#Baku Market Square

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This is how you will explore Baku in 5 days with Flairyourtrip

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Explore the Old City Morning: Begin your day at the iconic Baku Boulevard for a picturesque view of the Caspian Sea. Visit the Flame Towers, a modern symbol of Baku. Afternoon: Head to the UNESCO-listed Old City (Icherisheher) and explore historical landmarks like the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah’s Palace. Enjoy local Azerbaijani cuisine in one of the charming cafes. Evening: Stroll through the cobbled streets of the Old City at sunset. Capture stunning photographs of the Flame Towers illuminated at night.

Day 2: Modern Baku Morning: Visit Heydar Aliyev Center, a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Explore the Baku Modern Art Museum. Afternoon: Have lunch at a local restaurant with a view of the Flame Towers. Visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum to appreciate traditional Azerbaijani craftsmanship. Evening: Experience the vibrant nightlife at Fountain Square. Dine at a rooftop restaurant for panoramic city views.

Day 3: Gobustan National Park Morning: Head to Gobustan National Park to explore ancient rock carvings and mud volcanoes. Learn about Azerbaijan’s prehistoric history at the Gobustan State Historical and Artistic Museum. Afternoon: Have a picnic lunch in the picturesque landscapes of Gobustan. Return to Baku and relax at the hotel. Evening: Enjoy a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4: Absheron Peninsula Morning: Explore Ateshgah (Fire Temple), a historical and architectural monument. Visit Yanar Dag, a natural gas fire which has been burning for centuries. Afternoon: Have lunch at a seaside restaurant on the Absheron Peninsula. Relax at one of the nearby beaches or visit the Bibi-Heybat Mosque. Evening: Return to Baku and explore the local markets for souvenirs.Dinner at a traditional Azerbaijani restaurant.

Day 5: Day Trip to Sheki Morning: Take a morning flight or drive to Sheki, a charming city surrounded by mountains. Visit Sheki Khans’ Palace, renowned for its exquisite stained glass windows. Afternoon: Have lunch at a local restaurant. Explore Sheki’s Old City and visit the Sheki History Museum. Evening: Return to Baku and spend your last evening shopping for local crafts and souvenirs.

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Top cities to visit in Azerbaijan

Frequently asked questions on Azerbaijan

Top cities to visit in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has many beautiful cities like Baku, Sheki, Lankaran, Guba, Ganja, Zaqatala, Sumqayit. Baku is the capital city known for its modern skyline and rich cultural heritage. Sheki is known for its historical architecture like Sheki Khan’s Palace. Lankaran has beautiful natural scenery. Guba is famous for its scenic landscapes. Ganja is a historical centre with a lively culture and remarkable landmarks. Zaqatala offers beautiful landscapes. Sumqayit focuses on technology and education. 

Best places to visit in Baku

There are many amazing places to visit Baku like Flame Towers (a group of three skyscrapers), Heydar Aliyev Centre (futuristic building), Caspian Sea, Fountain Square (public square), Azerbaijan Carpet Museum (showcases Azerbaijani carpets), Baku Crystal Hall (venue that hosts concerts, events and conferences), Taza Bazaar (bustling market).

When is the best time to visit Azerbaijan?

The best time to visit Azerbaijan is from May to October. The temperature ranges between 10°C to 27°C. It has pleasant weather with blossoming flowers. 

Best restaurants in Baku

There are many amazing restaurants in Baku. Some recommendations include Fireworks Urban Kitchen, Art Club Restaurant, Malacannes 145, Pendir Corek, Anadolu Restaurant & Catering, Firuze Restaurant, Terrace 145, Cafecity Five, Passage 45, Sky Grill. There are also Indian restaurants available like Maharani Indian Restaurant, Namaste, Bombay Zaika, Masala Junction, Maharaja, Sharg Restaurant, Maaya Indian Restaurant, Aroma Fusion Cuisine, Royal Restaurant. 

Best hotels in Baku

There are many good hotels in Baku in various budgets. The best hotels for each person may vary according to the budget, room size, location. We recommend you to stay near the popular streets like Nizami Street, Boku Boulevard, Istiglaliyyat Street and Park Bulvar. 

Flight tickets to Baku

There are multiple airlines that offer flights with reasonable rates to Baku from various countries in the world. You will get better deals during the off season.

Azerbaijan tour package cost

A 4 nights and 5 days package will cost approx ?34,085 (approx USD 393) per person.

Visa requirements for Azerbaijan for Indians

Requirements to travel to Azerbaijan are:

Completed visa application form

A valid passport

Recent passport size photo

Proof of accommodation

Public transportation in Azerbaijan

Public transportation in Azerbaijan are buses, metros and taxis.

5 days Azerbaijan itinerary

5 days Azerbaijan itinerary is recommended below:

Day 1: Arrive at Baku. Check in to Ibis Baku City. Rest for the day.

Day 2: You will begin your tour by diving into history at the awe-inspiring Shirvanshah Palace, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Then, shift gears and marvel at the futuristic Flame Towers, a symbol of Baku’s modernity. Intrigue awaits at the Miniature Book Museum, where you’ll find the world’s tiniest books. Afterward, ascend the iconic Maiden Tower for a journey back in time. Your next stop will give you a different perspective on the city as you hop on the Baku Ferris Wheel and enjoy a bird’s-eye view. Then, dive into the artistry of Azerbaijani culture at the Carpet Museum, a treasure trove of intricate designs.

Day 3: Go on a Mud Volcanoes & Mosque Private Tour

Day 4: Today you visit Nohur Lake and gaze in wonder at the high mountains. See the Seven Beauties Waterfall rush down in front of you. Follow your guide to the Tufandag Winter Resort and see the longest cable car in the world. Go to a sports facility where Olympic athletes train. Get picked up from your Baku hotel and drive towards Gabala. Stop in Shemakha for a break and choose to have food. Arrive in Gabala and head to Nohur Lake, a pristine lake surrounded by high mountains. Take in views of the tranquil setting and let the noise of the city melt away. Hop on a boat and explore the lake at your leisure if you want. Head to a nearby waterfall known as the Seven Beauties. Marvel at this 7-tiered waterfall with multiple cascades. Hike up to see 2 of the cascades. Chill out in a seasonal restaurant and listen to the waterfall as the sun shines inside. Visit the Tufandag Winter Resort, a ski resort which is home to the longest cable car in the world. Take in the incredible views of the Alpine landscapes beyond Gabala. Visit Gabala Sport Club, a world-class facility that trains professional athletes in shooting, boxing, karate, and other sports. Try your hand at shooting in the place where the national Olympic team trains. Finish your tour as you are dropped back to your hotel in Baku.

Day 5: Return to your home country.

About Us:

Gottaholiday was started in 2016 with the objective of helping customers plan customised holidays to any part of the globe. Our clients like our 3-step approach to holidays.

The team has a combined experience of 50+ years in holiday planning and execution. We can handle all your requirements from the trip like air tickets, hotels, visas, passport, travel insurance, foreign exchange, concert tickets etc.

We are members of the Travel Agent Association of India (TAAI) and Travel Agent Federation of India (TAFI). We are recognised by the government of India.

Our mission is to provide customized holidays to any part of the world to our customers worldwide. We want to help you turn your dream destination into reality in the most seamless fashion! We love to say “You think and we deliver!“

[cawamedia]

Azerbaijan for Christmas & New Year

Azerbaijan invites you to a winter  fairy tale! These winter months are ideal for a Christmas getaway or New Year’s celebration. Starting in early December, festive cheer takes over Baku’s Fountains Square. While snow is rare in Baku, the city’s grand Christmas trees and markets create a joyful holiday atmosphere. For those who enjoy crisp mountain air, the ski resorts of Shahdag and Tufandag…

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Almaty to Baku: A Backpacker’s Guide to Two Cultural Capitals

Traveling from Almaty to Baku offers an exciting opportunity to explore two vibrant cities rich in history, culture, and stunning landscapes. This guide will help you navigate your journey as a backpacker, highlighting must-see attractions, local experiences, and travel tips for each destination.

Day 1: Arrival in Almaty

Welcome to Almaty

Arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city. Check into a budget-friendly hostel or guesthouse and take some time to settle in.

Explore the City Center

Start your exploration at Republic Square, where you can admire the grandeur of the Government House and the Independence Monument. Stroll down Kok Tobe, a hill offering panoramic views of the city.

Evening at Panfilov Park

In the evening, visit Panfilov Park and the beautiful Zenkov Cathedral. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and indulge in a local meal at a nearby café.

Day 2: Discovering Almaty’s Culture and Nature

Morning at Medeo

Begin your day with a trip to Medeo, the world’s highest ice skating rink. Explore the stunning mountain landscapes and take a leisurely hike.

Afternoon at Shymbulak

Continue to Shymbulak, a ski resort offering breathtaking views and hiking trails. Whether you want to relax or adventure, there are options for every type of traveler.

Local Cuisine Experience

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Kazakh dinner. Try dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat with noodles) and kazy (horse meat sausage).

Day 3: Journey to Baku

Traveling from Almaty to Baku

Catch a flight from Almaty to Baku. The flight takes about 3 hours. Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and rest.

Evening Stroll Along Baku Boulevard

After settling in, head to Baku Boulevard. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Caspian Sea, taking in the views of the iconic Flame Towers as they light up the night sky.

Day 4: Exploring Baku’s Old City

Discovering Icherisheher

Spend your day in Icherisheher, Baku’s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, immersing yourself in the region's history.

Local Market Experience

For lunch, explore the local markets and try plov (Azerbaijani rice dish) and kebabs. Engage with locals and learn about their traditions.

Day 5: Modern Baku and Cultural Insights

Visit the Heydar Aliyev Center

Start your day with a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Center, an architectural marvel designed by Zaha Hadid. The center showcases contemporary art and Azerbaijani culture.

Explore the Carpet Museum

Next, head to the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. Discover the art of carpet weaving and its significance in Azerbaijani culture.

Evening in Nizami Street

Spend your evening on Nizami Street, where you can shop, dine, and experience the vibrant atmosphere. Try some local desserts like sheki halva.

Day 6: Day Trip to Gobustan

Gobustan National Park

Take a day trip to Gobustan National Park, famous for its ancient rock carvings and mud volcanoes. Explore the petroglyphs that date back thousands of years, showcasing the region's prehistoric heritage.

Return to Baku

Return to Baku in the evening, enjoying your last night in this vibrant city.

