A country that perfectly combines 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.

The city’s UNESCO-listed ancient core still attests to this, while the shining skyscrapers and cosmopolitan population show that Azerbaijan is very much in the 21st century. 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.