J'AIME NOVEMBER 2018

Azerbaijan
The capital city Baku was one of AZERBAIJAN
the stand-out moments of Joanna’s
documentary for me. This vibrant,
modern metropolis with futuristic
architecture is developing at a
fast pace. The city offers plenty
to discover from the past in the
10-century old town, and provides
an exciting look into its future too
with jaw-dropping masterpieces
from some of the world’s top
modern architects. Away from
the city, one of the highlights to
visit would be Ateshgyakh Fire
Worshippers’ temple at Absheron,
as well as ancient rock carvings at
Gobustan, a Unesco world heritage
site dating back 20,000 years.
Few would tour around just
Azerbaijan, instead opting to
combine with neighbouring
Georgia and Armenia. We offer a
14-night escorted group tour that
does just that, taking all three states
of the southern Caucasus starting
in Azerbaijan on the shores of
the Caspian Sea where a visit to
the Khan Palace in Sheki is also on the agenda.
The tour then heads to Georgia, famous for its
ancient monasteries and viticulture, and ends in the
small, proud nation of Armenia, one of the oldest
Christian countries in the world. Prices start from
£1,995 per person including flights.
SHIRAZ, IRAN
Iran
In Episode Three, Joanna was very excited to have
their visas granted so they could visit Iran, and it
soon became apparent why. A key part of the Silk
Road’s history, the home of the Persian civilisation
has some of the most wonderful architectural sites
of the ancient world
including the tiled
mosques of Isfahan.
Other highlights
include the
verdant gardens of
Shiraz, the ancient
Achaemenian
capital of
Pasargadae, the
desert architecture
of Yazd and the
splendid bas-reliefs
of the Palace of
Persepolis.
Iran has certainly
become more
popular in recent
years and booking
onto an organised,
group tour, with likeminded
travellers in
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