The capital of Azerbaijan provides the backdrop for a long weekend of surreal sightseeing, gold teeth and geological oddities

Fly Dubai flight 705 leaves the UAE half full and lands in Baku half empty. As we touch down at Heyder Aliyev International Airport, our fellow passengers passengers cheer. Any place that treats a successful landing as a privilege rather than a right falls into the “alternative” category of weekend breaks. The capital of Azerbaijan is no regular tourist hub. Read the rest of this entry »