Product Description

In 1999, the first edition of this book put Azerbaijan on the travel map. Packed with practical, cultural, and culinary information as well as scores of maps it helped visitors and residents alike to make the most of this beautiful, varied, and much under-estimated country. Caspian Business News praised the book as being in the "usual travel guide format but with an added feel for the country based on in-depth research".

This expanded, thoroughly-updated third edition includes ever wilder excursions into the mystical mountains and reveals quaint old Pensar mosques, little-known 6th century church ruins, more bubbling mud volcanoes, and bizarre natural flares in the land where even water catches fire (at Archivan and Bärdä). Visitors can uncover a field full of rusting Soviet-era tanks and armored vehicles near Puta, take idyllic Caucasian hikes from the timeless village of Xinaliq, and explore 4WD routes to remote Allar and secret Sim. There are even more off-beat curiosities pinpointed such as the Perigala "fairy castle", the "hand tree" in Göychay, a cowpie pyramid near Agdash, and a grand disemboweled Lenin statue at Yevlax.

Also featured in this fully revised third edition are:
>Practical information for all visitors and foreign residents, including visas, getting to Azerbaijan, hotel and restaurant reviews, language, and cultural tips.
>Comprehensive information for motorists: Landmarks at key turnings, fuel stations, 4WD routes, and city transit, plus bus and train services.
>190 maps and 180 diagrams--includes even more maps and diagrams than the previous edition with revised spellings to better reflect the current Azerbaijani transliteration system.
>Plus, excursions to neighboring Georgia

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #806957 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
'Recommended' The Independent on Sunday 'Very comprehensive coverage' Caspian Business News 'As the first modern guide to Azerbaijan it is a real tour de force... meticulous research and evident affection for Azerbaijan...' - Daily News

Review

From the Back Cover
· Fully revised third edition - In 1999 the first edition of this book put Azerbaijan on the travel map. Packed with practical, cultural and culinary information as well as scores of maps it helped visitors and residents alike to make the most of this beautiful, varied and much under-estimated country. Caspian Business News praised the book as being in the 'usual travel guide format but with an added feel for the country based on in-depth research'.

· Practical information for all visitors and foreign residents - Visas, getting to Azerbaijan, hotel and restaurant reviews, language and cultural tips. Comprehensive information for motorists: landmarks at key turnings, fuel stations, 4WD routes, city transit; plus bus and train services.

· Sights and excursions - This expanded, thoroughly-updated third edition includes ever wilder excursions into the mystical mountains and reveals quaint old Pensar mosques, little-known 6th century church ruins, more bubbling mud volcanoes and bizarre natural flares in the land where even water catches fire (at Archivan and Bärdä). Find a field full of rusting Soviet-era tanks and armoured vehicles near Puta, take idyllic Caucasian hikes from the timeless village of Xinaliq, explore 4WD routes to remote Allar and secret Sim. Even more off-beat curiosities are pinpointed including the Perigala 'fairy castle', the 'hand tree' in Göychay, a cowpie pyramid near Agdash and a grand disembowelled Lenin statue at Yevlax.

· 200 maps and 180 diagrams - Includes even more maps and diagrams; revised spellings better reflect the current Azerbaijani transliteration system.

· Plus - excursions to neighbouring Georgia

Customer Reviews

Best Travel Guide to Anywhere!
I picked up this book shortly before I left to come to Azerbaijan for a year. It has been my constant companion while living in Baku (the capital) and in making countless excursions out of the city. Having been here almost a year, I can safely say it's the best travel book I've ever read for any place. It is delightful to read and its author's warm and quirky sense of humor make it a constant source of entertainment.

Perhaps the best recommendation for this books comes not just from the many expatriots who rely on it, but from the native Azeris who are astounded at how well Mark Elliott (native of UK) knows their country. Azeris are famous for assuming (perhpas rightly so) that the rest of the world knows nothing about their country. So, when Azeris recommend a book about their country, written by a foreigner, it is a pretty good endorsement.

By far the best aspect of the book are the scores of maps and illustrations--all done by the author. As a trained geographer, I appreciate the excellent maps loaded (almost overloaded) with information. They are easy to read maps that make it difficult for the traveler to get lost. I am particularly impressed by how a map can simultaneously accurate and amusing! My favorite entry is the map of the fascinating town of Quba that includes "Old Men" sitting in the park. Damned if they weren't still sitting there. On another map, the author suggests looking for grey beards at the point where you're supposed to make a particular turn. Sure enough, there they were.

Living in Baku, my family and often make use of Elliott's recommendations for restaurants. Of course restaurants come and go, but the information is nearly always accurate and detailed.

My eight-year-old son and I have enjoyed taking his "scavenger hunt" for artistic architectural oddities in the city. I think we've now found all the objects in the second edition, but a third one is already on the drawing boards.

Mark Elliott has a delightfully respectful attitude towards Azerbaijan and the Azeris. This is different form many travel books (Including the Lonely Planet Guide to the South Caucasus) which often take on a preachy attitude which tends to poke fun at the local cultures rather than respectfully describing them as Elliott does.

In addition to being a good travel book, this book also is a worthy source of information on the country for anyone interested in learning about it.

Having lived or traveled extensively in over fifty countries I can recommend this book most highly.

The travel bible that makes Azerbaijan accessible/enjoyable
Before this book there was nothing written at all to help people travel around, enjoy and get a cultural understanding of this place. But thanks to this guide, a lot of us that thought Azerbaijan was goint to be an oil-hardship posting have discovered that it's a really beautiful, varied and incredible place. The book is stuffed full of maps and little pictures. Even shows sketches of bus stops where you need to turn (there aren't many road signs) and has pages and pages of food words which has helped us venture into some of the non-expat restaurants. The title is Azerbaijan with Georgia, but the Georgia section is relatively small - again lots of maps, but seems to be included just for people going there on weekends from Baku. The Azerbaijan sectin - the overwhelming majority - is very comprehensive. I heard that a Lonely Planet book for the Caucasus is coming out later this year, but it's hard to imagine that it would really compete - has to cover three countries. I would suggest that anyone coming to Baku / Azerbaijan seriously considers getting this 'bible' before they come - it is difficult to find a copy here in Azerbaijan.

Topical, relevant, useful travel guide; Spring 1998
In the style of "Lonely Planet" guides, this recent book is worth its weight in gold to help take the apprehension out of travel in the South Caucasus. Full of useful information balanced between travel logistics (travel modes, accomodation, money and eating), country history and today's culture, this book not only lists the tourist's highlights of the two countries, but also the pitfalls to avoid in searching them out, as well as a selection of quirky oddities for those who tire of museums and cathedrals. The book's maps are highly useful.

Intended as a guide to Azerbaijan, the section on Georgia is a serviceable, useful bonus. A similar detailed guide to the equally fascinating country of Georgia begs to be written!

(Be sure to read the book before you visit AND to bring it with you. And don't forget your recording walkman for the amazing sounds of Georgia.)