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Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
July 30 2014
Hidden Europe: The eye-opening spots you've never heard of
Travel
DateJuly 29, 2014
Expect the unexpected when you venture to the ancient Caucasus, writes
Isobel King.
I stare at the wizened old leather shoe in the history museum in
Yerevan and lean in again to double check the date: 3500BC. I do the
sums - that's more than 5500 years old. I was taken by the
mint-condition clay vessels that are 4000 years old and the fully
intact wagons and chariots dug up from the shores of Lake Sevan.
But this little moccasin, sewn from one piece of leather, has me
mesmerised. It's a lasting reminder of just how ancient, yet
relatively little known, this part of the world is.
Haydar Aliyev Cultural Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo: Getty Images
For me, it's the final day of an eye-opening tour through Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia, former Soviet republics that are part of a region
known as the Caucasus.
Peregrine Adventures spent a year putting together the 17-day
itinerary and we are on the maiden tour. It's a group of 13, including
two spirited women in their 70s, and we represent seven different
countries between us, not including Bob, our Russian guide, proving
curiosity has no barriers.
The capital of Baku is the base for most of our four days in
Azerbaijan, where the expedition begins. It's a city dripping in oil
wealth, with a mishmash of architectural styles that's oddly
compelling.
Peasant woman sitting on road with dog in Georgia. Photo: Getty Images
There are the majestic buildings dating from Azerbaijan's days under
the Russian tsars, just blocks away from drab Soviet towers awaiting
"beautification". The inventive approach is to dress their facades in
stone, attach ornate balconies - et voila, as good as old.
Wandering around the cobbled streets of Baku's mediaeval walled
centre, taking in the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and other historic
sites, the Dubai-like glass Flame Towers beyond the walls lend the
perspective a science-fiction quality.
The newly completed Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre is a showstopper, an
astounding piece of modern architecture designed by famous Iraqi-born
British architect Zaha Hadid. It's like a white serpent rising from a
grassy knoll that suddenly livens up the trip in from the airport.
Tsminda Sameba Church. Photo: iStock
Life on the streets of Baku feels similar to a modern city anywhere.
Islamic Azerbaijan is a historically tolerant society. Cafes,
restaurants and shops are buzzing, and in the boulevards and parks by
the waterfront, adjoining the Caspian Sea, the world's biggest salt
lake, burqa-clad women can be seen strolling alongside young things in
the latest fashion. At night, the city is beautifully lit, reminiscent
at times of strolling around Paris. Hence its name, Paris of the East.
Well, not quite.
We take the hour's trip to Qobustan, past endless oil rigs, and
clamber up a rocky path in the heat to inspect ancient rock engravings
in nooks and crannies everywhere.
Vardzia cave city, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia. Photo: Getty Images
Civilisation in this UNESCO-protected region has been traced back
40,000 years, and the fascinating on-site museum captures slabs of it
in highly informative and interactive displays. At the foot of the
hill, I stop at a fenced-off rock engraving made by a passing Roman
officer. It dates from AD90. Graffiti spans all the centuries.
On the road north-west to Georgia, as we watch the amazing transition
from dry, salty plains to the first few sprigs of green inland, to the
incredibly lush countryside that abruptly springs from nowhere all in
a matter of hours, we stop in Sheki, visiting the 18th-century Shaki
Khan Palace.
It's a marked departure from the elaborate mosques and stone tombs
seen earlier. This was the summer palace of the local ruling Shaki
Khans. Its intricate, timber-framed stained-glass windows, still
hand-crafted locally, are apparently popular with wealthy sheiks.
Inside, every room is lined with vibrantly coloured frescoes.
Mtkvari River as it runs through Tbilisi. Photo: Getty Images
The palace and Baku's mediaeval city are Azerbaijan's historical
highlights for me.
In our seven days in Georgia, it seems as if we have criss-crossed its
entire 70,000 square kilometres in our little minibus, when in reality
we have managed a select grab bag of highlights, including half a
dozen or so UNESCO World Heritage sites. Georgians adopted
Christianity in the early 4th century, so historic churches and
monasteries are regular stops.
The whole country feels freshly renovated, from cities, to roads, to
hotels, to tourist attractions. Scaffolding and road works are as
etched in my memory as the mountains, rivers, fields of wild flowers
and endless green vistas that have accompanied our travels.
Gobustan mud volcanoes. Photo: Getty Images
The 10-year presidency of pro-western Mikheil Saakashvili, which ended
with the elections last November, has marked the country's economic
rejuvenation after a decade of chaos.