Day 7: Departure

Farewell

On your final day, take some time to relax or do any last-minute shopping. Reflect on your journey through Almaty and Baku, two cultural capitals that offer rich experiences and unforgettable memories.

Conclusion

Traveling from Almaty to Baku allows you to immerse yourself in the unique cultures and stunning landscapes of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. From Almaty’s natural beauty to Baku’s vibrant urban life, this backpacker’s journey is filled with adventures and discoveries that will leave a lasting impression. Embrace the spirit of exploration and enjoy your travels.

More info about this paragraph Then Go Almaty Tour Package

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Discover Two Cultures: Almaty to Baku Backpacking Journey

Embarking on a backpacking journey from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Baku, Azerbaijan, is an exhilarating way to explore the rich cultures and diverse landscapes of Central Asia. This journey offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition, making it a perfect adventure for those seeking to discover the essence of two captivating cities. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this incredible journey.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Arrival in Almaty

Begin your adventure in Almaty, where the stunning backdrop of the Tian Shan mountains greets you. Spend the day exploring the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Visit the iconic Zenkov Cathedral, take a leisurely stroll in Panfilov Park, and explore the lively Green Bazaar for local delicacies. In the evening, enjoy a meal at a traditional Kazakh restaurant to experience the local cuisine.

Day 2: Day Trip to Charyn Canyon

Take a day trip to Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s natural wonders. Hike through the canyon to witness its stunning rock formations and vibrant colors. Capture breathtaking photos and enjoy a picnic surrounded by the serene beauty of the landscape. Return to Almaty in the evening and prepare for your journey to Baku.

Day 3: Travel from Almaty to Baku

Fly from Almaty to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Once you arrive, settle into your accommodation and head out to explore the Old City (Icherisheher), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs to immerse yourself in Baku’s rich history.

Day 4: Exploring Modern Baku

Spend the day exploring the modern side of Baku. Visit the Heydar Aliyev Center, an architectural marvel, and take a stroll along the Caspian Sea Boulevard. Don’t miss the Flame Towers and the vibrant atmosphere of Fountain Square. In the evening, enjoy the local cuisine at a rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the city.

Day 5: Gobustan National Park

Take a day trip to Gobustan National Park, home to ancient rock carvings and mud volcanoes. Explore the archaeological site and learn about the history of the region. Return to Baku and spend your last evening soaking in the vibrant nightlife and culture.

Day 6: Cultural Exchange and Departure

On your final day, engage in a cultural exchange by visiting local markets and handicraft shops. Try your hand at cooking traditional Azerbaijani dishes in a cooking class. As you prepare for your departure, reflect on the incredible experiences and the rich tapestry of cultures you’ve encountered on this journey.

Conclusion

The backpacking journey from Almaty to Baku is an incredible opportunity to discover the unique cultures of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. From the stunning landscapes of Charyn Canyon to the modern architecture of Baku, each stop offers unforgettable experiences and memories. Pack your bags and get ready to embark on this enriching adventure, where the beauty of two distinct cultures awaits!

More Info About this Blog- Then Go Almaty Tour Package

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What to see in Baku in 1 day - 18 most interesting places

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What to see in Baku in 1 day - 18 most interesting places

Baku, preserving traditions, confidently looks to the future and, changing its appearance with each new era, carefully preserves the heritage of past centuries. Modern architecture here is harmoniously combined with medieval fortresses and towers, ancient mosques – with cutting-edge concert halls, and oriental flavor – with the latest Western trends. Go to the capital of the Land of Lights, and we will tell you what to see in Baku for 1 day on your own, in order to fall in love with him forever and be sure to return.

How to get from the airport to the center

From G. Ailiev Airport, the center can be reached in various ways. Shuttle H1 goes directly to the center. You can buy a ticket for it at the exit from the terminal building in the machine. The ticket costs 90 cents, the journey takes approximately 40 minutes.

Another way is to use the city bus of route 116. He leaves from the airport and goes directly to the center with an interval of 30 minutes. Without traffic jams, the travel time is 1 hour. A ticket costs 20 cents, the driver sells them.

If you do not want to use public transport, you can take a taxi. Book it better in advance using any of the online taxi services. The trip will cost about $ 25 or more, depending on the class of car, and take 35 minutes.

Workshop Ali Shamsi

In the Old Town, on Kichik Kala Street (Malaya Krepostnaya), an unusual house will surely attract your attention. Its facade is hung with many amulets, signs and symbols, decorated with installations depicting a huge lion with unusual eyes, aliens, native oilmen. Opposite the tree grows, the trunk of which is painted with three female faces. Tourists always gather around it to take pictures. In front of the house, two artistic brushes “grow” directly from the ground.

This is the workshop of the famous Baku artist Ali Shamsi. He himself can also be found next to the house. The artist often works in the studio and invites everyone to visit his house with pleasure. Inside the house is no less interesting than outside. There are two rooms in the workshop. The first houses art objects collected by the master, brought by him from other countries or collected here in his homeland, including during excavations in the Old Town.

Subscribe to our channel in Telegram, where we daily post the most last-minute tours and flights. And in the second – the work of the artist himself. Most of them are dedicated to the nature of Azerbaijan, their hometown and, of course, women. He paints flowers, the sea, mountains, portraits of beautiful women – everything that he loves and does not get tired of admiring. His paintings, bright, joyful, very kind, will certainly find a response in your heart. The workshop is located at: Icheri Sheher, st. Kichik Kala, 84.

Museum of miniature books

On April 23, 2002, a unique museum was opened in the Old Town, not far from the Maiden’s Tower, which has no analogues anywhere in the world — it is a Museum of Miniature Books. Here are the smallest books in the world. These are rare editions of Russian classics, Azerbaijani poets and writers (including the great oriental poets – Nizami and Fizuli), books published during the Soviet years in different republics of the Soviet Union and in Europe. There is even a miniature edition of “Criminal Jokes” by Yu. Nikulin.

The exposition presents not only fiction, but also philosophical and spiritual books – for example, miniature Bible and Quran. And in contrast to them – the collected works of V. Lenin. Zarif Salakhov, the sister of the artist Tahir Salakhov, began to collect her collection many years ago, in the Soviet years. And this she began with a collection of fables by I. A. Krylov, published back in 1835.

The museum’s most valuable exhibit is one of the smallest books in the world. Its dimensions are 2 x 2 mm, but at the same time the book contains not only text, but also illustrations. True, to make out them, as well as read its contents, is possible only with the help of a magnifying glass. The museum is open every day, except Monday and Thursday from 11 to 17 hours. Free admission.

Governor’s Garden

The Governor’s Garden is the oldest in the city. It was laid back in 1830. By the decree of Roman von der Hoven, commandant of the Baku fortress, all ship owners and their captains had to bring several bags of black soil from the south so that even crops that do not like the arid climate could be grown. They planted acacia, mulberry, conifers, broke flower beds, and some exotic plants.

The result was a unique garden in which even rare, including subtropical, plants grew. It began at the walls of Icheri Sheher, and when in 1865 the outer wall of the fortress was removed, the garden expanded significantly. For a long time it was the only garden in the city. For ordinary people, entry here was allowed only once a week.

By the end of the 19th century, arbors and terraces for relaxation appeared in the park. The garden was renamed many times, it bore the names of Mikhailovsky, Revolution, im. Aliaga Wahid, but the old name – Gubernatorial – has taken root best of all. Now adjacent to the garden adjacent to the building of the Philharmonic. M. Magomayev, therefore, it is often called the garden of the Philharmonic. It stretches along the fortress wall from Azneft Avenue to the Icheri Sheher metro station.

Kichik-Gala Street, 8 – place from the movie “Diamond Hand”

In our country, the old city is familiar to everyone, even to a person who has never been to the Azerbaijani capital. Legendary Soviet films were shot here: Aibolit 66, Tehran 43, Do not be afraid, I’m with you. But, of course, the most recognizable views of Icheri Sheher are in frames from the films Amphibian Man and The Diamond Arm. Almost all overseas in the film “Diamond Arm” was shot in the Old Town. Soviet Baku at the time of filming becomes Istanbul.

Walking through the narrow streets of Icheri Sheher, you will surely find out where the sultry beauty is trying to seduce Semyon Semenych (“Tsigel, tsigel ai-lu-lu!”), You will see the walls of the Shirvanshahs Palace, against which Soviet tourists are given an excursion. And of course, no one can pass by the famous place next to the Chikanuk pharmacy, in which the main character was smuggled in plaster.

Tourists here are photographed in the same pose and with the famous phrase “Cheort beat!”. The exact address of this place is Kichik Kala, 8 (Malaya Krepostnaya, 8). Of course, now there is not a pharmacy, but an ordinary courtyard of a residential building with its measured life. To find this place, you can navigate by the nearby Thunder cafe at the intersection with Veli Mammadova Street.

Shamakhi Gate

Icheri Sheher (Old Town) is not a millet a piece of the preserved ancient city. This is a unique architectural reserve, protected by UNESCO. The fortress with 25 towers and 5 gates rises above the sea and is surrounded on all sides by strong stone walls up to 8 m high, and their thickness reaches 3 m. Today you can get to the Old Town through the Shemakha Gate. For a long time they were practically the only gates of the fortress. In another way they were called the gates of Shah Abbas.

Once in the fortress there were two tiers of defensive walls. In the XIX century, when the city grew significantly and went far beyond the borders of Icheri Sheher, the governor proposed to remove the inner walls. In 1886 a decision was made, the wall was demolished, and the gates of the inner walls, called the Gate of Zulfikar (named after the shah who erected the inner walls), were moved to the Shemakhinsky.

As a result, the gates now have two arches and are often called the Twin Gates. Through the Shemakha gate you can enter the Old Town by car. But at the entrance you will need to pay 2 manat, and for each next hour to pay 1 manat.

Maiden’s Tower

In the southeast of Icheri Sheher the famous Maiden Tower (Giz Galasy) rises, which has long become a symbol of the city. The thickness of its walls at the base is 5 m, and at the top 4 m. The height of the tower is 28 m. It is divided into 8 tiers, a spiral staircase leads to the very top. In the tower itself in the rock a well is arranged, 21 m deep. For what this tower was erected, historians still argue. According to many, it did not have a defensive function, but rather a cult function, associated with pagan times and, in particular, with worship of the Sun. The time of its construction, too, until the end is still unknown.

According to archaeologists who investigated the mortar and masonry, it could be built in the 1st century. or in the IX century. For a long time the tower served as a lighthouse. Until the 19th century, a flag fluttered at its top, which served as a guide for sailors, and from the middle of the 19th century the lighthouse began to shine. There are many legends associated with the tower. The heroine of each of them is necessarily a girl who, because of unhappy love, rushes from a tower into the sea and smashes into stones.

