azerbaijanpolhotrep.pl/content/pdf/baku-2016.pdfdrinking tea in azerbaijan is very pleasant due to...
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Azerbaijan
THE LAND OF FIRE
Ancient history Customs
Unique culture
Crafts National dances
Unforgettable azeri cuisine
Beautiful nature Ancient monuments of culture
Hospitality
Welcome to Azerbaijan!
Drinking tea in Azerbaijan is very pleasant due to the ancient traditions of tea ceremonies. Everyone who visits the country should take time to have tea at a traditional tea ceremony.
Azerbaijanis are very hospitable people and while visiting any home in Azerbaijan, you will be welcomed firstly by black tea. For the Azerbaijanis, serving tea at the beginning of a meal is considered to be a symbol of hospitality and is often accompanied by serving fig, strawberry, apricot, walnut, blackberry and other jams. The advantage of this tradition is that tea drinking with many guests at the table makes conversation flow smoother. Tea is also spiced with cinnamon, cardamom leaves or ginger for adding extra flavor.
Azerbaijanis usually don't put sugar in their tea; instead they dunk a piece of sugar in the tea, then bite a piece and sip their tea. According to a common belief, drinking tea in this complicated manner comes from the medieval times, when rulers who were afraid of being poisoned tested their tea by dunking a piece of sugar in the liquid. It was believed that the poison would react to the sugar.
Tea ceremonies have deep traditional roots in Azerbaijan. A traditional tea ceremony has its own rules and practices that are designed to make the serving and drinking process enjoyable. According to the old tradition, the host has to offer tea to every visitor, even if the visit is supposed to last only five minutes.
Tea is associated with warmth and friendliness, therefore, the tradition says that one should not allow the guest to leave the house without having at least one cup of tea.
A tea ceremony in Azerbaijan means freshly brewed, strong, bright-color, hot tea served in cups or crystal glasses, in particular, "armudu glass" i.e. "pear-shaped glass". Tea is served continuously when there are guests in the house or when there is an interesting conversation
Azerbaijan – land of tea culture
Arrival at Baku Int’l Airport, meeting with English speaking guide. Guide will assist guests in the airport and provide necessary travel information during transfer. Check-in at the hotel, rest Transfer from the hotel to the centre of the city
Option: Lunch at “Firuze Restaurant”
Free time – we will give guests more time to rest and relax. We recommend to walk on Seashore
Sea walks on a boat on the Baku bay The pedestrian walk and shopping in the central part of Baku /
"Fountain Square" and Torgovaya Street Survey excursion across Old Baku - Survey of a medieval part of city “Icheri Sheher” (Internal City): fortifications, the main gate of “Gosha Gala Gapi”, Shirvanshakh Palace, a tower temple “Giz Galasi” / “The Maiden Tower”, medieval baths, karvansarai, workshops of handicraftsmen, carpet and antique shops, the Museum of Carpet-Making and Folk Crafts. 20:00-22:00 Dinner at the museum restaurant “Shirvanshah”
Option:Show program is included belly dancing, national costumes for guests and master
classes of Galyan preparing (hookah preparing)
22:30-23:00 Transfer to the hotel Overnight at the hotel
*** Schedule of the 1 day depends on arrival time
Day 1 Arrival to Azerbaijan
Breakfast at the hotel 09:00–12:00 Transfer from the hotel to Gobustan, national historical – artistic preserve and mud volcanos 13:00-14:30 lunch at the “Darya Fish House” Restaurant. This restaurant is situated on the seaside of the Caspian sea and has excellent view on the sea. Here you can taste fish, which was caught 5 minutes ago from the Caspian sea. You will be amazed by beautiful sea view, fresh air and delicious cuisine. 14:30-17:30 Winery tour at winery “Fireland Vineyards” in Novxani (district of Baku) and tasting wines. During excursion the guest will have opportunity to take part in producing wine from the beginning to the end. After excursion the guest will taste 28 types of national wines with delicious national cheese. 17:30-19:00 After winery tour guests will visit shooting place, where they will be engaged in exciting hooting game with inanimate rabbits, birds, etc. During game they will taste national sweets and take part in tea preparing process. 20:00-22:00 Dinner at “Authentic-Restaurant Karvansaray”. During dinner we offer “Mugam”, national classical music based on oral traditions and playing on national instruments tar, kamancha, saz