We have driven through winemaking regions in Georgia's south and had
our first introduction to chacha, the local rocket fuel, courtesy of
farmer Simon and his family entourage.
In their purpose-built stone cellar in the small town of Sighnaghi, a
stone's throw from the Azerbaijan border, we are shown a contraption
that looks positively mediaeval. It's the chacha maker, the "grape
vodka" found everywhere. It's wincingly potent and sets the mood for a
lively cellar feast. That lunch was our first introduction to
khachapuri, the devilishly moreish flat cheese bread that's on every
menu.
Wine lovers should note: Georgia's winemaking tradition goes back 8000
years. An official wine map reveals snaking trails everywhere and a
baffling 437 different grape varieties. If in doubt, the ever-popular
Saperavi reds and Rkatsiteli whites are sound bets.
We have gone north and climbed into the heart of Europe's highest
mountain range - the snow-capped Greater Caucasus. It stretches for
1200 kilometres, forming the border with Russia to the north.
Our destination for two nights is the remote ski resort of Gudauri,
heaving with skiiers in winter apparently, but a desolate spot in
summer: a scattering of buildings on austere, grassy slopes. The lone
supermarket proves the main social hub on our visit.
At 2196 metres, Gudauri is the highest village on the famous Georgian
Military Highway, an ancient north-south trading route that has been
recently upgraded into a flawless stretch of road.
It's the launch pad for a day trip to nearby Kazbegi, where a one-hour
hike up the steep, rocky foothills (jeep optional) is rewarded with
hauntingly beautiful views from the remote 14th-century Gergeti
Trinity Church. No invader was going to take this prize easily.
The clouds clear to offer a perfect view of Mount Kazbeg, at 5047
metres, one of the higher glaciers in the Caucasus.
We have gone west as far as Kutaisi, the country's second largest
city, stopping on the way at Stalin's birthplace in Gori. His humble
family home lies in the grounds of the Stalin Museum, where rooms of
black-and-white photographs, news clippings and memorabilia document
not just the rise of a dictator, but graphic examples of hardships and
horrors.
And, of course, we have spent time in the charming capital of Tbilisi,
an easily walkable city of 1.2 million divided by the Mtkvari River.
It's in the final throes of an extensive renovation.
The UNESCO-protected old district has had most of the buildings'
crumbling facades replaced. They contrast with contemporary structures
nearby.
It's a laid-back city, where most of the action centres around the
main thoroughfare, Rustaveli Avenue and the lively network of streets
in the old town.
The pace has been fast and furious, with a couple of 10-hour days on
the road. Framed by the bus window are watchtowers and forts,
crumbling stone houses and defunct old factories, new buildings with
shiny tin roofs, and the drab, grey apartment blocks that dot the
landscape everywhere in this part of the world, legacies of the Soviet
era.
I'm still prizing the grit out of my hair from a visit to the
12th-century cave city of Vardzia, in the south-west. I conclude that
tunnels, perilously steep steps, low rock ceilings and a power
blackout are not a good combination. The city was carved into a
mountain, stretching across 500 metres, a feat of human endeavour.
Nino, our bubbly Georgian guide, succinctly sums up her country's
history: "So many times, occupied, destroyed, rebuilt . . . occupied,
destroyed, rebuilt". She may as well have been talking about any of
the countries we visit. Preserving their architecture against the
constant onslaught has been challenging. Mongols, Persians, Russians
and Ottomans have all fancied their chance in this strategic
crossroads of Europe and Asia. Many of the historic sites we visit
have been rebuilt from ruins.
I have seen so many monasteries and churches that they have merged
into a glorious pastiche of soaring stone structures, frescoes,
brightly coloured icons and priests in black robes going about their
business, seemingly impervious to the coachloads of tourists.
Mostly I tend to remember them by their locations: behind protective
walls, such as the magnificent Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the centre
of historic Mtskheta, where Christ's robe is allegedly buried; on
remote hilltops, such as the 6th century Jvari Church peering down
over Mtskheta; and in Kutaisi, the collection of beautiful stone
buildings that make up Gelati Monastery, where of one of the greatest
Georgian kings, David the Builder, has his tomb.
The trio of countries was part of the Soviet Union up until their
independence in 1991. The itinerary has been carefully mapped to avoid
any potential hot spots (see trip notes). For us, everywhere we travel
feels safe and welcoming.
Russian is the de-facto second language and English can be patchy
outside the capitals, so although independent travel is possible, I
imagine it could be tricky, once the complication of visas and long
border crossings are taken into account.
