Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan was my introduction to the Caucasus, a region tucked between the Black and Caspian Seas, where centuries of influence from both Europe and Asia have left their mark.

The capital, Baku, blends a beautifully preserved Old City with striking modern architecture. But as impressive as Baku was, the real highlights came once I left the capital. One day, I climbed into an old Soviet-era Lada and headed toward Gobustan. The rough drive was part of the adventure, eventually leading to one of the world's largest concentrations of mud volcanoes. Watching thick gray mud slowly bubble up from the earth felt almost otherworldly.

On another day, I signed up for a trip deeper into the countryside. After hours on winding mountain roads, we arrived in Khinalig, one of Azerbaijan's most remote villages. Perched high in the Caucasus Mountains, the settlement has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, with roots dating back to the Bronze Age. A local family welcomed us into their home for a traditional lunch, giving me a glimpse into a way of life that has changed remarkably little over generations.

I was only in Azerbaijan for a few days, but it left me with a real sense of the country, a land of ancient traditions, dramatic landscapes, and a capital racing toward the future.