Option: Dinner at Villa Petrolea (museum of Nobel Brothers). During
the evening the english speaking guide will assist guests, made exciting excursion concerned Nobel Brothers’ business activity in
Azerbaijan (19 th century) 22:00-22:30 Transfer back to the hotel Overnight at the hotel
Baku –Gobustan 40 min drive Baku-Novxani 30 min drive
Day 2 GOBUSTAN
Breakfast in the hotel 08:00-11:00 Jeep tour to Lahic 11:00-13:30 Sightseeing tour in Lahic. Panoramic tour to historical ethnographic reserve of “Lahic- architectural monument, handcrafts and manufacture of carpets, workshop and benches of handicraftsman braziers, smith, chasers, metal engraves, ancient mosques, bathes and also original architecture of streets, apartment houses of ancient mountain settlement. Guests will be provided with master classes on handycrafts and coppersmith 13:30-14:30 Visit to the local “Niyal” restaurant 14:00-18:00 continuing Lahic tour. Shopping in craft benches. Master classes in coppersmith and handycrafts. 18:00-21:00 Returning to Baku Transfer to the restaurant 21:00-23:00 Dinner at “Qala Bazar” Restaurant. The quests will be provided with "Qutab", "Tendir", "Kabab" culinary master classes. “Qutab” “Kabab” is national cuisine and “Tendir” is national bread.
Option:
Show program with National dancers
23:00-23:30 Transfer back to the hotel Overnight at the hotel
Baku –Lahic 3.0 hours drive
Day 3 Lahic sightseeing
08:00 Breakfast in the hotel 09:00 Check-out from the hotel 10:00-11:00 Visiting authentic “Bazaar” in the centre of Baku city. Especially the guest will be impressed by the sections with the colourful fruits and vegetables, nuts, herbs and oriental spices 11:00-13:00 Visiting “Heyder Aliyev Centre”. Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center is a building complex, designed by the famous female architect, Zaha Hadid. The Center houses a congress center, a museum, exhibition halls, a library, and a park that covers nine hectares. Built in 2012,HeydarAliyevCulturalCenteris considered one of the symbols of modern Baku 13:00-13:30 Transfer to the restaurant 14:00-15:00 Lunch at “Atashgah” Restaurant 15:00-16:00 Atashgah” Fire Worshippers’ Temple in Surakhany settlement (XVII c.) 16:00-16:20 Transfer to “Yanardag” natural reserve (natural gas exit) 16:20-17:20 Visiting “Yanardag” natural reserve (natural gas exit) Transfer to the APT (20 min drive) End of the program
Day 4 Atashgah –Yanardag
Departure
Baku is the center of Azerbaijan Republic, its industry and culture. More than half of urban population of the country is concentrated here. The territory of Baku is 192 thousand hectares, the historical city centre – Fortress borrows 21,5 hectares. Baku was stretched to all Absheron and even outside. Baku is washed by Caspian sea. There is a set of fine islands on Caspian sea (Beyuk Zire, Dash Zire, Zenbil, Sengi Mugan, Chikil, Garasu, Khere Zire, Chilov, Pirallakhi, Ignat Dash, etc.). They form the Baku archipelago.
Modern Baku is the well arranged city with the developed infrastructure which organically combines the past and the present. The Europe and Asia, western and east culture are merged in it. A variety of historical monuments is a bright acknowledgement. “Icheri Shekher” (“The Internal city”) is in the most ancient part of a fortified city the whole complex of unique ancient constructions. The historical-architectural memorial estate which includes ensemble of Shirvnshakh Palace (XV century) is created here. The Maiden tower (XII century) is located in the territory of a fortress. The Maiden tower is unique in the East on its architectural features.
