Exploring Azerbaijan with Family: Nayan's Thrillophilia Review
My wife and I were on the lookout for a destination that would be exciting and family-friendly (our little one was just 6 months old!). While browsing the web, we came across Azerbaijan and thought, "Why not?"
After some research, I came across Thrillophilia, and I was really impressed by its positive reviews that were posted by customers across the world. They seemed to specialize in making trips hassle-free, so we decided to give them a shot. And boy, they didn’t disappoint - everything was perfectly tailored for us!
The Magic of Baku
Our journey in Azerbaijan began with a scenic tour of Baku. We started exploring Nizami Street, which was lined with so many shops and cafés. When we stopped at one of the outdoor cafes to grab a quick snack, my wife pointed out how much the locals loved their tea. "I think we’re going to be drinking a lot of this," she said with a laugh, holding up her steaming cup.
After that, we made our way to the Flame Towers. It was hard to miss them - they were huge, and the lights on the towers changed as the day went by. We were there just as the sun began to set, and the towers started lighting up in different colours, creating a beautiful contrast against the darkening sky.
Later, we visited the Heydar Aliyev Center. The building was so unique, with its curved and futuristic architecture. It happened to be one of the places that you have to see in person to fully appreciate the design. We spent a bit of time walking around the exterior and taking pictures. I remember feeling in awe of how everything in Baku seemed to blend the old and the new in such a cool way.
We also explored some of the exhibitions inside, and the whole experience left us feeling that Baku was way beyond what we had originally imagined.
The Charming Old City
The next day, we visited the Old City, also known as Icherisheher. The whole area felt like a living museum, with its ancient buildings and cobblestone alleys. I was particularly excited to see the Maiden Tower - one of the most iconic landmarks in Azerbaijan. It was an impressive structure, and while we didn’t go inside, we spent quite a bit of time just admiring it from the outside.
Later, we also explored the Shirvanshahs' Palace, which is a hidden gem in the Old City. It’s a bit off the main tourist path, so it wasn’t crowded, and we had the place almost to ourselves. The history there was fascinating, and it was amazing to think about how it all looked hundreds of years ago.
While walking through the ruins, I asked one of the locals who was selling handmade crafts nearby if he knew any fun facts about the palace. He laughed and said, "It’s not just the history, it’s the stories. Every stone here has a secret."
One thing that stood out to me was the sense of authenticity in the Old City. It didn’t feel overly commercialized, and it was easy to imagine how it must have looked centuries ago. I could have spent hours wandering around those streets, but after a few hours, our baby needed a break, so we found a little café where we rested and had some local sweets.
Even though the area was ancient, there was a real sense of modern life here too, with people going about their day, chatting, and making it feel alive.
Gabala’s Natural Beauty and Absheron’s Fiery Secrets
After spending a few days in Baku, we took a trip to Gabala, a beautiful town surrounded by mountains. Our first stop was Nohur Lake. It had an extremely peaceful ambience, and the surroundings were completely different from the hustle and bustle of Baku. The lake was calm, and the reflections of the mountains on the water were simply stunning. We spent quite some time just sitting on a bench near the lake.
Gabala’s Yeddigozel Waterfall was another highlight. It wasn’t too far from the lake, and the path to the waterfall was quite beautiful. We took our time, and I could see my wife enjoying every step. The waterfall was a breathtaking sight, and I couldn’t help but think how lucky we were to experience this kind of natural beauty.
On our last day, we took a day trip to Absheron, where we visited the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanardagh - the burning mountain. The Fire Temple was fascinating, with its ancient ruins and the stories of its past.
But it was Yanardagh that really caught my attention. The natural flames coming from the mountain were mesmerizing, and it felt like we were witnessing something that had been going on for centuries. My wife turned to me and said, “I didn’t expect this kind of thing to exist in real life.” I smiled and said, “Neither did I, but here we are.”
Looking back, I’m really grateful to Pronit from Thrillophilia for crafting such a thoughtful itinerary and holiday for us. Travelling with a baby could have been a challenge, but he made sure everything was tailored to our needs. Thanks, Thrillophilia!
Read More: Thrillophilia Azerbaijan Reviews