On day 11, Armenia greets us across the Bavra border crossing from
Georgia late afternoon with rough roads, thunderous black clouds and
the bleak, barely habitable landscape of this northern region. It's a
fittingly atmospheric entry to a country that lies in the shadow of
Mount Ararat, where Noah's Ark is said to have come to rest after the
flood.
En route to the capital, we stop at Gyumri, the country's
second-largest city, which was devastated by an earthquake in 1988 and
is still struggling to get rebuilt. We park in the main square and
wander through the back streets, past half-crumbling stone buildings
that are still beautiful, but just skeletons now. Some have been
rebuilt, but there's a long way to go.
The gritty capital of Yerevan, on the other hand, is bristling with
energy and artistic life, with signs of progress everywhere. The
transition from the relative stability of the Soviet period to now has
been rocky. The country isn't flush with funds, but the large Armenian
diaspora is generous.
The Armenian Genocide Museum is closed until April 2015 for an
extensive renovation. A new mall in the city centre is almost
finished. There are sculptures and statues everywhere, many recent,
that salute famous Armenians.
Edgy bars and restaurants all over the city are packed with chatty,
locals fluent in English, eager to exchange stories.
We take the 20-kikometre trip to see Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia's
answer to Vatican city. Armenia was the first country to adopt
Christianity as its official religion, in 301AD, and this is its
expansive headquarters: clipped lawns, trees and newly laid paths
leading to an assortment of buildings. The central Mother Cathedral is
covered with scaffolding on our June visit.
Inside, through an arch, we visit the small museum, which houses
sacred relics, including the lance that supposedly pierced the side of
Christ and a petrified splinter of Noah's Ark. Whether myth or fact,
I'm again enthralled by random fragments of history.
For me, the trip ended in Yerevan, leaving the posse to take the
overnight trip to the mediaeval town of Goris. I would have loved to
explore Armenia more, but this trip has been an absorbing introduction
to a trio of countries geographically close but unique, and all
embracing the tourist wave. I felt lucky to beat the hordes.
The writer was a guest of Peregrine Adventures.
FIVE MORE SIGHTS TO SEE IN THE CAUCASUS
ATESHGAH FIRE TEMPLE, BAKU
A short drive along the Absheron Peninsula, this recently restored
open temple, complete with mannequins recreating temple life, sheds
light on how the fire-worshipping Zoroastrians lived. An
English-speaking guide is essential, as there's little information on
site.
YANAR DAG (FIRE MOUNTAIN), BAKU
Nor far from the fire temple is this intriguing natural phenomenon.
Even when the snow falls, natural gases from the earth keep these
flickering flames alive.
UPLISTSIKHE CAVE CITY, GEORGIA
A series of caves cut into a mountain are what remain of this small
3000-year-old complex. It's interesting to scramble around and picture
life as it was then. The museum below is well worth visiting for its
archaeological finds and information.
FINE ARTS MUSEUM, TBILISI
The Treasury section of this small museum holds one of the finest
collections of Georgian icons and crosses, retrieved from churches and
monasteries everywhere.
MASHTOTS MATENADARAN, YEREVAN
This ancient manuscripts museum contains room after room of sublimely
intricate and richly coloured manuscripts, including a whopper
weighing in at 27 kilograms. There's also maps and other historical
documents to inspect.
TRIP NOTES
GETTING THERE
>From Australia, one option is to fly Emirates to Dubai from where it's
under three hours to Baku or Yerevan, the start/end points of the
featured trip. Azerbaijan Airlines has regular flights to Dubai-Baku.
Fly Dubai has regular flights to Yerevan-Dubai.
See emirates.com; azal.az.
TOURING THERE
Peregrine Adventures has five departures for the 17-day Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia tour in 2015, the first is on May 10. Tours start
from $3575 a person including a local tour leader, arrival transfer,
transportation, accommodation, some meals and activities.
Phone 1300 854 445; see peregrineadventures.com.
TRAVELLING THERE
Australians require visas for Armenia and Azerbaijan, which can be
applied for online. As there are ongoing tensions in the border region
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Australian government advises
travellers to avoid Nagorno-Karabakh and the military occupied area
surrounding it. In Georgia, the government cautions against visiting
the disputed regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as well as Pankisi
Gorge north of Akhmeta.