Gobustan geographical region is situated in East Azerbaijan and borders on the southern slope of Big Caucasus ridge in the north, Pirsaat River in the west, Harami and Mishov mountains in the south, the Caspian Sea and Absheron peninsula in the east. The area is rich with gorges and ravines. The length of this area (from north to south) is 100 km., the width is approximately 80 km. The average height of the area is 600-700 m. The biggest mud volcanoes in the Caucasus are located in Gobustan. Although Gobustan is a mountainous area, here a great number of rocky rows can be
met. Semidesert areas have been developed here.
Lahic is a small village in the Ismailly Rayon, buried deep in the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountains. The dirt road to Lahic winds up the Girdimanchai river gorge from the vineyards outside Shemakha, crossing the torrent on a flimsy bridge and skirting the sheer walls on narrow, roughly hewn ledges. Ice and snow cut Lahic off from the valley for weeks at a time in winter. The drive up to Lahic is as stunning as dangerous, animals appear out of nowhere in winding \'roads\' that hug the cliff face that plunges down into the valley below.
Isolation made Lahic a very atypical Azeri village: Tat, a Indo-European dialect of an old Persian tongue remains to this day the primary language in Lahic and a few surrounding villages. For centuries, the valley people have spoken, at various times, Azeri, Russian, Farsi and Arabic, but here in this mountain village of about 2000 people Tat resisted all invaders and remains as strong as ever.
The town was originally a copper mining hub, but that has died down. The mountain terrain above Shemakha is ill-suited to agriculture, hence Lahic\'s developed into a craft center. Tourism, carpet weaving, copper and brass work (pots, samovars...) sustain the village\'s economy. Less important in economic terms are leather goods, wood carving and (not always legal) handcrafted pistols and hunting rifles
The Heydar Aliyev Center is a 619,000-square-foot building complex in Baku, Azerbaijandesigned by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and noted for its distinctive architecture and flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles.The center is named for Heydar Aliyev, the leader of Soviet-era Azerbaijan from 1969 to 1982, and president of Azerbaijan from October 1993 to October 2003. The most attractive and interesting section of the Center, which is engaged in studying, promoting and protecting Heydar Aliyev’s heritage, is the Museum of Heydar Aliyev. Notable for its design and the application of cutting-edge technologies, the Museum is in harmony with the rest of the Center. The Museum describes the history of Azerbaijan and different stages of Heydar Aliyev’s life and work. The information is communicated to visitors in an interactive format. The three-floor museum displays interesting facts, photo and video material, as well as some unique exhibits relating to nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev.
On the first half of the day you will be able to relax a bit before going to the Absheron excursion and spend time on your own. Acquaintance with Absheron peninsula. Azerbaijan is one of few places on earth, where even today you can find the preserved elements of the cult of fire and the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. These places, where oil runs out of the ground and natural gas breaks through with burning torches, always attracted fire worshipers from all over the world. Baku, its oil, "burning earth", has been known far beyond its borders since ancient times. The official religion in the states emerged in the VII century BC, such as Mannea and Media, was Zoroastrianism, the spread of which was related to spontaneously flammable oil and gas sources. That is why such monument as Ateshgah temple has survived on its territory to today. Ateshgah Fire Temple is located within 30 kilometers from Baku center, in the south-eastern suburb of Surakhani village on Absheron Peninsula. There was a sanctuary of Zoroastrian fire-worshipers, who came here to bow to sacred fire. After visiting the sanctuary the tourists will go to the nature reserve Yanardag. There is Yanardag Mountain close to a small village Mehemmedli on the Absheron peninsula. The word "Yanar" in Azerbaijani means "burning" and "Dag" means "hill". You can see here nature phenomenon, incessant burning nature gas on the rock which named to the Yanar Dag reserve the burning rock.
