Caucasus

Glorious Georgia

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

This small country is sandwiched between the Black Sea and Caucasus Mountains and packs a punch way beyond its size.

Georgia is steeped in history and studded with impressive monasteries, richly decorated churches and rustic castles. Combine that with its mountainous terrain, and you have the real Game of Thrones country.

Its attractive capital Tbilisi bristles with life and energy – definitely worth considering as a long weekend destination.

Unlike its historically introspective neighbour Armenia, Georgia looks to Europe for its future destiny and has a palpable dynamism. It’s a country I would definitely visit again.

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Essence of Armenia

/ mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

This small landlocked country in the Caucasus mountains groans under the sheer weight of its own history.

For the visitor Armenia offers a great deal. It’s studded with ancient monasteries and churches, set in a majestic, rugged landscape.

The experience can be rustic, but the tables are always full of delicious food. And if you’re lucky, you will find a mysticism and spirituality in this ancient land.

Here’s what I found on my Armenian journey…

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Azerbaijan: Land of fire

/ mikeosbornphoto / 3 Comments

This was a fleeting visit to an oil-rich country on the shores of the Caspian Sea, following visits to its neighbours in the Caucasus, Armenia and Georgia.

Azerbaijan boasts a showpiece capital in Baku, with contemporary architecture and wide, pleasant boulevards.

Outside of Baku, the country boasts fortresses, ancient rock carvings and plumes of fire from the earth.

But the landscape is sometimes barren and unforgiving, while the opulence and modernity of Baku doesn’t extend much beyond the city.

Here’s what I saw…

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