Azerbaijan

Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan remains a travel destination still waiting to be fully discovered. A week is not enough to truly get to know the country, but it's sufficient to grasp its complexity. In the capital city of Baku, oil-funded modern skyscrapers and marble sidewalks stand alongside Soviet-era apartment blocks and the Inner City, whose monuments date back to the 12th century. A striking architectural highlight is the Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by Zaha Hadid, dedicated to the former president whose portraits can be found throughout the country. Just a few hours north of Baku by minibus, at an altitude of 2,350 meters, lies the ancient Caucasian village of Khinalug, which existed as far back as Caucasian Albania (from the 4th century BC). To this day, the locals partially speak their own unique language, formed through centuries of isolation. The village museum offers insight into this remarkable culture. Sheki, once a religious and political center of Caucasian Albania and a key stop along the famed Silk Road, abounds in historical monuments—most notably the Palace of the Sheki Khans. The town is also famous for its sweets, especially Sheki halva, which local vendors are always eager to offer visitors.