<strong>The Land of Fire: </strong>The South Caucasian country of Azerbaijan has largely remained off the tourist radar. However with a new and easy three-day visa service, that could be set to change. Here's what to do when you get there. (Pictured: Baku's Flame Towers).
The Land of Fire: The South Caucasian country of Azerbaijan has largely remained off the tourist radar. However with a new and easy three-day visa service, that could be set to change. Here's what to do when you get there. (Pictured: Baku's Flame Towers).
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<strong>Stroll through time in Baku's Old City: </strong>Baku's cultural heart, the Old City is a maze of cobbled streets, artist's workshops, cafés and museums.
Stroll through time in Baku's Old City: Baku's cultural heart, the Old City is a maze of cobbled streets, artist's workshops, cafés and museums.
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<strong>Visit Baku's Museums:</strong> The curvy, futuristic forms of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heydaraliyevcenter.az%2F%23main" target="_blank" target="_blank">Heydar Aliyev Center</a>, designed by the late <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fstyle%2Farticle%2Fzaha-hadid-legacy%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Zaha Hadid</a>, make this extraordinary structure an exhibit in itself but inside the center also regularly hosts world-class exhibitions.
Visit Baku's Museums: The curvy, futuristic forms of the Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by the late Zaha Hadid, make this extraordinary structure an exhibit in itself but inside the center also regularly hosts world-class exhibitions.
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<strong>Take a day trip to Gobustan:</strong> <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gobustan-rockart.az%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Gobustan National Park</a> is the best place to see some of Azerbaijan's estimated 350 mud volcanoes (between 30% and 50% of the world's total according to different sources).
Take a day trip to Gobustan: Gobustan National Park is the best place to see some of Azerbaijan's estimated 350 mud volcanoes (between 30% and 50% of the world's total according to different sources).
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<strong>Explore the beaches of the Absheron: </strong>Summer in Baku is hot, so come late May Baku residents who can will make a hasty escape to the Absheron Peninsula, the area that protrudes into the Caspian like an eagle's beak.
Explore the beaches of the Absheron: Summer in Baku is hot, so come late May Baku residents who can will make a hasty escape to the Absheron Peninsula, the area that protrudes into the Caspian like an eagle's beak.
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<strong>Sample honey and wine in Ismayilli: </strong>The mountainous Ismayilli region is the place to find some of the best honey in the Caucasus It's also home to Azerbaijan's last functioning collective farm whose grapes are used to make the popular "Ivanovka" brand of wine.
Sample honey and wine in Ismayilli: The mountainous Ismayilli region is the place to find some of the best honey in the Caucasus It's also home to Azerbaijan's last functioning collective farm whose grapes are used to make the popular "Ivanovka" brand of wine.
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<strong>Discover Sheki's Silk Road legacy: </strong>Sheki, at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains in northwest Azerbaijan, is a former Silk Road city. The city's caravanserai monument (pictured) was originally built to host Silk Road travelers. Part of the building is used as a hotel today.
Discover Sheki's Silk Road legacy: Sheki, at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains in northwest Azerbaijan, is a former Silk Road city. The city's caravanserai monument (pictured) was originally built to host Silk Road travelers. Part of the building is used as a hotel today.
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<strong>Hiking between Guba's remote villages: </strong>Azerbaijan is blessed with some breathtaking scenery and few places can beat the Caucasus Mountains in the Guba region. Khinalig -- pictured -- is becoming a popular ecotourism spot.
Hiking between Guba's remote villages: Azerbaijan is blessed with some breathtaking scenery and few places can beat the Caucasus Mountains in the Guba region. Khinalig -- pictured -- is becoming a popular ecotourism spot.
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<strong>Experience the Formula 1: </strong>Like Monaco and Singapore, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a street race and the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bakucitycircuit.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Baku City Circuit</a> is the fastest of them all. It was designed by German engineer Hermann Tilke to encompass most of the city's major landmarks.
Experience the Formula 1: Like Monaco and Singapore, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a street race and the Baku City Circuit is the fastest of them all. It was designed by German engineer Hermann Tilke to encompass most of the city's major landmarks.
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<strong>Weekend away in Nakhchivan:</strong> Noah's Mausoleum, built in the eighth century in southern Nakhchivan is -- according to legend -- the last resting place of Noah, the Biblical figure who famously built an ark.
Weekend away in Nakhchivan: Noah's Mausoleum, built in the eighth century in southern Nakhchivan is -- according to legend -- the last resting place of Noah, the Biblical figure who famously built an ark.
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<strong>Marvel at Lake Goygol: </strong>The most iconic site in the west of the country is the spectacular Lake Goygol ("Blue Lake") at the foot of Mount Kapaz in the Goygol National Park.
Marvel at Lake Goygol: The most iconic site in the west of the country is the spectacular Lake Goygol ("Blue Lake") at the foot of Mount Kapaz in the Goygol National Park.
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<strong>Hit the slopes in Azerbaijan: </strong>Azerbaijan has two small but developing winter resorts, offering an off-the-beaten-path skiing experience in the Caucasus Mountains. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshahdag.az%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Shahdag Mountain Resort</a> has the greater range of slopes and high-end accommodation and dining.
Hit the slopes in Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan has two small but developing winter resorts, offering an off-the-beaten-path skiing experience in the Caucasus Mountains. Shahdag Mountain Resort has the greater range of slopes and high-end accommodation and dining.
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<strong>Embrace the hospitality and tea culture: </strong>Tea (chay) is the national drink and an integral part of any Azerbaijani experience. It's served in small pear-shaped armudu glasses. <br />
Embrace the hospitality and tea culture: Tea (chay) is the national drink and an integral part of any Azerbaijani experience. It's served in small pear-shaped armudu glasses.
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