Just wrapped up a wonderful 10 day holiday in #azerbaijan
This small country on the shores of the Caspian Sea surprised us with its great capital city, snows in the Caucasus mountains, excellent infrastructure, secular and friendly locals.
(1/n)
This small country on the shores of the Caspian Sea surprised us with its great capital city, snows in the Caucasus mountains, excellent infrastructure, secular and friendly locals.
(1/n)
Factor in the easy #azerbaijan e-visa (USD 20, delivered in 3 days), 4 hr flight time (from DEL/BOM) and reasonable costs - both in-country and airfare - and you can see why Azerbaijan is attracting Indian travel content-creators like locusts.
(2/n)
(2/n)
#azerbaijan capital of Baku was a big surprise
With #F1 race since 2017, we expected Baku to be a global city β but we werenβt expecting it to be so organized and well-planned. The public areas β the Boulevard, the parks, the roads β are impressive in size and imagination
(3/n)
With #F1 race since 2017, we expected Baku to be a global city β but we werenβt expecting it to be so organized and well-planned. The public areas β the Boulevard, the parks, the roads β are impressive in size and imagination
(3/n)
Most of Baku has a very European look and feel, with spread out architecture & parks. There is no crush of people and buildings like in NY/HK etc. In fact, we thought the whole of #azerbaijan felt overbuilt and sparse, like it was designed for 4x of the actual population
(4/n)
(4/n)
The Baku Boulevard is one of the highlights of an #azerbaijan trip. It is a 7+ km long promenade, maybe half a km wide at certain places, with multiple walkways. It has great views of the city skyline and is interspersed with gardens, cafes, coffee kiosks and art
(5/n)
(5/n)
Icherisheher, or the Old City, is the historic core of Baku β a fortified citadel, just off the promenade. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and served as the capital of the Shirvanshahs from the 13th cent. There are a lot of shops, restaurants and boutique hotels inside
(6/n)
(6/n)
The Gobustan Petroglyphs is located on a cliff face, facing the Caspian Sea. A few millennia ago, the sea was much closer to the cliff.
The rock art is well marked, and it is recommended to take a guide. One of the UNESCO heritage sites of #azerbaijan
(7/n)
The rock art is well marked, and it is recommended to take a guide. One of the UNESCO heritage sites of #azerbaijan
(7/n)
I didnβt think the mud volcanoes were worth the effort, unless you have never seen them before. To reach them, you have to transfer into a 4x4 vehicle and undertake a bumpy 20 minute ride. The volcanoes are rather small. Ateshgah and Yanardag can also be skipped IMHO
(8/n)
(8/n)
Outside of Baku, we loved the Caucasus Mountains in #azerbaijan. Tufandag is a ski resort, which still had snows in the upper ranges in March end. We had an amazing time there, esp at the CafΓ© on top. The resort is a bit pricey, so we stayed at Nohur Lake closeby.
(9/n)
(9/n)
One of the hidden gems of #azerbaijan was the Gabala Archaeological Site. Overlooked by most tourists, the site consists of 3 open excavation pits, with insitu human remains, going back to 300 BC. It also has enormous fortified bastions and a gateway from 9th century AD.
