Start your day of sightseeing with a traditional Azerbaijani breakfast on the cobbled streets of Baku's Old City. Indulge in egg-based dishes such as tomato chigirtma, a delicious combination of scrambled eggs and boiled tomatoes, served with piping hot tandoor bread, sweet honey, farmhouse cheeses and cream, yoghurts and plenty of amount of tea - a magical mixture that becomes even better in the company of family and friends.
Surrounded by the lush Caucasian countryside in the northwest, Azerbaijan's newest UNESCO World Heritage Site is waiting to be discovered! Spend the day peacefully wandering the Silk Road-inspired streets, admiring Sheki's distinctive architecture with gable roofs and intricate brickwork, reflecting the city's past as a major center of trade and crafts. Explore mosques and museums, caravanserais and palaces, and try a type of baklava unique to this part of the Caucasus.
Long before the Arab conquest brought Islam to Azerbaijan from the 7th century, Christianity was widespread throughout Azerbaijan and remained strong in certain areas throughout the Middle Ages. Even today, the village of Nij is home to an ancient Christian people called the Udins, who meet every Sunday in a charmingly restored 17th-century church. Visiting the many ancient churches scattered throughout the countryside is a great way to discover the history and heritage of Azerbaijan.
About an hour's drive from Ganja is Naftalan, a resort town famous for its medicinal oil, which has been used here for centuries to treat all sorts of ailments . Treatment usually involves daily crude oil baths for at least a week at one of the city's many health centers.
Shrouded in myth and legend and inhabited by a multitude of multi-ethnic peoples, the spectacular Caucasus Mountains have attracted intrepid travelers and explorers for centuries. Azerbaijan is blessed with a glorious mountainous stretch spanning the entire north of the country, dotted with timeless mountain villages connected by a developing network of hiking trails.
Over the past decade, Baku's skyline has been transformed by several impressive modern architectural masterpieces. The main gem is the futuristic Heydar Aliyev Center, but Flame Towers, the Carpet Museum and others are no less innovative and inspiring.
Azerbaijan has more than 500 km of coastline of the Caspian Sea. You'll find scenic north-south views and plenty of sun-drenched beaches just 30 minutes from Baku. There, every summer, the golden sands of the Absheron Peninsula come to life with luxury resorts and water parks, local fish restaurants and picturesque beaches.
The natural diversity of Azerbaijan, where nine of the 11 climatic zones of the world are located, will certainly surprise and delight. A great way to experience it is to visit some of the country's 9 national parks, which protect rare fauna and flora in important wildlife areas.
Azerbaijan's wine industry, which boasts excellent terroirs and saline soils, is experiencing a major revival. Stunning flavors are being produced from foreign and local grape varieties at a growing number of wineries around the country, and several chic wine bars are bringing European style to Azerbaijan's booming capital.
Tea is synonymous with hospitality in Azerbaijan, where tradition dictates not to allow a guest to leave the house without offering it. Azerbaijani tea ceremonies have evolved over centuries and have their own rites and rituals. It is served in a special pear-shaped glass with lemon and sugar, and often with a tray of delicious honey, jams and sweets. This is an experience that you can get anywhere in the country, from expensive hotels to quiet village teahouses.
Source: azerbaijan.travel
