The thought of vacationing in a Shia Muslim country bordering Iran, which is also a country from the former Soviet bloc, is indeed a bit difficult for Israelis to digest, but in Azerbaijan they want you to take the capital city of Baku as a possibility for recreation.
The cheap prices, great luxury and great love for Israelis is just some of the reasons why the Azeris are trying to get the average tourist from the Holy Land to put Azerbaijan on the map.
Although it is a Shiite Muslim country, the bars are open until the wee hours of the night - and the secular atmosphere means that the alcohol flows like water.
Thanks to the accelerated development and the building of splendor from the oil money, in Baku it is already difficult to find the signs of the Soviet regime that ruled the country - but an urban landscape that has changed almost completely.
Baku in Azerbaijan, photo: Idan Avni
In the center of the city you can see the Flame Towers, three towers of different heights that can be seen from anywhere in Baku.
The tallest tower rises to a height of 190 meters and is used for residences, next to it is a tower with a height of 160 meters that is used as a hotel and a third building, which is "only" 140 meters high, is an office building.
In the hours of darkness, all three are lit up in the colors of the Azerbaijan flag and in figures and colors simulating flames - and this is a beautiful and spectacular sight.
New next to old
Baku is located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, therefore it has a long promenade that, walking along it, reveals the new buildings that have been built along it.
Many benches are scattered along the boardwalk, and if you sit on them to take a break from the walk, keep in mind that the water smells strongly of oil - a hint of its richness in black gold.
By the way, if you love shopping, know that at the end of the boardwalk you can find Deniz Mall, where you can find all the famous brands.
Option to land.
The promenade in Baku (archive), photo: Getty Images
We continued our trip to the old city, which was established in the 12th century and whose entrance is possible through gates that were breached in the wall that surrounds it, which was built to protect it from enemies.
Among the narrow alleys in the city you can find many souvenir shops, local bars some of which are open 24/7 and world heritage sites, including the Shirvansha Palace and the Virgin's Tower.
You can also hire a local guide who will tell the ancient stories of the city, who will also guide you through the alleys.
If hunger strikes you, Baku is blessed with cheap restaurants, especially in the old city, where local dishes are delicious to the palate.
A meal at a restaurant amounts to 25 manat (almost NIS 50) per person, depending on the dishes you ordered.
A spectacular spectacle.
The Flame Towers in Baku, photo: Idan Avni
like in europe
If you are a lover of Jewish heritage, you are recommended to visit the Red Village.
The place is about three hours' drive from Baku, and all its residents are Jews - the last remnant in the world (apart from Israel) of Jewish settlement only.
Throughout the village there is a museum dealing with Judaism, residents who greet guests and ancient synagogues, most of which are no longer active.
In the past, tens of thousands of residents lived in the village, but most of them immigrated to Israel.
Since then, few of them have returned to the village - and today only a few hundred people are left to live there.
On the way to the Kuba district, where the village is located, you can see the fingerprints of the Soviet regime.
The considerable development in Baku has not yet reached here, the agricultural crops remain as before and also cars from the Soviet era move on the roads full of the goods of the farmers on their way to the markets.
Bars that are open 24/7.
Baku, photo: Idan Avni
Baku is trying to compare itself to a progressive European capital city.
In its streets you can meet a wide variety of tourists from neighboring countries such as Iran and Russia, but this does not interfere.
The cheap prices, the short flight distance (only 3 hours on a direct flight) and the diversity definitely make it a destination that may be the next big thing for the Israeli tourist.
The writer was a guest of the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau
The development did not reach all over the country, photo: Idan Avni
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