A captivating blend of ancient history, modern development, and natural wonders!
Azerbaijan is a tiny country located between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains offering some wonderful opportunity for explorers and travellers.
Touristy circuits in the country include
Baku: The capital and known for it’s night life and UNESCO-listed Old City, Icherisheher
Quba: Home to the Mountain Jews of Red Village and Europe’s highest village, Xinlaq
Sheki: Famous for UNESCO World Heritage site – the Sheki Palace and hand dyed silk scarves
Gebele: Famous for skiing
Ganja: Location of the highest lake in Azerbaijan, the Maral Go
Gobustan: Famous for the Petroglyphs which are a UNESCO World Heritage site and mud volcanoes, a spectacular natural wonder
Some Useful Facts about Azerbaijan
Currency: Azerbaijani Manat (AZN)
Language: Azerbaijani
Visa for Indians: Online application with 20 USD fee, processed within 3-4 days
Offbeat Travel in Azerbaijan
It was in the 1810s that Germans settled in Azerbaijan in a village called Helenendorf.
Besides becoming a hub of German culture in the Caucasus, Helenendorf was also famous for its burgeoning wine industry that sold wine and spirits throughout the Russian Empire.
The Germans may have gone – they were deported by Stalin in 1941 – but the Goygol Winery still functions and their presence continues to be felt in the town’s old German streets lined by towering plane trees.
The most interesting tour of this part is an old winery that was run by 2 German brothers which was abandoned and taken over, possibly by Russia’s secret service. The vast basement tells a story as there are machines belonging to that era still existing and the basement has many hidden rooms too.
A guided tour of this basement is a must do!