One of the stones in the sea at the foot of the tower is still called the stone of the virgin. This plot inspired many poets and artists to create their own works related to the legends of the Maiden Tower. Her image has become a symbol of the city. Now there is a museum in the tower, and at the very top there is an observation deck from where you can see the city. The museum is open every day, except Mondays from 10:00 to 18:00. A ticket costs 2 manat.

Shirvanshahs Palace

The Shirvanshahs palace ensemble is the former residence of the Shirvan shahs, a unique architectural and historical monument that was built over several centuries from the 13th to the 16th centuries. It is located on a hilltop in the center of Icheri Sheher fortress (Old Town). In addition to the rulers’ palace itself, the complex includes a tomb, a bathhouse, a mosque of the 15th century, a mausoleum of a Baku scientist Seyid Yahya Bakuvi and a courtyard Divan Khan. Despite the fact that the entire complex was not built at the same time, it is a complete, harmonious ensemble, designed in unified architectural forms and combinations of decorative elements.

Spiral staircases and the main hall are preserved in the palace, which now presents an exposition consisting of archaeological excavations – dishes, jewelry, household items, musical instruments, weapons and the famous Shemakha carpets. Household items can be considered in the remaining 52 chambers of the palace. In the courtyard – Divan Khan – there is an octagonal rotunda with columns. Her appointment is still unknown.

It is assumed that this could be the tomb or the building in which the state council was sitting. The mausoleum of Seyyid Yahya Bakuvi, the scientist who worked here under the rule of the Shirvanshah Khalil-ulla I, was connected with an arch to the old Kay-Kubad mosque, which burned down in 1918 year. In the tomb, the remains of tombstones and 14 crypts of members of the Shirvanshah Khalil-Ulla family were preserved. The complex is located in Ichera Sheher, in Palace Lane, it is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. An adult ticket costs 2 manat, For students – 60 qepiks (kopecks), for students – 20 qepiks.

Monument to the poet Aliaga Wahid

Aliaga Vahid (Aliaga Mammadkul-oglu Iskander) – Azerbaijani poet, satirist, friend of Sergei Yesenin. Very popular among the people were not only his satirical poems, but also lyrical gazelles. A very unusual monument to the poet stands in the Azerbaijani capital in Icheri Shaher (Old Town) on Kichik Kala Street (Malaya Krepostnaya). Its authors are sculptors Rahib Hasanov and Natik Aliyev.

The monument is the poet’s huge head, which grows directly from the ground – his neck, torso and hair represent the trunk and branches of trees and at the same time the interweaving of human bodies. The monument is very interesting to consider – all the cycles of our life are presented here: birth, love, separation, wedding, funeral. According to the sculptors, all our ideas live in our heads, they decided to “pull” them out.

The monument was opened on October 27, 1990. It was built almost entirely at the expense of ordinary people, admirers of the talent of Aliaga Wahid. The idea to perpetuate the image of the poet belongs to the architect, journalist and writer Arif Mansurov. He also sponsored the installation of the monument.

Market Square

One of the oldest places in the city, Market Square, has always been indicated on ancient maps, but was discovered as a result of excavations in Ichera Sheher only in 1964. Once there was a large eastern bazaar. Gradually, the square began to carry not only trade functions, but also was the center of political and public life. Here the most important decrees of the rulers were read, court hearings were held and their decisions were announced.

However, during one of the enemy attacks, the square was destroyed. After that, it was no longer used for its intended purpose and eventually was used as a cemetery. Here archaeologists found 52 graves. On the top of the hill, under which the market square was buried, the townspeople gradually began to build houses. After archaeologists discovered and examined it, the area was cleared and landscaped. Archaeologists and restorers completely liberated it, restored the arcade, which rests on stone columns with a capital.

Mohammed Mosque

In Icheri Sheher there is also another iconic structure – the mosque of Mohammed, or the Son of Kala, which translates as a broken fortress or tower. The mosque was erected in the XI century. Here, the date of construction of the mosque was even preserved. An inscription on one of the walls says that the mosque was built by ustad-rais Muhammad, the son of Abu Bekr in 471 (approximately in 1079). It was built on the site of an even more ancient structure.

During the assault on the city by the Russian fleet in 1723, shelling of the Icheri Sheher fortress was carried out. One of the shells damaged the tower of the minaret. At that very moment a strong wind rose and carried the ships back. Defenders of the city regarded this as a sign of God. For a very long time the tower was not restored, it became a symbol of resistance and then it got its second name. The minaret is adjacent to the main building of the mosque. Its upper part was restored only in the 19th century.

Haji Gaib’s Bath

As in any eastern city, there are many baths. In the East, a hamam is not just a place intended for hygienic procedures, a visit to the bath was accompanied by a special ritual. And here they often gathered for negotiations and transactions. The bath of Haji Gaib was built in the 15th century in a very convenient location. Trade routes crossed here, and merchants from different countries gathered for ablution and business negotiations. Archaeologists discovered hammam only in the 60s of the last century.

Today, the bath of Haji Gaib, of course, is no longer used for its intended purpose. But tourists can see what a traditional hamam building was like in the Middle Ages. It consists of three rooms. The dressing room has rectangular shapes, and then follows a large central hall in the form of an octagon. It housed two pools with hot and cold water.

Under the stone tile floor, steam passed through the canals, which heated the room. Ceramic pipes also served for this. In the third room, in the locker room, they had tea after bathing, negotiations were held here, cheerful conversations and deals were made. Haji Gaib’s bathhouse is easy to find, it is located next to the Maiden’s Tower, on 5 Boyuk Kala Street.

Park “Little Venice”

Seaside Boulevard is one of the most beloved places in the city not only for tourists, but also for the Baku people themselves. Here, back in 1960, a park was built, which is a network of islands and channels connecting them. It was called Baku Venice, or Lesser Venice. In the post-Soviet years, over time, this park became desolate. Restored it and upgraded only in 2011.

Now cafes and restaurants have opened along the banks of the canals. Here appeared small green areas, flower beds, fountains and openwork bridges. On the channels of tourists carry gondolas. Special marinas were equipped for them. The length of all channels of Little Venice is 1350 m, and the depth is 1.3 m.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

In 1967, the National Carpet Museum was opened in the building of the Juma Mosque in Icheri Sheher. In 1992, the mosque was returned to believers, and for some time the museum’s exposition moved to the Museum Center. From 2008 to 2014, the construction of a new museum building was in progress. In August 2014, its grand opening took place. The shape of the building resembles a rolled up huge rug.

The museum has a large collection of not only carpets, but also ceramics, metal products, jewelry, national clothes and embroidery. The most valuable exhibits are a fragment of the Tabriz carpet and the 18th-century carpet “Hila Afshan”. The museum presents carpets from all regions of the country, you can see the most diverse embodiment of traditional national ornaments.

The museum has its own training center where you can learn about the main schools of carpet weaving, their features, the history of the emergence and development of this type of decorative art in Azerbaijan. The museum is located on 28 M. Useynova Avenue. It is open every day except Monday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but the entrance for visitors starts and ends one hour earlier. Adult ticket costs 7 manats, for pupils and students – 3 manats

Funicular

In any city built on the hills, a funicular is a must. In Baku, the first lift appeared in 1960. By the Eurovision in 2012, it was not just repaired, but completely modernized: the old cabs were replaced with new, modern ones, which operate completely silently. Now from the Bahram Gur station to the Flaming Towers can be reached in just 4 minutes. And this way only 1 minute passes through the tunnel, and the rest of the time – along the hills of the Green Theater, covered with coniferous trees.

The trailer overlooks the Caspian Sea, towers and green slopes. In the evenings you can see fantastic panoramas of the city flooded with lights, glowing oil derricks and lights in the sea. A staircase also runs along the paths – in order to return to the embankment it is not necessary to use the funicular again, you can go down on foot.

The funicular is located near the Icheri Sheher metro station. It works every day except Monday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The fare is 1 manat one way. Payment is only for cash. The cars depart every 10 minutes.

Flaming towers

Since Zoroastrian times, Azerbaijan has been called the Land of Fires and the place of storage of the sacred fire. And the matter is not only in the oil and gas rich bowels of this land. This fire burns in the heart of every resident of this hospitable country. This is exactly what the creators of the modern architectural ensemble Flame Towers – Flaming (Burning) Towers – tried to embody in their work.

These are three tall buildings shaped like flames. The towers are considered the tallest buildings in Azerbaijan and are visible from all over the capital. When the lights turn on in the evenings in the towers, the lights turn on, and the movement of fire is shown on the monitors, from afar it seems that a fire is really blazing in the distance. They built towers for 5 years.

All buildings have different heights. The tallest tower is 190 m, the rest are 140 and 160. The towers house offices and accommodations, as well as the Fairmont Baku at the Flame Towers Hotel. It is most convenient to get to the towers from the Icheri Sheher metro station on the city funicular. It is best to view them from the waterfront.

Ferris wheel

The wheel makes a full revolution at different times – from 10 to 30 minutes, because the landing takes place in 5 booths at a time. Therefore, sometimes the wheel freezes and freezes while moving – do not be afraid, after a while it will continue to move. The cabins are completely closed, air conditioners work in them, a video showing the construction of the wheel is shown on the monitor, information about the height at which it is located and the temperature “overboard” appears.

The wheel is located at the end of Primorsky Boulevard, on Neftyanikov Avenue, next to the National Flag Square. It works every day from 10:00 to 23:00. A ticket costs 5 manat, for children under 6 years old – free of charge, from 6 to 12 years old – 3 manat.

Baku “Crystal Hall”

When the duet Ell & Nikki from Azerbaijan won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011, the country began to prepare to host the festival. For this, in less than a year, a new concert hall was built. For its unique form, this concert venue was called the Crystal Hall, or Crystal Hall. The external building of the hall consists of light metal structures.

They have built a huge number of LED bulbs. With the onset of dusk, the hall begins to glow with multi-colored lights. Thanks to special spotlights, thin strings-rays stretch out from the roof of the arena, which are clearly visible from all over the city. The hall seats up to 27 thousand spectators. Its equipment allows you to realize any visual intentions.

After Eurovision, the hall remained operational. World stars (Rihanna, Shakira, D. Lopez, etc.) often perform here, events are held as part of major sports competitions, for example, the 1st European Games, the Chess Olympiad. The hall is located on National Flag Square, next to the Icheri Sheher metro station.

