Azerbaijan, an exotic country in Eurasia, rich with historical,
cultural and natural heritage is the kind of place that will make you
wonder why more people don’t visit it. And it’ll work out great for
those who like to take “the road less travelled by”. The architecture,
people, fashion, food and culture are a perfect blend of East and West
and the mix of Persian, Turkish, and Soviet heritage makes it a place
like no other. So now that I’ve been there and done that, I can list
some reasons why you should visit Azerbaijan.
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Its untouched nature
Azerbaijan is worth visiting during winter as well as summer and spring.
Lovers of mountains must add this place to their lists because mind
blowing sights are everywhere in the majestic Caucasus ranges. In
winter, they’re white and brown, and beautiful in a rugged way. And
among those mighty mountains are frozen waterfalls and streams which are
hidden but worth a trek. And frozen lakes like the one in Gabala are
incredible.In spring, they transform into a lush green and will steal
your breath away. For those of you who don’t want to go on hiking trips
or expeditions alone, you can find groups to team up with on
facebook.com and couchsurfing.com. |
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Ski Resorts
Shahdag is perfect for a short ski-cation, that much is guaranteed.
Think about an actual winter wonderland, less crowded, cheaper than the
most popular ski resorts in the world and a great option no matter how
old you are or who you are travelling with. That is Shahdag. The main
resorts there are Shahdag Hotel and Spa, Zirve Hotel, Park Chalet, and
Pik Palace. They are perfect for skiing, relaxing, exploring the
Caucasus Mountains and taking rides on many ski lifts with different
views. It’s a good idea to reserve rooms through booking.com or similar
sites in advance. |
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Baku
It’s true what they say about Baku being the “Paris of the Caucasus”.
The capital city which is also known as Baki and “City of Winds” has
boulevards lined with Beaux Arts buildings, and a walkway along the
Caspian Sea which is perfect if you like to go for long strolls. When
you’re in Baku, make sure you visit Nizami Street (especially at night),
Icheri Sheher (old city), Fountains Square, and Maiden Tower (UNESCO
Heritage Site), and the Flame Towers. It also has notable contemporary
landmarks like the Heydar Aliyev Center designed by Zaha Hadid, and the
Flame Towers. Also, there is a continuously burning natural gas fire
called Yanar Dag on a hillside north of Baku which explains why the
nation is called “Land of Fire”. Ancient Zoroastrians there used to
worship fire. |
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Sheki
Sheki is a small city on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains.
It’s rich in Islamic architecture, Silk Road history, and delicious
food. Not visiting this quiet, magical and charming town is a mistake
most travellers make. Some places to check out in Sheki are the
caravanserai, the Palace of Sheki Khans (Khan saray), and local sweet
shops. Also, while you’re there, try out “piti”, a soup with lamb and
chickpeas, from a local restaurant, and simply stroll the streets. |
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Villages
Remote villages in Azerbaijan are truly beautiful and only the most
determined travelers can actually get there which makes them even
better. Their inhabitants may not speak English but they’re some of the
most hospitable people you’ll ever meet. Some people in villages like
Xinaliq (pronounced as Khinaliq) also make a living out of hosting
travelers and giving them a room to stay in their own houses including
food and tours of their village. Their other sources of income are
animals and farming. Always say yes to the food they offer like
potatoes, cheese, milk and bread(especially the potatoes because they
are absolutely delicious) because it’s all organic and healthy.
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The People
Yes, the people again. They’re hospitable, friendly, curious to know
about where tourists are from and always happy to meet travelers. Most
of them don’t speak English but a lot of them speak Russian. The most
admirable thing is that even though communication is hard, they try to
help you in whatever way they can.
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Hot Wine
This non-alcoholic, sweet and sour drink is the best option in winter.
If you’re planning to stay at a ski resort, you can get it in the cafés
nearby and enjoy it with the view of the pure white mountains. Apart
from being an oil-producing nation and the Land of Fire, Azerbaijan is
also land of wine with a long history of wine production. Archeologists
have even found remains of wines from the second millennium BC.
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Gobustan
Out of 800 mud volcanoes in the world, Azerbaijan has 350. Gross? Not
really. They’re pretty fascinating to watch. Mud volcanoes can spew out
a lot of mud and hydrocarbon gases. They also act as exploration wells
and help learn about the formation of oil and gas. And the best thing is
they are in Gobustan, which is not far from Baku. This place is also
known for prehistoric carvings or petroglyphs, a must add on the
itineraries of history lovers. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has more
than 6000 rock engravings from between 5000-40000 years ago.
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The Cuisine
Azerbaijan’s rich cuisine will not disappoint you. So don’t miss out on
authentic food when you’re there. Some dishes you must try are;
Piti: It is a soup stewed with lamb and chickpeas. This popular dish,
especially in Sheki, can also contain chestnuts and potatoes.
Kebabs: Made with different kinds of marinated and minced meat, chicken,
fish and vegetables like tomato, onion and mushroom, kebabs are propular
all over the world. But when you’re in Azerbaijan, it would be a shame
to miss out on their version.
Dolma: This dish is popular in the Middle East as well but the
Azerbaijani version tastes different. Cabbages leaves or vine leaves are
filled with minced meat, rice, and herbs.
Plov or pilaf: Rich with saffron, cinnamon and other herbs, friend meat
or chicken and vegetables, this dish is simply delicious.
Lavangi: This is another mouthwatering dish consisting of chicken
stuffed with herbs and walnuts. Hungry yet?
Pakhlava: Who doesn’t like dessert? Azerbaijani pakhlava which is layers
of dough with nuts and honey is an absolute treat
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