Comfortable Mercedes Sprinter for 15 PAX
Make yourself at home in one of our 243 immaculately designed hotel rooms and suites, which feature marble bathrooms, pillow top mattresses, luxury furnishing, and views of the city of Baku or the Caspian Sea. Additional hotel amenities include a fully-equipped gym, indoor pool, a spa, and five on-site restaurants and bars; enjoy a taste of Italy here in Azerbaijan with a visit to stylish OroNero, or sip a drink at Razzmatazz. The hotel is renowned for its stunning meeting venues, which are infused with natural light and offer superb views. Of particular note is the high-ceilinged Sharg Zali ballroom, which at 12,997 square feet is one of the largest in Baku. Room types: Deluxe Double or Twin with Sea View-30 Deluxe Double or Twin City View-60
Executive Studio with Executive Lounge Access-15
Executive Premier Room with Executive Lounge Access-15
Executive Deluxe Room with Executive Lounge Access-15
Conference room-14
Brand new Boulevard Side Hotel 5* is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Baku, next to the Seaside Boulevard, 10 min drive. Free Wi Fi access is available. Each room here will provide you with a satellite TV, air conditioning and a mini bar. Featuring a shower, each private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and bathrobes. It has open terrace restaurant, several type of cafes and restaurants Room types:
Club King Room with Sea View-78
Superior Twin Room - 41
Superior King Room- 273
King Room with City View- 290
Club Twin Room with Sea View-31
King Room with Sea View-76
Conference room-5 (till 80 people) Ball room-1386 sq m2
Holiday Inn Baku features a spa and wellness centre with a sauna and an indoor pool. Free WiFi is available on site. The rooms offer air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and minibar.Guests can dine in Marina 18 Restaurant with the panoramic views of the Caspian Sea, or order room service and breakfasts in the room. Illy Café serves a wide selection of homemade pastries and cakes. Guests can relax with a drink at Sagi Bar & Lounge and Mezzanine Lounge. Room styles: Twin Room – Smoking -17 Superior Twin Room - Non-Smoking -63 Superior King Room – Smoking-14 Standard Double or Twin Room-95 .King Room – Smoking-27 King Suite with Sofa Bed-5 Superior King Room - Non-Smoking-15
Conference room—5
In the heart of Baku and featuring a modern glass facade, Qafqaz Baku City Hotel and Residences has a large spa area, elegant rooms with free high-speed Wi-Fi and a rich buffet breakfast. Baku Old City is a 15-minute walk away.International and regional delicacies are served daily in the spacious Metropol restaurant with high ceilings. On the 16th floor, the leisure center has a Technogym fitness studio, sauna, Turkish hammam, oversize hot tubs and a relaxation area. Room types:
Superior Triple Room-30
Standard Single Room-52
Standard Double Room-73 Superior Double or Twin Room-115
Junior Suite-62
Executive Suite-13
Royal Suite-1
Conference room-5
Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant “Shirvanshah” museum -
restaurant located in one of the oldest streets of our old Baku!/ Each guest who comes to this old place that belongs to the second part of the XIX century will have opportunity to taste rich and delicious dishes of different regions of Azerbaijan. Karvan Saray - Historic two-storey caravanserai with stone alcoves and a colourful coverable courtyard complete with two dwarf fig trees. Except on Sundays, dinners are accompanied by an impressive cabaret showcasing various Caucasian musical and dance styles. The Azeri food is excellent Qala Bazar Restaurant- this restaurant has beautiful authentic interior. The restaurant’s walls are decorated with azeri national carpets and different suveniours. It consists of opened and closed areas. Here the guests can degustate delicious national cuisine.
Villa Petrolea (Nobel’s Villa) is a historical district located in the Keshla municipality of Baku, Azerbaijan. Built by the Petroleum Production Company Nobel Brothers also known as Branobel) in 1882, it served to accommodate workers of the company. It currently functions as a museum of the Nobel brothers in addition to housing a number of offices and businesses. Villa offer wonderful gala dinner venues. Villa Petrolea is an exclusive private business club with full membership service, international and national cuisine, wide choice of fine wines, whiskey and cognacs, great cigars and nargile. There are private rooms available for dinner and lunch parties and conference rooms with video equipment for business meetings as well as wireless Internet access. There are also a number of large-screen televisions for watching sports, important news and other exciting events. There are special VIP and oriental rooms for private banquets and a large walk-in conference room. Villa Petrolea was designed like an English club in a classical style with a lot of antiques, ancient paintings, local Azerbaijani fine arts, live piano jazz and mugam music.
Price Accomodation
959.00 EUR
Hotel Qavqaz
1014.00 EUR
Hotel Holiday Inn
1042.00 EUR Hotel Boulvard Baku
1118.18 EUR Hotel JW Marriott