[krovscastlerpg]

MOST WANTED UPDATES

The following is a list of our MOST WANTED species, versatility, and roles as of today for masters, staff, slaves, and villagers:

MOST WANTED ROLES (in order of preference)

Slaves

Villagers

Staff

Masters

MOST WANTED SPECIES (in order of preference)

Elementals – Wanted Elements: Air, Earth, Fire, Water

Faeries

Shapeshifters (slaves and villagers only)

Dragons

Phoenixes

Humans

Witches (slaves and villagers only)

Mermen

Celestials (staff and villagers only)

Werewolves

Demons (slaves only) – Wanted Subspecies: Arachna, Jinn, Shadow Person

Spirits (slaves only) – Wanted Subspecies: Baku, Tanuki, Inugami, Valkyrie

Vampires

Vampire - Merman (Mershark)

Vampire - Spirit (Ahool)

Vampire - Faerie (Leanan Sidhe)

Vampire - Human (Dhampir)

Vampire - Shapeshifter (Lamia)

Vampire - Dragon (Aswang)

Vampire - Werewolf (Varcolac)

Faerie - Human (Halfling)

Faerie - Witch (Leprechaun)

Faerie - Shapeshifter (Stag)

Faerie - Spirit (Vila)

Werewolf - Faerie (Puca)

Werewolf - Human (Werecoyote)

Werewolf - Witch (Werehyena)

Werewolf - Shapeshifter (Were-shifter)

Werewolf - Spirit (Barghest)

Witch - Human (Medium)

Witch - Shapeshifter (Skinwalker) (slaves and villagers only)

Witch - Spirit (Raven)

Demon - Faerie (Unseelie/Dark Faerie)

Demon - Human (Cambion) (staff and villagers only)

Demon - Werewolf (Hellhound)

Demon - Witch (Necromancer) (slaves and staff only)

Demon - Merman (Siren)

Demon - Shapeshifter (Berserker)

Demon - Dragon (Leviathan) (slaves and staff only)

Demon - Spirit (Reaper)

Merman - Faerie (Banshee) (slaves and staff only)

Merman - Human (Nymph)

Merman - Werewolf (Selkie)

Merman - Witch (Nix)

Merman - Shapeshifter (Encantado)

Merman - Spirit (Kappa)

Shapeshifter - Human (Nagual)

Dragon - Faerie (Salamander)

Dragon - Human (Reptilian)

Dragon - Werewolf (Gargoyle)

Dragon - Witch (Griffin)

Dragon - Merman (Wyvern)

Dragon - Shapeshifter (Basilisk)

Dragon - Spirit (Kirin)

Spirit - Human (Eldritch)

Spirit - Shapeshifter (Tengu)

Phoenix - Human (Pyromage)

Phoenix - Witch (Psionic) (slaves and villagers only)

Phoenix - Dragon (Coatl)

Air Elemental - Faerie (Sylph)

Air Elemental - Demon (Ala)

Air Elemental - Dragon (Thunder Dragon)

Air Elemental - Spirit (Air Sprite)

Air Elemental - Phoenix (Ziz)

Air Elemental - Celestial (Air Deity)

Earth Elemental - Demon (Dryad)

Fire Elemental - Faerie (Drake)

Fire Elemental - Demon (Imp)

Fire Elemental - Dragon (Ifrit) (slaves and staff only)

Fire Elemental - Spirit (Kobold)

Fire Elemental - Phoenix (Thunderbird)

Fire Elemental - Celestial (Fire Deity)

Water Elemental - Merman (Triton)

Celestial - Human (Nephilim)

Celestial - Phoenix (Garuda)

Tri-hybrids and quad-hybrids

MOST WANTED VERSATILITY / ROLES (in order of preference)

TOPS: Slaves, Staff, Masters, and Villagers

BOTTOMS: Villagers, Staff, Masters, and Slaves

VERSATILE/TOPS: Slaves, Villagers, and Masters

VERSATILE: Masters, Slaves, Staff, and Villagers

VERSATILE/BOTTOMS: Masters, Villagers, and Slaves

MOST WANTED STAFF JOBS (in order of preference)

Head of Magical Security

Head of Magic Consultants / Magic Consultants

Council Scribes

Medical Staff

Guards

Servants

Head Butler / Housekeepers

Groundskeepers

Kitchen Staff

Restaurant / Strip Club Staff

Game Room Staff

Stable Grooms

MOST WANTED VILLAGER JOBS (in order of preference)

Bank Employees

Police Officers

Groundskeeper

Shop Owners

Market Square Employees

CURRENT BANS

The following below is currently BANNED FROM APPLICATION according to our character ratios:

BANNED ROLES

N/A

BANNED SPECIES

OVERALL: Nekos (Spirit subspecies), Wendigos (Spirit subspecies), Celestial/Witch Hybrids,

MASTER SPECIES: Vampire/Demon Hybrids, Vampire/Witch Hybrids

SLAVE SPECIES: Celestials, Demon/Human Hybrids

STAFF SPECIES: Witches, Demons, Shapeshifters, Spirits, Witch/Shapeshifter Hybrids, Phoenix/Witch Hybrids

VILLAGER SPECIES: Demons, Spirits, Merman/Faerie Hybrids, Fire Elemental/Dragon Hybrids, Demon/Witch Hybrids, Demon/Dragon Hybrids

BANNED VERSATILITY / ROLES

VERSATILE/TOPS: Staff

VERSATILE/BOTTOMS: Staff

[eurotickets20]

Belgium-Russia match to set the pace of Euro Cup 2020

A match between the national football teams of Russia and Belgium next June will set the pace of all matches of the Euro 2020 Euro Cup in Russia. Belgium Vs Russia Tickets can be grabbed from our global event ticket sales market.

The head of the Local Organizing Committee Russia Euro 2020, told Tass on Monday. The Final Draw for the Euro 2020 Euro Cup was held on November 30 in the Romanian capital of Bucharest.

Twenty-four national football teams that have cleared the qualifications round were divided into six groups with four teams in each. Russia was placed in Group B and will play against Belgium in St

We could have organized any match at any date, but it is certainly good that home matches of the Russian national football team will be played right at the beginning as they will set a particular pace Sorokin said in an interview with Tass.

We knew that the first match of the Russian team was impossible to be scheduled for June 12 the opening day of the championship he continued. It is extremely good that the Russia-Belgium match will be played the following day. Euro 2020 Fans from all over the world can buy Group B Euro 2020 Tickets online.

There are currently no predictions about the attendance of football fans of the Belgian and Finnish teams at the matches in St. Petersburg, but we expect them to fill between 20 and 30% of the stadium’s capacity Sorokin said.

No one will be able to tell the exact figure at the moment because the tickets will be redistributed while the national federations are currently in their second window of ticket sales for the championship. I believe that the number of tickets may be very significant.

Sorokin also told Tass it was highly important for the Union of European Football Associations Euro 2020 that a fan zone would be opened on Palace Square in St. Petersburg for the Euro 2020 Cup.

We had numerous talks with the municipal authorities on how we can manage the creation of these areas and I believe that considering the life of the city during this period of the year we have reached an optimal agreement, he stated.

The Fan Zone on Palace Square will be operational only for a limited period of time during the European football championship and, according to plans, it will serve as a platform for the broadcasting of play-off matches between July 3 and 12.

The matches of the  Euro 2020 Cup will be held at stadiums in 12 different cities across Europe, namely in London (England), Munich (Germany), Rome (Italy), Baku (Azerbaijan), St. Petersburg (Russia), Bucharest (Romania), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Dublin (Ireland), Bilbao (Spain), Budapest (Hungary), Glasgow (Scotland) and Copenhagen (Denmark) between June 12 and July 12, 2020.

Russia’s second-largest city of St. Petersburg has decided the right to host three group stage matches and one of the quarterfinals of the Euro 2020 Cup. The newly-built football arena in St.

We are offering Euro 2020 Tickets so Euro 2020 fans can get  Euro 2020 Tickets through our trusted online ticketing market place. EuroTickets2020.com is the most reliable source to book Euro Cup 2020 tickets.#Euro2020Tickets #BelgiumvsRussiaEuroCupTicket #EuroCupTickets #EuroCupHospitality 

