Sevan Writers’ Resort, Lake Sevan, Armenia

Imagine what you could be inspired to write if this was your writing resort! This place was on my Rollei bucket list for such a long time, and when I finally got to visit, it did not disappoint. An incredible location, overlooking spectacular Lake Sevan, this complex has a pretty wild history. After co-designing the original residence building in the 1930s, architect Gevorg Kochar was arrested as part of the Stalinist purges and spent 15 years in exile in Siberia. After Stalin’s death, Kochar was rehabilitated, and was commissioned to design this magnificent lounge in 1963.