Travelers and Wanderers, Bards and Poets, they all have one thing in common, an eccentric appreciation of beauty. However, if people, culture, history, heritage and nature pull at your heart strings then you are all rolled into one. No, don't have to take my word for it. Test it. Visit Baku, Azerbaijan. The sheer beauty of the place and its people will sweep you off your feet. Be it the beauty of old city, ancient rock carvings, mud volcanoes, age old fire temples or the mountains of fire, Azerbaijan is literally a land of wonders steeped in history and culture. Hospitality is an integral part of the Azerbaijani culture so people are welcoming and helpful.
The capital city of Baku is a picture perfect example of an overlap between history and modernity. On one hand Baku is characterized by its iconic Flame Building, projecting the image of a modern metropolis and on the other you have the old city or inner city Icherisheher which is the historical core of Baku.
A prominent trading post on the famed Silk Route for centuries, Icheri Sheher today has been recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site and open for tourism. The iconic Maiden Tower is located inside this walled city which is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets leading to ancient Mosques and historic caravanserais. Icheri Sheher is a must visit for history buffs who like to explore ancient sites.
Walking through the cobblestone street you will be transported back to the time of the silk road. While in the old city, explore the palace of Shirvanshah, climb the Maiden tower for a bird's eye view of the surrounding area and do check out the Bazaar square that once served as old Baku’s main city square. Treat yourself to a meal at one of the caravanserai turned restaurants for a memorable Baku experience.
The Landmark of Baku, The Flame Towers are a testament to the country's forward-looking futuristic architecture.The three skyscrapers designed in the shape of flames symbolizes Azerbaijan's name as 'The land of Fire'. The Flame towers, apart from leaving you awestruck with its gravity defying architecture, will mesmerize you with a LED display in the evening, lighting up the city's skyline.Don't miss out on enjoying a cocktail in one of the nearby rooftop bars to to witness the towers in their full glory.
Another iconic structure displaying the marvelous wonder of architecture and engineering is Heydar Aliyev Center, a 57,500 sq. meter structure built by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, is an example of innovative and advanced visions of using concrete in the free-flowing form into reality. The building, now the primary center for Azerbaijan’s cultural programs, instills the idea of “new possibilities” and marks the identity of the Azeri culture.
For those who are interested in History and Nature, a short drive from Baku will bring you to Gobustan National Park.This national park has come to the longest continuing tradition of cave art in the world, dating back to the Paleolithic times, and it is because of this that in 2007 UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site. The cave paintings in Gobustan date back to at least 35-40,000 B.C. Hence, the government of Azerbaijan has taken steps to preserve the site by designating the site as a National Park. Gobustan National Park is also known for its mud volcanoes, a unique feature of this land. Contrary to what the name suggests, the water in the mud volcanoes is cold and various medicinal properties are attributed to it. Feel free to take a mud bath to benefit from those medicinal properties.
A natural phenomenon, unlike anything found anywhere on the earth and gives Azerbaijan its name, 'The Land of Fire' , don't miss out on visiting Yanar Dagh or the "Fire Mountain". It is a 116-meter hill with a continuous natural gas fire eruption, which jets out into the air three meters high from a porous sandstone layer. Since The fire on Yanar Dagh burns notwithstanding weather conditions, the place has attained a religious significance over the millennia, not only for people from Azerbaijan, but also for people from as far as Iran and India.
Situated in the same area of Absheron Peninsula in Surakhani settlement (now it is called Amirjan) is the famous Fire temple or Atashgah. It's an ancient temple complex held sacred by Zorashtrians and Hindus who worshiped the Fire burning continuously due to emission of natural gas through openings in the ground within the temple compound. It's a place steeped in history and a must see on anyone's itinerary.
No trip to Baku will be complete without indulging one's taste buds with the traditional Azerbaijani cuisine. Head to any traditional restaurant to enjoy delectable servings of dishes like plov, kebabs, dograma, dushpara or monastirski. Don't forget to have the traditional aromatic Azerbaijani tea while you shop for souvenirs in Taza Bazaar or Nizami Street.
Baku, a city straddling modernity and history, culture and heritage, is bound to captivate your heart. Its unique blend of ancient charm and modern allure will leave you inspired. Don't be surprised if you inadvertently find yourself composing a few lines as an ode to this magical land. And this magical land is within your grasps as UAE is well connected to Baku by daily flights from Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Numerous travel agencies offer holiday packages with guided tours.
With the UAE National Day holidays just around the corner, it is advisable to book your tour now. A 4-night Baku holiday package currently on offer by us, is the one with the most extensive itinerary covering all the major attractions in the city. So what are you waiting for!! Grab the UAE National day offer for 4-nights in Baku before it's too late and embark on the journey that will captivate you and inspire you at the same time. Book now before it's too late. You can go online and book your tour on Musafir.com or just give us a call on 600544405. Waiting to hear from you soon. SALAM !!!!!