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 6.26

4 AD – Augustus adopts Tiberius. 221 – Roman emperor Elagabalus adopts his cousin Alexander Severus as his heir and receives the title of Caesar. 363 – Roman emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sasanian Empire. 684 – Pope Benedict II is chosen. 699 – En no Ozuno, a Japanese mystic and apothecary who will later be regarded as the founder of a folk religion Shugendō, is banished to Izu Ōshima. 1243 – Mongols defeat the Seljuk Turks at the Battle of Köse Dağ. 1295 – Przemysł II crowned king of Poland, following Ducal period. The white eagle is added to the Polish coat of arms. 1407 – Ulrich von Jungingen becomes Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. 1409 – Western Schism: The Roman Catholic Church is led into a double schism as Petros Philargos is crowned Pope Alexander V after the Council of Pisa, joining Pope Gregory XII in Rome and Pope Benedict XII in Avignon. 1460 – Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, and Edward, Earl of March, land in England with a rebel army and march on London. 1483 – Richard III becomes King of England. 1522 – Ottomans begin the second Siege of Rhodes. 1541 – Francisco Pizarro is assassinated in Lima by the son of his former companion and later antagonist, Diego de Almagro the younger. Almagro is later caught and executed. 1579 – Livonian campaign of Stephen Báthory begins. 1718 – Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia, Peter the Great's son, mysteriously dies after being sentenced to death by his father for plotting against him. 1723 – After a siege and bombardment by cannon, Baku surrenders to the Russians. 1740 – A combined force of Spanish, free blacks and allied Indians defeat a British garrison at the Siege of Fort Mose near St. Augustine during the War of Jenkins' Ear. 1794 – French Revolutionary Wars: Battle of Fleurus marked the first successful military use of aircraft. 1830 – William IV becomes king of Britain and Hanover. 1843 – Treaty of Nanking comes into effect, Hong Kong Island is ceded to the British "in perpetuity". 1848 – End of the June Days Uprising in Paris. 1857 – The first investiture of the Victoria Cross in Hyde Park, London. 1870 – The Christian holiday of Christmas is declared a federal holiday in the United States. 1886 – Henri Moissan isolated elemental Fluorine for the first time. 1889 – Bangui is founded by Albert Dolisie and Alfred Uzac in what was then the upper reaches of the French Congo. 1906 – The first Grand Prix motor race is held at Le Mans. 1909 – The Science Museum in London comes into existence as an independent entity. 1917 – World War I: The American Expeditionary Forces begin to arrive in France. They will first enter combat four months later. 1918 – World War I: Allied forces under John J. Pershing and James Harbord defeat Imperial German forces under Wilhelm, German Crown Prince in the Battle of Belleau Wood. 1924 – The American occupation of the Dominican Republic ends after eight years. 1927 – The Cyclone roller coaster opens on Coney Island. 1934 – United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Federal Credit Union Act, which establishes credit unions. 1936 – Initial flight of the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, the first practical helicopter. 1940 – World War II: Under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union presents an ultimatum to Romania requiring it to cede Bessarabia and the northern part of Bukovina. 1941 – World War II: Soviet planes bomb Kassa, Hungary (now Košice, Slovakia), giving Hungary the impetus to declare war the next day. 1942 – The first flight of the Grumman F6F Hellcat. 1944 – World War II: San Marino, a neutral state, is mistakenly bombed by the RAF based on faulty information, leading to 35 civilian deaths. 1944 – World War II: The Battle of Osuchy in Osuchy, Poland, one of the largest battles between Nazi Germany and Polish resistance forces, ends with the defeat of the latter. 1945 – The United Nations Charter is signed by 50 Allied nations in San Francisco, California. 1948 – Cold War: The first supply flights are made in response to the Berlin Blockade. 1948 – William Shockley files the original patent for the grown-junction transistor, the first bipolar junction transistor. 1948 – Shirley Jackson's short story The Lottery is published in The New Yorker magazine. 1952 – The Pan-Malayan Labour Party is founded in Malaya, as a union of statewide labour parties. 1953 – Lavrentiy Beria, head of MVD, is arrested by Nikita Khrushchev and other members of the Politburo. 1955 – The South African Congress Alliance adopts the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People in Kliptown. 1959 – Swedish boxer Ingemar Johansson becomes world champion of heavy weight boxing, by defeating American Floyd Patterson on technical knockout after two minutes and three seconds in the third round at Yankee Stadium. 1960 – The former British Protectorate of British Somaliland gains its independence as Somaliland. 1960 – Madagascar gains its independence from France. 1963 – Cold War: U.S. President John F. Kennedy gave his "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech, underlining the support of the United States for democratic West Germany shortly after Soviet-supported East Germany erected the Berlin Wall. 1967 – Karol Wojtyła (later John Paul II) made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI. 1974 – The Universal Product Code is scanned for the first time to sell a package of Wrigley's chewing gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. 1975 – Two FBI agents and a member of the American Indian Movement are killed in a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota; Leonard Peltier is later convicted of the murders in a controversial trial. 1977 – Elvis Presley held his final concert in Indianapolis, Indiana at Market Square Arena. 1978 – Air Canada Flight 189, flying to Toronto, overruns the runway and crashes into the Etobicoke Creek ravine. Two of the 107 passengers on board perish. 1981 – Dan-Air Flight 240, flying to East Midlands Airport, crashes in Nailstone, Leicestershire. All three crew members perish. 1991 – Yugoslav Wars: The Yugoslav People's Army begins the Ten-Day War in Slovenia. 1995 – Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani deposes his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, in a bloodless coup d'état. 1997 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the Communications Decency Act violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. 2000 – The Human Genome Project announces the completion of a "rough draft" sequence. 2003 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Lawrence v. Texas that gender-based sodomy laws are unconstitutional. 2006 – Mari Alkatiri, the first Prime Minister of East Timor, resigns after weeks of political unrest. 2007 – Pope Benedict XVI reinstates the traditional laws of papal election in which a successful candidate must receive two-thirds of the votes. 2008 – A suicide bomber dressed as an Iraqi policeman detonates an explosive vest, killing 25 people. 2012 – The Waldo Canyon fire descends into the Mountain Shadows neighborhood in Colorado Springs burning 347 homes in a matter of hours and killing two people. 2013 – Riots in China's Xinjiang region kill at least 36 people and injure 21 others. 2013 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled, 5–4, that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. 2015 – Five different terrorist attacks in France, Tunisia, Somalia, Kuwait, and Syria occurred on what was dubbed Bloody Friday by international media. Upwards of 750 people were either killed or injured in these uncoordinated attacks. 2015 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled, 5–4, that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

[heritageofazerbaijan]

History of Azerbaijan: The Independence Day

The Independence Day of Azerbaijan is the main state holiday in Azerbaijan. It is celebrated annually on October 18.

Article: Azerbaijan celebrates Independence Day on October 18. Exactly 22 years ago, after the adoption of the Constitutional Act, Azerbaijan gained the long-awaited independence, having surmounted many challenges.

History inevitably proves to us that preserving the independence is much more difficult than gaining it. Azerbaijan twice had the opportunity to become a sovereign state during the 20th century. Unfortunately, the first opportunity failed shortly thereafter because of outside interference, internal opposition and the general political instability.

Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first secular democratic state in the Islamic world, which was established in 1918, existed for only 23 months.

The second time such a situation emerged more than 70 years thereafter. The collapse of the Soviet Union provided Azerbaijan with an opportunity to restore the lost independence.

At the end of the 20th century Azerbaijani people raised the banner of independence thanks to a historic chance associated with the fall of the USSR and the opportunities provided by destiny. It was the second brilliant triumph in the political history of the Azerbaijani people during the last century.

It was 1991, a strange, hard, but joyful time for the Azerbaijanis. The days of people's pain, anger and high expectations, when people's excitement reached its top level. Sensing the taste of freedom, the people were ready to do anything possible to bring it closer. Those were people who were hardened by multi-hour rallies at public squares and witnessed the horrors of the January 1990 mass killings, when the Soviet empire, which was living out its last days, committed terrible acts in a peaceful town. But Soviet tanks were no longer able to block the path of freedom.

Azerbaijan, which lost hundreds of its sons and daughters in the struggle for independence, was persistently advancing towards a new life, a new reality. And finally, the coveted day came! The Azerbaijani Parliament adopted the Constitutional Act on the restoration of the state independence on October 18, 1991. In keeping with this document, Azerbaijan was declared the successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which existed in 1918-1920. According to the Constitution Act, all citizens are guaranteed full equality regardless of ethnicity or religion.

After the enactment of the Constitutional Act, Azerbaijan held a natonwide vote on December 29, 1991. The ballot paper of the referendum included only one question: "Do you support the Constitutional Act on the state Independence of Azerbaijan?" Over 95 percent of voters took part in the referendum and unanimously voted for independence.

The Republic of Azerbaijan, which declared its independence, embarked on its existence in an extremely challenging historical situation. Its independence was recognized by Turkey (November 9, 1991), Romania (December 11, 1991), Pakistan (December 13, 1991), Sweden (December 23, 1991), Iran (December 25, 1991), the U.S. (January 23, 1992) , Russia (April 10, 1992), etc.

Azerbaijan became a member of the United Nations on March 2, 1992 and the de facto recognition of Azerbaijan by the world community begins from that date.

In May 1992, the parliament approved the national anthem of Azerbaijan, and later the national flag as well as the coat-of-arms depicting an eight-pointed star with flames.

Azerbaijan's political and economic mainstays are getting stronger year-on-year. The principles of state independence laid down in 1991 are faithfully protected and upheld. Great attention is paid to the development of the economy, comprehensive strengthening of the state, and the preservation of the national cultural values.

Azerbaijan is one of the highly developed countries from the political and economic point of view. By the rate of economic growth Azerbaijan has taken the lead not only in the region but also in the world.

None of the large-scale projects implemented in the region is considered without Azerbaijan's involvement. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, a 1,768 kilometer crude oil pipeline, implemented within the framework of the "Contract of the Century", brought Caspian oil to world markets. This has greatly contributed to the prosperity of the Azerbaijani people.

Article by Nazrin Gadimova.

Photo: The national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

[rakeshsharma8645]

Solo Trip to Baku

If you are planning your first solo trip or are a veteran in travelling alone, you can consider a sojourn to Baku. The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, is an off-beat destination only known by most of the intrepid travellers. Visiting Baku is totally worth it due to not only its eccentric composition but also the perfect juxtaposition of the cultures and sceneries of the East, Europe, and Russia.

Here is a comprehensive guide on Baku - visa for visiting the city, best places to stay in Baku, transportation, things to do in the city - and what all you must include in your solo Baku tour package.

Visa for Visiting Baku

Applying for e-visa has been made possible since January 2016. The visa costs 23 USD, takes 3 days for approval and has a validity of 30 days, whereas for 50 USD you can get an urgent visa on the same day.

Transportation in Baku

Taxi - Private taxis are available; however, you need to have the skill of bargaining. Some of the holiday packages include taxis too. If you don’t want to bargain, you can instead opt for short taxi rides or Uber rides costing around 2-3 AZN (1.20 - 1.70 USD).

Public transport - The bus network available in Baku is modern; however, you will need to know where you are going. Baku also has its own metro in which a single ticket costs around 0.30 AZN (18¢) but with an additional cost of 2 AZN(1.20USD) for a top-up card.

Where to eat in Baku

Although most of the holiday packages cover food in the hotels, there are a few restaurants that have the essence of the city. Such places are Xezer restaurant, Sumakh, and Gourmet Pendir & Chorek.

Things to do in Baku

Baku is a city which can be ideally covered in 3-4 days. Some of the must-visits in Baku are the Baku Old City, especially the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshas Palace, the carpet museum, the oil extractors, Taza Pir Mosque, Heydar Aliyev centre, Museum of Miniature Books, Fountain Square, Yasil Market, Burning Mountain, Fire Temple Ateshgah, and visit the mud volcanoes. If you are looking for a Baku tour package, do not miss out on anything above.

Baku, of-late, has been seeing a lot of tourists and travellers, thanks to its development and cheap holiday packages. Do plan a solo trip to Baku and bask in the beautiful scenic locales, meet the wonderful people and experience the cocktail of a culture!

[tripstations]

5 beautiful destinations Pakistanis can travel to on a budget

From island escape­s, Easter­n Europe­an marvel­s and South-East Asian deligh­ts, inspir­e your inner wander­lust on a budget­

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/GIRL WITH THE GREEN PASSPORT/ESLIMAH/AYESHA OMAR

KARACHI: The global travel industry is growing and it’s growing fast. Not only that, more people are travelling now than ever before, thanks to cheaper flights and the ease of planning and booking a trip.

Add to this the new batch of travel bloggers on Instagram and you’ve got hundreds of people jetting off to places they had never heard of before. After all, it’s a most human thing to explore new horizons.

