The ruins of Ani have always been on my bucket list and I wanted to see them for myself. While I was studying in Istanbul a few years ago, I booked a flight to Kars, the closest city to Ani. However, in a cruel twist of fate, I missed my flight and the opportunity to […]
5 things to do in Armenia
Armenia is a small country yet has enough things to see that warrants more than just a hurried visit. Travelling around Armenia is easy and convenient. From the capital city of Yerevan, you can reach pretty much everywhere in just a few hours. That means no terrible night buses or whole days spent travelling, and […]
Your guide to Armenia: The church edition
A trip to Armenia is not complete without visiting at least one of its beautiful monasteries. In fact, it is hard to avoid them since they are built in some of the most amazing landscapes in Armenia. Armenia is the oldest surviving Christian country in the world and that speaks volume of the richness of […]
Georgia in a nutshell: 8 things you absolutely have to do
If you were to ask me to list my top five must-visit countries, Georgia is definitely on it. Note that I am referring to Georgia the country, and not the state in the United States! Georgia is small and packed with interesting sights. Whether you are a nature lover, a fan of architecture, a foodie […]
David Gareja Monastery: Why this should be on your bucket-list
Georgia is full of beautiful monasteries, hidden within stunning landscapes and perched high up on towering mountains. After visiting a few of them though, everything starts to blur out and look the same. However, one particular monastery stood out, and left an unforgettable mark in my entire trip around Georgia. If there is only just […]
This is Sheki: Food, art, history and life
Azerbaijan is full of hidden gems, and Sheki is one of them. You seldom find a small town with enough activities to pique your interest for more than a few days. Sheki was small, yet it had so much to offer that I stayed there for almost a week. The Sheki we know of today […]
9 things to do in Baku, Azerbaijan
If there was a city that surprised me, it has to be Baku. I did not expect to find a modern, aesthetically pleasing and cosmopolitan city in this part of the world. As I entered the city from another sleepy town in Azerbaijan, I could not help but gasp at what I saw. Baku was […]
Off the beaten track hike to Sary Chelek
Kyrgyzstan is a trekker’s mecca, but most people only visit Alakul lake in Karakol. There are many beautiful trails in Kyrgyzstan, but the lack of infrastructure makes it difficult to access these areas. One such place is the Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve. The reserve consists of a series of lakes and boasts a large variety […]
Making the trek to Alakul lake in Kyrgyzstan
If there is only one trek you can do in Kyrgyzstan, it has to be the trek to Alakul lake. Although this is also the most popular trek in the country, the views along the way are simply too amazing to skip. Alakul lake is an alpine lake 3,650m above sea level and the round-trip […]
Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes: Nature that wows
The first impression people have of Kazakhstan is usually of endless steppe and deserts. While not totally false, Kazakhstan also has its share of stunning landscapes. The southeast region of Kazakhstan is full of natural formations, with mountains, lakes and rivers waiting to be discovered. In this article, I will be introducing Charyn Canyon and […]
