In the Land of Eternal Fire – Baku

Meet at Thessaloniki Makedonia airport and fly via a connecting airport to dazzling Baku, the enigmatic capital on the Caspian Sea. On arrival, after formalities, we meet our local partner and transfer to the hotel.
In the evening we get our first taste of the city, when Baku lights up spectacularly and takes on an almost cinematic atmosphere. We go up to Upland Park, the best spot for a panoramic view of the city and the Caspian Sea, dominated by the Flame Towers, the modern symbol of the country inspired by the natural flames that have risen from the ground for centuries. We then stroll along lively Nizami Street and atmospheric Fountain Square, full of lights, music, cafés and cosmopolitan energy.
Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast we explore a city that has become one of the most distinctive destinations of the former Soviet Union. Our first stop is the Heydar Aliyev Center, Zaha Hadid's world-famous architectural masterpiece and today the symbol of modern Azerbaijan. We stop for photos, and you can optionally visit the interior and its exhibitions. We then walk along the famous seafront Boulevard, one of the most beautiful promenades on the Caspian, with gardens, modern buildings and sea views. Next comes the historic heart of the city, the UNESCO-listed Old City of Baku. We wander its picturesque lanes and see landmarks such as the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Maiden Tower, the Gosha Gala Gate and the Museum of Miniature Books, with a stop in the green Philharmonic Gardens. Time for walks, photos and shopping for traditional products, carpets and souvenirs. In the evening, dinner at a traditional restaurant where food meets culture in a setting full of history and atmosphere.
Return to the hotel and overnight.

Today is devoted to Azerbaijan's most impressive natural and historic sights.
First stop is the mysterious Ateshgah Fire Temple, an ancient place of worship for Zoroastrian merchants and pilgrims who came here from India and Persia.
We continue to Yanar Dag, the "Burning Mountain", where natural flames have risen from the ground for decades, one of the strangest sights in the Caucasus.
Then we head to Gobustan National Park, famous for its unique mud volcanoes and ancient rock carvings. The landscape looks almost alien, with grey fields of mud slowly "boiling" in the silence of the desert. We also visit the modern Gobustan museum and the imposing Bibi-Heybat Mosque, one of the country's most important religious monuments.
Return to Baku and overnight.

After breakfast we head inland to the historic region of Shamakhi, one of the most important towns on the legendary Silk Road. Our first stop is the Juma Mosque of Shamakhi, one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, dating back to the 8th century. We then enjoy the nature and calm of the Abgora area, with lunch at a renowned local restaurant known for authentic Azerbaijani food and its beautiful setting. Next we visit the famous Meysari Winery to discover Azerbaijan's growing wine tradition, tasting fine local wines among green vineyards and Caucasian hills. Late in the afternoon we return to Baku.

A free day to enjoy the city at your own pace.
Shop in Baku's modern malls, get lost again in the lanes of the old city, enjoy a coffee overlooking the Caspian or visit museums and modern architecture. For photographers, Baku offers unique contrasts: Soviet aesthetics, Islamic architecture and futuristic buildings side by side in a city that keeps changing.
Overnight.

After breakfast and check-out, transfer to the airport for the return flight via Istanbul. Home again with unique images, wonderful memories and experiences from a country that is still unexplored by most, yet impresses every traveller with its character, hospitality and mystical atmosphere.