And statistics don’t lie. The travel and tourism sector grew more in 2018 than all other economic sectors, adding a record $8.8 trillion to the world’s combined Gross Domestic Product – up from $8.3 trillion in 2017. It created some 319 million new jobs as well, according to Forbes.

While Pakistan is expected get higher numbers of tourists thanks to the government’s support, what about Pakistanis wanting to go abroad? Everyone is surely feeling the rupee’s present standing against the dollar and this can make travel for Pakistanis at home very expensive.

But don’t worry, we have you covered. Here are our recommendations for some pretty lust-worthy destinations across the globe that will allow you to indulge your wanderlust without draining your pockets. Bon voyage!

Istanbul, the transcontinental escape

Turkey really offers the best of both worlds. Straddling Europe and Asia, its capital Istanbul is hailed as one of the greatest cities in the world with lots of history, heritage, culture and beauty to offer. Not to mention, the Turkish and Pakistanis love each other!

A single entry visa will cost you around Rs8,500 and flight tickets will be roughly Rs80,000 return during peak holiday seasons. Decent 3-star hotels are abundant, right next to the exquisite Sultan Ahmet Mosque. And then, there is the AirBnB option.

Best places to go: Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square…need we go on?

Maldives – the water wonderland 

This island nation is the picture of paradise. Think bungalows hovering over turquoise waters, golden beaches and lots of scuba diving. Oh, and seriously Insta-worthy sunsets! How could you not want to travel to the Maldives?

The best thing is that this dream can be a reality because it’s surprisingly reasonable and also Muslim-friendly.

Located in the Arabian Sea, the capital Malé has a busy fish market, restaurants and shops on the main road, Majeedhee Magu, and 17th-century Hukuru Miskiy (also known as Friday Mosque) made of carved white coral. No wonder it’s a honeymoon staple.

Cheapest flight: Around Rs60,000.

Eastern Europe – the new it place 

You may not think Eastern Europe is cheap area but it actually is! If you want a unique travel experience that truly captivates, this entire region is the place for you.

Take Romania for example. Whatever you think this country is, it probably isn’t. The Transylvanian region, in particular, defies expectations with its quaint medieval towns and spectacular Carpathian mountain range. Many travel bloggers reiterate that it’s a beautiful country with great food and friendly people. The cheapest flight is around Rs60,000 (not to mention once you’re there, eating and sleeping is great value!), making it one of the most inexpensive countries to travel to for Pakistanis.

And, can we please talk about Ukraine. It’s on every traveller’s bucket list as of late and there are raving reviews about it. With flights starting from around Rs50,000, Ukraine is possibly one of the cheapest options for Pakistanis wanting to go beyond the Middle East.

Hotspots: The coastal city of Odessa on the Black Sea is a favourite, while the beautiful city of Lviv (close to the Polish border) is widely tipped as offering some of the best values for money in Europe.

5 Muslim countries that are trending holiday destinations this summer

Azerbaijan and Georgia – easy on the eyes and the wallets

View this post on Instagram

I burnt my hand in Georgia. . I was rushing to catch the 10 am Mashrukta (intercity mini-bus) from Tbilisi to Signagi. When I reached the bus stop, there was a 10-minute window. I bought some bananas for breakfast & coffee in a flimsy, small cup from a tiny window in a kiosk. I got into the minibus with low roof, my back bent, backpack on, bananas, wallet & phone in one hand and coffee cup in another. As I sat amongst two strangers, and tried to adjust my butt, I shook the coffee cup, it spilled a bit on my hand, it was so hot that in within a second, my instincts had me drop the entire thing, and then it spilled it on my right palm all the way to my right thigh, splashes on left hand; and couple splashes on the stranger sitting next to me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was first embarrassed on my clumsiness, then guilty for being late & rushing in the first place and then in pain. I had burnt my right palm and it was BURNING. The bus had started. It was a 2-hour ride to this small city, Signagni, reputed to be the city of love. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And in burning pain I thought, holy mother of shits I need to see a doctor and finding a doctor in a small city I’m heading to for the first time! I was sure I’m gonna get huge blisters all over my palm and then I won’t be able to touch or hold anything and then the rest of the trip will be a waste. All thoughts crossed my head in the next 15 minutes. I felt like crying. The only thing that comforted me was the reminder that I was medically insured for such accidents, courtesy @jgi.pk (not an ad). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Anyway, I kept a bundle of tissue paper soaked in water, between the palm of my hands, the entire journey. Suggested by the stranger next to me. And that did relieve me to some extent. I reached Signagi, the burning had calmed & I didnt feel the need to see a doctor. I looked at my coffee-stained dress, felt sad; but then I looked at the terra cotta roofs, amidst lush green hills and cobblestone streets of Signagi and I forgot the incident. I headed ahead to explore this tiny quaint town & make the most of my day! Ever spilled coffee & burnt yourself? Outfit courtesy: @qnhstore #Signagi #Georgia

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Travel Lifestyle (@girlwithgreenpassport) on Jun 11, 2019 at 8:52am PDT

Speaking of Eastern Europe, take Georgia for example. Where is it? Right next to the latest Pakistani travellers favourite, Azerbaijan. So  consider going to both countries together and explore this stunning region.

Georgia small country in the Caucasus – one you’ll probably be hearing more about it in the years to come. It all starts in the eccentric capital of Tbilisi. From there, be sure to explore the stunning Caucasian Mountain range, dip your feet in the Black Sea, and visit ancient hilltop monasteries (a few of them are inside caves!) all over the country.

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Welcome to Georgia. Sitting at the crossroads of Asia & Europe, but unfairly, the less talked about country, compared to its neighbouring Turkey. It swept me off my feet with its expansive sights, sounds, experiences and tastes. All of which, I had a heart full of in my 10 days. Tbilisi, the beating heart of the country sits in the lap of lush green hills. It is dotted with old Eurasian architecture on the slopes and decorated with modern and artistic glass shaped buildings and bridges in the centre. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Three hours north of the capital & I was in the midst of the Caucasus mountain. The tapestry changed. The little town of Kazbegi welcomed me first with its chilly mountain air & then warmed me with the hospitality. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When I drove 2 hours east of Tbilisi, I was in Kaheti, the wine region of the country. Ask a local and they show you with pride, their traditional winemaking methods. With a curious set of eyes and ears, I learnt all I could about 8000-year-old Georgian winemaking tradition. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Three hours west of Tbilisi, I reached one of the oldest cities in Europe, Kutaisi. The highlight was the locals I met; they were even more friendly and had all the time in the world for conversations. They enjoyed learning about Pakistan from me as I did about Georgia from them. Nature swayed me even more, as I visited the canyons nearby Kutaisi. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The only thought I had throughout my visit, is that this country deserves more limelight than it has! There is so much I want to pour out, but I gotta save some for upcoming posts. Are you guys with me? Pls let me know what do you want me to tell about the country? . : Old town Tbilisi (picture taken via self timer & remote)

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Travel Lifestyle (@girlwithgreenpassport) on May 28, 2019 at 5:10am PDT

As for Azerbaijan, the capital Baku is an obvious must.  There’s so much you can pack in a few days, including the ultra-modern Heydar Aliyev Center.

Flights: Cheapest air-tickets to either or of these countries are around Rs45,000, usually with one stop somewhere in the Middle East.

Vietnam – a different kind of South East Asia

Forget Thailand and Sri Lanka right now because Vietnam is all that it’s about these days. And for good reason too. From the beautiful chaos of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the serene Hoi An riverfront adorned with coloured lanterns, this is truly a country full of contrasts.

But Vietnam is not for the faint-hearted. If adventure is what you’re about, be prepared for crazy weather cycles and off-beat exotic scenery. Alas, it’s also among the cheapest places in Asia: eat local and you’ll struggle to spend more than a few hundred rupees per meal. A round trip ticket is around Rs87,000.

What to do: There are a myriad of pristine beaches, such as Mango Bay and Halong Bay. Don’t forget to explore rice-farming mountains where you can go caving. Adventure sports on the beaches are also a must.

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Almaty to Baku: An Epic Backpacking Adventure Across Two Cultures

Embarking on a backpacking adventure from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Baku, Azerbaijan, offers an incredible opportunity to explore two unique cultures, stunning landscapes, and rich histories. This journey will take you through vibrant cities, breathtaking mountains, and serene valleys, providing a memorable experience filled with discovery and adventure.

Day 1: Arrival in Almaty

Welcome to Almaty! Upon your arrival, take some time to acclimatize to this beautiful city surrounded by mountains.

Highlights of the Day:

Explore the City: Visit Panfilov Park and the stunning Zenkov Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world.

Green Bazaar: Dive into local life at this bustling market, where you can sample fresh produce, nuts, and traditional sweets.

Evening Views: Head to Kok-Tobe Hill for panoramic views of the city and a relaxing dinner.

Day 2: Almaty to Charyn Canyon

Prepare for a day trip to the stunning Charyn Canyon, a natural wonder.

Highlights of the Day:

Travel to Charyn Canyon: Experience the breathtaking beauty of this “Grand Canyon’s little brother” with its unique rock formations.

Hiking Adventure: Explore the canyon’s trails, taking in the dramatic scenery and capturing unforgettable photos.

Return to Almaty: Enjoy a cozy dinner in the city and prepare for the next leg of your journey.

Day 3: Journey from Almaty to Baku

Set off on your journey to Baku, crossing borders and experiencing a change of scenery.

Highlights of the Day:

Travel to Baku: Depending on your chosen method (flight or bus), enjoy the scenic views along the way.

Arrival in Baku: Check into your accommodation and take a moment to relax.

Evening Exploration: Stroll through Fountain Square and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, with street performers and local cafes.

Day 4: Discovering Baku’s Old City

Dive into the rich history and culture of Baku by exploring its Old City (Icherisheher).

Highlights of the Day:

Maiden Tower: Visit this iconic landmark, where you can learn about its fascinating history and enjoy stunning city views.

Shirvanshah’s Palace: Explore the stunning architecture and intricate designs of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Caravanserai: Discover the ancient caravanserais that once served as resting places along the Silk Road.

Day 5: Modern Baku and Gobustan

Experience the juxtaposition of modernity and history in Baku.

Highlights of the Day:

Flame Towers: Visit these iconic skyscrapers and enjoy the panoramic views of the city.

Heydar Aliyev Center: Explore this architectural marvel, known for its flowing, futuristic design.

Gobustan National Park: Take a day trip to see ancient rock carvings and the fascinating mud volcanoes, a unique natural phenomenon.

