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Azerbaijan and Georgia A journey through Transcaucasia
Azerbaijan - Baku - Georgia - Tbilisi
Why not the Caucasus?
From Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where magnificent medieval Muslim architecture meets the very height of modernity, to Georgian Tbilisi, overlooked by the Narikala Fortress, you’ll discover all the natural splendour and some of the most striking contrasts of this remarkable region. You’ll also notice that very high-quality facilities are now in place and that the hotel service is up to international standard. With local touches here and there that remind you you are not just anywhere. From Azerbaijani orchards to Georgian vineyards, from caravanserais to multicoloured churches, history and culture weave a tumultuous and fascinating tale whose flavour, charm and civilisational value will be revealed to you by your guides. All it takes is a quick flight and a short drive!
Itinerary
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A three-night stay in a beautiful hotel in the historic centre. Oriental chic decor and facilities to satisfy modern guests. Food connoisseurs really appreciate the Azerbaijani cuisine that is served in the main restaurant. In the evening, take some time to enjoy hookah on the terrace, which is overlooked by the famous Maiden Tower. The sea is not far away. You can feel its presence in the shadows, making it a perfect spot for daydreaming.
On your itinerary - Accompanied by a private English-speaking guide, visit the main monuments in the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Maiden Tower has been a characteristic feature of Baku's skyline since before the 12th century. The Palace of the Shirvanshahs (a medieval kingdom originally centred on the city of Shamakhi) is a 15th-century splendour that includes the rulers' residence, a mosque and minaret, mausoleums, baths, etc. A short funicular ride allows you to admire the panoramic view of the city from above. The afternoon is devoted to the Heydar Aliyev Centre, a breathtaking, curved creation, designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid (2007).
On your itinerary - A visit to the Gobustan Reserve, whose cave paintings and petroglyphs document several millennia of prehistoric life. The site also boasts nearly half of the world's mud volcanoes (various thermal applications). On the way to the reserve, you will drive along the astonishing oil-rich coastline of the Caspian Sea. In the afternoon, you take a boat trip to visit the Zoroastrian fire temples (Ateshgah) on the Absheron Peninsula. A private English-speaking guide accompanies you.
Set off for Georgia by car with a driver. On the way, stop at the Diri Baba Mausoleum (1402) in Maraza and the Friday Mosque in Shamakhi. In Sheki, the Khan's Palace and the caravanserai date back to the 18th century. The former was a summer residence, remarkable for its coloured glass mosaics and frescoes; the latter gives a clear idea of how these inns for the great caravan trade operated. Night in a modern hotel with a certain melancholic charm thanks to its slightly socialist realism elegance.
You’ll cross the border 1.9 miles (3 km) before Lagodekhi, a municipality in the Georgian wine-growing region of Kakheti. You’ll change your car and guide. Lunch at the foot of the Greater Caucasus Mountains in Kvareli, which is famous for its sweet wine, Kindzmarauli. Since you have a driver, you should stop at Gremi and visit the Church of the Archangels (16th century) and the Royal Tower, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once in Tbilisi, you have a two-night stay at a hotel in the city centre, ideally located at the junction of the historic district and the streets where everything happens. The decor is simple and functional, with a few stylish touches.
On your itinerary - A private tour of the old town. You enter the Cathedral of the Assumption (12th century), which houses a cherished relic - the Grapevine Cross. Climb up to the Narikala Fortress, whose current ramparts date from the 16th and 17th centuries, but which has dominated the Kura River since the 4th century. You can go down to the Muslim quarter, which is full of charm with its baths and wooden balconies adorning the facades. The Georgian Art Museum has magnificent works of goldsmithing and jewellery. In the evening, take the cable car up to the citadel.
Road transfer. Stop in Mtskheta, capital of the ancient kingdom of Iberia, where you will visit two important sites of Georgian Christianity, the Jvari Monastery (6th century) and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century). In Kazbegi, stay for two nights at a hotel whose spacious rooms incorporate contemporary design features made from raw materials, clean lines, meticulous technology and a sense of place. Large windows and a beautiful terrace offer spectacular mountain views as the Greater Caucasus lives up to the promise of travellers’ imagination.
Return to Tbilisi via Gori, which is the birthplace of Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, also known as Stalin, the troublesome Soso of his mother Ekaterina Gavrilovna Geladze. There is a museum dedicated to him, which reflects the ambivalent feelings Georgians have towards him. About 6 miles (10 km) away, the cave complex of Uplistsikhe is one of the oldest human settlements in the Caucasus, reaching its peak between the 5th century BC and the 4th century AD. Night in Tbilisi.
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
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