn more about westerners. Few people in Armenia will have travelled to the west and so they are naturally curious.
Overview
Armenia is changing and becoming more developed and to a large extent more western in both its atmosphere and its outlook. This means that for travellers who are looking for that little bit of a different holiday destination it is a great experience, because you can have some good facilities, (even if they are not quite up to Western facilities), excellent value for money and a different holiday experience. Slowly the country will become much more European and who knows, it may even end up in the EU, but until then it is very much a country that has something special to offer travellers.
Its people are still very receptive to westerners and seem to genuinely delight in meeting them, which often makes a very pleasant change from locals who are simply jaded by too many tourists taking over their locality.
Armenia has some borders that are locked due to conflict and it has had some problems with regard to the government's attitude towards its people, whom it often rides roughshod over. But it is a country that has much to offer anyone who likes to see just how differently life can be lived in a Christian country.