Azerbaijan

Types of trips: Ancient/Local History, Geographical, Cultural, Adventure/Exploring

Best known for: Nicknamed "Land of Fires" because of the abundance of natural gas and oil that can catch alight, Ancient origins, Mud volcanoes, Gobustan National Park, Europe/Asia mix of culture

Why Go?: Situated with Europe on one side and Asia on the other, with a coastline on the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is the place to go to experience a culture of contrasts; take a trip here to experience the prosperous big cities like Baku alongside old settlements and ancient artefacts. It's a place where old and new traditions are existing simultaneously... you can travel on the concrete roads of the city onto dirt tracks with herds of cattle in your way - you'll certainly have an interesting visit here!

Fact File

Population: 9,500,000

Capital: Baku

Language(s): Azerbaijani

Ties to the UK?: Reasonably good political history

Landscape: Mountains, Flatlands, Mud Volcanoes, Lakes, Rivers, Natural Gas and Oil

Climate/Seasons: Generally warm year-round, with lower temperatures occuring in the mountains and the valleys and rain in the west. The Caspian coast can become uncomfortably hot.

When to Go: The summer months are best for travel but the high summer heat in June - August can be scorching

Reasons to Visit: Azerbaijan has 9 out of 11 existing climate zones in its country thanks to its location and diverse landscape, which makes for a country so rich in variety you could explore it endlessly and always find new scenery, culture and wildlife - there's an extensive history to learn about here as well as the current day goings-on.

How to Get There: Flying is the only reasonable option to travel to the country - there are connecting trains and buses from nearby countries but access from the UK is best limited to air travel to avoid an extremely complex journey.

Places to Go: Baku and the Ichari Sahar Old Town, Ateshgah Fire Temple, Xinaliq, Shemakha, Qobustan Museum, Nagorno-Karabakh

Famous People: Ilham Aliyev, Bul-Bul, Lev Davidovich Landau

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Lake Goygul, Yanar Dag, Hugely diverse animal/plant population

History: History of civil unrest but has been in a ceasefire since 1994

Architecture: Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, Heydar Aliyev Center, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Fountains Square (Baku)

Culture: Local music and dance, Ancient History Museums, East/West combinations in cuisine and architecture

Sport: Freestyle Wrestling, Football, Chess

Events: Frequent traditional Islamic events and celebrations

Watch Out For: Visas are required for entry - see here for more information. If you’re staying in Azerbaijan for longer than 10 days you must register with the nearest police station within 10 working days of arrival. Avoid the Nagorno-Karabakh region in the south-west and any political gatherings, and respect the customs of any religious buildings and events. It's advisable to dress modestly, and foreign women can receive a fair amount of attention by locals. The summer sun, especially on the Caspian coast, requires precautionary measures to be taken daily.

Medical Issues: Some vaccination boosters advised, either consult your doctor or check here

Watch this video about visiting Baku in Azerbaijan!