Day 6: Departure from Baku

On your final day, enjoy some last-minute exploration and shopping before departure.

Highlights of the Day:

Last-Minute Shopping: Visit local markets for souvenirs, such as traditional carpets and handicrafts.

Final Views of the Caspian Sea: Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, soaking in the beauty of Baku one last time.

Transfer to Airport: Bid farewell to Baku as you head to the airport for your onward journey.

Conclusion

This epic backpacking adventure from Almaty to Baku allows you to immerse yourself in the diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. From the mountains of Almaty to the vibrant streets of Baku, each moment will be filled with discovery and unforgettable experiences. Join us on this remarkable journey and embrace the spirit of adventure!

More Details About This Blog Then Go Almaty Trip Package From Delhi

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Cross-Cultural Backpacking: Exploring Almaty and Baku’s Hidden Gems

Embark on a cross-cultural backpacking adventure that takes you through two of the most intriguing and dynamic cities in Central Asia: Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Baku, Azerbaijan. This journey offers a blend of rich history, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking landscapes. From the lush mountains of Almaty to the modern skyline of Baku, each city presents its unique charm and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Here’s a guide to help you explore these captivating destinations.

1. Almaty: The Jewel of Kazakhstan

Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, is a vibrant mix of Soviet-era architecture, modern developments, and natural beauty. Nestled at the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, it offers a range of activities for every type of traveler.

Hidden Gems of Almaty

1.1 Medeu Ice Skating Rink

Located about 16 kilometers from Almaty, the Medeu Ice Skating Rink is one of the highest and largest outdoor ice rinks in the world. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists. In the summer, it’s a great place for hiking and enjoying the stunning mountain views.

1.2 Shymbulak Ski Resort

Just a short drive from Almaty, Shymbulak Ski Resort offers excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities in winter. In the summer, the resort is perfect for hiking and mountain biking, with trails offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

1.3 Big Almaty Lake

A picturesque alpine lake situated 28 kilometers south of the city, Big Almaty Lake is surrounded by mountains and is a popular spot for hiking and photography. The turquoise waters and serene environment provide a perfect escape from the city.

1.4 Green Bazaar

Immerse yourself in local culture at the Green Bazaar, Almaty’s bustling market where you can find everything from fresh produce and spices to traditional Kazakh delicacies. It’s a great place to experience the local flavor and shop for unique souvenirs.

Cultural Experiences in Almaty

Panfilov Park: Visit this historic park to see the Zenkov Cathedral, one of the few wooden churches in the world.

Central State Museum: Learn about Kazakhstan’s rich history and culture through extensive exhibits and artifacts.

Kok-Tobe Hill: Take a cable car ride to Kok-Tobe Hill for a panoramic view of Almaty and enjoy various attractions including a mini-zoo and amusement park.

2. Baku: The Modern Marvel of Azerbaijan

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a city where ancient traditions meet modernity. With its futuristic architecture, vibrant nightlife, and historic sites, Baku offers a diverse range of experiences.

Hidden Gems of Baku

2.1 Flame Towers

The Flame Towers are an iconic symbol of Baku’s modern skyline. These three skyscrapers, shaped like flames, light up the city at night and offer stunning views from their observation decks.

2.2 Gobustan National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gobustan is renowned for its ancient rock carvings, mud volcanoes, and archaeological sites. The petroglyphs depict scenes of prehistoric life and offer a glimpse into Azerbaijan’s ancient history.

2.3 Yanar Dag

Known as the "Burning Mountain," Yanar Dag is a natural gas fire that blazes continuously on the hillside. This unique geological phenomenon is a must-see for those interested in natural wonders.

2.4 Baku Old City (Icherisheher)

Explore the historic heart of Baku, with its narrow streets, ancient buildings, and landmarks like the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. The Old City offers a charming contrast to Baku’s modern districts.

Cultural Experiences in Baku

Baku Boulevard: Stroll along the scenic Baku Boulevard, a waterfront promenade with parks, cafes, and cultural attractions.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum: Discover the art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving and admire a stunning collection of traditional and modern carpets.

Fountains Square: Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Fountains Square, a central gathering place with numerous shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

3. Practical Tips for Backpacking

Travel and Accommodation

Visa Requirements: Check visa requirements for Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan well in advance and ensure your travel documents are in order.

Accommodation: Both cities offer a range of accommodation options from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Book in advance to secure the best rates.

Transportation

Getting Around: In Almaty, taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available. In Baku, use the metro and buses for efficient transportation around the city.

Local Currency: Familiarize yourself with the local currencies (Kazakh Tenge in Almaty and Azerbaijani Manat in Baku) and have some cash on hand for smaller purchases.

Safety and Health

Travel Insurance: Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers health, accidents, and theft.

Health Precautions: Stay hydrated, and be cautious with street food. Check for any required vaccinations before traveling.

4. Conclusion

A cross-cultural backpacking trip through Almaty and Baku offers an unparalleled adventure, blending the natural beauty of Kazakhstan with the dynamic energy of Azerbaijan. From exploring ancient history and unique landscapes to immersing yourself in local cultures and modern marvels, this journey promises a wealth of unforgettable experiences. Pack your bags, set your itinerary, and get ready to discover the hidden gems of these two fascinating cities.

More Information About this Blog- Then Go Almaty Tour Package From Delhi

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Criminal Syndicates, Not Politics, Drives Middle East Wars In 2015, I address a security conference in Damascus on the issue of organized crime syndicates and their relationship to the post 9/11 wars and so-called “Arab Spring.” Even in Damascus, efforts were made to stop the presentation forcing me to go directly to Syria’s Minister of Justice, Dr. Najm Hamad al Ahmad, using terse tones. Dr. Najm ordered the conference extended at my request. With regional security officials and media present, US Army Colonel James Hanke (retired) and I addressed the conclave with Dr. Najm at my side. The effect was startling, and there are reasons for this. No one every speaks the truth, not in public. There were repercussions from this, a poisoning attempt, an attempt to plant a kilo of heroin in our hotel room in Lebanon, a plot foiled by Veterans Today financial editor Mike Harris. That story hasn’t ended but, worse still, it is no longer told, even in Syria. Let us review that message and see how it applies today. Syria Currently, Syria is being looted by US backed Kurds who have ethnically cleansed and seized not hundreds but thousands of square miles of oil and gas fields, fertile farmlands, and billions of dollars of industrial and commercial resources. Before that, Syria was looted openly by Turkish organized crime, something I reviewed in detail with the Syrian government, not just endless antiquities sold in London and New York, but entire factories, machine tools, copper pipes from schools, anything that could be uprooted from areas supposedly under the control of ISIS and al Qaeda or the supposed Free Syrian Army, were stolen. Heavy equipment was brought into Syria, lines of trucks, even teams of engineers, across a carefully guarded border, under the watchful eye of Turkish security services full partnered with organized crime cartels we traced to Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and across Europe and into the United States. In addition, thousands of oil trucks were brought into the region, mostly from the United States. Used tanker trucks were being bought wholesale across the US and loaded on transports at the Port of Houston, shipped to Turkey and, from there, transited to Iraq and Syria to steal oil. Previous oil thefts, mostly by the US, had been done using the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, looting Iraq’s Kirkuk oil field, largest in the world, of up to $.5 trillion in oil during and after the US occupation of Iraq, mostly by Exxon and British Petroleum, aided by corrupt US officials. Alex Powers, a Veterans Today bureau chief, served as assistant to Paul Bremer, us appointed “Governor of Iraq” who allegedly oversaw this process. I met with Iraqi officials, while representing the United Nations, over this issue as well, during this period, from my office in Erbil. Everything was known. The reason we mention this is that there would have been no looting of Syrian oil, something moving into high gear at this writing with theft of Syrian oil at the highest levels ever, without the precedent set by the US and Britain in Iraq from 2005 onward. The theft of Syrian oil that began in 2012, hauled mostly by American trucks delivered into Syria and Iraq though Turkey, coincided, of course, with the renewed looting of the Kirkuk oil fields, North and Northeast of Baghdad. Problem is, when this oil was stolen from Iraq, the only road systems that would deliver this to refineries and the world market, and endless stream of thousands of trucks, was through the city of Erbil itself, the capital of the Kurdish Regional Government, then into ISIS held Mosul and from there, north past a Turkish held region inside Iraq and right into Turkey herself. What am I saying here? ISIS, powerful Turkish organizations and the government of the KRG in Iraq were fully partnered with their massive theft of resources taking place with the tacit approval of the US and British military. This of course means the entire “coalition” effort against ISIS was fake, fake then and fake now. ISIS was funded by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, openly aided by the Israeli Air Force and facilitated by many governments, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain and more, many more. Why? Our hypothesis shows the long partnership between multi-generational organized crime and governments, some controlled, some partnered with, that stage terrorism and organize wars as a backdrop for criminal activities. Iraq This isn’t politics, its organized crime, a mafia operating inside the Kurdish region, working in concert with the Turkish mafia, who has long partnered with what is called the “Kosher Nostra,” the “oligarchs” who run much of the world’s organized crime from Trump Towers in New York, from the City of London, where they own banks, from Ukraine and across the world. The government in Baghdad, with US cash flowing into key Sunni politicians, remained divided and helpless. I met with security officials in Baghdad in January 2014 to discuss the threat of ISIS. Several I spoke with assured me ISIS was easy to use and control. Months later, most of those I had spoken with had been beheaded. No one was prepared for the level of oil theft planned under ISIS. Until stopped by Russian aerospace forces, this stream of trucks stealing oil from Syria and Iraq, was so large it would have been visible using only the naked eye from the surface of the moon, and by small telescope from Mars yet the endless fleet of American surveillance drones saw nothing. Why? American lawmakers were receiving their share, paid into their campaign funds though dummy corporations allowed by a highly controversial Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2005) and through accounts in the Cayman Islands under the auspices of a former American presidential candidate. In 2012, a former FBI agent brought me the files on these payoffs and submitted to a video debriefing outlining billions paid to US officials. That video was erased from YouTube but still exists on Vimeo. It was offered to Mueller investigators during an interview at FBI headquarters. They did not accept for reasons unknown. The same “ratline” used to launder funds to pay off congress also launders cash from the drug cartels of Mexico and Columbia as well, directly into the US political system and a manages a flow of cash from Afghanistan as well. Afghanistan When the US took over that nation beginning in late 2001, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld presented evidence that al Qaeda had vast underground cities across Afghanistan, housing tens of thousands of terrorists. He presented his evidence on MSNBD to anchor Tim Russert. The video of this farce is here. Of course, the dozens of bases never existed, but America’s transition of Afghanistan from a drug free nation to a nation of addicts, a nation that is the world’s largest producer of processed heroin, that exists to this day. In a 2009 interview with a former Seal Team commander and regional director for not “a” but “the” largest American contractor in the region at the time, I was told the US was using Global Hawk long range drones, like the one Iran shot down in July 2019 over the Straits of Hormuz, to move heroin to Europe and the US. Veterans Today editors Colonel James Hanke and Mike Harris were with me during that exchange. The money trail for this heroin led not only through Mexico and the Cayman Islands to key US officials but through Switzerland as well and paid officials in Afghanistan, former officials in Pakistan, key members of Israel’s Likudist party and funded extremist organizations across Europe. The United States The recent Epstein scandal in the US has had some startling repercussions as well. With the wealth of allegations, yet unproven, supposedly tying large numbers of American officials to a child sex ring run by a foreign intelligence agency, a very real issue of Epstein’s mysterious wealth has revealed useful information. Tracing his key financial backer, we stumbled upon a longtime partnership with the Gambino crime family of New York, and from there, developed inexorable ties to historical figure Meyer Lansky. A fascinating background piece published by MintpressNews outlines the American roots of the organized crime network that highly informed sources say is manifested in ISIS and some of the right wing movements in Europe as well. The article cites how Prohibition, a law enacted in the US in 1919, led to a major Canadian smuggling operation, bringing liquor into the US. The massive funding from this linked the Canadian crime family, the Bronfmans, to “Murder Incorporated’s” Meyer Lansky and allegedly ties them both to FBI founder J. Edgar Hoover and CIA founder Alan Dulles, making both organizations, at some level at least, rooted in the Kosher Nostra and possibly tying them to the assassination of John and Robert Kennedy and certainly tying them to Iran Contra and the massive criminal conspiracy that swept the American government under President Reagan. That trail, from the 1920s, leads to Roy Cohn, former legal council for alleged sex blackmail victim and “red baiter” Senator Joseph McCarthy. By the late 1960s, disgraced Cohn had moved into a powerful New York law firm, aided by former CIA director Alan Dulles. Note that it was Dulles, who John Kennedy fired as CIA director, who headed the Warren Commission which investigated Kennedy’s murder. In 1975, the House Select Committee on Assassinations officially discarded the Warren Commission report citing that John Kennedy was killed by “person or persons unknown,” something now censored from American history. From MintPress: “The Roy Cohn Machine Roy Cohn was only at the beginning of his career when he waded his way into the underground sexual blackmail ring apparently led by Lewis Rosenstiel. Indeed, when Cohn first met Hoover, he was only 23 years old. Over the next three decades or so, before his death from AIDS-related complications in 1986 at the age of 56, Cohn built a well-oiled machine, largely through his close friendships with some of the country’s most influential figures. Among Cohn’s friends were top media personalities like Barbara Walters, former CIA directors, Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy, media moguls Rupert Murdoch and Mort Zuckerman, numerous celebrities, prominent lawyers like Alan Dershowitz, top figures in the Catholic Church and leading Jewish organizations like B’nai B’rith and the World Jewish Congress. Many of the same names that surrounded Cohn until death in the late 1980s would later come to surround Jeffrey Epstein, with their names later appearing in Epstein’s now-infamous “little black book”. While President Trump is clearly connected to both Epstein and Cohn, Cohn’s network also extends to former President Bill Clinton, whose friend and longtime political advisor, Richard “Dirty Dick” Morris, was Cohn’s cousin and close associate. Morris was also close to Clinton’s former communications director, George Stephanopoulos, who is also associated with Jeffrey Epstein. Yet, these were only Cohn’s connections to respectable members of the establishment. He was also known for his deep connections to the mob and gained prominence largely for his ability to connect key figures in the criminal underworld to respected influential figures acceptable to the public sphere. Ultimately, as New York attorney John Klotz stated, Cohn’s most powerful tool was blackmail, which he used against friend and foe, gangster or public official alike. How much of that blackmail he acquired through his sexual blackmail operation will likely never be known.” Roy Cohn, of course, was Donald Trump’s mentor, constant companion and legal representative until Cohn’s death. Conclusion It is clear that the political processes of the United States, Great Britain and Israel are interlocked under the control of multi-generational organized crime. It is also clear that security agencies of these nations have chosen to seek funding through illegal arms and narcotics sales and that activities of these agencies have become inconsistent with their appointed tasks. You see, if seeking “black funding” is allowed, and it is, without limit, then security agencies, even military commands and, as it follows, governments, become criminal organizations. Their actions, psychological warfare, massive “lie machines,” to cover their activities, endless corruption, complicity in war for profit, false flag terrorism, manipulation of world markets, rigging elections, even rewriting history, must be considered as factual and real. Failure to do so, blinds and cripples any government, any organization, any people who attempt to resist. Then, worse, so much worse, a reexamination of history in this light then questions everything, events, wars, historical figures, is any of it real?