View photos at
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/hidden-europe-the-eyeopening-spots-youve-never-heard-of-20140723-3cen5.html
From: A. Papazian
July 30 2014
Hidden Europe: The eye-opening spots you've never heard of
Travel
DateJuly 29, 2014
Expect the unexpected when you venture to the ancient Caucasus, writes
Isobel King.
I stare at the wizened old leather shoe in the history museum in
Yerevan and lean in again to double check the date: 3500BC. I do the
sums - that's more than 5500 years old. I was taken by the
mint-condition clay vessels that are 4000 years old and the fully
intact wagons and chariots dug up from the shores of Lake Sevan.
But this little moccasin, sewn from one piece of leather, has me
mesmerised. It's a lasting reminder of just how ancient, yet
relatively little known, this part of the world is.
Haydar Aliyev Cultural Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo: Getty Images
For me, it's the final day of an eye-opening tour through Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia, former Soviet republics that are part of a region
known as the Caucasus.
Peregrine Adventures spent a year putting together the 17-day
itinerary and we are on the maiden tour. It's a group of 13, including
two spirited women in their 70s, and we represent seven different
countries between us, not including Bob, our Russian guide, proving
curiosity has no barriers.
The capital of Baku is the base for most of our four days in
Azerbaijan, where the expedition begins. It's a city dripping in oil
wealth, with a mishmash of architectural styles that's oddly
compelling.
Peasant woman sitting on road with dog in Georgia. Photo: Getty Images
There are the majestic buildings dating from Azerbaijan's days under
the Russian tsars, just blocks away from drab Soviet towers awaiting
"beautification". The inventive approach is to dress their facades in
stone, attach ornate balconies - et voila, as good as old.
Wandering around the cobbled streets of Baku's mediaeval walled
centre, taking in the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and other historic
sites, the Dubai-like glass Flame Towers beyond the walls lend the
perspective a science-fiction quality.
The newly completed Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre is a showstopper, an
astounding piece of modern architecture designed by famous Iraqi-born
British architect Zaha Hadid. It's like a white serpent rising from a
grassy knoll that suddenly livens up the trip in from the airport.
Tsminda Sameba Church. Photo: iStock
Life on the streets of Baku feels similar to a modern city anywhere.
Islamic Azerbaijan is a historically tolerant society. Cafes,
restaurants and shops are buzzing, and in the boulevards and parks by
the waterfront, adjoining the Caspian Sea, the world's biggest salt
lake, burqa-clad women can be seen strolling alongside young things in
the latest fashion. At night, the city is beautifully lit, reminiscent
at times of strolling around Paris. Hence its name, Paris of the East.
Well, not quite.
We take the hour's trip to Qobustan, past endless oil rigs, and
clamber up a rocky path in the heat to inspect ancient rock engravings
in nooks and crannies everywhere.
Vardzia cave city, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia. Photo: Getty Images
Civilisation in this UNESCO-protected region has been traced back
40,000 years, and the fascinating on-site museum captures slabs of it
in highly informative and interactive displays. At the foot of the
hill, I stop at a fenced-off rock engraving made by a passing Roman
officer. It dates from AD90. Graffiti spans all the centuries.
On the road north-west to Georgia, as we watch the amazing transition
from dry, salty plains to the first few sprigs of green inland, to the
incredibly lush countryside that abruptly springs from nowhere all in
a matter of hours, we stop in Sheki, visiting the 18th-century Shaki
Khan Palace.
It's a marked departure from the elaborate mosques and stone tombs
seen earlier. This was the summer palace of the local ruling Shaki
Khans. Its intricate, timber-framed stained-glass windows, still
hand-crafted locally, are apparently popular with wealthy sheiks.
Inside, every room is lined with vibrantly coloured frescoes.
Mtkvari River as it runs through Tbilisi. Photo: Getty Images
The palace and Baku's mediaeval city are Azerbaijan's historical
highlights for me.
In our seven days in Georgia, it seems as if we have criss-crossed its
entire 70,000 square kilometres in our little minibus, when in reality
we have managed a select grab bag of highlights, including half a
dozen or so UNESCO World Heritage sites. Georgians adopted
Christianity in the early 4th century, so historic churches and
monasteries are regular stops.
The whole country feels freshly renovated, from cities, to roads, to
hotels, to tourist attractions. Scaffolding and road works are as
etched in my memory as the mountains, rivers, fields of wild flowers
and endless green vistas that have accompanied our travels.
Gobustan mud volcanoes. Photo: Getty Images
The 10-year presidency of pro-western Mikheil Saakashvili, which ended
with the elections last November, has marked the country's economic
rejuvenation after a decade of chaos.
