With close proximity to India, Azerbaijan is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after tourist destinations, a haven of modernity, tranquillity, and serenity. The country that has the confluence of Asia and Europe sits where the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains meet and is laden with the very best of everything. It has a vivid culture, rich history, and an abundance of natural beauty, and the visitor can enjoy a thriving vacation, which is an all-encompassing experience.
Why is Azerbaijan Becoming Popular?
Conjoing the best of both worlds, Azerbaijan, which many Indians didn’t know existed, was made aware of its existence through the power of social media and active marketing. With only 5 hours of flight time to the capital of Baku, this is relatively closer than Europe and the Americas but offers such a brilliant holiday experience that its charm is hard to beat. Along with this, this country is a shopper’s paradise where you can find anything under the sun. From high-end designers to local bazaars, the country has it all, staying trie to its viral status.
Baku: The Vibrant Captial
Also called the ‘Paris of the East’ with its European-style boulevards and Venetian gothic churches. Perched on the seaside, Baku has an extensive skyline that amalgamates the new and old. One of the famous landmarks is the three buildings known as the Flame Towers, which resemble flames that beam in sunlight. Stepping back in time, you can also get lost in the Silk Road traders as you walk along the Maiden Tower. The city has a hearty gastronomical setting that has influences of the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Asian flavours. Kebabs and the national dish, Plov, are a sure-shot must-have.
For shoppers, there is the Taza Bazaar, which is one of Baku’s oldest markets where you can find spices, dried fruits, and many other interesting things. Besides this for modern shopping you can visit the high end Nizami street where the pedestrian only area is great for getting the latest fashion accessories.
Gobustan: A Prehistoric Escapade
A UNESCO World Heritage site just one hour away from the capital serves as an outdoor museum with thousands of petroglyphs or prehistoric carvings dated back to 40,000 years. It is a really interesting site to relive the lives of our ancient ancestors engraved on rocks. Also, it is home to one of the most bizarre natural phenomena in the world, which includes half of the world’s mud volcanoes. It surely feels otherworldly.
Sheki: A Rendezvous with the Silk Road
In a quiet setting away from the hustle and bustle of the city lies this countryside town, which is straight out of a fairytale. Sheki is situated in the Greater Caucasus Mountains’ foothills and is a postcard-perfect escapade with cobbled lanes, wooden houses and, of course, natural scenery. On the list of what makes this a place worth visiting is definitely the Silk Road, which has an array of cultural heritage. Sheki Khan’s Palace is an 18th-century structure that is also a treasure trove of amazement with stained glass windows and murals. A trip here is incomplete without trying the Sheki halva, which is a decadent multilayered pastry adorned with nuts and honey that pairs perfectly well with a cup of Azerbaijani tea served in pear-shaped cups similar to the ones found in Turkey.
The Caspian Coast
With an abundance of seaside, the Caspain Coast is no less than any European beachside but is surely less crowded than those. Over 500 kilometres long, this string has many luxurious resorts and fishing villages along with an enviable subtropical climate, making it a perfect summer holiday with many popular coastal destinations like the city of Lankaran, which has many national parks, Lankaran Fortress and, of course, pristine blue beaches. If you don’t want to travel far, Baku also has a sunset cruise on the Caspian Sea, which displays the city’s skyline in hues of orange and yellow as the sun goes down.
