Azerbaijan holidays perfectly combine ancient and enigmatic with brashness and opulence. Azerbaijan sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia just waiting to garner the attention it so deserves.

Nestled between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, the region was long a focal point of powerful ancient empires, and its fascinating capital Baku was once an essential stop on the Silk Road. Azerbaijan’s capital is the architectural love child of Paris and Dubai, albeit with plenty of Soviet influence hidden in the background. Few cities in the world are changing as quickly and nowhere else in Eurasia do East and West blend as seamlessly. At its heart, the UNESCO-listed old town lies within an exotic arc of fortress wall. Around this are gracefully illuminated stone mansions and pedestrianised tree-lined streets filled with exclusive boutiques.

Although Baku is the city’s heart and soul, escape it for a glimpse at times gone by – stark desert, quaint fishing towns, remote villages and plentiful historical sites. The Absheron Peninsula extends eastwards from the city into the Caspian Sea and is home to Yanar Dag Fire Mountain, where natural gas has been ablaze for hundreds of years, and the ancient Zoroastrian Ateshgah Fire Temple. 

Travel through the Caucasus Mountains in the northwest of Azerbaijan and the dry landscape gives way to a densely forested mountain area. Enjoy a scenic drive through Girdimanchay River Canyon to visit Lahich, a medieval village with charming cobbled sidewalks and soak up the ambience of two-thousand-year old Gabala - the most ancient city of Azerbaijan.