We have driven through winemaking regions in Georgia's south and had
our first introduction to chacha, the local rocket fuel, courtesy of
farmer Simon and his family entourage.
In their purpose-built stone cellar in the small town of Sighnaghi, a
stone's throw from the Azerbaijan border, we are shown a contraption
that looks positively mediaeval. It's the chacha maker, the "grape
vodka" found everywhere. It's wincingly potent and sets the mood for a
lively cellar feast. That lunch was our first introduction to
khachapuri, the devilishly moreish flat cheese bread that's on every
menu.
Wine lovers should note: Georgia's winemaking tradition goes back 8000
years. An official wine map reveals snaking trails everywhere and a
baffling 437 different grape varieties. If in doubt, the ever-popular
Saperavi reds and Rkatsiteli whites are sound bets.
We have gone north and climbed into the heart of Europe's highest
mountain range - the snow-capped Greater Caucasus. It stretches for
1200 kilometres, forming the border with Russia to the north.
Our destination for two nights is the remote ski resort of Gudauri,
heaving with skiiers in winter apparently, but a desolate spot in
summer: a scattering of buildings on austere, grassy slopes. The lone
supermarket proves the main social hub on our visit.
At 2196 metres, Gudauri is the highest village on the famous Georgian
Military Highway, an ancient north-south trading route that has been
recently upgraded into a flawless stretch of road.
It's the launch pad for a day trip to nearby Kazbegi, where a one-hour
hike up the steep, rocky foothills (jeep optional) is rewarded with
hauntingly beautiful views from the remote 14th-century Gergeti
Trinity Church. No invader was going to take this prize easily.
The clouds clear to offer a perfect view of Mount Kazbeg, at 5047
metres, one of the higher glaciers in the Caucasus.
We have gone west as far as Kutaisi, the country's second largest
city, stopping on the way at Stalin's birthplace in Gori. His humble
family home lies in the grounds of the Stalin Museum, where rooms of
black-and-white photographs, news clippings and memorabilia document
not just the rise of a dictator, but graphic examples of hardships and
horrors.
And, of course, we have spent time in the charming capital of Tbilisi,
an easily walkable city of 1.2 million divided by the Mtkvari River.
It's in the final throes of an extensive renovation.
The UNESCO-protected old district has had most of the buildings'
crumbling facades replaced. They contrast with contemporary structures
nearby.
It's a laid-back city, where most of the action centres around the
main thoroughfare, Rustaveli Avenue and the lively network of streets
in the old town.
The pace has been fast and furious, with a couple of 10-hour days on
the road. Framed by the bus window are watchtowers and forts,
crumbling stone houses and defunct old factories, new buildings with
shiny tin roofs, and the drab, grey apartment blocks that dot the
landscape everywhere in this part of the world, legacies of the Soviet
era.
I'm still prizing the grit out of my hair from a visit to the
12th-century cave city of Vardzia, in the south-west. I conclude that
tunnels, perilously steep steps, low rock ceilings and a power
blackout are not a good combination. The city was carved into a
mountain, stretching across 500 metres, a feat of human endeavour.
Nino, our bubbly Georgian guide, succinctly sums up her country's
history: "So many times, occupied, destroyed, rebuilt . . . occupied,
destroyed, rebuilt". She may as well have been talking about any of
the countries we visit. Preserving their architecture against the
constant onslaught has been challenging. Mongols, Persians, Russians
and Ottomans have all fancied their chance in this strategic
crossroads of Europe and Asia. Many of the historic sites we visit
have been rebuilt from ruins.
I have seen so many monasteries and churches that they have merged
into a glorious pastiche of soaring stone structures, frescoes,
brightly coloured icons and priests in black robes going about their
business, seemingly impervious to the coachloads of tourists.
Mostly I tend to remember them by their locations: behind protective
walls, such as the magnificent Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the centre
of historic Mtskheta, where Christ's robe is allegedly buried; on
remote hilltops, such as the 6th century Jvari Church peering down
over Mtskheta; and in Kutaisi, the collection of beautiful stone
buildings that make up Gelati Monastery, where of one of the greatest
Georgian kings, David the Builder, has his tomb.
The trio of countries was part of the Soviet Union up until their
independence in 1991. The itinerary has been carefully mapped to avoid
any potential hot spots (see trip notes). For us, everywhere we travel
feels safe and welcoming.
Russian is the de-facto second language and English can be patchy
outside the capitals, so although independent travel is possible, I
imagine it could be tricky, once the complication of visas and long
border crossings are taken into account.