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Dear players,

Seeing as we have been and will be introducing more hybrids over the coming year, we have decided to adjust the ratios of the number of recurring hybrids we are allowing in-game. This is to ensure that we can have a wide variety of species and characters in play as we believe that it will make things more fun!

To give you a broad sense of how we calculate how many are allowed in-game, please use the following guide as a reference:

Non-Vampire Species/Hybrids:

Common Occurrence - 4

Medium Occurence - 3

Rare Occurrence - 2

Extremely Rare Occurrence - 1

Vampire/Vampire Hybrids:

Medium Occurrence - 3 

Rare & Extremely Rare Occurrence - 2

Of course these numbers depend on what role each of these species and hybrids fall under, but this is the general gist of it.

Without further ado, here are the latest updates on our Most Wanted and Banned Lists:

MOST WANTED UPDATES

The following is a list of our MOST WANTED species, versatility, and roles as of today for masters, staff, slaves, and villagers:

MOST WANTED ROLES (in order of preference)

Villagers

Slaves

Masters

Staff

MOST WANTED SPECIES (in order of preference)

Humans

Shapeshifters

Dragons

Elementals (slaves only) – Wanted Elements: Air, Earth

Celestials

Faeries

Witches (slaves and villagers only)

Mermen (slaves and staff only)

Phoenixes (staff only)

Spirits (slaves and villagers only) – Wanted Subspecies: Baku, Tanuki, Inugami, Valkyrie

Werewolves (slaves and staff only)

Vampires

Vampire - Human (Dhampir)

Vampire - Merman (Mershark)

Vampire - Spirit (Ahool)

Vampire - Faerie (Leanan Sidhe)

Vampire - Werewolf (Varcolac)

Vampire - Dragon (Aswang)

Faerie - Human (Halfling)

Faerie - Witch (Leprechaun)

Faerie - Shapeshifter (Stag)

Faerie - Spirit (Vila)

Werewolf - Faerie (Puca)

Werewolf - Human (Werecoyote)

Werewolf - Witch (Werehyena)

Werewolf - Shapeshifter

Werewolf - Spirit (Barghest)

Witch - Human (Medium) (slaves and villagers only)

Witch - Shapeshifter (Skinwalker) (slaves and villagers only)

Witch - Spirit (Raven) (slaves and villagers only)

Demon - Faerie (Unseelie/Dark Faerie)

Demon - Human (Cambion) (staff and villagers only)

Demon - Werewolf (Hellhound)

Demon - Witch (Necromancer) (slaves and staff only)

Demon - Merman (Siren)

Demon - Shapeshifter (Berserker) (staff and villagers only)

Demon - Dragon (Leviathan) (slaves and staff only)

Demon - Spirit (Reaper)

Merman - Faerie (Banshee) (slaves and staff only)

Merman - Human (Nymph)

Merman - Werewolf (Selkie)

Merman - Witch (Nix)

Merman - Shapeshifter (Encantado)

Merman - Spirit (Kappa)

Shapeshifter - Human (Nagual)

Dragon - Faerie (Salamander)

Dragon - Human (Reptilian)

Dragon - Werewolf (Gargoyle)

Dragon - Witch (Griffin) (slaves and villagers only)

Dragon - Merman (Wyvern)

Dragon - Shapeshifter (Basilisk)

Dragon - Spirit (Kirin)

Spirit - Human (Eldritch)

Spirit - Shapeshifter (Tengu)

Celestial - Human (Nephilim)

Air Elemental - Faerie (Sylph)

Earth Elemental - Demon (Dryad)

Fire Elemental - Dragon (Ifrit) 

Water Elemental - Merman (Water Sprite)

Tri-hybrids and quad-hybrids

MOST WANTED VERSATILITY / ROLES (in order of preference)

TOPS: Slaves, Staff, Villagers, and Masters

VERSATILE/TOPS: Villagers and Slaves

VERSATILE/BOTTOMS: Staff, Slaves, and Masters

BOTTOMS: Staff, Masters, and Villagers

MOST WANTED STAFF JOBS (in order of preference)

Head of Magical Security

Head of Magic Consultants / Magic Consultants

Council Scribes

Medical Staff

Servants

Head Butler / Housekeepers

Groundskeepers

Kitchen Staff

Restaurant / Strip Club Staff

Game Room Staff

Stable Grooms

MOST WANTED VILLAGER JOBS (in order of preference)

Bank Employees

Police Officers

Shop Owners

Market Square Employees

CURRENT BANS

The following below is currently BANNED FROM APPLICATION according to our character ratios:

BANNED ROLES

NA

BANNED SPECIES

OVERALL: Omegas (Werewolves/Werewolf Hybrids), Demons, Fire Elementals, Water Elementals

MASTER SPECIES: Vampire/Witch Hybrids, Vampire/Shapeshifter Hybrids, Vampire/Demon Hybrids

SLAVE SPECIES: Demon/Human Hybrids, Demon/Shapeshifter Hybrids, Werewolves, Phoenixes, Celestials

STAFF SPECIES: Demons, Elementals, Spirits, Witches, Dragon/Witch Hybrids, Witch/Shapeshifter Hybrids, Witch/Human Hybrids, Witch/Spirit Hybrids

VILLAGER SPECIES: Demons, Werewolves, Mermen, Phoenixes, Merman/Faerie Hybrids, Fire Elemental/Dragon Hybrids, Demon/Witch Hybrids, Demon/Dragon Hybrids

BANNED VERSATILITY / ROLES

VERSATILE/TOPS: Masters and Staff

VERSATILE/BOTTOMS: Staff