(10/n)
(10/n)
Another offbeat site of #azerbaijan is the Galarsan-Gorarsan Fortress, near Sheki. From village of Kish, you have to change to local taxi to reach the trailhead. From there, it is a short, but steep 15 min hike to the ruins of the fort. Hiking shoes are mandatory for this
(11/n)
(11/n)
Khanβs Palace in Sheki is another UNESCO world heritage site in #azerbaijan. The Sheki Fort is quite small, and the Khanβs Palace only has 6 rooms, but the interiors are beautifully painted from wall to wall. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside
(12/n)
(12/n)
The other place we absolutely loved was the Shahdag #azerbaijan. A complex of 3 hotels, with 2 dozen slopes and a manual control rollercoaster - it has something for everyone. Also, it experienced snowfall just a couple of days before our visit (in last week of March)
(13/n)
(13/n)
We stayed in the Pik Palace hotel, which lived up to its name, with palatial rooms! It also had 2 heated swimming pools β one indoor and one outdoor. Soaking in 30 deg waters, when air temp is 3 deg, was one of the best experiences ever! #azerbaijan
(14/n)
(14/n)
The Alpine roller coaster was the other cool thing to do in Shahdag, #azerbaijan. It is a decently long, with single seat cars, with a hand-operated brake. In my first run, I was pretty careful (and SLOW). But it was so much fun, we went again the next morning
(15/n)
(15/n)
The last hidden secret of #azerbaijan is Alinja Castle, in Nakhchivan. If you have seen photos of Machu Picchu (or visited it), you can immediately spot the similarity. 1600 steps, properly constructed β took us unfit people an hour to climb. Really offbeat
(16/n)
(16/n)
#azerbaijan culture:
Azeri people are very friendly and like people from Hindustan (so far π)
It is a muslim country, but secular. Azeris proudly declare that only 5-10% practice Islam.
Alcohol is widely available and consumed. Pork is available in hotelsβ¦
(17/n)
Azeri people are very friendly and like people from Hindustan (so far π)
It is a muslim country, but secular. Azeris proudly declare that only 5-10% practice Islam.
Alcohol is widely available and consumed. Pork is available in hotelsβ¦
(17/n)
#azerbaijan culture (contd):
Women seem to wear conservative western clothes like pant suit etc, and some do wear a headscarf. But younger people dress the same as the rest of the world.
Also, no petty crimes β many people leave keys in car, when hopping out for quick buy
(18/n)
Women seem to wear conservative western clothes like pant suit etc, and some do wear a headscarf. But younger people dress the same as the rest of the world.
Also, no petty crimes β many people leave keys in car, when hopping out for quick buy
(18/n)
#azerbaijan food:
Food is inspired by Turkey/Middle East
Kebabs and plov (pulao) are most common dishes β Lule kebabs were my favouriteπ
Dolma (vine leaves stuffed with minced meat) is very popular.
Doner is most common street food, and black chai is drunk by everyone
(19/n)
Food is inspired by Turkey/Middle East
Kebabs and plov (pulao) are most common dishes β Lule kebabs were my favouriteπ
Dolma (vine leaves stuffed with minced meat) is very popular.
Doner is most common street food, and black chai is drunk by everyone
(19/n)
#azerbaijan food (contd):
All meals are accompanied by tandir bread
In vegetarian food, brinjal/eggplant is everywhere β fried/salad/roasted etc. Lentil & Dovga (yoghurt) soup are also very common. And various local soft cheeses
Pakhlava & Sheki halva are local desserts
(20/n)
All meals are accompanied by tandir bread
In vegetarian food, brinjal/eggplant is everywhere β fried/salad/roasted etc. Lentil & Dovga (yoghurt) soup are also very common. And various local soft cheeses
Pakhlava & Sheki halva are local desserts
(20/n)
The best gastronomic treat in #azerbaijan, according to me, is Albali Kompot - Cherry Compote (juice)
It is easily the yummiest fruit juice I have ever had π
I had with every meal if I could π
(the Cappy brand isnt so good β get the 1L glass bottles if you can)
(21/n)
It is easily the yummiest fruit juice I have ever had π
I had with every meal if I could π
(the Cappy brand isnt so good β get the 1L glass bottles if you can)
(21/n)
The best gastronomic treat in #azerbaijan, according to me, is Albali Kompot - Cherry Compote (juice)
It is easily the yummiest fruit juice I have ever had π
I had with every meal if I could π
(the Cappy brand isnt so good β get the 1L glass bottles if you can)
(21/n)
It is easily the yummiest fruit juice I have ever had π
I had with every meal if I could π
(the Cappy brand isnt so good β get the 1L glass bottles if you can)
(21/n)
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