On day 11, Armenia greets us across the Bavra border crossing from
Georgia late afternoon with rough roads, thunderous black clouds and
the bleak, barely habitable landscape of this northern region. It's a
fittingly atmospheric entry to a country that lies in the shadow of
Mount Ararat, where Noah's Ark is said to have come to rest after the
flood.
En route to the capital, we stop at Gyumri, the country's
second-largest city, which was devastated by an earthquake in 1988 and
is still struggling to get rebuilt. We park in the main square and
wander through the back streets, past half-crumbling stone buildings
that are still beautiful, but just skeletons now. Some have been
rebuilt, but there's a long way to go.
The gritty capital of Yerevan, on the other hand, is bristling with
energy and artistic life, with signs of progress everywhere. The
transition from the relative stability of the Soviet period to now has
been rocky. The country isn't flush with funds, but the large Armenian
diaspora is generous.
The Armenian Genocide Museum is closed until April 2015 for an
extensive renovation. A new mall in the city centre is almost
finished. There are sculptures and statues everywhere, many recent,
that salute famous Armenians.
Edgy bars and restaurants all over the city are packed with chatty,
locals fluent in English, eager to exchange stories.
We take the 20-kikometre trip to see Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia's
answer to Vatican city. Armenia was the first country to adopt
Christianity as its official religion, in 301AD, and this is its
expansive headquarters: clipped lawns, trees and newly laid paths
leading to an assortment of buildings. The central Mother Cathedral is
covered with scaffolding on our June visit.
Inside, through an arch, we visit the small museum, which houses
sacred relics, including the lance that supposedly pierced the side of
Christ and a petrified splinter of Noah's Ark. Whether myth or fact,
I'm again enthralled by random fragments of history.
For me, the trip ended in Yerevan, leaving the posse to take the
overnight trip to the mediaeval town of Goris. I would have loved to
explore Armenia more, but this trip has been an absorbing introduction
to a trio of countries geographically close but unique, and all
embracing the tourist wave. I felt lucky to beat the hordes.
The writer was a guest of Peregrine Adventures.
FIVE MORE SIGHTS TO SEE IN THE CAUCASUS
ATESHGAH FIRE TEMPLE, BAKU
A short drive along the Absheron Peninsula, this recently restored
open temple, complete with mannequins recreating temple life, sheds
light on how the fire-worshipping Zoroastrians lived. An
English-speaking guide is essential, as there's little information on
site.
YANAR DAG (FIRE MOUNTAIN), BAKU
Nor far from the fire temple is this intriguing natural phenomenon.
Even when the snow falls, natural gases from the earth keep these
flickering flames alive.
UPLISTSIKHE CAVE CITY, GEORGIA
A series of caves cut into a mountain are what remain of this small
3000-year-old complex. It's interesting to scramble around and picture
life as it was then. The museum below is well worth visiting for its
archaeological finds and information.
FINE ARTS MUSEUM, TBILISI
The Treasury section of this small museum holds one of the finest
collections of Georgian icons and crosses, retrieved from churches and
monasteries everywhere.
MASHTOTS MATENADARAN, YEREVAN
This ancient manuscripts museum contains room after room of sublimely
intricate and richly coloured manuscripts, including a whopper
weighing in at 27 kilograms. There's also maps and other historical
documents to inspect.
TRIP NOTES
GETTING THERE
>From Australia, one option is to fly Emirates to Dubai from where it's
under three hours to Baku or Yerevan, the start/end points of the
featured trip. Azerbaijan Airlines has regular flights to Dubai-Baku.
Fly Dubai has regular flights to Yerevan-Dubai.
See emirates.com; azal.az.
TOURING THERE
Peregrine Adventures has five departures for the 17-day Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia tour in 2015, the first is on May 10. Tours start
from $3575 a person including a local tour leader, arrival transfer,
transportation, accommodation, some meals and activities.
Phone 1300 854 445; see peregrineadventures.com.
TRAVELLING THERE
Australians require visas for Armenia and Azerbaijan, which can be
applied for online. As there are ongoing tensions in the border region
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Australian government advises
travellers to avoid Nagorno-Karabakh and the military occupied area
surrounding it. In Georgia, the government cautions against visiting
the disputed regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as well as Pankisi
Gorge north of Akhmeta.
View photos at
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/hidden-europe-the-eyeopening-spots-youve-never-heard-of-20140723-3cen5.html
From: A. Papazian