Wish You Were Here: Travel tips for an Azerbaijan vacation
Our readers have been making up for lost time by venturing to the farthest corners of the planet. They’ve traipsed around Brazil, explored the Azores and hiked Kauai’s Napali Coast. And they’ve shared travel tips and memorable experiences along the way.
Today, an intrepid Oakland resident is sharing her recent adventures in Azerbaijan.
Wish You Were Here
AZERBAIJAN: In March, Oakland resident Jan Wilson visited Azerbaijan, which lies between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. “In spite of its being in the trade crossroads of the world, between Europe and Asia, with thousands of years of history, culture and art everywhere, the relative number of tourists is low,” she says. “Baku, the capital on the Caspian Sea, is a beautiful blend of old European-style buildings interspersed with ultra-modern architectural high rises. Added charm is the occasional discovery of a narrow cobblestone street or an extravagant medieval palace. A must for visiting includes getting out into the breathtaking natural beauty of the mountains and visiting charming 1,000-year-old villages along the way. “
Jan’s adventures included a trip to the Fire Temple of Baku and to the top of a mountain where Chef Tavakkul has an outdoor restaurant (pictured.)
TRAVEL TIPS: Azerbaijan deserves a good two weeks, Jan says. “There is so much to see here, whether your interests are the outdoors, art, history, architecture or culture. (Do) some background research before you arrive to best understand the myriad influences on the country. Plan to do a lot of walking in Baku — traffic is some of the most congested you will see anywhere (but) many of the sights are conveniently clustered around downtown — as well as hiking in the mountains.”
Share your travels with us! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow travelers.